Benton County Sheriff Shares Safety Resolutions for the New Year

(KNSI) – Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck has three resolutions to help keep residents safe in 2026.

He advises people to secure their stuff. Heck writes on Facebook that theft ranks among the top five reported crimes to the sheriff’s office each year. Other categories may drop out from time to time, but theft is a constant.

Heck notes that a vast majority of thefts are burglaries fueled by opportunity. They tend to be examples where money or valuables are left in an unlocked car. If a burglar is combing through a property, they’re more interested in the shed and outbuildings rather than the homes or businesses that are better protected.

Heck believes simple steps like locking doors, lighting dark areas, and keeping valuables out of plain sight would stop most thefts. He also recommends motion detection lights or full security systems for maximum protection.

Lastly, Heck encourages neighborhood watch groups. Empowering neighbors to report suspicious behavior is a great deterrent to property crimes.

Heck ends his New Year’s resolutions post by asking residents to be skeptical, especially of unsolicited contact by phone, email, or text message. He says phishing scams and other fraudster ploys are becoming more sophisticated because so many companies sell customer data. In an era where they can customize a plan to extract money from their victims, Heck says residents need to be firm and just say no.

Cut off communication immediately and never click on links sent via email or text. Other signs that fraud is being attempted include the person on the other end making the situation sound dire or urgent. They’ll also ask to be paid in gift cards, bitcoin, or by wire transfer, rather than more traditional methods.

The top resolution Heck asks of residents is to be better drivers. He writes that with two to three tons of steel moving at high speeds, a crash always has the potential to result in serious injury or death. He wants people to drive with care, avoid distractions to keep their attention on the road, and always be sober when behind the wheel.

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