Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East recently shed light on the rapid growth and evolving demands facing the sheriff’s office as the county continues to expand during the Oxford & Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Coffee and Conversation meeting last Friday.

East, who has served in his role for five years, emphasized that while the county’s growth is positive, it also presents significant challenges for law enforcement and public safety services.

“One of the biggest concerns we have, aside from crime, is growth,” East said. “Lafayette County is growing greatly, and while that’s a good thing, it’s also a challenge to keep up with it.”

With the county population now at approximately 58,000 people, East’s team is working hard to ensure services can match the increasing demands. The sheriff’s office has expanded its dispatch services, now operating with three dispatchers, up from two when East first took office. The team handles an average of 30,000 emergency calls per year, dispatching all law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire response within the county—except for the Oxford Police Department, which maintains its own dispatch system.

In addition to handling emergency calls, the sheriff’s office is responsible for all court-related paperwork, including warrants, subpoenas, and indictments.

The Lafayette County Detention Center is another area experiencing strain due to growth. The center, which houses approximately 160 inmates, which includes an average of 90 federal inmates, was built in partnership with the U.S. Marshal Service and Department of Justice 30 years ago.

“We’ve got doors that won’t lock, plumbing issues, and water leaks. It’s a 30-year-old building with 30-year-old problems,” he said.

To address these issues, the sheriff’s office has added a perimeter fence for security and recently completed a new commissary building. Plans are underway to expand the facility, adding 20 more beds to accommodate the growing inmate population. The sheriff also highlighted the need for better facilities for female inmates, who are often housed in overcrowded and less-than-ideal conditions.

Mental health care is a priority at the detention center. East noted that the facility provides medical and mental health services, including regular visits from a psychiatrist and therapists from Communicare.

“We ensure that inmates with mental health issues are stable and receive the care they need,” he said.

Another key focus has been the establishment of a training division to ensure that officers meet state standards. The sheriff’s office also runs a jail academy to train certified jailers, providing this service at no cost to other agencies.

The sheriff’s office has secured funding to build a substation in Harmontown, providing 24-hour law enforcement presence in this remote area. The building will also serve as a community space.

“We stay busy,” East said.