Pubdate: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 Source: Wilmington Morning Star (NC) Copyright: 2002 Wilmington Morning Star Contact: http://www.wilmingtonstar.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF James Smyre Democrat, New Hanover County Sheriff 1. I am running because: A: I believe the department is heading in the wrong direction under the present administration. Accessibility, accountability and most of all leadership is no longer in place. 2. The most important issue facing New Hanover County is: A: The new jail. Secure prisoner and inmate transportation. 3. Is a consolidated police force in the county necessary? If so, why, and how would it work? If not, why not? A: There is no consolidated police force in New Hanover County. If there was one, it should be under the top law enforcement officer, in the county, which would be the elected sheriff. 4. As sheriff, what would you do about drug crime? A: I would intensify the war on drugs in New Hanover County. 5. Do you support building a new jail off Blue Clay Road? How would you address inmate transportation issues, particularly when travelling to and from court? A: No, I did not support the idea of the jail on Blue Clay Road. The new jail should be near the courthouse for security reasons. When I become sheriff, I will insist that all policy and procedures are followed when it comes to transporting inmates. Sid Causey 1. I am running because: A: I am running for sheriff of New Hanover County because I want to try and give something back to the community. The residents of this county nurtured me to manhood and gave me the opportunity to spend a career in my chosen field of law enforcement. It is my desire to continue to work to protect and serve all the citizens of the county, especially the school children who are our future. 2. The most important issue facing New Hanover County is: A: The most important issue facing our county is growth. The addition of new subdivisions and residences, and hence residents, is occurring for the most part in the unincorporated parts of the county. This growth affects county government especially, but it also affects city government, making annexation and expansion of the municipal taxbase a serious issue. 3. Is a consolidated police force in the county necessary? If so, why, and how would it work? If not, why not? A: This is a question for the voters of all of New Hanover County. If the city and county governments desire such consolidation, they should join together and prepare a proposal which is clear to the taxpayers and conduct a referendum, allowing the voters to decide. Under no circumstances should the office of the sheriff be diluted in its powers and authority. According to our state statutes, the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and this practice should not be mitigated. The voters and taxpayers should be able to elect, every four years, their chief law enforcement officer. This process should not be turned over to any type of composite board or executive selection process. The voters should decide. An appointed county chief of police will not answer to the voters and taxpayers; he will answer only to the people who hired him. 4. As sheriff, what would you do about drug crime? A: As the sheriff, I would continue the aggressive drug enforcement program I have established in the City-County Vice and Narcotics Unit over the past 16 years, under control of the Sheriff's Department. Efforts, using sheriff's deputies and city police officers, would continue toward pursuing those who bring drugs into our county, wherever they are, and putting them before our county courts as well as seeking treatment for those who purchase drugs here. The only reasonable method for attacking drugs is this two-pronged approach of jailing the dealers and getting help for the users. This program will reduce crime in our community, most of which is a direct result of drug sales or drug abuse. 5. Do you support building a new jail off Blue Clay Road? How would you address inmate transportation issues, particularly when traveling to and from court? A: I have no choice but to support this new jail facility. As part of a settlement of a civil suit brought by inmates of the County Jail, the County Commissioners decided to build a new, larger jail to prevent or avoid overcrowding issues, which constituted the suit. The safe transportation of inmates can be accomplished by requiring deputies to comply with standing policy and procedures, and the execution of swift disciplinary action against those who do not follow proper work procedures. This concern will be somewhat mitigated by the use of a part of the old jail as a holding facility for inmates scheduled for court appearances. A new, larger jail will hopefully eliminate our practice of housing inmates outside of New Hanover County. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth