Press Release - Jan. 28, 2012:

Mendocino Public Safety Foundation Makes Initial Grants for Bloodhound, Robot

The Mendocino Public Safety Foundation will make its first $16,000 in grants to local law enforcement to help acquire a bloodhound and a multipurpose search robot. Responding to requests from local law enforcement, the grants are being made using donations received since November from hundreds of citizens and contributions of $1,500 from Northern Aggregates and $600 from the North Coast Builders Exchange.

Sheriff Tom Allman told the Foundation that a bloodhound will be able to find fugitives and lost people, and additionally detect drugs and contraband. He says that having a bloodhound available locally would have been an important asset in the recent search for Aaron Bassler on the Coast. Sheriff Allman stated that "adding a bloodhound to the Sheriff's Office K-9 Division will allow us to search for fugitives and missing persons. We will be working with the three local police departments as well as our neighboring counties to assure that our deputy will be able to assist in times of need." Mendocino County asset forfeiture funds will be added to the Foundation's $4,000 grant for the dog, to cover training and upkeep expenses for the animal.

Ukiah Police Chief Chris Dewey submitted a request for funding in cooperation with the Willits and Fort Bragg departments for a Robotex Avatar tactical robot, which is a rugged high-tech tool used by dozens of police departments to resolve dangerous situations without risk to officers. The Foundation grant will cover $12,000 of the anticipated $27,562 cost of the robot. The robot can be thrown into a building, right itself, and then maneuver by remote control throughout the interior, even climbing stairs. It provides video and audio surveillance and can detect hazardous materials. An arm on the robot can grasp and remove materials, such as potential bombs.

Chief Dewey anticipates that the robot will provide vital assistance in bomb scares, hostage situations, and hazardous chemical spills. “It is only through the efforts of the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation, that our police agencies could afford this tool. Tools like this help safeguard officers, and are vital in helping us serve our communities. I speak for all our officers and their appreciation to both the foundation and our community for donating these essential funds to assist law enforcement. Thank you. ”

"We're delighted to be able to help the sheriff and police acquire these tools," said Ross Liberty, president of the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation. "This is how voluntary donations from the public can make our peace officers safer and more effective."

The bloodhound will be owned by the sheriff's department and the robot by the Ukiah police, but both assets will be fully available to all local law enforcement agencies when they are needed.

The Foundation, an IRS-recognized charity, was organized in 2011 to raise private funds to assist local law enforcement, which has been hard-hit by government budget cuts in recent years. The Foundation is especially interested in helping acquire equipment and supplies that will increase the safety and effectiveness of sheriff's deputies and city police officers. Following a fund-raising mailer in November, the Foundation is continuing to accept donations from the public, including local businesses. Donations are tax deductible, depending on the donor's individual tax status.

Unlike some other entities that solicit funds in the name of law enforcement, the Foundation pledges that 100% of every dollar given by general donors will be passed on in grants to local law enforcement. All Foundation personnel are volunteers, and fund-raising costs are funded by separate donations received for that purpose. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors headed by Jim Eddie of Potter Valley, a former County Supervisor.

Donations to the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 123, Ukiah CA 95482, or made through PayPal on the Foundation's website, www.ProtectMendocino.org. The Foundation can be contacted by email at donate@ProtectMendocino.org.

Press Release - Dec. 11, 2011:

Public Safety Foundation Will Make First Grants to Local Law Enforcement

After its first fund-raising drive, the Mendocino Public Safety Foundation is ready to begin assisting local law enforcement agencies. The Foundation has invited the sheriff and Ukiah, Willits and Ft Bragg police departments to make proposals for equipment acquisition or other projects. All submissions will be considered and, on January 17, 2012, the Foundation will award up to $10,000 in grants.

We extend our thanks to the community for the quick response and all the support received to date. "We are continuing to collect donations and hope to provide more support for law enforcement in the future," said Ross Liberty.

The Foundation was incorporated in May 2011 as a 501(c)(3) charity to collect tax-deductible private donations. All donations will go to one or more of the four local law enforcement agencies.

"With all the cutbacks, there just isn't enough public money for public safety," said Foundation Chairman, Jim Eddie. "Private donations are needed to help the sheriff and police get the tools they need."

The Foundation is inviting individuals and businesses to become members who will make donations every year. Members get a donor bumper sticker and an invitation to the Foundation's annual event. Businesses also receive a wall placard acknowledging their support.

The Foundation's Board of Directors is chaired by Jim Eddie, a lifelong county resident and Potter Valley rancher who served three terms as a Mendocino County Supervisor. Other Board members come from all over the county. Sheriff Tom Allman and the three city police chiefs are ex-officio advisors to the Board. The Foundation's website is www.ProtectMendocino.org, which accepts donations through PayPal. The Foundation's mailing address is P.O. Box 123, Ukiah CA 95482.

Press Release- Nov. 14, 2011:

New Foundation Will Raise Private Donations to Support Mendocino County Law Enforcement

A diverse group of Mendocino County residents has incorporated a non-profit charitable foundation to raise funds to support local law enforcement.

The Mendocino Public Safety Foundation will send out its first fund-raising mailer this week to thousands of households and businesses.  

"We're in this for the long-run," said Jim Eddie, the Foundation's Chairman. "Government funding for our sheriff and police has fallen to an unacceptable level and it is likely to get worse rather than better. It's time for private donors to step up and contribute to protect public  safety," said Eddie.

The Foundation plans to work closely with the sheriff and city police departments to get the most impact from private assistance. Donations will be passed on as grants to the sheriff and the three city police departments to pay for critical equipment and supplies. One example is helping law enforcement acquire and keep police dogs, which can greatly increase the effectiveness and security of peace officers.

Sheriff Tom Allman said, "I am thrilled to work alongside so many people who are striving to help law enforcement provide public safety throughout our county.  It’s exciting to know that 100% of all the contributions will stay right here in Mendocino County."

The Foundation is modeled on dozens of similar non-profits around the U.S.  Depending on individual tax status, private donations of this kind are deductible from federal and state income taxes, and the Foundation has been recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

The Foundation will encourage supporters to become members who will contribute every year, and both households and businesses will receive recognition of their donations.   While no fund-raising target has been established, Eddie expects the Foundation's  income will grow steadily as the public recognizes that its safety depends on maintaining  law enforcement resources.

The Foundation's Board of Directors is headed by Jim Eddie of Potter Valley, chairman, Ross Liberty of Ukiah, president, and Don J. Miller of Fort Bragg, vice president. The seven-member Board is supported by an advisory committee of 14 people from all over the county.  The sheriff and three city police chiefs will be ex-officio advisors to the Board.

Generous support for the Foundation's organizational costs has been donated by Savings Bank of Mendocino, Factory Pipe, Selzer Realty and numerous individuals.

The Foundation can be contacted by emailing info@protectmendocino.org, or at P.O. Box 123, Ukiah, CA 95482

Copy of this press release in pdf format.