WDSU NEWS HOT SEAT. I’M TRAVERS MACKEL TONIGHT WE ARE CONTINUING OUR DEBATES FOR COMMITMENT 2023 AND WE’RE FOCUSED ON A BIG ONE. THE RACE FOR SHERIFF IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. WE ALL KNOW THAT SAINT TAMMANY HAS A POPULATION OF ABOUT 270,000. IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE SAFEST PARISHES IN METRO NEW ORLEANS. THREE PEOPLE HAVE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR SHERIFF, INCLUDING THE INCUMBENT RANDI SMITH. HE IS HERE, INCLUDING HIS TWO CHALLENGERS, JOHN GERBA AND TOMMY WILLIAMS. ALL THREE ARE REPUBLICANS. COINCIDENTALLY, ALL THREE ARE FROM THE SLIDELL AREA. GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. WE HAVE A LOT TO GET TO, SO LET’S START WITH OPENING STATEMENT. YOU HAVE 60S. WE’RE GOING ALPHABETICALLY. MR. GERBA, WE BEGAN WITH YOU. THIS IS THE SAINT TAMMANY. MOVE TO YOUR PARISH. THREE YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT THE PARISH WAS SAFE. I THOUGHT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION WAS DOING A GOOD JOB. INITIALLY. BUT THEN I STARTED TO REALLY WATCH AND SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THAT’S NOT THE CASE. YOU’VE BEEN HOODWINKED FOR EIGHT YEARS, ALMOST EIGHT YEARS. THE PLACE IS NOT SAFE. ALL THE FELONY CRIMES THAT ARE BEING COMMITTED IN COVINGTON MANDEVILLE AND ALL THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, THEY’RE ALL TRANSVERSING THROUGH SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS NOT BEING PROACTIVE IN STOPPING CRIME. YOU CAN RIDE AROUND SAINT TAMMANY ALL THE TIME AND HARDLY SEE ANY DEPUTIES OR ANY UNITS OUT THERE DOING ANYTHING WRONG. I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY’RE AT. I DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING, BUT THEY’RE DEFINITELY NOT STOPPING CRIME. I MEAN, YOU JUST HAD ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRUG BUSTS IN SAINT TAMMANY HISTORY WITH THE SLIDELL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SAINT TAMMANY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WAS NOT EVEN INVOLVED. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU? I WANT TO BE THE SHERIFF BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE YOU SAFE CHANGE IS NEEDED. WE NEED CHANGE. WE NEED TO BE SAFE. YOU ARE PAYING SOME OF THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE COUNTRY AND YOU DESERVE TO BE SAFE. I WANT TO BE THE SHERIFF THAT MAKES YOU SAFE. ALL RIGHT, MR. GERBA. THANK YOU, SHERIFF SMITH, YOU HAVE 60S ALSO TO MAKE AN OPENING STATEMENT. THANKS FOR HAVING US. IT’S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE YOU AS SHERIFF IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. I’M RUNNING ON OUR RECORD AND THE MORALE IS VERY HIGH IN THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. OUR CRIME STATS ARE VERY GOOD. WE RUN IN A 92% SOLVE RATE ON VIOLENT CRIME. WE HAVE JUST UNDER 800 DEPUTIES NOW AT SAINT TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE. WE ARE GROWING JUST LIKE THIS PARISH IS GROWING. I DEFEATED A 20 YEAR INCUMBENT IN 2015 WHEN I RAN FOR SHERIFF. SINCE THEN, I WAS I WAS ASKED BY THE VOTERS TO CLEAN UP THE GOOD OLD BOY AND CORRUPTION WITHIN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND WE DID THAT. I WAS ASKED THEN TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST AND TO KEEP FAMILIES LIKE YOURS AND MINE SAFE. WE’VE DONE THAT AS WELL. AND WE HAVE TO HOLD CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE. I AM PROUD OF OUR TEN YEAR LOW CRIME RATE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ANOTHER FOUR YEARS. WE CAN’T AFFORD TO GAMBLE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I WON’T LET THAT HAPPEN ON MY WATCH. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF. THANK YOU, MR. WILLIAMS. YOU ALSO HAVE 60S TO WRAP US UP FOR OPENING STATEMENTS. