Sheriff Heldman understands the issues.
AND HANCOCK COUNTY CAN TRUST HE HAS THE SOLUTIONS.
Sheriff Heldman is ready to make tough decisions, and to navigate this community’s complexities like modern crime, the drug and opioid crisis, budget management, and jail effectiveness. Having led the protection of Hancock County for the past 24 years, and receiving 21 consecutive years of 100% Perfect state jail inspection ratings, Sheriff Heldman is intimate with the details of all these complexities. Read about his solutions below.
Modern CrimeCrime is changing and as a result, for the past five years in Hancock County, crime has been increasing. According to county data, much of the rising crime correlates with drug addiction and lack of alternative resources. Sheriff Heldman's solution? Treatment, information, and community involvement.
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The Drug and Opioid CrisisWhile Sheriff Heldman knows there is no single simple solution to the drug and opioid problem, he believes the long-term answer must be centered on education. The solution to this crisis requires working with our community in early stages, by educating children and young adults, and in continued education of adult citizens about how to begin combating addiction. We are not going to buy our way out of this. We are not going to arrest our way out of this. Sheriff Heldman plans on implementing education-based solutions to drug addiction and increased crime.
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Budget ManagementThe Hancock County Sheriff's Office runs a tight budget and there is no room for mismanagement or inefficiencies. The office must ensure we are being outstanding fiscal stewards of taxpayer money and spending that money where it does the most good for our citizens. Sheriff Heldman's plan involves investing in the technology that allows us to do more with less in the long term, strengthening budget goals for Hancock County offices and departments, and ensuring these goals are properly communicated and fulfilled.
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Jail EffectivenessIncarceration in Hancock County is rising and our Justice Center can't keep up. This jail was constructed in 1989 and was not built to house the number or types of criminals we have to incarcerate today. Visit 200 W Crawford St. and you'll be greeted with signs of overflow and under-equipment. This jail requires repair and modernization. Sheriff Heldman understands we need to study and assess our options and implement a plan so we have a jail and incarceration system that meets the needs of tomorrow.
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