Greene County, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – September 22, 2024 – Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder is asking for the public’s help in solving a possible crime.

Asking for the public’s help isn’t something new. Many law enforcement agencies will ask the public to report information about things they see or things they hear to help police determine what happened or to locate suspects. But the way Snyder worded his early Sunday morning request for help is the story.

There apparently was a “gathering” of teenagers in the Finch community Saturday night. According to Snyder’s post, the sheriff’s department was asked to respond. Snyder doesn’t say in the post if it was noise coming from the gathering or just what led to the request for his department to respond.

The post goes on to say that, when the deputy responded, those attending the “gathering” scattered. One person leaving apparent found his/her own exit … through a fence.  A fence that surrounded cattle, some of which may have escaped based on the suggestion in Snyder’s post.

The post indicates all of the cows are back where they should be. But Snyder suggests that the vehicle that was driven through the fence may have damage. Snyder suggests it may have “barbed wire wrapped around its axles.” Snyder is asking the public to check the vehicles that are driven by their children and report any vehicles that may have been damaged. “It’ll be much easier to make this right on the front end than dealing with it on the back end,” Snyder posted.

Several of those commenting on Snyder’s post are suggesting options for justice. “Make them pay for the materials and then have them fix the fencing. Manual labor is much more of a teaching moment versus juvenile jail time,” Jodie Boyer writes.

Kristin Dacus’ comment suggests there may have been gunfire at the gathering. “We live next to this farmer, and we were frightened over the ordeal. We were trying to figure out what was going on. It was dangerous for everyone involved. The gun fire was really close to our house.”

A comment from Kristie Walker suggested a previous disagreement with law enforcement, “I advise the parents of the teenager involved with this post NOT to contact you or ANYONE in Paragould law enforcement under any circumstances especially if they don’t want any harm to fall upon their child accidentally.”

Here is the complete text of Snyder’s Facebook post:

Good Sunday morning everyone. I’m coming to you bright and early asking for a bit of assistance. Last night there was a “gathering” in the Finch community. One of my deputies was sent by dispatch to say hello, and it seems that one attendee was not in the mood for meeting new people. Instead, this attendee opted to drive through one of our cattle farmer’s fences as they made their own exit. While cattle did get out temporarily, none are missing that I’m aware of as of now. So, if you awake this morning to find your teenage son/daughter’s truck damaged and likely having barbed wire fencing wrapped around some axles, do me and your kid a favor and contact the sheriff’s office today. It’ll be much easier to make this right on the front end than dealing with it on the back end. Here’s our digits:  870-239-6343
– Sheriff Brad Snyder