Soon you will see a new addition to the Greer County Sheriff’s Office as inmate work crews will be out in full force cleaning up ditches and other illegal dumpsites. Sheriff Steve McMahan announced that they were recently awarded a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a new Environmental Deputy position. The Deputy will be responsible for investigating illegal dumping operations and cooperating with multiple agencies for the cleanup of those illegal dump sites, as well as overseeing inmate work crews who will assist in this venture. The Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the DEQ and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and will be working to preserve the environment and beautify the roadsides of Greer County.

The program is set to begin around the beginning of August 2023. Anyone caught dumping illegally could face fines and/ or jail time. Hazardous materials dumped could result in Felony Charges being filed against offenders. Sheriff McMahan said, “I’ve been excited about this grant since I came back to Greer County in December 2021. We had just missed the deadline at that time. So, when it opened again, we made sure to get it. My deputies and I have already been working on illegal dump sites. This grant will ensure a deputy is assigned to that area to make an even bigger impact. I take great pride in the area we live, and I hope that through this program, more people will as well.” This new partnership will enable the Sheriff’s Office with more tools to respond to illegal dumping complaints.

If you know of an area that needs cleaned up, please call the Greer County Sheriff’s Office and tell dispatch where it is and we will get to it as soon as possible. You can also go to the GCSO website, www.greercountysheriff.org, and submit a tip there. Let’s work together and help keep our county beautiful.