No Cameras, Rising Caseloads: Rutherford DSS Faces Security and Service Strain

The Rutherford County Department of Social Services (DSS) board met on Wednesday, August 20, with Vice Chair Georgia Steele presiding in place of Chairman Leon Godlock, who was on vacation overseas. Board member Suzanne Porter did not attend, and her absence was not explained. Steele was joined by members David Herndon and Sydney Pellegrini. DSS Director Dee Hunt called in remotely from a statewide conference.

Security Takes Center Stage

One of the most pressing issues raised during the meeting was safety at the DSS campus. Allen Hardin, a retired sheriff’s deputy who is now contracted as a security officer, reported that the facility currently has no surveillance cameras. He said the gap makes it harder to monitor potential threats, especially as the department sees high daily foot traffic.

Adding to the challenge, a nearby bus stop often drops off individuals from a local homeless shelter who remain in the area throughout the day until they are picked up in the evening. Hardin said the situation requires “managing with kid gloves” to balance compassion with safety.

Hardin and another retired deputy now provide on-site security, equipped with radios linked directly to the sheriff’s office. They are authorized to detain individuals in certain situations, such as felony-level offenses, until deputies arrive. Two body cameras, connected to the sheriff’s evidence system, are also now in use.

The board expressed surprise that DSS had no cameras in place and welcomed Hardin’s assessment. A full security report with recommendations is expected at the next DSS board meeting in September.

Service Demands Remain High

The July DSS Report of Services, also reviewed at the meeting, shows just how stretched the agency remains:

• Child Protective Services (CPS): 86 total reports in July, up from 74 the month before.

• Children in Foster Care: 190, slightly higher than June but nearly unchanged from July 2024.

• Food Assistance (SNAP): 6,582 households received benefits in July, supporting more than 12,600 people, with a monthly allotment topping $2 million.

• Medicaid Recipients: 23,289, including more than 18,000 children and families.

• Child Support Enforcement: Collections reached $433,602, up from June but below July 2024 levels.

Despite staffing challenges, DSS reported progress in filling positions in both child protection and economic services.

What’s Next for DSS

In addition to security, Director Hunt is scheduled to brief the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners on September 8 about how upcoming state policy changes could affect Medicaid and SNAP benefits for local families.

The DSS board also welcomed several new staff members during the meeting, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize the workforce as demand for services continues to climb.