As the sitting sheriff, I have intentionally refrained from making any public comments or endorsements regarding the current Bradley County Sheriff’s race.

Yesterday, 7/14/10, the Jim Ruth campaign ran a political ad attacking Steve Lawson as an "ineffective and inept leader" because he "replaced an effective and productive Drug Enforcement Unit at the Sheriff’s Office with one that has so far been ineffective and not very productive." As evidence the ad cites an overall declining drug fund balance.

First of all, Steve Lawson did not replace the leadership of the Drug Unit in 2006, I did. And secondly, the Drug Unit, according to TBI crime statistics, is one of the most effective in the state. From 2006 through 2009 there has been a 45% increase in arrests for narcotics violations by the BCSO Drug Unit, and overall crime has decreased 16% in Bradley County in the last two years alone. Burglaries and thefts related to narcotics trafficking are also significantly reduced.

It is true that the average Drug Fund balance has declined over the last several years, but this is no indication as to the performance of the Drug Unit for several reasons.

Just prior to the date I assumed office, the Drug Unit made a million dollar seizure from the interstate. This lawful seizure artificially inflated the average balance of the Drug Fund for a period of years to a level never before seen in Bradley County. Over time these funds were lawfully used to purchase needed vehicles and equipment at a savings to taxpayers to help fund the on-going and lawful operations of the sheriff’s office.

Most drug related seizures are far smaller than the million dollar seizures that make the news and often involve property such as vehicles that must be sold at auction. There is currently over $200,000 in accumulated seized cash that is awaiting transfer from a holding account to the Drug Fund and another auction of seized vehicles will occur very soon adding to this cash balance.

On average the BCSO attempts to keep an operating balance in the Drug Fund of approximately $500,000 dollars per year. This amount may not always be possible as seizures can vary depending on court awards and a whole host of other variables beyond the control of the Drug Unit and their leadership. For instance, much of the interstate drug interdiction is now conducted on I-75 by the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, a separate and larger drug interdiction entity. Because our resources are needed other places than the interstate, the amount of time the BCSO spends on the interstate running drug interdiction is also limited as we try to work hours that are not already being covered by the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and there is another 333 square miles to cover.

Additionally, drug dealers are aware that we have a very proactive Drug Unit and Task Force and in many cases are actively avoiding transporting their drugs and proceeds through Bradley County to lessen the likelihood of detection.

Keep in mind also, the BCSO, including the Drug Unit is sworn to up-hold the Constitutional Rights of all and while I’m sure we are only getting the tip-of-the-iceberg of drug money flowing up and down the interstate, we do not racially profile or discriminate and we do not make up probable cause or reasonable suspicion in order to pull someone over to search for or obtain drug proceeds to use as operating funds. In fact, since my first budget submission, I have urged the County Commission not to pay recurring salaries and benefits of drug agents out of the Drug Fund as has been the practice for many years prior to me assuming office. It is unwise to tie recurring expenses to non-recurring revenue and no law enforcement agency should have the salaries of employees dependent on seized assets. It has the potential to encourage some to cut corners just to make sure they have a job. We don’t do it here, but to avoid even the perception this situation can cause, it should be remedied and the Drug Fund proceeds should be used to purchase vehicles and equipment as the funds and the law allows.

Steve Lawson and John Stone have done an excellent job managing the BSCO Drug Unit. The real record proves it. Each member of the Drug Unit is to be commended for the professional job they do on a daily basis to protect the citizens of this community and the lives of young people from the scourge of drugs and violence. To question their effectiveness using one statistic in a political ad is unjustified. I approve all Drug Fund expenditures and the real record shows the BCSO is highly effective.