Gangs
Deputies have known about the presence of gang activity in Harford County since at least 2002, yet the incumbent sheriff did not begin to develop a coherent plan to deal with this threat until 2005, after an innocent man was gunned down in Edgewood by teenage thugs belonging to a gang. Even now, the sheriff continues to downplay the existence of gangs, saying things like, “Gangs in Harford County are actually in their infancy.” Yet, if you enter any of the HCSO buildings, there are posters hanging on the wall detailing the organized chain of command in some of these gangs. This information is known because deputies have been investigating and arresting these people, dealing with this problem at the street level for YEARS, not months. I believe it is safe to say that most people who live in these affected areas would also disagree with the sheriff’s characterization of the situation. Further, the sheriff has described some of these gangs as having “no apparent links with national groups.” This statement can be disputed by news reports and reports by deputies working on the streets. There is an extremely violent gang known as MS-13 that has been in our county at various times stealing vehicles. I mention these things not as scare tactics, but simply to indicate the need for a more realistic view of these problems. To effectively combat this problem, we must first be honest with ourselves about the current state of affairs. As sheriff, I will be on the road with my deputies on a regular basis, and in touch with the needs of the community. I do not believe in “micro-management,” but I do believe a good leader gets involved. Information inevitably gets lost as it filters up the chain of command, therefore I will keep in close contact with the men and women who are working “in the trenches”.
Last summer, the sheriff made an interesting comment before the chamber of commerce. He said, “We’ll never get rid of the gangs, but we can try to regulate them.” I suppose this statement indicates that the sheriff is moving in the right direction in acknowledging the extent of the gang problem; however, I don’t believe we should give up the fight so easily. Could you imagine if George Washington had said, “We’ll never get rid of these British, but we can try to regulate them”? Or if President Bush, after the attacks on September 11, said, “We’ll never get rid of these terrorists, but we can try to regulate them”? This type of thinking is utter nonsense, and can be demoralizing to deputies as it emboldens criminals. I believe Harford County needs a sheriff who will not give up on troubled neighborhoods. We need a sheriff with the determination, energy, stamina, and long-term vision to fight these problems. The solution is not to “cope with”, or “regulate” gangs, but to eliminate them, and drive them out of this county. By working together with the help of the communities, we CAN rid this county of gangs. This is NOT the time for tired leadership already in the “retirement” mode, nor is it the time for a sheriff with the 9-5, Monday through Friday mindset.
As sheriff, I will work hard every day to ensure the concerns of citizens are being addressed quickly, efficiently, and effectively- not minimizing or downplaying their role in fighting crime.
Committee to Elect Dave Tritt · Authority Brian K. Powell, Treasurer.