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS TOMMY WILLIAMS. I’M RUNNING FOR SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. SHERIFF WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. I LIVE IN SLIDELL, DECORATED US NAVY VETERAN, A 30 YEAR PLUS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER. AND I WANT TO MAKE SAINT TAMMANY PARISH A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE. WE HAVE SIX OUTSTANDING POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH THAT ARE DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THOSE AGENCIES FROM THE SAINT TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO TO INCREASE VISIBILITY. WE CAN DO BETTER. WE JUST NEED TO DO BETTER AND WE HAVE TO WORK BETTER AS AS A GROUP. EVERYBODY’S SHORTHANDED RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING FOR OFFICERS. WE WANT TO MAKE SAINT TAMMANY PLACE SHERIFF’S OFFICE A BETTER PLACE TO WORK BY GIVING THEM BETTER INCENTIVES, GIVING BETTER DEPUTY PAY, GIVING ME A TRUE PAY RAISE INSTEAD OF A PAY RAISE THAT IS RUNS ALONG THE LINES WITH A INSURANCE INCREASE. ALL RIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO GET TO SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT QUESTIONS IN A SECOND. WE WANT TO ASK YOU, SHERIFF, ABOUT SOMETHING THAT’S MAKING HEADLINES RECENTLY IN 30S, AN APPEALS COURT RECENTLY RULED AGAINST YOU, SIDING WITH A MAN WHO CLAIMS HE WAS UNLAWFULLY ARRESTED BY YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR CRITICIZING YOU IN THE INVESTIGATION OF NANETTE KRENTCIL IN 30S. HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT RULING FROM THE COURT? IT’S STILL UNDER LITIGATION. WE HAVE MADE AN APPEAL IN THAT CASE. JUDGE SIGNED A WARRANT. WE HAD PROBABLE CAUSE. DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR AND SEE. BUT LOOK, IF WE DID SOMETHING WRONG, WE’RE GOING TO TAKE THE HIT AND WE’RE GOING TO GET THROUGH IT. AND THE GUY THERE’S A LOT MORE TO THE STORY THAT I’M NOT AT LIBERTY TO DISCUSS ON THAT CASE AT THIS TIME. BUT YEAH, IT’S IT’S WE MET WITH THE DA’S OFFICE. THEY WERE BEFORE WE MADE THE ARREST, BEFORE THE CHARGE WAS WAS WAS INITIATED THROUGH THE JUDGE. AND WE’LL DEAL WITH IT LATER. ALL RIGHT. MR. WILLIAMS, A SIMILAR QUESTION, BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT THE SHERIFF AND THE SHERIFF IS DEALING WITH THAT IN 30S. HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THE NANETTE KRENTCIL INVESTIGATION IF YOU ARE ELECTED? PART OF MY FIRST TEN DAYS IN OFFICE IS GOING TO BE OPEN UP A COLD CASE SQUAD. I WILL USE THE CURRENT DEPUTIES THAT ARE THERE ASSIGNED TO THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE DETECTIVE DIVISION. I ALSO HAVE THREE RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT DETECTIVES THAT HAVE WORKED HOMICIDE THEIR WHOLE LIFE THAT THAT WANT TO COME HELP ME INVESTIGATE THAT CASE. ALL RIGHT. SAME QUESTION. MR. GERBER IN 30S, BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT THE SHERIFF DEALING WITH THE LITIGATION. IF YOU ARE ELECTED, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT HIGH PROFILE MURDER INVESTIGATION IF ELECTED? FIRST OFF, THE SHERIFF SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE DA WHEN HE TOLD THEM TWICE, NOT ONCE. TWICE NOT TO ARREST THAT GUY FOR BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO VIOLATE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IS NOT APPEAL THE CASE AND PAY THE MAN HE DESERVES WHAT HE’S GOING TO GET THROUGH LITIGATION AND MONETARY GAINS FROM THE COURT CASE, FROM THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, THE SHERIFF IS NOT DOING HIS JOB. THESE PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE VIOLATING CIVIL RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF SAINT TAMMANY. AND IT’S NOT RIGHT. THEY NEED TO BE LED GOD AND TRAINED