BLANCHESTER — An anonymous Blanchester resident has made a $50,000 donation to the police department.

At the donor’s request, the funds have been placed into the Citizens for Adequate Policing Trust Fund, established last year — after a similar donation was received. The trust fund is managed by the Clinton County Foundation.

The Trust Fund’s purpose is to assure adequate policing in Blanchester in light of repeated budget cuts imposed on the police department over the past four years — nearly 25 percent during that time, said Police Chief Scott Reinbolt.

“The use and distribution of illegal narcotics in an ongoing problem in Blanchester as it is in every community in the nation,” Reinbolt said. “Those addicted to illegal drugs often support their habit by stealing from our citizens, which negatively impacts the quality of life for all of our residents.”

The trust currently pays 50 percent of the salary of one part-time police officer, which frees up more experienced full-time officers to undertake narcotics investigations throughout the year, he said.

“We are grateful for this donation and are humbled by the confidence in the police department which it represents,” said Reinbolt.

He added that anyone wishing to make a donation to the trust fund can do so through the Clinton County Foundation, and any donation should be marked for deposit in the Citizens for Adequate Policing Trust Fund.