Press releases

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Sheriff Mike Bonham is speaking out about the coronavirus, and he wants citizens to know that Osage Sheriff’s Deputies are here, prepared, and still working in full force.

“It’s important for them to realize that their Sheriff’s Office is working. They’re out and about, and they’re doing what they do on a normal daily basis. That has not changed because of the situation.”

On Tuesday, aligning ourselves with the national request of social distancing, Sheriff’s Office urged the public to use telephone services or email to file police reports when possible.

Obviously, you know, we’re trying to create the social distancing and, try to minimize the human contact as we go through this crisis. And that includes my records department, which has many visitors on a daily basis. If we can minimize some of that daily contact or that need to the public, we’re going to try to figure out ways to do that. And one of them is filing a report by phone, if at all possible. We know some of people don’t have that ability. And we’re honestly open in order to accommodate people because it’s important that we’re aware of crimes being perpetrated, and then we document that.

We don’t have the luxury of working from an office a lot, or like a lot of the recommendations that are requested. Work from home, if you have that ability, that is great, we don’t have that ability. So it’s just as important for our officers to use precautions, so they don’t become a victim of the virus. So it’s important for you to realize that we’re out doing what we do on a normal basis, and will still react if you call for service, we’re available. If you call for service, deputies are available.

It is important for people not to buy groceries and other needs in excess. Situations of hoarding could affect so many people and is really hard on the elderly and the poor. There is enough food and supplies for everyone. If you believe there is price gouging contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Office at: 800-392-8222.

“It’s important for us to reassure our citizens that it is actually happening, and it’s not just us talking – trying to create calm – there will be supplies for you moving forward.”

We are also aware of scams that have popped up in other counties and will make its way to Osage eventually.  Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. They’re setting up websites to sell bogus products, and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information. If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. 

We are receiving calls on a daily basis about if we are going to ticket citizens for leaving their homes. The answer is simply, “no,” and we are not going to close down the highways.

“We are in it for the long haul and this is a time like we have never seen. We are not sure how long this crisis will go on, but we are all going to have some patience’s. God Bless Osage and God Bless America.”

Below is a list of the calls for service being handled by deputies of the Osage County Sheriff's Office. Call descriptions are based upon the information received at the time of dispatch; the final outcome of the investigation may vary. From Date: 01/1/2021 To 1/31/2021:

911 ACCIDENTAL 28

911 AREA CODE 3

911 HANG UP 17

911 OPEN LINE 23

ABANDONED VEHICLE 12

ACTIVE WARRANT 8

ALARM SOUNDING - LAW 17

ANIMAL CALLS 12

ARREST, LAW 1

ASSAULT, SEXUAL 1

ASSIST ANOTHER AGENCY - LAW 4

BREATHING PROBLEMS 1

BRUSH FIRE 1

BUILDING/AREA CHECKS 75

BURGLARY 1

C & I DRIVING / DRUNK DRIVER 13

CHECK WELL BEING 10

CHILD PLAYING WITH PHONE 3

CIVIL MATTER 3

COMPLAINT 5

DEBRIS IN THE ROAD 1

DIRECTED PATROL 34

DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE - VERBAL 6

DRUGS / NARCOTICS 1

DUPLICATE CALL 6

ELEVATOR EMERGENCY 1

EXTRA PATROL REQUESTED 18

FIGHT IN PROGRESS 1

FOLLOW UP 33

FRAUD / IDENTITY THEFT 7

HARASSMENT 1

HIT & RUN 3

INFORMATIONAL CALL 13

INVESTIGATION - LAW 10

LANE BLOCKAGE 10

LOST AND FOUND 1

MISSING PERSON / SEARCH & RESCUE 1

MISSING/FOUND ROAD SIGN/ POST 1

PAPER SERVICE 38

PEACE DISTURBANCE / NOISE 5

POWER LINES DOWN 2

PRISONER TRANSPORT 5

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - LAW 1

PYSCHIATRIC / SUICIDAL ATTEMPT 6

REPOSSESSION 1

RETURN CALL 63

SICK PERSON 1

SLIDE OFF - LAW 12

SPECIAL DETAIL 6

STOLEN VEHICLE 2

STRANDED MOTORIST 7

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/ VEH/ OBJECT 10

THEFT 11

THREATENING 2

TRAFFIC STOP 99

TRANSFER - LAW 2

TRESSPASSING 3

VANDALISM / PROPERTY DAMAGE 12

VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - NON-INJURY 14

VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - UNKNOW 6

INJURIES

VEHICLE / ATV ACCIDENT - WITH INJURIES 6

WALK IN - LAW 2

Total 702