After a year of planning, moving, and permitting, Jones County’s safe house is ready to fulfill its purpose of providing a safe place for an individual or family in crisis to spend the night.

The Exchange Club of Jones County partnered with the Jones County Sheriff’s Department to bring Sheriff Butch Reece’s concept to fruition.

Reece said he had the idea of the safe house when the opportunity arose to utilize available FEMA trailers from the Katrina effort. He said the trailers were received with the aid of the US Marshal Service. The sheriff explained that his department receives first chance at equipment and even furniture because the county houses federal prisoners.

Capt. Billy Mitchell was one of the officers who traveled to Alabama to pick up the trailer and is the liaison between the Sheriff’s Department and the agencies that deal with people who may need to use the shelter.

The trailer is located in a secure area on Sheriff’s Department property and contains four bunk beds, a double bed, and a sofa that converts to another double bed. It contained most of the necessary furniture but needed dishes, linens, small appliances, and a stocked pantry.

That was where the Exchange Club was able to help. The club has held a yard sale and three bingos to raise money for the safe house. In addition to keeping the pantry and refrigerator supplied, the club is paying the utility bills for the trailer.

“This all fell in place,” Mitchell explained. “Now when we have a family in need of a place to stay, we won’t have to take them to the Gray Motel or find other lodging. This trailer will sleep six comfortably.”

Mitchell said the safe house may be utilized for families in the midst of a domestic crisis, in addition to house fires or other circumstances. The captain said there is no way to guess the number of times a safe house is needed.

“This will be a real helping hand for people in a time of need,” he added. Mitchell said anyone needing to use the facility should call him at the Sheriff’s Department, 986-3489.

The next fund-raiser for the safe house will take place Aug. 1 in the lunchroom of the former Jonesco School located behind the Government Center. Previous bingos have been held at the Lions Club building, but the location was moved in order to have air conditioning.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and bingo will begin promptly at 7. Snacks and beverages will be available.