Selective enforcement, beyond the obvious perjorative connotations, is a unit that is dedicated to going where the trouble has been identified. The term has been hijacked by some groups to mean any type of profiling. That is the definition understood by those in the LE community. Maybe Mr. Knowles can tell you what he proposes.

Similar but not inclusive I wouldn't think. STEP became STEP when grants became available :). **In my view**, a selective enforcement unit may indeed write tickets or investigate crashes but would be available to augment existing patrol and spend "more time over the target" so to speak A hypothetical would be the recent trouble at the Middlebrook apts that resulted in two or more murder convictions. Heavily concentrated extra patrol, such as could be provided by an SEU gained valuable information that help convict those responsible. Not hypothetical but certainly accurate.

The Sheriff's Office needs to start working automobile accidents on public roadways in the county. There is no good reason for them not to do so. Many times at night, GSP has one trooper out of the Cartersville Post whose job it is to cover both Bartow and Paulding Counties. The citizens of Bartow county can wait an hour or more for the trooper to show up when a deputy could have worked the accident in 15 minutes.

The also needs to be a tough nepotism policy instituted at the S.O.

The real solution is to take a look at what many neighboring counties do, and maybe take it to another level. Let the Sheriff's Dept handle the courthouse, jail, drug task force, etc... then combine the police departments of Cartersville, Emerson, Kingston, White, Adairsville and add a few more officers and set up a countywide police department responsible for traffic enforcement and other law enforcement functions.

Let me throw another proactive idea out for the SEU to do in reference to thefts. "Let's do it to them before they do it to us". How about putting some bait, like a trailer with a flat tire that has a four wheeler on it, along one of our roadways and watch for someone to attempt to steal it. Or better yet, put a GPS device on the four wheeler and let them lead the SEU to them and maybe even recover more stolen goods.

This is the type of proactive approach I want to lead as opposed to being reactive.

Larry
1. The accused can not be put on work details and such. They would be housed separate/different from those serving a sentence.
2. I will make an assessment of manpower needs of each area of the Sheriffs Department; patrol, courts, jail, warrant, and civil. Hopefully, we can restructure areas so that manpower can be shifted without incurring additional costs.
My plan is for the first 90-120 days that I would be in office, I will work hands-on in each area, study the structure, policy, and practices to assess where changes may need to be made. Whether that change is budget, manpower, other needs, or all of the above. I would even be willing to form a volunteer community review team to which I would present changes to be made.

1. Yes I think I'm better qualified otherwise I wouldn't be running! Lol. I think the Sheriff was very connected and aggressive when he first took office, but Over the last few years I think he has become separated from the community and day to day operations. Even before I decided to run I heard several persons complain about the Sheriff not being available or not in the office.

Larry,

Second part as far as optimizing: The Sheriff was a deputy prior to becoming Sheriff. The same goes for at least two prior Sheriffs. I think a lot policy and procedures are in place just because "it has always been". With me having my experience from outside the Sheriffs Department, I believe I can bring a fresh look and direct the department to a new level.

Merry Christmas to you Larry

An opinion: Jail is a job to some folks. Every now and then, they will take a vacation and get out only to do something to land back in jail later. Just like you work everyday and take an occasional vacation, they do the same thing, sorta. They are called "Institutionalized". They get three meals, cool in the summer, warm in the winter and clothing provided. Not to mention required medical and dental care. Not all are this way by any means but there are a bunch.

Yeah Bill I saw these folks too when I worked in the Augusta Jail. I can remember one particular individual who lobbied quite well to the judge to get an early release for Christmas, which he did. But yet just a few days later was being booked back in again. I think once he got released he had no real place to go, so he committed the crime of shoplifting. Very sad in some cases.

You can now visit my campaign website:

www.knowlesforsheriff.com

Still free to ask questions here or to me directly, knowlesforsheriff@gmail.com
Some of be questions and answers will be posted on the website.

Thanks

Merry Christmas to Clark Millsap and Dan Knowles. The peace and joy of this season will soon be replaced by the back and forth of a political campaign starting in the new year. I love a good campaign just as long as my name is not on the ballot :)

Bill,
It will be a good and energetic campaign to say the least. I look forward to it.

Merry Christmas to you and all the Patch readers. May they keep us honest and on our toes.

My opinion: Some things both candidates need to consider. The 287G program and how Bartow County should deal with that. Precincts. The County is large and it **may** be a time for Sheriff's substations. A civil service system for employees. BCSO can now fire you for any reason, no reason, or a bad reason. Total at-will employment (opinion here, I have NEVER seen our current Sheriff do this). A civilian advisory board. May be good or bad. What do the voters think?

to clarify a bit: The 287G program is a program to deal with those who are here illegally. Sorry about the use of the term without some explanation.

Bill,
I'm all for the ICE program and will support it, especially with our violent offenders and gangs. I don't agree with a total at-will employment. I believe the employment system should fall under a "tenure" type guideline. After let's say three or five years, an employee has the right to a termination "hearing" or appeal type process befor being terminated. This process could either be through a board/panel made up of county employees, a civilian review board, or a combination of both.

