The Lincoln County commissioners are sending two employees to Dallas for the Conference on Crimes Against Women. This is the second year in a row witness advocate Abriana Delana and sheriff's deputy Matt Ryan will attend. CCAW is an annual event dedicated to addressing all forms of crimes against women.

It serves as a platform for first responders, law enforcement, advocates and other professionals to gather, share knowledge and collaborate on strategies to prevent and respond to these crimes.

The event offers more than 200 workshops, case studies and hands on computer labs taught by local and national experts who explore various facets of heinous crimes and provide tools for investigation. Delana said the conference draws a worldwide audience and the conference reports it draws about 3,000 per year.

Delana requested commissioners send another county employee which would qualify her to receive a scholarship to pay her registration. "I went on a scholarship last year, but it wasn't available this year," she said. "I found another matching scholarship if I found another person in the prosecutorial or sheriff's office to attend."

Commissioners voted, 3-0, to send Delana and Ryan to the conference scheduled for May 22-25. Lincoln County is paying for her travel, hotel and meals which total $1,003. The county will pay for Ryan's registration, travel and meals which cost $2,308.

Delana told commissioners the conference will assist her in achieving 30 hours toward credential certification as a certified victim's adovocate. 

In other action, Chief Deputy Rand Maker provided the two new commissioners, Evan Goodkowsky and David Levesque, with a brief "history" lesson about their alternate sentencing program. For five years, participants have avoided jail time by entering the two-to-five-day program. The program is held at Wavus (Jefferson) and Kieve (Nobleboro) campgrounds.

Participants perform community service and receive counseling in an effort to guide them away from criminal activity. Several participants typically battle substance abuse or alcohol problems. Several counseling sessions deal with drug and alcohol abuse, according to Maker.  

Counseling and educational sessions occur at night. Past topics have included teamwork, processing information, building a new life after incarceration, life choices, addiction recovery and roles of law enforcement. During the day, participants work on community service projects in Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.

The program was designed for OUI offenders, but now is used for other non-violent crimes. Participants pay $300 for weekend and $500 for week sessions. "If the court determines them indigent then the fee can be waived. No one will be denied access to the program over money," he said. 

Commissioners approved the April program on Feb. 4. A second program is scheduled for October. Maker said the program is approved by Maine's Department of Correction. 

Commissioners also dealt with several other sheriff's department requests during the meeting. Commissioners approved animal control officer agreements with Waldoboro and Bremen. A marine shellfish warden contract with South Bristol received approval.

Commissioners renewed an Addiction Resource Center contract for $199,043. Commissioners authorized an $8,491.53 payment to Power DMS software which manages the sheriff's department accreditation process, houses policies, and stores annual training records.  

Commissioners approved purchasing five sets of new cruiser tires from Lee Tires for $4,060.88.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.