Some familiar faces in the hunt for Benton County Sheriff
Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of stories on contested races The Daily Record will run leading up to the May 20 election.
BENTONVILLE - One candidate wants to remain as Benton County Sheriff, another wants to return to the perch, and another is the new kid on the block.
Current Sheriff Keith Ferguson is seeking his third term against former Sheriff Andy Lee and Rogers police sergeant Kelley Cradduck.
I enjoy serving the people," Ferguson said. "I think I have one of the best departments in the state if not the country. "
Ferguson said he proud of his narcotics unit that arrests an average of 3. 5 suspects each week and that the Sheriff's Office now has less than 6, 000 outstanding warrants on file. There were more than 10, 000 outstanding warrants when he first took office, he said.
Ferguson said all patrol cars now have computers and GPS capabilities, which not only helps response time, but is an added safety factor for deputies.
"We have a growing crime problem and don't have a proactive Sheriff," Lee, who served seven terms as Sheriff, said. "My history proves that I'm a visionary and fight very strongly for the safety of the community and the men and women who work for the Sheriff's Office."
Lee said one of his goals will be to restore the luster to the Sheriff's Office, especially at the jail.
"I have a much different philosophy on how things should be run," Cradduck said. "I believe our growth is out pacing our vision."
Cradduck believes it's time new approaches be taken at the Sheriff's Office and at the jail.
He wants to offer monthly free self-defense class and other safety courses. Cradduck also wants to have a GED course at the jail.
"I'm not talking about putting in televisions or making jail a fun place," Cradduck said. "If someone is able to take advantage and get their GED then it may end their criminal acts. Reducing the number of people who come into the jail also saves money."
Cradduck said the recidivism rate needs to be studied and more emphasis should be placed on the repeat offenders.
Reducing the number of arrests would reduce the inmate population and Cradduck has voiced opposition to expanding the jail.
He's also against holding federal inmates from other jurisdictions.
Ferguson already is planning to build an additional facility to house low-risk offenders. He also believes an additional pod will be necessary in future.
Without the 40 or 50 federal prisoners, an expansion of the jail would still be necessary since the jail would remain at near capacity, Ferguson said.
"I don't care if we get rid of the federal prisoners," Ferguson said. "We remain at near capacity with county prisoners. I don't care who the Sheriff is, but expansion will be necessary."
Lee is also against any expansion, and believes emphasis should be placed on building a new juvenile detention center.
Lee said the jail population was near 250 a day during his last term, and he finds it hard to believe the population has doubled since then.
If elected, Lee said the first issues tackled will be the jail population and gangs.
Lee will not house federal prisoners. He said county prisoners would come first and will not be turned away for federal prisoners.
"I will go after any gang members with warrants," Lee said "I will make a statement to gang members that we are coming for you and we're not quitting until you're gone."
Lee criticized Ferguson for not working and sharing information with other agencies.
Cradduck also favors a regional task force for gang activity, but his task force also would focus on repeat offenders, sex offenders and drug activity.
He also believes area lawenforcement agencies need to share information and work together not only to address gang activity, but other criminal activity.
Parents, schools, and law enforcement need to work together to combat gang activity, Cradduck said.
Ferguson said his office has addressed the gang issue. He noted the jail keeps a database of suspected gang members. Ferguson also said he's sent several deputies to seminars on gang issues.
He described the criticism as political motivated attacks.
"We are here to serve and protect not to kick down doors to get our names in the newspapers," Ferguson said.
If elected, Cradduck said he would continue the 287 (g ) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration actions.
Lee also said he would continue with the program. Lee said the 287 (g ) program was part of his platform during the last campaign.
Lee said Ferguson was against the program during that campaign, and Ferguson only supported it after Rogers Mayor Steve Womack publicly voiced support for it.
"It took the campaign of a sitting mayor to get the sheriff's attention and now miraculously now he wants to have the impression that he took the lead on it."
Ferguson said he is proud of the Sheriff's Office work with the 287 (g ) program.
Ferguson said law enforcement agencies could join the 287 (g ) program as of 1996. "The immigration issue is not a new problem," Ferguson said. "It didn't suddenly come to light; it was around during Andy Lee's time."
Ferguson said Lee did not move to join the program while Sheriff.
Cradduck said he would stress the importance of a strong part-time division to aid the patrol deputies and have a quicker response time.
Lee said he plans to push for more diversity in the Sheriff's Office. He claimed there are no females in supervisory or leadership positions.
Ferguson said he will continue to push training and education for deputies. Ferguson also said he plans to continue looking for any equipment to better protect his deputies.
Coming Tuesday: County Judge.
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