I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the Kappa Koffeehouse Political Forum on October 14. Engaging with our community is incredibly important to me, and I am grateful for your support and valuable input.
However, I feel it is important to address the attacks on the Office of the Sheriff and our dedicated personnel made by my opponent. Such remarks are not only unprofessional but entirely unwarranted. Our deputies and staff work tirelessly to protect and serve our community, often in the face of significant challenges. They deserve our respect and support, not unwarranted criticism.
I want to take a moment to address my opponent’s attacks personally:
It is disheartening to hear claims suggesting that our dedicated personnel lack proper training. I want to assure our community that every member of the NCSO undergoes comprehensive training and ongoing professional development to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively serve and protect their community.
It is equally concerning to hear assertions that our investigators are not conducting their duties properly. I want to emphasize that our investigative team is composed of highly trained professionals who approach each case with diligence and integrity. They utilize advanced techniques and resources to ensure thorough and accurate investigations. Our investigators are dedicated to seeking justice for victims and maintaining public safety, and they deserve recognition for their hard work rather than unfounded claims about their capabilities.
I also want to address the claim that there is a lack of communication from our office. Open and transparent communication with our community is a top priority for us. To enhance this, the Office of the Sheriff implemented a community safety campaign called Connect Newton earlier this year. Each quarter, our community liaison will receive a detailed map via email outlining the types of crimes occurring in your area, including homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, entering auto, stolen auto, and general theft. If there is an ongoing trend within a certain community, the community liaison will receive immediate notification.
It has been stated that the NCSO has failed to respond to thousands of calls for service; however, according to the Covington-Newton 911 Center, this is not accurate. The NCSO has responded to all calls of service, and in most cases, there was not a long wait time for an officer to be assigned to the call, especially a high-priority call. Because of how the 911 Center assigns and reassigns the Newton No Unit Available (NNUA), even if there is a unit immediately available, the wait times are inaccurate on the report.
The fearmongering tactic suggesting that crime is on the rise in Newton County is simply untrue. In fact, the crime rate for violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault (excluding simple assault), was approximately 1.78% per 1,000 people in 2023. By comparison, the national violent crime rate (excluding simple assault) for 2023 was approximately 8.7% per 1,000 people, meaning we are below the national rate. These numbers speak to the effectiveness of our current strategies in maintaining a low crime rate.
A true leader uplifts others, and that’s something I’ve dedicated my life to. I’m proud to lead a team that’s fully committed to serving the citizens of Newton County. Unfortunately, my opponent seems more focused on tearing others down at every opportunity. Leadership is a calling, and it should be reflected in one’s actions. My opponent isn’t guided by that calling — he’s simply looking for a job. I have, and will always, continue to uphold the Code of Ethics of the Office of the Sheriff, which I’ve shared with this blog.
My opponent continues to mislead and misrepresent our Newton County community, creating division among us. These false claims are having real consequences, from discouraging businesses from coming here to making individuals hesitant to move to our area, ultimately hindering growth. He is fully aware of the impact of his actions. I urge everyone to watch the Kappa Koffeehouse Forum video when it becomes available to the public, so you can see his behavior firsthand.
Don’t forget to re-elect Sheriff Ezell Brown on November 5th. Together, we will continue to foster a safe and thriving community.
Comments