Thanks Dan..would the decision of the review board be final, or could you choose to override it given that GA is still an "at will" State. And what about precincts? Or, in fairness to you not being up there right now, is this something that sounds good in principle only at this point?

Review Board: Final decision will still be that of the Sheriff, with the Review Board's decision carrying a lot of weight.
Precincts: After my departmental assessment, that determination could be made. I would be open to the idea considering the size and the 911 call volume of Bartow County.

Bill Evans Supports Dan Knowles

It is my privilege to announce that Bill Evans, 2008 Democratic Candidate for Sheriff of Bartow County, is giving his support to me in my campaign for Sheriff.

Bill and I met for several hours a few weeks ago and discussed many topics. We found that we agree on several issues facing Bartow County and the Sheriff’s Department.

Bill will be an asset and an integral part of my campaign. Thanks Bill!

Dan Knowles

Dan you blew it. Announcing a former losing Democrat is supporting you is a kiss of death in a strong Republican County like Bartow. Rookie mistake.

Katherine
I don't believe this is a rookie mistake. If you were familiar with Bill you would know that during the last election he stated he was not truly a Democrat. He stated to me that he wanted to dissassociate from Clark Millsap so much, that he could not even list himself with the same political party. Plus being on the Democratic ticket allowed him the full election cycle to November to campaign. I agree that being a Democrat in Bartow County would be an election mistake.
Do you remember Democratic Governor Zell Miller? Did he not support Republicans and speak at their Convention when it actually came down to personal beliefs?

My opinion: The Sheriff's race should be,and possibly soon will be non-partisan. Judges are, and the Sheriff's race should be held without regard for your political bent. And if that happens, think about the possible free-for-all come election time :)

Thank you Dan that is a point I explained many times during the last election. The fact is I probable received about as many votes from one party as I did from the other, and I was very proud of everyone that turned out on my behalf.

I agree with Bill Thrashers opinion on non-partisanship, and keep in mind the Sheriff’s job is not to cater to one party or the other. He should be available for the people regardless of what political party a person associates with.

Now I know Law Enforcement as well as anyone, and I have spent the time needed with Dan Knowles to tell you regardless of my past political run, he’s a man of his own and I will be glad to help him in anyway, but this is his race I think he’s made good chooses, a good start, and I know he’s doing it for the right reasons.

FYI: State Representative Allan Peake (R-Macon) has pre-filed HB682 to allow Counties who wish to have elections in a non-partisan manner. This would **include** the election for Sheriff. This bill has the support of the GA Sheriff's Association among others.

Do either of the candidates hold any degrees? Does either candidate have any experience with public service? What are the statutory requirements for individuals wishing to hold this office?

Bill HB682 is dead in the water. It's been pre-filed but it won't pass. When Democrats were in charge they were more than happy for local offices to be partisan. Now that Republicans are the majority, suddenly we need to eliminate partisanship.

Bill I don't doubt your sincerity, but the fact remains that the next sheriff will be Republican. The race will be decided in the GOP Primary. If one candidate can be tarred and feathered as being close to Democrats, then that candidate is at a huge disadvantage.

String Bean,
Rest assured that I am a Republican! Bill may have made a mistake running as a Democrat in Bartow County in the last election, but I welcome his support as I would do any other. I have heard from many folks who truly respect him. Who knows maybe even former Gov Joe Frank Harris would even vote for me, and I would welcome it.

SB certainly you may be right but this one has a lot of bi partisan support. The Governor has already said he would sign it. Certainly, we both understand that legislators need to wear their political colors, i.e. Rep. or Dem., but an office such as Sheriff, in which the laws are simply carried out needs to be non partisan. We agree. Happy new year!

Kris-While both candidates hold degrees, there is no statutory requirement for anything other than a HS diploma or equivalent.

In my opinion the there is a serious integrity problem in the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and new leadership is needed. Dan Knowles can bring back the integrity to the office and provide much needed leadership.

Thanks Doug. I appreciate the comments.

Dan Knowles is the better candidate. By any standard.

O.C.G.A. 45-10-80 (2010)
45-10-80. Public officers prohibited from advancing, employing, or advocating the employment of family members

(a) A public officer, as defined in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (22) of Code Section 21-5-3, is prohibited from advocating for or causing the advancement, appointment, employment, promotion, or transfer of a member of his or her family, as such term is defined in Code Section 21-5-3, to an office or position to become a public employee, as defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of Code Section 45-1-4, that pays an annual salary of $10,000.00 or more or its equivalent.

(b) Any person advanced, appointed, employed, promoted, or transferred in violation of this Code section shall not be entitled to any payment, salary, or benefits received for any position so illegally obtained; and any person who receives payment, salary, or benefits for a position obtained in violation of this Code section shall be required to reimburse the state for all amounts so received.

**I think this pretty much addresses any nepotism issues that have come up. The State thought nepotism was wrong and they acted to prevent its continuance.**