About this series:

Decaturish sent questions to candidates running for DeKalb County Sheriff. The election is March 24, which also coincides with the state’s presidential preference primary. We will publish the candidates’ responses throughout the week. For more information about voting in the upcoming election, please see the note at the end of this post. For all of our 2020 election coverage, visit Decaturishvotes.com. 

Decaturish needs your help covering the 2020 elections. If you value independent local news that isn’t behind a paywall, consider becoming a monthly supporter of Decaturish. For as little as $3 a month, you can help us provide you with quality and comprehensive election coverage. For more information about becoming a paid supporter, click here. 

1) Why are you running for this position?

The Dekalb County Sheriff Office has been plagued with corruption and misconduct, and with my experience I could bring safety, respect, integrity and transparency back to the Sheriff’s Office.

2) What makes you a better candidate than your opponents?

I’m a lifelong resident of Dekalb County. I know the county and I’ve had the opportunity to work on the executive level as the supervisor for the CEO’s security detail. With my experience and training, I know that we can make the Sheriff’s Office a fully functioning law enforcement entity.

3) If elected, what will be your top two or three priorities?

A. Inmate conditions at the jail

B. Audit and streamline the budget or put the allotted funds available to good use for the inmates and going by the pledge of keeping the community safe.

C. Rehabilitation of the inmates and mental health.

[adsanity id=”59104″ align=”alignleft” /] [adsanity id=”56211″ align=”alignright” /]

4) The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has a reputation of being a corrupt institution. Do you think this reputation is deserved and, if so, what would you do to change it?

Unfortunately, Yes. There needs to be more training and transparency and more community involvement.

5) As sheriff, what will be your policy regarding cooperation with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement?

As of July 2019, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office does not have any JEM agreements with ICE for any immigration detainees.

6) As sheriff, what will be your policy on housing transgender inmates?

True transgender detainees will be housed on separate floors.

7)  Within the last year, local activists have raised concerns about the treatment of people held within the county jail. Do you feel inmates in the jail are being mistreated? If so, what would you do to change it?

From what we have heard inmates have been mistreated. More staff training and push to increase man power to alleviate overwhelmed employees.

8) Prior to his retirement, Sheriff Jeffrey Mann was facing the possibility of having his certifications revoked due to an arrest in Atlanta in 2017 for exposing himself in a public park. Do you agree with his decision to remain on the job instead of resigning following his arrest and guilty plea?

No, I do not agree with his decision to remain on the job.

9) As sheriff, what will you do to help rehabilitate inmates in the county jail?

Encourage inmates to take advantage of the GED Program, or any educational training available.

10) This question comes from a reader: The Georgia Department of Corrections recently made a policy change to provide free and unrestricted access to feminine hygiene products to women in state facilities. This does not apply to county facilities. Will the Sheriff ensure this policy is also implemented and upheld at the DeKalb County jail?

YES.

11) Another question from a reader: It currently costs $2.70 for a 15-minute call for those in the county jail. Will the Sheriff continue allowing private to charge such high rates for family communication?

No, we will be seeking less costly alternatives.

[adsanity id=”59106″ align=”alignleft” /] [adsanity id=”59208″ align=”alignright” /]

12) What will be your family visitation policy for inmates?

Enhance the policies already in place.

13) What will be your approach to mental healthcare at the county jail?

Hire more trained staff along with social workers. Provide thorough mental health counseling. Have Chris 180 come in 90 days before release and assist inmate with mental health and transitioning out, soft skills and trade. If going on to do state time still offer opportunity for rehabilitation services.

14) If elected, do you promise to conduct yourself in an ethical and transparent manner?

Yes, like I have for the past 28 years of my law enforcement career.

More information about voting in the March 24 election:

The voter registration deadline for the March 24 presidential primary is Feb. 24.

You can look up your status by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State’s “My Voter Page.” To visit the My Voter Page, click here. You can check your status by providing basic information like your last name, birthday and the county you live in. You can also see a sample ballot.

If you find you are not registered, there are a few ways you can get back on the voter rolls.

You can register online with the Secretary of State’s Office by clicking here.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, in order to register to vote you must:

– Be a citizen of the United States

– Be a legal resident of the county where you are voting

– Be at least 17 1/2 years of age to register and 18 years of age to vote

– Not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude

– Have not been found mentally incompetent by a judge

For more information about how to register, click here.

People who wish to vote will need to bring one of the following forms of identification, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office:

– Any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

– A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

– Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

– Valid U.S. passport ID

– Valid U.S. military photo ID

– Valid tribal photo ID

The county board of registrar’s office is located at 4380 Memorial Drive Suite, 300, Decatur, GA 30032.

Early voting will begin on March 2. Here is a list of advanced voting dates and times from the county Board of Registration and Elections:

Want Decaturish delivered to your inbox every morning? Sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here. 

[adsanity id=”56022″ align=”aligncenter” /]

[adsanity id=”33719″ align=”alignleft” /] [adsanity id=”52166″ align=”alignright” /]