Donate locally, sheriff says
Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson is urging people to donate to local causes instead of giving money to the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, which is soliciting donations in a telemarketing campaign.
Watson said Thursday that the Sheriff’s Department has received several calls from people who questioned the legitimacy of the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association’s telephone drive.
“Yes they exist, and yes they’re reputable, and no we don’t encourage people to donate money to it,” said Watson, who is a member of the association. “None of the money comes back locally.”
Watson issued a press release this week listing local law enforcement programs where citizens could direct their charitable contributions, like the Christmas Crusade for Kids, which provides bikes to needy children in Idaho’s five northern counties.
The sheriff urges people to also consider donating to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s K-9 Fund or giving money to the Kootenai County Search and Rescue, Sheriff’s Posse or Sheriff’s Auxiliary.
The Idaho Sheriffs’ Association did not immediately return calls seeking comment Thursday.
Shoshone County Sheriff Chuck Reynalds, also a member of the organization, said he supports the telemarketing campaign. The money is used for administrative costs, lobbyist efforts and scholarships for students wanting to pursue a career in law enforcement, Reynalds said.
“It is my belief that it does help sheriffs statewide to get their message out,” Reynalds said.
He said past campaigns have been a success.
“It’s been in effect for a long period of time,” Reynalds said. “It’s been very good for us. We’ve received very few comments and complaints.”
Watson said he has repeatedly objected to the organization doing phone solicitations.
“We have great citizens, and I don’t like them getting annoyed with these boiler-room operations out of Florida,” Watson said.
Reynalds said there are people who have concerns about telephone campaigns because of similar calls from “bogus people.”
He said callers for the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association should never ask for money over the phone but instead ask to send out material and pamphlets telling people how funds would be used, and where they can send donations.
Reynalds advises people to hang up if someone asks for money because “it’s a bogus call.”