CDA Press: Meet The Candidates 2024

Media Source: CDA Press

In the Kootenai County Sheriff 2024 interviews hosted by the CDA Press, each candidate for sheriff was asked the same questions in the same format. The interview began by allowing a 2-minute introduction followed by a series of the same three questions with a 2-minutes response allowed and wrapped up with a one-minute closing statement.

Following is a summarization and comparison of the Dan Wilson and Bob Norris interviews:

Introductions

Norris: Bob Norris focuses heavily on his position as current sheriff and his memberships in local clubs such as the Legion Coeur d’Alene Rotary, American Legion, and “many many Republican clubs.” Norris also uses his introduction to say that in the past 4 “We’ve been able to reduce crime in the unincorporated and contract cities by 16%.” and says that we’ve had no major deaths or incidents on our waterways and that we’re taking fentanyl out of our community and out of our schools at a record pace.

Wilson: Dan Wilson begins with a strong statement that he’s running for Kootenai County Sheriff because he believes that in this time and place in history the people of Kootenai County need a proven leader. Somebody who not only has an extensive background in volunteer service to his community as a police officer, but also as a businessman who spent 25 years in this region taking care of his employees and their families. Wilson wraps up his introduction by saying, “I’m looking forward to serving the people of this community and bringing equal protection under the law to everyone as the founders originally intended.”

Questions One

(Norris): “As the incumbent, what do you as the primary challenges facing Kootenai County law enforcement and how do you plan to address them in your second term as sheriff?”

(Wilson): What are the primary challenges facing Kootenai County law enforcement and how do you plan to address them as sheriff?

Norris Answer: Norris’ answer focuses heavily on the number one problem as fentanyl saying that it is the biggest problem we have in our community and in our schools. Norris goes on to say that he will focus on education, rehabilitation and enforcement. Norris then says, “We’re doing really well with getting employees with our patrol division, we have to do the same things in the jail.” He says that currently we’re down about 20 positions in the jail. In conclusion of his answer Norris states that he will continue with community engagement saying that he has engaged this community like no other sheriff. He plans to continue with his coffee with a sheriff, coffee with a cop, breakfast with the sheriff, and all of his town halls.

Wilson Answer: Dan Wilson states that the first problem is fentanyl and supports his statement with both national and local statistics. He states that the fentanyl crisis is not just affecting adults but also our children and that until we can stop the pipeline coming from the southern border that the best solution aside from interdictions, is to educate our families and children and that it’s a community effort. The second problem that Wilson presents is the major staffing issue in KCSO’s 911 dispatch. He states that the staffing issues at 911 should be concerning to citizens whose calls for service might not be answered. Wilson also states that Bob Norris recently went to the board of county commissioners and request $260,000 of retention bonuses to keep the existing 911 operators. Wilson promises in his first 90 days to change this environment immediately

Question Two

What policies or programs would you implement to improve public safety and trust?

Norris Answer: Norris begins by saying, “I think we kill two birds with one stone on that one.” He says that one of the byproducts of being a community engaged sheriff is that, “We are building trust.” He says that his communication loops are not a byproduct but that they are by design to create communication loops so that they can bring it back to the community and put in operational policies based on this outreach.

Wilson Answer: Wilson states that first he would immediately take care of the staffing issues inside the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. He says that despite perks and pay raises we are hemorrhaging officers and that we’re still 20 deputies down in the jail, 5 on patrol and as previously stated, we’re deficient when it comes to 911 operators. His proposed solution is to change the culture at KCSO to bring back one of calling, not just a culture of pay. Wilson states that along with financially taking care of deputies that they will be reminded of their calling and that the culture inside KCSO will be transformed to service of the community. Accomplishing these things will in turn provide the best service to the community. He says that KCSO exists to, “Protect everybody rights to life, liberty, and property.”

Question Three

(Norris): If re-elected sheriff, how would you ensure transparency and accountability in your office?

(Wilson): If elected sheriff, how would you ensure transparency and accountability in your office?

Norris Answer: Bob Norris says, “We have killed a lot of birds with one stone today haven’t we?” He then goes on to say that he’s going to continue with community engagement that this sheriff has brought to the sheriff’s office. He says, “We are very very transparent, we absolutely acknowledge and we love public records requests.” Norris states, “That we want the public to know what we’re doing and when we make a mistake we say you know what, we made a mistake. We could have done better and that’s okay because there’s never been a tactical operation that has gone perfectly.” He concludes his answer by saying, “We’re very very transparent with the public and it’s never been part of a downfall as your sheriff I’ve never had a problem with just coming out and saying, you know what we could have done better in this particular event.”

Wilson Answer: Wilson’s first point of action is to provide citizen advisory boards as he is currently not aware of any such organization that occurs inside the sheriff’s office. He firmly states that, “We need to bring the people in.” He says this is not just from a public safety standpoint but also a part of joining hands in the community who are facing the epidemic of fentanyl poisoning. The advisory boards would include survivors and those who are in rehabilitation. Wilson states that he intends to create a network where communication is flowing between the citizens and the sheriff. He promises to make the sheriff’s office fully obtainable to every citizen and part of that solution is by holding weekly town halls online that are accessible to everyone.

Closing Statements

Norris: He begins by saying he’s enjoyed being your sheriff the last four years and looks forward to being your sheriff the next four years. Norris then repeats all the groups and clubs where he retains memberships and says that he’s a member of “many many clubs here in our community.” He says that he’s very accessible and will continue to be very accessible.

Wilson: Dan Wilsons closing statement recognizes national and local problems that will affect our county but he contrasts that with a message of hope for the citizens. He says, “I want people to be reminded of who we are. We did not descend from fearful men. We descended from men who understood the times and they acted accordingly. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.” Wilson encourages everyone to join across political barriers rather than strictly giving loyalties to a party which the current sheriff has done with Republican constituents. Dan Wilson states that he will unite the entire county regardless of personal ideations thereby providing Equal Protection Under the Law for all.

The General Election is on November 5, 2024.

For more information on voter registration in Kootenai County, Idaho or to register to vote visit https://www.kcgov.us/329/Registration-Voting.

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Dan Wilson for Kootenai County Sheriff 2024
285 W Prairie Shopping Ctr, #530
Hayden, ID 83835
info@theidahosheriff.com