Homeland security

has to start at home.

The town of

Tyrone will be conducting background checks of all managers, coaches and

volunteers involved in youth sports, starting with baseball and softball.

They will also do background checks for anybody that does anything through

the recreation department, including yoga instructors, dance teachers

and more.

The Tyrone

Youth Baseball and Youth Softball Associations signed a Park use Agreement

that would require background checks by Southeastern Security Consultant,

Inc., which is affiliated with the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.

Other local sports organizations conduct background checks through the

Sheriff's department or Marshal's department which tend only to look for

crimes committed in Georgia.

The background

checks for Tyrone will be extensive, looking nationwide to see if any

of these crimes have been committed: simple battery of a minor, aggravated

battery of a minor, cruelty to children, contributing to the delinquency

of a minor, felony violation of any controlled substance act, murder,

felony murder, any alcohol violation within the last five years and crimes

of moral turpitude.

The inital

cost for the background checks will be between $3,600-$3,800 but the town

and the sports associations will absorb the costs and registration fees

will not be raised. The background checks will be good for a two year

period.

There is an

appeal process through the recreation department. The appeal would then

be heard by an appeal committee made up of the mayor, the town manager

and the town attorney.

Registration

for baseball and softball in Tyrone will take place in January and February

and background checks will begin then. The company promises a turnaround

of two to five days.

"Tyrone

is not a small town anymore, it is growing" said Tyrone Baseball

Association president Beth Higbie. "You don't know everybody anymore

andthat is why this is necessary."

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