Morrow County Probation Officers Lindsey Copley and Andrew Szteiter were delighted to receive a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria from the Cardington Police for use in their work.

The car will be used to serve warrants, for home visits and compliance checks of offenders as well as transporting offenders to and from the Court House.

Court Administrator and Chief Probation Officer Greg Thomas received a phone call in April from Cardington Police Officer Jason Kiefer asking if probation was in need of a vehicle.

“It shows what caring people they have in Cardington. They didn’t have to offer us the car, but they know how tight our finances are and were willing to help,” Thomas said.

Thomas said there were only two vehicles for the Probation Officers to use and one is 17 years old and the other is 12 years old. The addition of this car will help to ensure that offenders on probation in Morrow County can continue to expect to see their probation officers at their homes and places of employment at any time.

Two years ago, Probation Services began to conduct regular compliance checks at offenders’ homes and in the community. These visits are unannounced, random and can take place in the evenings. Safe and reliable transportation is needed for officers on these visits.

Officers Copley and Szteiter said they each have 50 probationers. The county has five adult probation officers. They also appreciate that it has a divider partition between front and back seat that is good for protection when transporting some offenders. Only one of the other probation cars has this feature.

Thomas calls the relationship between Probation and Cardington’s Police Department “very strong.”

“Working with Officer Kiefer and Chief Wallace on this project was a pleasure and our Probation Officers really enjoy working with them,” Thomas added. “Working together like Cardington and the Court did is a benefit for the county and taxpayers.”

Copley and Szteiter thanked the Village of Cardington, Mayor and Police Department for their generosity on behalf of Judge Hickson, Judge Elkin and the Common Pleas Court. Officer Kiefer said the probation officers will be able to make good use of their vehicle.

Shown, from left, are Cardington Village Police officer Jason Kiefer, Senior Probation Officer Lindsey Copley and Probation Officer Andrew Szteiter with the 2010 Crown Victoria donated by Cardington Police.
http://morrowcountysentinel.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2017/07/web1_DSCN1772-2-.jpgShown, from left, are Cardington Village Police officer Jason Kiefer, Senior Probation Officer Lindsey Copley and Probation Officer Andrew Szteiter with the 2010 Crown Victoria donated by Cardington Police.

By Alberta Stojkovic

The Sentinel