Higdon: ‘See Something’ reminder; lottery proceeds helping pay college tuition
By SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator
SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
Friday, July 14, 2017 — Last summer I reminded you of the national “See Something Say Something” Homeland Security Program and the “Eye on Kentucky” program, which was created to allow citizens to anonymously report potential criminal or terroristic activity in their communities. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasis again the importance of this program in keeping our communities safe.
According to the program, suspicious activities may include unusual items or situations, such as an unattended package, or a vehicle in an odd location, or a person making unusual inquiries or persistently soliciting information.
According to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, suspicious activity may include persons:
· Asking unusual questions about building security;
· Taking photographs or videos of buildings, bridges. or other locations;
· Asking detailed questions about the schedules of public transportation;
· Seen timing the arrival and departure of public transportation;
· Loitering around reservoirs, water-treatment plants, dams, or power plants;
· Watching a building for extended periods of time.
If you see something that looks like it might be illegal activity, do not be afraid to report it. There are several ways you can report such activity and your identity will be protected.
You can contact local law enforcement, or go to the Kentucky Homeland Security website, www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov, and click the “Eye on Kentucky” link, or call 1 866-EYE-ON-KY (1-866-393-6659) to report suspicious activity.
KY LOTTERY PROCEEDS. On a more positive note, people often ask me where Kentucky Lottery revenue ends up. I am happy to report that the Lottery, which has generated $2.8 billion for scholarships and grants for students across the Commonwealth, presented nearly $210 million in 2016 alone for scholarship and grant money. Senate District 14, our district, received over $7 million in scholarship and grant money which was awarded to 4,332 students.
These funds were part of the 21,084 grants and scholarships worth $34,121,012 awarded to students in Jefferson County; 503 grants and scholarships worth $859,937 awarded to students in Casey County; 592 grants and scholarships worth $1,035,642 awarded to students in Marion County; 1,504 grants and scholarships worth $2,547,997 awarded to students in Nelson County; and 689 grants and scholarships worth $1,198,400 awarded to students in Spencer County.
One in five Kentuckians has received college funds from the Kentucky Lottery since 1999. If you would like to find out more about this program, please visit www.kylottery.com.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me at my home phone, 270-692-6945, or toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at Jimmy.Higdon@LRC.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov.
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