Candidate: Charlie Baxley
District: Sheriff
Opponent: Earl Butler
What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?
United Steel Workers of America (Good Year)
If offered, would you accept contributions from political action committees affiliated with the real estate industry? (RPAC, Buildpac etc.)
Yes I would.
What are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County if elected?
Increase patrol units in the neighborhoods.
Implement the use of unmarked patrol vehicles.
Educate homeowners about home safety and security.
Use data to show trends and hotspots of criminal activity.
Help bolster community watch groups.
How will you reduce property crime in the county?
Implement a 4-10 work schedule for patrol deputies. This will place more deputies on the road during peak hours of the day and night.
Have the sheriffs office be more proactive than reactive when it comes to crime.
Start up a fulltime community watch/crime prevention unit to assist with homeowner safety/security.
Work closely with other law enforcement agencies in this county and for a joint task force to deal with the increase break-ins and larcenies.
Implement GPS tracking on repeat offenders when released from jail.
What are your thoughts on a new parks & rec bond referendum?
I think parks and recreation is a very important part of this community and gives families a place to go to build relationships in the family and grow community bonds.
A simple park could be a community saver if placed and developed properly.
What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?
Instill a work ethic in the department that has been missing for years.
Change mindset to be proactive instead of reactive.
Push community policing for all sheriff office employees.
Restructure the sheriffs office to make better use of the man power. Command staff is to top heavy and we need to place more emphases on placing more deputies on the road fighting crime.
Implement a fulltime watch coordinator/crime prevention unit.
Reinforce community involvement. Sheriffs office needs to be more involved with mentoring and working with the youth of this community. We should partner with other law enforcement agencies in this county and form a PAL/Police Athletic League.
When we change the mindset of the youth then and only then will we have a chance in reducing crime. It will not be a quick fix and will take years.
Changing the mindset of the community is when we will see success.
