Entities come to agreement over juvenile probation transport

May 31—WEATHERFORD — Commissioners and county departments reached common ground Monday in coming up with a solution for transporting juveniles.

Currently, juvenile probation board staff have been transporting said children, though Chief Ashley Marineau said the Parker County Attorney's Office, constables and the sheriff's department have been helping out.

"We're putting these county employees at somewhat of a risk because they don't have the tools or necessary things to protect themselves in situations that could possibly come up," County Judge Pat Deen said.

Marineau pointed out that one recent juvenile transported by the county attorney's office had a history assault offenses as well as running.

Monday's agenda item included taking action on an order that would have mandated the sheriff's department take over transport. The problem, however, is a lack of resources, including adequate staff, to be able to do that.

Sheriff Russ Authier said he has the budget for adding deputies. However, those positions have been open and the department has been actively recruiting to fill them.

"The way I understood, this order put all of the duties on the sheriff and relieved some from other law enforcement," Precinct 2 Commissioner Jacob Holt said.

Authier said he didn't need or want the order.

"I think we can all get there. If you approve the positions today, I still have to fill those," he said. "We will do everything we can and we'll get there, but right now we just need some help in the interim."

Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike Hale questioned whether there was a way to pre-determine whether or not a juvenile could become dangerous.

"It could be someone on a nonviolent offense who becomes violent," Authier said. "You always have to assume that they can hurt you or do great harm. Some [juvenile probation] departments go to training to be able to be armed."

Commissioners ultimately approved two positions within the department out of excess funds.