Since 2005, more than 33 teenaged drivers have died on Johnston County roadways as a result of automobile accidents. Currently, Johnston County is one of the leading counties in the state for the number of teenaged automobile fatalities. I can think of many things I want Johnston County to be known for and this is not one of them. This loss of life is unacceptable, and we must ask ourselves, “Have we, as a community done all that we can to prevent this from happening?”

For me this is a very personal issue because, I have two sons that are fast approaching driving age, and I promised them that I would do everything possible to keep them safe. As a highway patrolman, I unfortunately had to tell parents that their child had died as a result of an automobile collision. I’ve seen the anguish on the face of these parents first-hand which comes from receiving such heart breaking news.

So, just like you, I understand the importance of this issue as well as the urgency to tackle this problem. Unlike the current sheriff, I will not wait five years and suddenly decide that “maybe it’s time to start writing some tickets.”

As your sheriff, we will take a proactive approach by putting into immediate affect a “Traffic Safety Unit”, with the goal of addressing teenage driver collisions by using education, aggressive traffic enforcement, and parental involvement. This will be an ongoing proactive approach to traffic safety, not some reactive measure which lasts for a couple of weeks like under the current administration, only to resurface the next time a teenager dies on our roadways.

I realize despite our best efforts tragedies can still occur. I know that a teenage driver can do everything right and bad things can still happen, but our goal should always be that we, as a community, work together to try and prevent another teen driver from dying on our roadways.

The News and Observer reported in a recent issue that Johnston County has suffered a series of tragic domestic violence cases during the month of July which has resulted in four untimely and unnecessary deaths. I have been following this coverage and have some concerns about how domestic violence issues are handled by the Sheriff’s Office.

In one of the cases, deputies had responded to calls for help from the victim 4 times in the last few months, to deal with her husband’s violent behavior. But what action did the deputies take when they arrived? When asked by the media what actions his deputies had taken when they responded to past calls, the sheriff “did not know whether his deputies ever referred them to a counselor during the four calls they answered at the couple’s home.” Surely that would be an easy question for the Sheriff to answer if his deputies had been provided proper training, and there were written procedures to follow. Our citizens deserve more than I don’t know when there exists a potential to save lives.

This is just another example of how the Sheriff’s Office, with its current lack of leadership, simply reacts to situations rather than take a proactive approach to deal with the issue that face the citizens of Johnston County. To my knowledge, no one in the Sheriff’s Office has been specially trained to deal with domestic violence calls, or to at least follow up with victims to determine if the situation had changed. I have to wonder if any special training has been offered to prepare deputies to deal with domestic violence calls. Has any relationship been established to work with Child Protective Services, Harbor Inc., or any other agencies or nonprofits to address family violence issues, or seek their assistance with special training to equip deputies to deal with these potentially deadly issues?

The sheriff is reputed to be tough on crime, but the myth certainly does not match the reality.

As I have traveled around Johnston County discussing my vision and goals, I have been asked by several people, “Why is a written policy and procedures manual so important?” This is a subject that I will write about many times between now and November 2, because I consider written policies and procedures essential to providing quality law enforcement services in a professional, efficient manner.

A written policy and procedures manual provides clear guidelines on how a law enforcement officer is suppose to perform his/her official duties and holds them accountable in accordance to those standards and guidelines. To ensure criminal offenses are properly investigated and prepared for court, deputies will be following procedures from a standardized policy manual, so cases will be handled in a uniform manner. An agency ran on verbal orders and haphazard memos is subject to the whims of the person issuing them and can be easily forgotten, but a policy manual issued to every deputy ensures orders are codified and easily referenced, making law enforcement consistent.

I can assure you when I am Sheriff, if I am asked, “Did the deputies under my command follow agency policy or procedures,” I will not have to guess nor will I have to say that I don’t know. I will know they followed the policy or procedures because they will be trained to follow them, and such training and issuance of policies and procedures will be documented. Of course, a leader knows what his people are doing because he has trained them, provided clear guidelines, ensures proper supervision is provided, and holds them accountable to those standards.

This is just one reason why a written policy and procedures manual is so important. Over the course of the campaign, I will expand on this subject more because it has so many other benefits that will promote professionalism and public safety.

I want to welcome everyone to the newest feature on Mouzonforsheriff.com, my blog page. On this blog, I will outline my vision for the future of law enforcement in Johnston County, answer your questions, and hear your concerns.

I have always believed that community safety is a shared commitment between law enforcement and the community. By working together, we can find practical solutions to address community safety concerns. We can reduce crime, work towards the elimination of drugs and gangs in our schools and communities, and save lives on our roadways.

However, none of these things can be accomplished without your help and an open, ongoing dialog. This is why I am so excited about hearing from you, by reading your comments and concerns. All I ask is that you please be civil and respectful when making your comments.

Please, tell your friends to visit mouzonforsheriff.com and join in the discussion.