Democratic candidate James Bonnemer did not attend the Monday night candidate forum hosted by the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce.
Kogod and Smith identified growth as a major issue facing the new sheriff. Both candidates cited growth as a primary reason for an increase in crime over the past few years.
Kogod said he would deal with the problem by taking proactive measures to combat crime. In the past few years, the sheriff’s office has created a gang unit, drug unit and internet crime unit in response to an increase in those type crimes, Kogod said. Kogod plans to keep those units in place.
Kogod said it is also important to maintain the budget of the sheriff’s office in order to maintain quality of services for Barrow County citizens. With over 78 percent of the sheriff’s budget related to personnel expenses, Kogod said budget cuts would be very detrimental to the department in terms of manpower.
“I have been, and will continue to be, mindful of the need to conserve spending,” he said. “At the same time, I cannot in good conscience sacrifice the level and quality of services provided to the citizens of Barrow County in the process.”
Smith said the issue of growth affects the county and its citizens in many ways. Increases in gang, juvenile, drug, identity theft, immigration and other crimes must be addressed, Smith said.
“Barrow County must be prepared to invest in its own public safety,” he said. Smith said he would follow a policy of fiscal responsibility.
“I will use common sense while providing a high quality of service in return,” he said.
Smith also emphasized the importance of working with other local law enforcement agencies to meet the common goal of protecting the citizens of Barrow.
“Together, we can provide our citizens with a higher quality of services than we could acting independently,” he said.
The candidates were also questioned regarding their plans to control speeding on non-radar enforced roads.
Kogod said he would encourage compliance with the help of homeowner’s associations and neighborhood watch groups. He also advocated the use of “traffic calming” devices such as speed humps as well as using increased patrols to fight the problem of residential speeding. Kogod said the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office has recently sought help from the Georgia State Patrol as the GSP is given greater latitude in the enforcement of speeding laws than other law enforcement agencies.
Traffic cameras for speed enforcement and legislation to add roads to the list of radar approved roadways are also needed, Kogod said.
Smith said he would first attempt to determine why any particular road had not been permitted for the operation of radar. If no conditions existed that would prevent the permitting of the road, Smith would apply to get the road certified for the operation of radar. If conditions did exist which would make permitting impossible, Smith said he would use saturated patrols on the roadway and use stationary radar as an educational tool for the motorists.
The candidates will meet again on June 26 and July 7 at the Barrow County Republican Party candidate forums. The June 26 forum will be held at Statham Elementary School. The July 7 forum is scheduled for Bramlett Elementary School. Both forums begin at 7 p.m.
