Keith Webster's blog

Technology and Training: High Priorities

I firmly believe that having a sheriff’s office that is up to speed with standard training and technology is a huge priority. This is because an office that has an under-trained staff under performs. It also puts the lives of the deputies and the public at risk. As it presently stands, the deputies at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office do not have adequate training. There may be individuals who are more trained than others, but as a group they must have more and better training all-around. I worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and I now work for Carrboro Police Department, and let me say that the difference is night and day.

A Progressive & Balanced Budget Plan

When the INDY asked me what were my thoughts on the budget of the Sheriff’s office, this is how I responded:

That the sheriff’s department is not as efficient and up-to-date technologically as it could be is one place where efficiency is compromised and money is wasted. After the various reforms I intend to make within the administration and upgrades to the technology, we should see less money spent on various (often duplicated) administrative tasks.

Checkpoints & Racial Bias

The INDY also asked about roadblocks/checkpoints and potential racial profiling. Here are my thoughts on the matter:

If checkpoints are being manipulated to racially profile drivers, then that is a gross misuse of a tool which is a public good and such actions have no place in my administration. Checkpoints are instituted to keep people from hurting themselves and others, not as an instrument of racial oppression or intimidation. I would welcome review of the department’s documentation for checkpoints by organizations such as the ACLU because I am committed to justice and transparency.

A Just Community

I recently filled out the INDY Candidate Questionnaire and I wanted to go ahead and start sharing my answers. When they asked what I would do to build a just community in the Triangle, this is how I responded:

Safer Schools in Our County

Sending our children to public schools should not be something that causes a parent to get nervous. I have a child of my own in Orange County public schools, so I know how it can feel. The fact that so many fear for their child’s safety at school is unfortunate. The good news is that there is something that we can do about it.