The Caldwell County Republican Executive Committee hosted a Meet and Greet forum last week at the Courthouse for the five Republican candidates running for sheriff.
Steve Caldwell was the fourth candidate to introduce himself. He was allowed a total of 15-minutes to answer three questions pertaining to his qualifications to be elected sheriff, how he would address the serious drug problem in Caldwell County if elected, and his plans to participate with other law enforcement agencies.
Caldwell said he and his wife moved to Farmersville a few years ago from New Jersey where he served 33 years in Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.
click to download audioCaldwell noted that if elected sheriff he wants a diversified department and to apply for funding to keep deputies on the street.
click to download audioOn the subject of the drug problem in the county, Caldwell said drugs are nothing new, it’s been around forever and he’s fought the drug war in his career. He said he’s all for going out and making arrests, but the reality is you can’t fight that war without a “drug dog”.
click to download audioAccording to Caldwell, he would also like to start a Chaplin Program to go out into the community to talk to people and try to help those with drug addictions.
Caldwell also said the resources aren’t in Caldwell County to do everything that needs to be done and the department needs to work with state police who have more resources. He added the sheriff’s department needs to cooperate with the Princeton Police Department if they need help. He noted there are a lot of issues with a small sheriff’s department but things can be done if everyone works together.
The News Edge will have the responses to the questions from the last candidate to speak at the Republican sheriff’s forum Keith Suits on Tuesday.
You can hear Steve Caldwell’s complete answers to the questions by clicking on the audio below.
The Caldwell County Republican Executive Committee will host another forum Tuesday night at 6:00 that will include the Republican candidates running for county clerk, coroner and jailer at the courthouse. The third forum will be held on Tuesday, May 3, at 6 p.m. for the Republican candidates running for 8th District State Representative and the Republican candidates running in the district judge’s race.
