Tactics to fight crime would differ

Community policing emphasis versus intense focus on drugs

Friday, November 3, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

LENOIR - Sheriff Gary Clark's administration began under a cloud four years ago, when he won election to his first term, and it continues in this year's election.

But the controversies, including a 2002 vote-buying scandal led by a few renegade supporters and two current investigations by the state Board of Elections, don't worry the Republican as he prepares to face Democrat Terry Harris at the polls.


"As long as politics are involved in the sheriff's race, it will always be that way," Clark said.
He called the complaints, which allege threats on residents and improper campaign spending, "preposterous" and blamed the grievances on disgruntled ex-employees and family members trying to sway voters.

The accusations are ones that Harris said he refuses to use as leverage in the race. Instead, he said, he'd rather run on his experience and record as a 30-year Caldwell County law enforcement veteran.

"It's a non-issue," Harris said. "It's been dealt with by the justice system (or is) strictly between the Board of Elections and Mr. Clark."

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What the candidates say

Politically, Clark may have the advantage as Election Day approaches in Caldwell County, because nearly half of the residents are registered Republican. Democrats make up about 35 percent of registered voters.

Clark claims the county's overall crime rate has gone down since he took office and started cracking down on drug dealers. Eighty percent of all crime in the county - from larceny to assault - can be attributed to illegal drug use, he said.

"We need to continue to look at that problem in our county," he said.

Clark also said he plans to bring the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program, which ends after the fifth grade, to county middle schools and high schools.

"That's when the peer pressure really starts," he said.

Harris, however, said he worries that Clark is focusing too intently on narcotics and isn't giving deputies enough time to respond to other crimes. Instead, he suggests focusing on the county drug problem at a more organic level. "If we're really going to do anything about drugs, we need to get back into the family," he said.

That's where his plan for community policing fits in, Harris said. Officers would establish better relationships with residents if they were required to live in the county, he said.

Harris also said more than 100 people have left the Sheriff's Office under Clark's reign. The high turnover, he said, forces new officers into a learning curve and increases response time.

While Clark's office didn't deny the turnover, Lt. Chris Brackett said that employee turnover included officers retiring and others who left because they couldn't meet the higher standards he said Clark implemented, including accurately completing reports and regular cleaning and inspection of weapons.

Harris' community policing policy would not only help lower crime rates, he said, but likely reduce turnover in the Sheriff's Office, as well.

Although Clark said there's a benefit to community policing, he said his staffing priority is to find qualified officers.

"We need to look for the best people, irregardless of where they're from," Clark said.

Clark also has the advantage in fundraising.

Since Jan. 1, 2004, Clark had raised $47,322.85, according to the most recent campaign finance reports, filed July 13. The report shows $44,029.12 in expenditures.

Harris had raised $25,336 since the beginning of 2006 and spent $23,315.03, the reports show.

Candidates filed updates on their spending Oct. 31, but as of Thursday morning, the campaign finance reports were still being audited by the Caldwell County Board of Elections.

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What the voters are saying

Even with chatter about the board of elections' investigations into Clark, many voters say they think the Republican will prevail on Election Day.

Amy Hightower, a student at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, said she's seen the results of Clark's emphasis on drug crime in the Piedmont community, where she lives, and will vote for him in November.

"He just cleans it up," she said. "I don't want my daughter picking up a needle and asking, `Mommy, what's that?' "

But Harris' supporters say that while fighting drug crime is important, it isn't enough.

"He'll focus not just on one thing, but on all crime in the county," said Sylvia Myers, who has lived in Lenoir for 27 years. "He truly has the people of Caldwell County in mind."


Gary Clark

Party: Republican.

Age: 47. Birthplace: Caldwell County.

Occupation: Caldwell County sheriff.

Elected offices: Caldwell County sheriff, 2002-present.

Family: Wife, Kim; daughters Megan and Michelle.

Education: Basic law enforcement certificate, Western Piedmont Community College, 1980; several certificates of training, N.C. Justice Academy; law enforcement executive program, UNC Chapel Hill, 1995; Southern Police Institute, University of Kentucky, Louisville, 1996; advanced law enforcement certificates, N.C. Criminal Justice Standards Division and N.C. Sheriff's Standards Division.

Religious/civic involvement: Member of Philadelphia Lutheran Church, Granite Falls; member of Happy Valley Ruritan Club; member of Hudson Optimist Club.

Why running: I have devoted my education, training and professional career to law enforcement. I believe that being sheriff of Caldwell County is what I have been called to do. During the last three years, I have learned that being sheriff is far more than just being a law enforcement officer. It is being a good listener, a good citizen and, most importantly, a good Christian.

What are the top issues facing the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office?

There is a correlation between poor economic conditions and the sale, use and distribution of illegal drugs. Drug-related crime also increases property and violent crimes committed. We must also find ways to generate revenue so we can continue to offer training to address the ever-changing issues in our county. While a price cannot be placed on public safety, I am aware that it is not solely up to the taxpayers to fund issues addressing crime. We must hold drug dealers accountable.


Terry Harris

Party: Democrat.

Age: 58.

Birthplace: Caldwell County.

Occupation: Retired Granite Falls police chief.

Elected offices: None.

Family: Wife, Kerry Harris.

Education: Associate degree in business administration, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, 1976; associate degree in police science, Western Piedmont Community College, 1980; bachelor of science in social studies with a concentration in criminal justice, Gardner Webb College, 1982.

Religious/civic involvement: New Vision Baptist Fellowship.

Why running: To improve law enforcement to all citizens of Caldwell County. I have served the citizens of the county for more than 30 years in law enforcement and have the education, training, experience and heart to provide the best possible sheriff's department.

What are the top issues facing the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office?

The main issues facing the county include the crime rate, response time and drugs. I plan to increase community involvement with neighborhood watch programs, educate citizens to recognize criminal activity, encourage interaction between officers and citizens and increase visibility of officers.

I also plan to require all officers to live within Caldwell County lines and work with businesses and citizens to make sure addresses are visible on homes and storefronts. I hope to reduce arrest time on undercover drug operations, provide more education and make drugs the concern of all officers.


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