EUSTACE–The Eustace City Council passed a resolution supporting the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force June 2 at their regular meeting.
Playing a significant role in helping gain support for Resolution No. 278.06-2022 were Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer and Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, who were both on hand Thursday night to discuss what the task force will do for the county and the city.
“As you probably know, crimes against children are on the rise across Henderson County, our state and across the country,” Palmer said. “Last year alone we had almost 400 forensic interviews of children who were suspected of being abused or neglected in Henderson County and Eustace accounted for about 2.4 percent of the cases last year.” 
Palmer and Hillhouse are trying help create and devote time to helping the victims of these crimes while not taking away time from their overworked officers and staff. 
By establishing the task force, their office can dedicate more time and resources to helping the children and families affected by these crimes.
“After taking the initial report, kids will be referred to the task force that will be stationed at the Children’s Advocacy Center. These are investigators that handle only crimes against children,” Palmer stated. 
“We’re hoping to streamline the process and make things easier at trial and also make things easier, No. 1, for the victims of these crimes,” Hillhouse said. 
In other business, council members:
•Approved minutes and financials from their April meeting.
•Delivered oaths of office and certificates for council members Randy Johnson and Chuck Powers.
•Heard from advocates on making Eustace a sanctuary city for unborn children.
•Approved Pioneer Day for Sept. 24 with a budget up to $10,000.
•Approved a tax collection contract with Henderson County for $.90/parcel.
•Approved a budgeted amount of $10,000 towards security cameras.