BY SOMEBODY WHO’S GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS ARE TAKEN CARE OF. FIRST AND FOREMOST. REALLY QUICKLY, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT REALLY QUICKLY, SINCE HE DID, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO HIS ALLEGATIONS REALLY QUICKLY? HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT ON THE CRIMINAL CASE. YEAH, WE WORKED AT FOR OVER THREE YEARS. WE WORKED WITH FBI, ATF AND LOUISIANA, A FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE. WE HAD SOME OF THE TOP INVESTIGATORS ON THAT CASE. THE DA’S OFFICE CAME IN. WALTER, I MEAN, WARREN MONTGOMERY CAME IN, TOOK THE CASE FROM US. THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A LEAD THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW UP ON AND TRY TO MAKE AN ARREST. THEY’VE HAD THE CASE NOW THREE YEARS AND THEY STILL HAVE THE CASE. SO WE’RE WORKING TOGETHER AND WE’LL FOLLOW UP ON ANY LEADS THAT COME IN. BUT SO FAR, THERE’S NONE. OKAY. I WISH WE COULD TALK ABOUT CRIME. WE’RE GOING TO START THIS QUESTION IF YOU REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT REALLY QUICKLY ABOUT 10S. GO AHEAD, MR. WILLIAMS. SHERIFF, YOU’VE BEEN A POLICEMAN A LONG TIME OR A DEPUTY, A LONG TIME. YOU NEVER CLEAR THE SPOUSE IN ONE WEEK. THAT WAS WRONG. YOU SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AT IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY. YEAH. OKAY. I DISAGREE. YOU WEREN’T INVOLVED IN THE CASE, AND IT WAS. IT WAS LONGER THAN A WEEK. AND AGAIN, OUR GUYS DID THEIR DUE DILIGENCE IN THAT CASE. AND AND THE TRUTH WILL SOON COME FORWARD. HOPEFULLY. I HOPE SO, TOO. SHERIFF. MR. WILLIAMS, WE START THIS THIS OFF WITH YOU. WE HAVE 60S FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE WE FEEL IT’S A BIG ONE. THE DEPARTMENT NOW HAS BODY ISSUED CAMERAS. IF ELECTED, HOW WOULD YOU ENHANCE NEW TECHNOLOGY? WOULD YOU MAKE THOSE VIDEOS PUBLIC AND WOULD YOU ALSO INVEST IN THINGS LIKE DRONE TECHNOLOGY? YOU HAVE 60S. YES. DRONE TECHNOLOGY. AG I’LL START WITH THAT. FIRST BEING A TRAFFIC MINDED OFFICER, WE HAVE DRONE TECHNOLOGY WHERE WE CAN FLY OVER THE SCENE AND MAP A SCENE OUT COMPLETELY FOR A FATALITY, INVESTIGATE STATION. ALSO WITH THE BODY CAMERAS. UNLESS IT’S AN INCIDENT THAT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION CURRENTLY AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, PENDING ALLEGATIONS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE MAY HAVE TO STAY AT THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT FOR A WHILE. ALSO, THERE IS NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH VEHICLES. OFFICERS CAN DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THEIR HANDS ON THE WHEEL, TURN ON THEIR LIGHTS, SIREN TALK TO THEIR COMPUTERS, EVERYTHING LIKE THIS. THIS IS PART OF MY PROACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES THAT I’VE MENTIONED ON MY FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE THAT I’M GOING TO IMPLEMENT WITH THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE BECAUSE WE CAN SPEND MONEY ON CERTAIN THINGS. WE CAN SPEND MONEY FOR OUR DEPUTIES TO HAVE THE BEST AND OUTSTANDING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE TO THEM. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, MR. GERBER, YOU HAVE 60S IF YOU ARE ELECTED, HOW WOULD YOU ENHANCE THE BODY CAMERAS AND WHAT YOU INVEST IN? DRONE TECHNOLOGY AS WELL? WE DEFINITELY NEED TO INVEST IN ALL THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE GOING TO ENHANCE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES. THE, UH, THE DRONES, THE POLICIES FOR THOSE. AND THE BODY CAMERAS WILL BE REVIEWED WHEN I TAKE OVER. AND THOSE BODY CAMS, IF IT’S NOT TIED UP IN LITIGATION, THEY WILL BE PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC. THERE’S NOT GOING TO BE ANY FOIA REQUESTS FOR ANY OF THAT. