My name is Jason Holcomb. I drive an 18 wheeler for DMS Ventures out of Lecompte, La. On Tuesday night, September 30, I was traveling from Oklahoma City, OK, on a return trip to Lecompte, La. Unfornunately, my ELD (electronic logging device) that tracks the amount of hours I can legally drive in a day, was getting close to running out. Seeing that I did not have enough time to make it on into Texarkana, TX, I chose to stop in DeKalb. I have previously stayed in the parking lot of the Front Street Junction. I decided to pull into that same parking lot to compare the map and times on my clock to anywhere closer to Texarkana or New Boston. I realized at that time that I could not make it, A little rule of thumb, if you can’t be in a larger chain truck stop such as Love’s by 3pm-4pm, you are out of luck finding a parking spot for the night. I decided to park behind the Junction, all the way in the back so not to block anyone even though it was 11:00pm. After parking, I went to bed for my mandatory 10 hour break. Shortly after 11:00pm, I heard a knock on my door. Officer Foster with the DeKalb Police Department said the owners didn’t want big trucks parking in their lot over night. I said yes sir and proceeded to tell him that I didn’t have enough time left on my clock to make it on in to Texarkana that’s why I stopped in here. Without hesitation, Officer Foster said follow me and led me to a parking lot where they park their police units. He said “You more than welcome to spend the night here.”
There is so much criticism dealing with our police departments lately that I thought it was high time someone spoke up about the good things that happen. I want to give the DeKalb Police Department a huge recognition, especially Officer Foster, for helping me out and not just running me off that night. Thank You guys for a safe place to sleep and helping a truck driver out! Thank You Jason Holcomb
