MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Sheriff David Barber announced two procedure changes at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office/Jail Facility at 11540 Upper Gilchrist Road, effective Nov. 1 that will affect persons coming to the facility.
Effective Tuesday, Nov. 1, cash will not be accepted at the sheriff’s office for payment of any fees or for property sold by the sheriff. This includes, but is not limited to, fees for arrest/background checks, including inked and electronic fingerprint checks; concealed handgun license application fees and sex offender registration fees. In addition, cash will no longer be accepted for the down payment or purchase of real estate sold under the direction of the sheriff.
The only acceptable forms of payment will be business, personal and bank checks and money orders.
The second change involves increased security at the Upper Gilchrist Road location.
Effective Tuesday, Nov. 1, all persons entering any portion of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office/Jail Facility beyond the front lobby will be screened for security purposes. This will include all persons visiting or conducting business anywhere in the building, including the sheriff’s office, jail, Knox County Emergency Management-Homeland Security Agency, Knox County 9-1-1 Coordinator’s Office and the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
The non-intrusive screening process requires persons to empty the contents of their pockets and pass through a walk-thru metal detector in the front lobby. In addition all packages, purses, backpacks, briefcases and other containers brought into the building will be visually inspected.
Barber said property lockers in the front lobby will be available to place coats and other items not needed while in the building. However, once the procedure is in effect, the public is encouraged to leave unnecessary items in their vehicles before entering the building.