Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant

I would like to address some concerns that have been brought to my attention during the latest round of snow and cold temperatures.  

I have been asked why we have to respond when a vehicle becomes stuck, stranded or disabled during these last winter storms and why can't people who choose to travel when the weather gets bad, just wait it out in their vehicles. Some feel that we are wasting county/township/KDOT resources.

As Sheriff, I feel it is my responsibility to not only keep the peace, serve civil process and keep the jail as mandated by statute, but also to render aid to those in need, especially when life threatening weather circumstances are presented.  Our last storms put us in a state of emergency.

We had dozens of stranded motorists  all over Brown County. Deputies were on routine patrol throughout the storms aiding anyone who needed assistance.  Many were families with small children who slid off the roadway or became stuck in snowdrifts by no fault of their own.   

With the extreme temperatures, frostbite and even death can occur in a matter of
minutes, should the motor quit running in stranded vehicles.

What some folks need to realize is that many people who do not live in our county rely on their GPS or Garmin to  get from place to place.  One big flaw is that GPS does not always make sure the driver stays on a main road and detours to lesser traveled blacktops such as 240th (old 36 hwy).  This also happens during rainy season and GPS maps out a route that includes a mud road and people end up getting stuck.

Many people have jobs that require them to show up regardless of bad weather or in need of food or medicine.   Deputies have assisted those who didn't have a choice but to get out and earn a living for their families. This is what we do, and we are very fortunate to have a great amount of support from our county residents and dedicated men and women at the Sheriffs office.  Some  had to work double shifts without complaint due to the drifting  road conditions.

This has been the first year that all of us have gotten stuck at one time or another trying to get to stranded vehicles to render aid.  When a vehicle that has slid off the road or became stuck in a drift is noticed or reported, we have to make sure to check it out to see if anyone is inside. This is the protocol I have put in place for everyone's safety and will continue to do so.

Our deputies, dispatchers, jail personnel,  emergency services, KDOT, county and township workers, linemen, farmers and general public have responded to assist without complaint.   I express my gratitude to all of those who have offered help when times get bad, it makes a positive difference.