Citizens who find themselves on the wrong side of the law will soon be able to pay their debt to society in Highlands via community service.
Highlands Police Chief Andrea Holland informed the town board of commissioners that her department has partnered with the Macon County Probation Office to take on probationer who are sentenced to community service.
“Right now, even if you live in Highlands, you have to go to Franklin in order to do community service,” Holland said. “And for some people, especially those who maybe have lost their driver’s license due to a DUI or some other offense, that can be quite a burden. Being able to do community service in Highlands is a win-win for the probationers and the town.”
The plan is for community service hours to be completed while picking up litter along Highlands streets. Holland noted that additional duties such as washing public vehicles and completing basic beautification projects are also possible.
Highlands police officers will supervise the probationers while they complete their community service hours in order to make sure they are meeting the time requirements and staying on task. The town is not responsible for the probationers’ safety, or liable for their actions during their community service hours, according to Holland.
“We have had citizens come to town board meetings the past two months to share how bad the litter issue has gotten in certain areas and we know there is a problem,” Holland said. “Officer McCall, our code enforcement officer, is always on the lookout for trash-related issues and places where litter is prominent.”
Mayor Patrick Taylor praised the police department staff for their initiative in making the community service program possible.
“Chief Holland took the lead on this and ran with it,” Taylor said. “We think having a community service program is a positive for the town and for the people who need to participate in order to fulfill their obligation.”