Stark County sheriff’s race heats up

Talk about it

Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy won the primary election over Ray Becker in June, but the race isn’t over.

The two are vying for the position of Sheriff and each wants to tackle several issues if they win voters over at the Nov. 2 election.

If elected, Becker wants to get area law enforcement agencies working more closely together.

“We’re all trying to do the same job, there just seems to be some jurisdictional boundaries that don’t need to be there,” Becker said, adding agencies should train together as well. “There could be a major incident where we’re going to need everybody there and if we don’t train together, that’s when somebody’s going to get hurt.”

If Tuhy is elected, he would like to work on increased enforcement of alcohol and traffic violations in the county.

“Some of the way we do things has changed but the problems are still out there and we’ve got to try to deal with them,” Tuhy said. “If need be we can expand personnel and work with other agencies to combat some of the issues that are creating a problem for society.”

Increased oil activity in the area may heighten issues that are already affecting the county, such as traffic and drugs, Tuhy said.

“I think experience is a major factor in trying to deal with the issues that we’re going to be faced with in the future,” Tuhy said.

Becker would also like to address drug issues.

“I’m pretty adamant about getting as many illegal substances off the street as we can,” Becker said. “And keep them away from our kids, because our kids are our future.”

He also wants to see 24-hour patrol in the county.

“I think that needs to happen,” Becker said.

Tuhy said officers are patrolling as much as they can.

“When you’re in it and you haven’t got the personnel, it’s hard to do,” he said. “But we try to run as close to a 24-hour schedule as we can … When we can’t provide it because of lack of manpower, they are on call.”

He would like to have law enforcement more visible in the county.

“The public needs to see law enforcement out and about and being in the rural areas,” Tuhy said.

Becker agrees. He wants to be on patrol himself if elected, including working night shifts.

Becker said if you’re not on patrol “you don’t have your finger on the beat of the community anymore.”

“I think it keeps you in touch and you don’t lose yours skills,” Becker said.

Tuhy wants to continue serving Stark County residents.

“All I can do is promise is to do the best job I can,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for 38 years and I’ll continue to the best job I can.”

Becker would like to go to work for Stark County residents.

“I’m going to be proactive and get out into the community and find out what’s going on and address their issues,” Becker said. “We need to take care of it before it’s a problem.”

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