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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > July > 14
Monday, July 14, 2008
Election notes: Sheriff and consolidation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Specific duties of the Office of Sheriff today include: providing law enforcement and traffic safety services, operating the county jail, serving as an officer of the court and serving criminal warrants, subpoenas and civil papers,” according to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.
Literally from day one, incumbent Victor Hill drew the ire of some and the adoration of others by firing 27 sheriff’s deputies, costing taxpayers millions in legal fees and settlements. Hill also closed massage parlors and formed several public safety programs.
“Each community would lie within a zone or district that would be served by a permanently-assigned Deputy,” explains Kem Kimbrough who plans to implement a “community-oriented policing” system“By serving warrants and other process consistently within that district, the Deputy would become familiar with areas where wanted persons are found and where other problems, such as vacant properties are located. Deputies would be required to share this information with homeowners and their local police so that the community has two separate, but overlapping, layers of service.”
Sherman Lemon’s six-step plan will: “Restore professionalism and confidence to the Sheriff’s Office; effectively administer its primary functions, responsibilities and duties; bridge the gap between law enforcement by maintaining strong relationships with all local, state and federal authorities; streamline and maximize the budget by being fiscally responsible; restore morale by treating all empl oyees with the utmost respect; and ensure all personnel are completely trained and equipped to carry out their duties and responsibilities.” “
It’s time to make a change,” says Jack Rainwater, who intends to “…get all county law enforcement agencies to work together in their efforts to fight crime, as well as making a dent in the 20,000 warrant backlog. We need a sheriff that cares about the county as well as the citizens, and does not feel taxpayers have deep pockets. [Hill’s] ego and management style has made it unbearable for the good employees of the sheriff’s department as evidenced by his unreasonable transfers and firings.”
Ernest Strozier’s priorities are: “To provide a secure jail, the safety of our communities, the efficient serving of criminal and civil warrants and cooperation with other public safety agencies and county commissioners. I will realign the jail administrative system, reduce costs and create workable programs to reduce repeat offenders. I will realign manpower to ensure that the backlog of criminal and civil warrants are served, which will improve community safety and put real criminals in jail.”
As per his website, Garland Watkins wants to “…mend the ties with other agencies and entities that the current Sheriff has severed or broken to make this county safer and more efficiently run for everyone.”
Consolidation is another hot topic on tomorrow’s ballot.
Hill pushed for consolidation via failed bills 1090 and 1589 during his term as house representative, and prior to being elected sheriff. Hill is the only candidate supporting this concept, and recently expressed his desire to consolidate ALL county municipal police departments into the sheriff’s office.
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