20071107 Letter to the Editor from Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Letter to the Editor from Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

The following is a letter to the editor submitted to “Soundtrack” from Colonel Bob Keefer, the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

November 8, 2007

Dear Editor:

I am very disturbed and concerned about what our Board of Carroll County Commissioners is trying to do to the Office of the Sheriff and our Citizens most basic rights. I think the Citizens of Carroll County should be concerned too!

Here is the Issue! For the past 170 years, the Citizens of Carroll County have HAD THE RIGHT TO ELECT our chief law enforcement officer – the Sheriff. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office is providing full law enforcement services to the Citizens of Carroll County and is the only nationally accredited law enforcement agency in the County.

Today, the Carroll County Commissioners are trying to take this precious right to vote away from us. The Commissioners are in the process of setting up a police department with a chief they appoint (not one we choose) to do law enforcement and leave the Sheriff with civil process service and court security.

From actual cases in Maryland and other states, here is what will happen. Our opinion (voice) will no longer count, because we will loose our right to vote (choose) our top law enforcement officer, and the cost to the taxpayers will greatly increase.

If this attempt remains unchallenged, Carroll County will end up with three (3) law enforcement agencies (the Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police and a County police force) thus creating triplicate capabilities. Unlike the Sheriff who is directly accountable to all the citizens, the police chief will be accountable only to the Commissioners. And with all this, there is absolutely nothing new that we will receive in services, protection or benefits.

What we will have are MUCH HIGHER TAXES.

The Sheriff’s Office has faithfully served the Citizens for almost two centuries and is now under attack. Purposely placed in the Judicial Branch of Government by the authors of our Constitution, the Sheriff is sworn to enforce all laws equally, fairly and without regard to political affiliation or differences and has allegiance only to the Citizens.

Please preserve your individual right to self determination and write, e-mail, call or meet with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and insist that the choices on this very important issue be examined in public. Let the public have a say in this vitally important decision either through public hearings or referendum.

This decision will affect our taxes and our public safety for years to come. We deserve to have our voices heard now!

Bob Keefer

Mt. Airy

Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Editor’s note: for more information, click on: 20071108 Carroll County Connection Newsletter: Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 4, 2007 to form a county police department…

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