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO NEED ANY OF THAT. I’M GOING TO BE THE MOST TRANSPARENT SHERIFF IN SAINT TAMMANY OR IN THE STATE. THE AS FAR AS THE CRIMINAL CASE, ALSO DAY ONE, I’M STARTING I’M OPENING THAT CASE AND I’M ALSO STARTING A WAR ON DRUGS. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF, IN 60S, YOU DID BRING IN BODY CAMERAS AND DRONE TECHNOLOGY. IF REELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO ENHANCE THOSE NEW TECHNOLOGIES? WELL, OVER THE OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, WE HAVE RECEIVED STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF OVER $82 MILLION. THOSE FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPLEMENT FUNDING FOR THE DRONE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE AND THE BODY CAMERAS THAT ARE IN PLACE. TECHNOLOGY IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING CRIME, AND THESE ARE TOOLS AND TRAINED DEPUTIES THAT USE THEM. WE HAD THE HELICOPTER. WE GOT RID OF THE HELICOPTER THAT WAS OVER 40 SOMETHING YEARS OLD. WE IMPLEMENTED THE DRONE PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY’RE SO USEFUL. WE HAVE THEM ASSIGNED TO OUR SWAT TEAM, OUR SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND MARINE DIVISION. WE USE THEM FOR TRAFFIC TRAFFIC FATALITY ACCIDENTS ANY WAY WE CAN USE THEM AND SAVE MONEY BY USING THE DRONE SYSTEM AND FIGHT CRIME IS WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO. ALL RIGHT, MR. GERBER, WE’RE GOING TO START THIS ONE WITH YOU. ANOTHER 62ND ANSWER. DEPUTIES IN SAINT TAMMANY ALREADY MAKE A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SALARY IN 60S. IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN TO INCREASE WAGES AND TRY TO ATTRACT MORE DEPUTIES? I’M NOT GOING TO BUY A $1.5 MILLION COMMAND CENTER IF I’M TRYING TO CUT CUT THE BUDGET AND SAVE THE TAXPAYER MONEY, SOMETHING THAT CAN’T EVEN GO DOWN MOST ROADS AND AND CROSS BRIDGES IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. SO I’M DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO WASTE MONEY ON THAT. I’M GOING TO DO A FULL REVIEW OF OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SAINT TAMMANY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND I’M GOING TO REORGANIZE THE DEPARTMENT THAT IN A WAY THAT WE HAVE MORE PATROL DEPUTIES ON THE STREET. WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE WASTEFUL WITH OUR PERSONNEL. THAT’S ONE OF OUR BEST ASSETS AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THE PEOPLE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME, AND THEY NEED A LIVING WAGE. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF, IT’S ALREADY CONSIDERED A COMPETITIVE, MORE THAN COMPETITIVE SALARY IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH WHEN IT STACKS UP IN THE STATE IN 60S. IF REELECTED, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN TO TRY TO INCREASE WAGES AND ATTRACT NEW DEPUTIES TO SAINT TAMMANY? SINCE TAKING OFFICE FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, EVERY YEAR I HAVE BUDGETED PAY RAISES TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWING DEMAND SO WE DON’T HAVE A TURNOVER RATE IN OUR AGENCY. SEE, THAT’S WHY WE ONLY HAVE LIKE AN 8% CURRENT VACANCY LEVEL RIGHT NOW. WE’RE HIRING RECRUITING FROM ALL OVER JEFFERSON ORLEANS, OTHER AGENCIES BECAUSE WE ARE ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID IF NOT THE HIGHEST PAID SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. NOW IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, I PAY 100% OF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE S I SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR FAMILIES TO BE ADDED INDEPENDENCE. AND I JUST STARTED A DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN WHERE I’M MATCHING 7%. WHAT THEY PUT IN TO HELP WHEN THEY’RE RETIRE. SO THE BENEFIT PACKAGE AND THE TOP PAY THE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING THAT WE PROVIDE IS BAR NONE. ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE. ALL RIGHT. MR. WILLIAMS SAME QUESTION. 60S WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN TO KEEP THE COMPETITIVE SALARY AND ALSO ATTRACT NEW DEPUTIES? WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR HUMAN CAPITAL, OUR HUMAN CAPITAL IS OUR DEPUTIES, FIRST AND FOREMOST, TRAINING. THEY HAVE TO HAVE TRAINING TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THIS MARKETPLACE. SO I’M BRINGING IN A BUDGET ANALYSIS EXPERT. THIS WOMAN HANDLED A BUDGET OVER $600 MILLION. SHE IS GOING TO HELP ME ALIGN THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT BUDGET TO WHERE WE HAVE ENOUGH ASSETS NOW THAT WE WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THESE ASSETS. WE HAVE BOATS THAT ARE MADE TO RUN ON OFFSHORE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. WE HAVE COMMAND CENTERS THAT WON’T FIT DOWN SOME OF THE STREETS IN SLIDELL THAT ARE USED ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR DURING CHRISTMAS OR DURING MARDI GRAS. SO WE HAVE THESE THINGS WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE. I’M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR DEPUTIES GET LEGITIMATE PAY RAISES ANY AND EVERY TIME THAT I CAN TO TO TO ATTRACT NEW PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. WE’RE GOING TO DO A NATIONWIDE RECRUITING EFFORT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. LET’S SPEED THIS UP A LITTLE BIT IN 30S SHERIFF CRIM CRIMINALS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PLAN TO WORK WITH LEADERS IN NEIGHBORING JEFFERSON AND ORLEANS PARISH AS A REGIONAL CRIME FIGHTING NETWORK TO KEEP THIS AREA SAFE? IN 30S, WE HAVE TO DO THAT. YOU KNOW, WE’RE IN THE NEXT DOOR TO ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT CITIES IN AMERICA. SO WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS IS A MUST. THE CRIMINALS, LIKE YOU SAID, DON’T HAVE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES WORKING TOGETHER IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. AND OUR PARTNERS IN MISSISSIPPI. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO SHARE INFORMATION, SHARE THE INFORMATION WE HAVE WORKING WITH THEM SO WE CAN KEEP SAINT TAMMANY AS SAFE AS IT IS. THAT’S TO ME VERY IMPORTANT. AND NUMBER ONE OBJECTIVE IS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE. AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO. ALL RIGHT, MR. WILLIAMS, SAME QUESTION IN 30S. WHAT’S YOUR PLAN IF ELECTED, TO WORK WITH ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON AS A REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP? WE’RE GOING TO REACH OUT TO WE’RE EXTENDING THE OLIVE BRANCH ACROSS PARISH LINES. TANGIPAHOA PARISH IS HAVING A SHERIFF RUNNING RIGHT NOW FOR REELECTION OR ELECTION WASHINGTON PARISH SAME THING WE’RE WE’RE GOING TO EXTEND THE OLIVE BRANCH EVERYWHERE. WE’RE GOING TO PARTNER WITH THE DEA, THE ALPHABET POLICE, ATF, ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO WORK WITH THE SAINT TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE AND TO TO MAKE SAINT TAMMANY A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. ORLEANS PARISH HAS ITS ISSUES. WE CAN HELP ORLEANS PARISH IF IT’S MARDI GRAS AND THEY NEED ASSISTANCE. WE’RE COMING. IF IT’S ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, THEY NEED ASSISTANCE. WE’RE COMING. THEY CHASE THEM OUR WAY. WE’RE GOING TO HELP BRING THEM INTO CUSTODY. ALL RIGHT. MR. GERBER 30S, WHAT WILL BE YOUR PLAN IF ELECTED TO HAVE A REGIONAL PLAN WITH ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON PARISH? WELL, FIRST OFF, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF