DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR NEW HANOVER COUNTY SHERIFF

James Smyre
Democrat, New Hanover County Sheriff

1. I am running because: A: I believe the department is heading in the
wrong direction under the present administration. Accessibility,
accountability and most of all leadership is no longer in place.

2. The most important issue facing New Hanover County is: A: The new jail.
Secure prisoner and inmate transportation.

3. Is a consolidated police force in the county necessary? If so, why, and
how would it work? If not, why not? A: There is no consolidated police
force in New Hanover County. If there was one, it should be under the top
law enforcement officer, in the county, which would be the elected sheriff.

4. As sheriff, what would you do about drug crime? A: I would intensify the
war on drugs in New Hanover County.

5. Do you support building a new jail off Blue Clay Road? How would you
address inmate transportation issues, particularly when travelling to and
from court? A: No, I did not support the idea of the jail on Blue Clay
Road. The new jail should be near the courthouse for security reasons. When
I become sheriff, I will insist that all policy and procedures are followed
when it comes to transporting inmates.

Sid Causey 1. I am running because: A: I am running for sheriff of New
Hanover County because I want to try and give something back to the
community. The residents of this county nurtured me to manhood and gave me
the opportunity to spend a career in my chosen field of law enforcement. It
is my desire to continue to work to protect and serve all the citizens of
the county, especially the school children who are our future.

2. The most important issue facing New Hanover County is: A: The most
important issue facing our county is growth. The addition of new
subdivisions and residences, and hence residents, is occurring for the most
part in the unincorporated parts of the county. This growth affects county
government especially, but it also affects city government, making
annexation and expansion of the municipal taxbase a serious issue.

3. Is a consolidated police force in the county necessary? If so, why, and
how would it work? If not, why not? A: This is a question for the voters of
all of New Hanover County. If the city and county governments desire such
consolidation, they should join together and prepare a proposal which is
clear to the taxpayers and conduct a referendum, allowing the voters to
decide. Under no circumstances should the office of the sheriff be diluted
in its powers and authority. According to our state statutes, the sheriff
is the chief law enforcement officer of the county, and this practice
should not be mitigated. The voters and taxpayers should be able to elect,
every four years, their chief law enforcement officer. This process should
not be turned over to any type of composite board or executive selection
process. The voters should decide. An appointed county chief of police will
not answer to the voters and taxpayers; he will answer only to the people
who hired him.

4. As sheriff, what would you do about drug crime? A: As the sheriff, I
would continue the aggressive drug enforcement program I have established
in the City-County Vice and Narcotics Unit over the past 16 years, under
control of the Sheriff's Department. Efforts, using sheriff's deputies and
city police officers, would continue toward pursuing those who bring drugs
into our county, wherever they are, and putting them before our county
courts as well as seeking treatment for those who purchase drugs here. The
only reasonable method for attacking drugs is this two-pronged approach of
jailing the dealers and getting help for the users. This program will
reduce crime in our community, most of which is a direct result of drug
sales or drug abuse.

5. Do you support building a new jail off Blue Clay Road? How would you
address inmate transportation issues, particularly when traveling to and
from court? A: I have no choice but to support this new jail facility. As
part of a settlement of a civil suit brought by inmates of the County Jail,
the County Commissioners decided to build a new, larger jail to prevent or
avoid overcrowding issues, which constituted the suit. The safe
transportation of inmates can be accomplished by requiring deputies to
comply with standing policy and procedures, and the execution of swift
disciplinary action against those who do not follow proper work procedures.
This concern will be somewhat mitigated by the use of a part of the old
jail as a holding facility for inmates scheduled for court appearances. A
new, larger jail will hopefully eliminate our practice of housing inmates
outside of New Hanover County.