Sheriff Dawsy Addresses The Issues

Why did you decide to run for another turn as Citrus County sheriff?

Public safety is the most important thing that local government does. Despite continuing challenges, Citrus County officials and citizens are committed to insuring that our public safety services are second to none. The solutions will require all the help and experience that we can bring together. I was encouraged by a number of citizens, civic leaders and local officials to be a part of these solutions by continuing in the Office of Sheriff.

Taxes and government expenditures seem to be the main issues for this election. Is your budget, by any measure, wasteful or excessive?

My opponents attempt to attack me on budget issues because there is simply nothing else that they can attack. The fact is: our budget is not excessive and the citizens of Citrus County are not overtaxed for law enforcement services. According to Florida TaxWatch, Citrus County is well below the state average for per capita spending on public safety. Only 11 of Florida's 67 counties spend less per capita on public safety and yet, we consistently have one of the state's lowest crime rates.

My organization must be able to respond effectively to any and all threats to the safety of our citizens. That response requires professional personal, quality equipment and adequate training. I will continue to provide these things in the most cost effective manner possible and I will never compromise your safety or the safety of my employees.

Is it in the best interests of the citizens for things such as Fire Rescue and Animal Control to be under the Sheriff's Office?

We have a proven record of accomplishment and cost savings through partnerships with other organizations serving Citrus County:

We provide superior law enforcement for the cities of Inverness and Crystal River at a savings of more than $500,000 a year.

Since assuming responsibilty for child protective investigations for the Department of Children and Families, we have set the performance standard for similar operations in other counties.

We share resources with the Withlacoochee Technical Institute resulting in a savings to the county of more than $200,000 per year.

Since becoming a part of the Sheriff's Office, Animal Control Officers have increased their shift coverage to 24 hours, 7 days a week.

The partnership between the Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue Service has resulted in the opening of three additional fire stations manned 24 x 7 by career firefighters. This has been accomplished with no increase Fire Rescue expenditures.

Among your many contibutions as sheriff, what are you most proud of?

If I had to choose one thing, my programs to protect our children would be first on the list. Some of these major accomplishments are:

Establishment of a sexual predator tracking unit.

A highly sophisticated cyber crimes investigations unit.

A School Resource Officer program that has become a national model.

Safe Kids Florida, which along with other sheriff's offices, provides extensive, statewide education and enforcement efforts to protect our kids from predators.

Jessie's Place, a safe haven for abused children, has been a labor of love for my entire agency and many, many others throughout the county. I will continue to work tirelessly to make the Jessie's Place dream a reality.

Political advertisement. Approved and paid for by Jeff Dawsy, Democrat for Sheriff.