As your new Sheriff of Mercer County, I have several goals I hope to accomplish. Below is a brief description of each. If you have questions about these goals, or any other issues, please contact me. Only with citizens and law enforcement working together can we achieve our goals for professional and exceptional law enforcement. - Dean
There has been a significant increase in meth labs across the state, and Mercer County is no exception. Rural areas are favorite places for meth labs. Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug that is highly addictive. Meth users become very paranoid and can be violent. I believe we need to be proactive in our efforts to keep meth users and producers out of Mercer County. Drugs, in general, are a scourge on our society and methamphetamine is one of the worst. I have been involved in the Sakakawea Drug Task Force since 1997, and I know first-hand the effect this drug has in our county. This is a task that requires cooperation of all law enforcement agencies in the county and the assistance of county residents. Many meth labs are discovered by citizens noticing strange or unusual activities in their neighborhoods and reporting such activities to local law enforcement. I hope citizens and law enforcement can work together to oust this vicious drug from our county. The Sheriff's Department must be the leader in those efforts.
Education and enforcement toward the effort to ban Mercer County of methamphetamine use and production will be a primary goal of mine.
It is the role of the Sheriff's Department to provide services to all county residents, both city and rural. I will work closely with city leaders, county commissioners, and residents of the county to provide professional law enforcement and emergency services in Mercer County.
Another goal is to establish community policing throughout the county.
This is important whether it be drug awareness programs or professional investigations of crimes with timely response and follow-up. The Sheriff's Office must be proactive in preventing crimes and loss of property. Establishing a good working relationship with local businesses, media, city police departments, and residents is critical to a successful program.
Education programs are necessary, both in schools and throughout the community, to inform Mercer County residents of the assistance that is available to them.
In my current position as Chief of Police of Pick City, Zap, Golden Valley, and Stanton, I have secured grants in excess of $110,000 to provide for salaries and equipment. There are many grants available to the county. It takes an effort to find and receive them, but every grant dollar the county receives reduces the burden on county taxes to provide professional law enforcement for our citizens.
Developing a program to secure grants and sources of funding outside of county funds is another priority.
I believe the county must have a plan in place to deal with missing and lost persons. This is particularly true for missing or abducted children. Mercer County has vast recreational opportunities to draw visitors. With these visitors comes the potential for problems. It is in the best interest of both county residents and visitors to have a plan in place that provides professional services for locating missing or lost persons. There are many agencies that can and do provide search and rescue services. I believe it is important for the Sheriff's Department to provide coordination and leadership in those services.
It is critical to establish a search and rescue protocol.
All Sheriff's Office personnel need to have the training and motivation to provide professional services to county residents. I will, if elected, review all current policies and practices. Training records for all personnel will be reviewed. If the Sheriff's Office is to offer professional services to the county residents, the staff must have the training and leadership to do so. Changes in policy and procedure require input from those affected. I plan to work closely with county commissioners, Sheriff's Office staff, communities, and residents of the county to develop policies that best serve Mercer County.
Finally, it is necessary to create a team atmosphere.
