Sheriff Candidates

Six of the seven candidates for Anderson County Sheriff answered questions at the RID meeting held April 2, 2002 at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. The article in the RID Newsletter reported the views of these candidates. Since the primary election has been held, only the two remaining candidates will be presented here. The Oak Ridger article on the meeting, Crackdown on Drunken Driving Vowed appeared on April 3, 2002.

David Beams

Q: What do you see as the three most important changes needed to current DUI procedures and State legislation?

A: Consistent cooperation and commitment between local law enforcement agencies is a critical factor in reducing incidents of DUI. As Sheriff, I would encourage all local law enforcement agencies to jointly participate in sobriety checkpoints at locations throughout the county. By consistently working together the law enforcement community could raise awareness and send a message that DUI is a serious issue.

The current presumptive blood alcohol for a first offense DUI charge is 0.10%. The current presumptive blood alcohol level for a second offense DUI is 0.08%. A change in State law is needed to make 0.08% the presumptive blood alcohol level for any DUI charge.

I feel very strongly that an offender’s ability to “plea bargain” a multiple offense DUI charge to a first offense should be eliminated. Plea bargaining of multiple offense DUI charges effectively does away with the enhanced punishment for multiple offenses.

Q: What is you position on imposing roadblocks and what will be your frequency?

A: I totally support legal and properly executed sobriety checkpoints. As stated previously, I will encourage multi-agency checkpoints. I also support assisting the Tennessee Highway Patrol with the driver's license checkpoints or road blocks. These checkpoints also help remove intoxicated drivers from our roads. As your Sheriff, I am committed to establishing a sobriety checkpoint at least quarterly. This effort could be combined with other highway safety campaigns such as “click it or ticket” and child safety seat enforcement. Within the last year, my department has performed at least six checkpoints, which included checking for sobriety, seat belts, and child safety seats.

Q: What do you propose to do about the full jail?

A: The full or overcrowded jail appears to me to be self-imposed. A large section of the jail originally built for a work release program is not used to house any inmates. Instead, it is being used as a meeting room, and there is no work release program in place. Also, State prisoners are serving sentences in our county jail when they should be in a State prison. The State reimburses the county up to $35.00 per day for State inmates held in our county jail. However, this does not even cover the expenses for housing an inmate. I talked to two respected East Tennessee Sheriffs who both stated it is poor practice to house convicted state prisoners because it is a “money losing” proposition. I contend that State prisoners are currently occupying space that is needed to meet the needs of our county.

As your Sheriff, I will work with the County Commission, local judges, and employers to establish a work release program. Inmates in a court ordered work release program can be allowed to work while serving their sentence. From their earning, they are required to pay their fines, costs, restitution and child support. Work release inmates could be housed in the work release section of the jail, which is currently being utilized as a meeting room.

Further, I will work with the pretrial release program to insure that only qualified arrestees are placed on pretrial release. This program also provides relief to the jail population. I would identify other State institutions and programs that would be more appropriate for some of the inmates—particularly female inmates.

I am committed to establishing a legitimate workhouse program in order to put eligible inmates to work in our county.

I believe that many of the issues related to the jail could be resolved or mitigated by proper professional leadership and cooperation with local judges, county commission, the jail inspection committee, and other involved parties. As your Sheriff, I will provide the responsible, consistent leadership required to resolve the issues at the jail.

Q: Will you initiate youth alcohol stings?

A: As your Sheriff, I will initiate legal, properly executed law enforcement operations designed to identify individuals and businesses that sell alcohol to minors. Media and special interest representatives will not participate in these operations under my leadership. Law enforcement operations will be conducted professionally and in a manner conductive to successful prosecution.

I have an established record of arresting individuals, who were successfully prosecuted, for alcohol selling to minors. This record also includes fines and license suspension for business owners.

Q: How will you allocate resources to DUI enforcement?

A: The deputies are a critical resource in regard to DUI enforcement. As Sheriff, I will emphasize DUI enforcement to all deputies. Administrative and non-uniform personnel will participate and assist with the DUI enforcement activities, such as check-points.

Q: Will you go into our schools and give lectures to students who drive and tell them what consequences will occur if they are driving under the influence?

A: Yes. As your Sheriff, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with young drivers and discuss the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence. I have a proven record of meeting with students, and have previously done this at the Oak Ridge High School. In addition to myself, I have assigned uniformed personnel to speak to students on this issue. As Sheriff, I would extend this effort into the county high schools.

Bill White

Q: What do you see as the three most important changes needed to current DUI procedures and State legislation?

A:
(a) The elimination of Driving While Impaired (DWI).
(b)The imposition of 0.08% Blood Alcohol Standard for the presumption of intoxication.
(c)Increase local training of officers in gathering evidence and testifying in D.U.I. prosecutions to include:

Q:What is you position on imposing roadblocks and what will be your frequency?

A: Roadblocks coordinated with the Tennessee Highway Patrol would be used consistent with the law to reduce drunken driving. The roadblocks would need to be irregular to be effective. The most logical periods of time for a roadblock would coincide with holidays, interwoven with unscheduled non-holidays.

Q:What do you propose to do about the full jail?

A: The jail is not full, however the women's section is at times over capacity. The capacity of the jail is 166 inmates and the jail is averaging 110 inmates daily. The problem with the jail is the facility is not being used as originally intended. In specific, available space could be reconfigured to accommodate D.U.I. first offenders on a weekend basis to avoid delay in the service of the sentence. These sentences by law are to be initiated within 30 days of conviction. As for the overcrowding in the female housing unit I would look into adding an addition to that unit.

Q:Will you initiate youth alcohol stings?

A: During my law enforcement career it has been my experience that the majority of merchants who sell alcoholic beverages remain in compliance with the law. However, there are always some that disregard the law. I would not blanket the entire county with an alcohol sting, but instead target the establishments that are known offenders. All youth alcohol purchases would be in compliance with the law.

Q:How will you allocate resources to DUI enforcement?

A: D.U.I enforcement will have a position of importance in my administration. Resources would be allocated consistent with the need for public safety. I would actively pursue any grants of funding sources available for increased D.U.I. enforcement, including the discussion with judges and the D.A. about the need or creation of a D.U.I. court.

Q:Will you go into our schools and give lectures to students who drive and tell them what consequences will occur if they are driving under the influence?

A: Yes, I would develop a D.U.I. education program similar to the D.A.R.E. program concept to be integrated with the cooperation of the schools as part of driver education classes. Part of the program would be to produce a video of a D.U.I. stop, which would be made available for all students to view. The video will begin with the initial stop, arrest and booking process, through the court system, and include the necessary steps to have your driving privileges restored.