SAINT TAMMANY FIRST OUT. OKAY. THEY’RE NOT OUT THERE BEING PROACTIVE ON THE STREETS OF SAINT TAMMANY. WE NEED TO MAKE SAINT TAMMANY SAFE FIRST, THEN WE CAN BRANCH OUT TO THE MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PARISH, AND THEN WE CAN BRANCH OUT TO THE OTHER PARISHES. NOW, I’M ALL FOR WORKING FOR THEM IN BETWEEN, BUT I CAN’T EXPEND THAT MANPOWER IF I DON’T IF I CAN’T MAN THE STREETS OF SAINT TAMMANY FIRST SAINT TAMMANY COMES FIRST. THE CITIZENS OF SAINT TAMMANY DESERVE THE PROTECTION ON THAT THEY’RE PAYING FOR AND THEY’RE NOT GETTING IT. YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEST EQUIPMENT AND YOU MIGHT HAVE THE BEST TRAINING, BUT THE PEOPLE ARE LEAVING IN DROVES BECAUSE YOU HAVE POOR MANAGEMENT, POOR LEADERSHIP. AND I’M GOING TO GIVE THEM GOOD LEADERSHIP AND GOOD MANAGEMENT IN 30S. MR. WILLIAMS, IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE JAIL IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH? THE JAIL IS CURRENTLY GOING UNDER AN AUDIT THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE PARISH GOVERNMENT FROM MR. COOPER’S OFFICE. I’M NOT SURE WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THAT’S GOING TO BE. IT HASN’T BEEN MADE PUBLIC YET, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT’S GOING UNDER. WE HAVE A $20 MILLION JAIL OPERATING ON A $10 MILLION BUDGET. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR JAIL IS A $10 MILLION JAIL OPERATING ON A $10 MILLION BUDGET. THE DEPUTIES IN THERE, THEIR PAY NEEDS TO BE INCREASED TO AT OR NEAR THE PATROL DEPUTIES PAY ON THE ROAD. I WILL MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS. THE JAIL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A CERTIFICATION PROCESS. WE WILL GET THAT DONE. ALL RIGHT. MR. GERBER, SAME QUESTION. IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE JAIL IN SAINT TAMMANY? WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A PAYROLL SCALE WITH CORRECTIONAL OFFICER ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR. WE’RE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT ONCE WE REVIEW THE WHOLE SHERIFF’S OFFICE BUDGET AND AND DO THE REORGANIZATION OF THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE WITH THE PEOPLE AND THE PERSONNEL. I’M GOING TO SECURE THAT JAIL. THEY HAD THREE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN THE LAST YEAR ARRESTED FOR BRINGING NARCOTICS INTO THAT JAIL, TWO IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THAT’S UNACCEPTABLE. THAT JAIL IS NOT SECURE. IT WILL BE SECURE UNDER MY WATCH. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT IS SECURE AND THE INMATES ARE SECURE, BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE LESS STAFFING IN THERE, THE INMATES ARE AT RISK. AND THE DEPUTIES THAT ARE WORKING IN THERE ARE AT RISK. AND THAT’S NOT RIGHT. AND IT’S TAKEN SEVEN YEARS FOR THEM TO EVEN BRING THIS UP. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF, SAME QUESTION. IF REELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE JAIL? IT IS A JAIL. AND I’M LEGISLATIVELY RESPONSIBLE TO RUN IT, OVERSEE IT AND SECURE IT, PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF NOT ONLY THE INMATES, BUT THOSE DEPUTIES THAT WORK THERE. WE TOOK IN JUST OVER 8000 INMATES, ARRESTEES THAT WERE BROUGHT IN LAST YEAR. THEY ARE TOP PAID. WE HAVE VERY FEW OPENINGS. THAT JAIL IS GOVERNED AND OVERSEEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HERE IN LOUISIANA. THE LOUISIANA FIRE MARSHAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. AND WE ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH EVERYTHING WE DO. AND WE RUN THAT JAIL EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. AND WE’RE FINANCIALLY SOUND AT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. BUT THERE ARE SOME OBLIGATED FUNDS THAT ARE