JEFFERSON COUNTY — Jefferson County communities and schools are signing on for a new program providing a part-time deputy from the sheriff’s department patrolling their communities.

So far, the villages of Dix and Woodlawn, along with Bluford Schools and Field School have started the process of getting a county sheriff’s deputy for their area.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says the deputies provide better protection of the areas of the county they are serving.

Bullard says it  also provides better communication between the communities and the sheriff’s department so the residents can be better served.