Name: Black ties for the blues
Brand: rivertonranger.com
SKU: rivertonranger-com-5
Availability: OnlineOnly

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Black ties for the blues

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                                Like much of the country, Fremont County law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit new officers almost across the board. Law enforcement is also well-known for being a difficult career choice, with high rates of burn-out as officers risk life and limb. However, support for law enforcement is relatively high in Fremont County, and the people who live here decided they wanted to step up and try to do their part to lend a hand.&nbsp;“There’s such a need for it here and now,” remarked Fremont County Law Enforcement Foundation (FCLEF) President – and former law enforcement officer – Brett Johnson. Law enforcement isn’t just a job, he explained, “it’s more of a calling – and those men and women who are doing it in these hard times deserve our support and recognition.”&nbsp;The FCLEF was founded just a few months ago, but has already seen an outpouring of support. For its upcoming fundraising event, Ballgowns and Badges, the foundation asked the local community to donate items to auction. At first, Johnson said, he was concerned that they may not receive very many items. His concerns quickly proved unfounded; there was an outpouring of support, and now he has an entire cargo trailer full of donated auction items plus a gun safe donated by Murdock’s that he’ll have to pick up separately.“I think we get more traction than a lot of these other organizations because every penny we raise stays right here in Fremont County,” Johnson observed. Other organizations that operate on a national scale also do good, important work, he said, but it seems to him as though people appreciate knowing that their money will directly benefit their friends and neighbors right here at home. “This is purely Fremont County, this is where it stays.”&nbsp;The money can be used in a variety of ways, Johnson explained. For example, the Riverton Police Department in particular has been operating with a very short staff for some time. If the police department found a fully certified officer who was ready to immediately go to work, Johnson said, the FCLEF could offer to help cover that officer’s moving expenses. The funds could also be used to help support an officer who has to take time off work due to illness or family issues, but who may not have enough paid time off saved up to cover the entire period of time they would need. “There’s really no limit to what we can use this money for law enforcement for,” Johnson noted.&nbsp;Ballgowns and Badges will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening at the Chandelle Center in Riverton. After an initial social hour, food will be served at 6 p.m., after which there will be raffles and a silent auction. Once everyone has eaten their dinner, there will be a live auction. The event is intended to be black tie – not that anyone would be turned away based on their clothing, Johnson clarified, just that it’s a chance for anyone who wants to get a chance to dress up to dust off their best duds.&nbsp;Ballgowns and Badges tickets can be purchased on FCLEF’s website, fclef.org, or by stopping by Johnson’s Riverton business, Twice But Nice, and cost $50 per person. Tickets for law enforcement officers were originally priced at $25; however, SageWest donated $500 to prepay for tickets, allowing law enforcement officers to attend the event for free.
                                
                                



                                
                                
                                
                                Like much of the country, Fremont County law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit new officers almost across the board. Law enforcement is also well-known for being a difficult career choice, with high rates of burn-out as officers risk life and limb. However, support for law enforcement is relatively high in Fremont County, and the people who live here decided they wanted to step up and try to do their part to lend a hand.&nbsp;“There’s such a need...

Black ties for the blues

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