Sheriff's candidates face the public

Voters who turned out to compare candidates for Deschutes County Sheriff at a public forum at High Desert Middle School Thursday, April 25 did not have many differences to base a decision on.

Lt. Larry Blanton, Lt. Greg Brown, both of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Department, and Redmond Police Chief Jim Carlton agreed on what issues pose the biggest law enforcement problems in the county and they generally agreed on how they should be handled.

The three candidates took questions from a panel of representatives of service organizations. The panel also read questions submitted by audience members.

All agreed that drugs are the largest law enforcement problem facing the county.

"All three of us are probably going to agree that narcotics are the biggest problem," Brown said.

Carlton said that "Drugs and dysfunctional families seem to be hand in hand," and that "the cycle has to be broken" or law enforcement will just keep incarcerating more and more people.

Carlton advocated community involvement to break that cycle. Blanton emphasized the importance of providing role models and leadership for children to help steer them away from the pitfalls of drug use and gangs.

Brown cited programs such as the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team's asset forfeiture program which seizes property in drug arrests as an effective means fighting the growing drug problem.

The candidates agreed that in the future there will be an increased consolidation of regional police services.

Blanton cited the interagency major crime unit and the DARE anti-drug program in schools as examples of a successful trend in that direction.

The use of volunteers was encouraged by all candidates; each welcomed expansion in reserve programs, search and rescue and other services that bring community involvement and reduce department expenses.

With a wide stretch of common ground among them, the candidates offered their experience and visions of the sheriff's department role as their distinguishing qualities.

Carlton cited his chief executive experience in Redmond and in other agencies.

"I'm the only candidate... with chief executive experience," Carlton said. "I believe I have the leadership and experience and background to lead this office into the 21st Century."

Blanton promised involvement in the community, particularly with youth in the schools.

"What I'm seeing in the schools scares the heck out of me," he said. He said he was committed to creating a safe environment in the county.

Brown cited his successful management of the jail construction project and summed up his philosophy of leadership for the department.

"There's a difference between doing things right and doing the right thing," Brown said. He said he would provide the leadership for the department to do their best for the interests of the community.