SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Talladega County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook to address their plan of action and protocol during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Here is what Sheriff Jimmy Kilgore had to say:
“In response to the coronavirus pandemic, as your Sheriff, I have deemed it necessary to implement certain temporary measures in an effort to promote public safety and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. First, I would like to remind everyone that we are now facing a challenge that we have not faced previously in our lifetime. Therefore, understanding and cooperation from you, the public, is of the upmost importance. With that in mind, I would like to share some of these measures with you. First, Deputies have been instructed to minimize person to person contact whenever feasible. We will be handling information calls for service telephonically. Supervisors will determine whether or not the request for assistance requires a deputy’s presence, and if so, one will be dispatched. Please maintain personal distancing when conversing with law enforcement personnel (six feet between you). This is an effort to prevent the people you depend on for help from becoming ill themselves. I have suspended new issuances and renewals of concealed carry permits (AKA “pistol permits”) for a period at this time of 30 days. This is due in part to the restricted access to the Judicial Building in Talladega, where my administrative services office is located. The same applies to the office located in the County Annex Building in Sylacauga. If your permit has expired and you go to either of the above listed locations, you will be given a letter stating that an extension has been granted on your expired permit until April 17, 2020. Should the need arise that you are required to provide your permit to law enforcement, simply show the letter and you permit will be honored as valid. New applications will be accepted and processed on or after April 17, 2020. Visitation at the County Jail has also been suspended until April 17, 2020. Restricted access, as well as numerous other efforts have been implemented at the jail in order to attempt to prevent the introduction/mitigate the spread of the virus within the facility. Please remember that the crisis that we are facing is unprecedented, but by everyone’s cooperation, preparedness and adherence to recommended precautions, we will get through this. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. As always, should you have questions, please feel free to call on me at (256) 362-2748.”