Ashland County Commissioners Ride Along With Sheriff’s Deputies for Firsthand Look at Law Enforcement Operations
ASHLAND COUNTY — The men responsible for deciding how Ashland County’s tax dollars are spent recently stepped out from behind the budget books and into patrol cars, gaining a firsthand look at how those dollars are used to keep residents safe.
Ashland County Commissioners James Justice, president; Michael Welch, vice president; and Commissioner Denny Bittle participated in ride-alongs with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, joining deputies during routine patrols to better understand the daily realities, challenges, and equipment needs of local law enforcement.
Because the Sheriff’s Office represents one of the largest portions of the county’s overall budget, Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider said the experience was an important opportunity for commissioners to see where their investments go.
“This really came from some casual conversations about how important it is to understand what we do out here,” Schneider said. “You can read reports and look at budgets, but until you see it firsthand, you don’t really grasp how intense the job can be. I give the commissioners a lot of credit for taking the initiative to come out and see it for themselves.”
Schneider said the ride-alongs help bridge the gap between policy and practice, allowing decision-makers to see how investments in training, vehicles, technology, and equipment directly impact officer safety and effectiveness.
“They make the decisions to purchase equipment, so it’s important to understand how it’s used and why it’s necessary,”
Commissioner Michael Welch said he welcomed the invitation and found the experience eye-opening.
Welch said. “I rode with a deputy for about three hours, responded to calls, and saw firsthand how operations run. It gave me a much better understanding of how taxpayer dollars are being used and why safety equipment and communication tools are so important.”
Welch added that seeing deputies in action reinforced the importance of providing them with reliable vehicles and modern technology to help them do their jobs safely and efficiently.
Commissioner Denny Bittle rode with Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle Pidgeon and said the experience left a strong impression.
“I was really impressed,” Bittle said. “What stood out to me most was how their minds work — what they’re looking for, why they do things the way they do, and how strategic they are.”
Bittle observed traffic enforcement on U.S. Route 30, learning why deputies rotate locations frequently due to real-time apps that alert drivers to police presence. He also witnessed deputies serving paperwork and learned about the tactical considerations involved when a situation may involve firearms.
“That alone showed me how critical it is that our officers are outfitted with the best equipment possible — from vehicles and radios to tasers and firearms,” Bittle said. “When you see it firsthand, you realize these requests aren’t frivolous. They’re about keeping officers and the public safe.”
Deputy Kyle Pidgeon said the ride-alongs benefit both deputies and county leadership.
“When we ask for equipment or funding, it helps when commissioners can say they’ve been out here and understand why it’s needed,” Pidgeon said. “They get to see what we do and why those tools matter.”
Commissioner James Justice said his decision to ride again — after a previous experience several years ago — was driven by how much has changed.
“There’s new equipment, new technology, and we allocate a lot of money to the Sheriff’s Office,” Justice said. “I wanted to see firsthand where that money is going and what deputies deal with on a daily basis.”
Justice said the experience deepened his appreciation for the work deputies do, even on what might seem like a “routine” day.
“You always know that at any moment, it can stop being routine,” he said. “I learned more in a few hours riding with Deputy Pidgeon than I probably had in years. It was very informative and very admirable.”
All three commissioners said the ride-alongs reinforced their belief that investments in the Sheriff’s Office are being used responsibly and with officer and public safety in mind. Several expressed interest in making ride-alongs a more regular practice.
Sheriff Schneider said the experience also reflects the strong working relationship between county leadership and the Sheriff’s Office.
“This kind of cooperation builds trust and understanding,” Schneider said. “When commissioners see what our deputies do day in and day out, it strengthens that partnership — and ultimately, that benefits everyone in Ashland County.”
