Watch Jefferson CountySheriff Candidate Questions - Louis Brunswick
- There has been a perception that cooperation between the Sheriff's office/local LE agencies, and WV State Police has not always been optimal. What steps will you take to improve both the perception as well as actual cooperation between these agencies?
- What are your funding priorities? If faced with budget cuts, what services would you target for reduction or elimination?
- What would the candidates plans be to better patrol smaller neighborhoods in the county such as Middleway, Summit Point, Leetown, Kabletown, etc. In particular, speeding through these smaller towns is rampant and although I know it's difficult to patrol, I'd like to see an increased effort.
- ATVs and trail bikes have become a significant problem in Jefferson County - ranging from noise nuisance at the bottom end, to nightmarish traffic hazards mid-range, to get-away vehicles from break-ins and drug delivery vehicles at the high end. The scofflaws who use these vehicles illegally
have learned from several years of experience that they will neither be apprehended nor prosecuted due to LE's inability to catch them, especially since all they have to do is go "off road" and the chase has to terminate. It is our understanding that money has been appropriated by the County
Commission for procuring and manning one or more ATVs whose main purpose is to catch these lawbreakers. Unfortunately, although the money has apparently been in hand for some time, nothing obvious has been done to stop this problem. What positive steps will you take to address and
hopefully stop (or at least lessen) this maddening problem? - Do you believe in the concept of Community Oriented Policing Services? If not, why not? If so, how would you ensure implementation throughout the County?
The steps I discussed on Sunday, April 20, 2008: Communication between all agencies is important to share crime elements. I would take to another level include Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Four state areas the primal have easy routes from the areas. Training with the LE agencies and WV State Police would enhance the development of communication.
Faced with budget cuts, what service would I target for reduction or elimination: I cannot answer the question without knowing full details line items the current sheriff budget. However, I can say Personnel would not be touch at this time.
I reside in the village of Leetown; I understand the concern over patrol. Selective enforcement is the way to help solve this problems example assign officer. Visible enforcement creates the belief in the mind of drivers that if he/she violates the law he/she will be caught.
The positive steps to address the ATV’s and trail bikes are: as a new sheriff, I need to collect all the data, review and study the information. Programs to provide are 4-wheeler patrol, video tape recorder system and Community Relation Program.
Yes, as you heard my input on Community Oriented Policing Service Sunday , April 20, 2008
Community Policing Building communication with the public: Whenever opportunity exists, take time to explain your action in a situation that is not an emergency
Make point of getting out of the car and citizens will know you as a member of the community
Tell interested citizen about the Community Relation Police Unit; make effort to keep informed of the programs being developed by the Community Relation Police Unit
Citizens provide information to the Community Relation Police Unit
Set up meeting with neighborhood groups
Whatever you do, do something positive