DARLINGTON - The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department is warning residents about a recent solicitation scam reported in Benton.
A Benton resident received a letter in the mail soliciting money for a group identified as the "United States Deputy Sheriff's Association." The letter asks for donations for the purchase of bullet-proof vests, training, night-vision scopes and firearms for law enforcement officers.
In a release Friday, Nov. 9, Sheriff Scott Pedley said he is unfamiliar with the organization and no members of his department are affiliated with the group.
Charity Navigator gives the United States Sheriff's Association a score of only 15.27 out of 70.
Pedley recommends not sending money to any outside organization soliciting funds in any way for law enforcement.
"Local tax dollars are already allocated each year to pay for the operations of our law enforcement agencies," he said.
Pedley suggests that anyone who wants to contribute additional funds to law enforcement consider locally run charities, such as the Lafayette County Crime Stoppers program and Sheriff's K-9 fund.
A Benton resident received a letter in the mail soliciting money for a group identified as the "United States Deputy Sheriff's Association." The letter asks for donations for the purchase of bullet-proof vests, training, night-vision scopes and firearms for law enforcement officers.
In a release Friday, Nov. 9, Sheriff Scott Pedley said he is unfamiliar with the organization and no members of his department are affiliated with the group.
Charity Navigator gives the United States Sheriff's Association a score of only 15.27 out of 70.
Pedley recommends not sending money to any outside organization soliciting funds in any way for law enforcement.
"Local tax dollars are already allocated each year to pay for the operations of our law enforcement agencies," he said.
Pedley suggests that anyone who wants to contribute additional funds to law enforcement consider locally run charities, such as the Lafayette County Crime Stoppers program and Sheriff's K-9 fund.