DEDICATED FROM THE PARISH TO HELP OFFSET THOSE COSTS. ALL RIGHT. WE’RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME. WE’RE GOING TO DO CLOSING STATEMENTS IN A SECOND, BUT WE HAVE A QUICK YES OR NO ON A HIGH PROFILE CASE THAT’S ABOUT TO GO TO TRIAL. YES OR NO? REALLY QUICKLY, IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MANDEVILLE, POLICE OFFICER VINNIE LIBERTO, IF MARK SPICER IS CONVICTED, YES OR NO, SHOULD HE DIE BY LETHAL INJECTION? YES. YES, YES. ALL RIGHT. I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT. WE’D LIKE TO HEAR ALL OF YOU ALL MAKE A QUICK CLOSING STATEMENT. SO WE’RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, MR. WILLIAMS. IN REVERSE ALPHABETICAL ORDER, YOU HAVE 30S TO MAKE A QUICK PITCH TO VOTERS WHY YOU FEEL YOU SHOULD BE ELECTED AS SHERIFF. I’VE BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR NEARLY 39 YEARS. 30 IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EIGHT PLUS YEARS IN THE MILITARY. I’VE NEVER BEEN FIRED. I’VE NEVER BEEN HAD ANY CIVIL LITIGATION FILED AGAINST ME OTHER THAN A NORMAL COMPLAINT. I’VE NEVER HAD TO USE OR LOST MY QUALIFIED IMMUNITY. OUR CURRENT SHERIFF HAS THOSE ISSUES PENDING AGAINST HIM. I PROMISE. SAINT TAMMANY THAT I WILL BE THE BEST SHERIFF THAT YOU HAVE EVER HAD. I MAKE THIS PROMISE. I’M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE ON OCTOBER 14TH. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF, I’LL LET YOU RESPOND TO THAT AND MAKE A QUICK 30, 36 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCURRENTLY, WHEN I START AT THE AGE OF 21, I LOVE WHAT I DO. I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR ME, TAKING CARE OF THOSE DEPUTIES AND THEIR FAMILIES IS ONE OF MY UTMOST IMPORTANCE, IS KEEPING THE FAMILY SAFE AND CONTINUE TO BUILD COMMUNITY TRUST WHERE OUR I RUN ON MY NUMBERS ARE THE FACTS ARE THERE. MY DAD SAID IF IT’S NOT BROKE, WHY FIX IT? AND WE ARE RUNNING A TOP NOTCH POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THE RECORD TO BACK IT UP. I’M PROUD TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENTS OF JOE LOPINTO SHERIFF AND JEFFERSON AND JIMMY COLEMAN IN SAINT BERNARD. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. GERBER, YOU GET TO YOU GET TO WRAP US UP A 32ND CLOSING STATEMENT. WELL, FIRST OFF, I DON’T TRUST THE NUMBERS FROM THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT. SECOND OFF, DAY ONE, I’M GOING TO OPEN UP AND IN THAT CASE, AND START A WAR ON DRUGS. NUMBER THREE, I’M GOING TO DONATE 10% OF MY SALARY, 5% TO TUNNEL TO TOWERS, 5% TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY, AND 2% OR $2,000 TO A LOCAL CHARITY. SO THAT’S OVER 20 GRAND. IT’S NOT ABOUT TITLES. IT’S NOT NOT ABOUT THE MONEY. IT’S ABOUT MAKING SAINT TAMMANY CITIZENS SAFE. AND THEY’RE NOT DOING IT. I’M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT’S DONE. I WANT TO HELP THE SHERIFF KEEP HIS WORD AND HIS VIDEO. I AGREE WITH THE PEOPLE OF SAINT TAMMANY PARISH FOR TERM LIMITS. I WANT TO DO TWO TERMS. I WANT TO HELP HIM KEEP HIS PROMISE. US REALLY QUICKLY. DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT REALLY QUICKLY ABOUT TERM LIMITS? OBVIOUSLY, SHERIFFS IN LOUISIANA ARE TERM LIMITLESS POSITION. THERE’S NO TERM LIMITS FOR SHERIFFS, YOU’RE CORRECT. BUT ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT’S ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE SERVES TO THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE DON’T WANT YOU IN OFFICE. THEY’RE GOING TO BOOT YOU OUT AND NOT ELECT YOU AND KEEP YOU IN OFFICE. SO THAT’S MY RESPONSE. ALL RIGHT, SHERIFF RANDY SMITH, TOMMY WILLIAMS, JOHN GERBER, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. WE APPRECIATE YOU DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN SAINT TAMMANY PARISH. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OU