Riley on Crime in Cabarrus County.mov

Anyone who hasn’t seen the informative youtube video just released by Sheriff D. Brad Riley should make every attempt to watch it. It is truly inspirational. First, he points out that it is important for citizens to know that last year violent crime was down 36% and property crime down 12%. It is typical that a politician tells you want ‘he wants you to know’, rather than ‘what you want to know’. Why are you telling us now? Oh wait, yes now I remember, the election is less than two weeks away. Could it be because your job is on the line? Yes, it’s coming back to me now. Why are people thinking a whole lot worse than they thought before? Who are you speaking for? Is this to scare us? You, Sheriff seem to be the desperate one. Your deputies are pushing the envelope? Yes, I have read all the comments. They push the envelope after licking the stamp. So property crime has decreased by 12%? Where do you get your ‘gambit’ numbers? We are glad you are satisfied with your department’s accomplishments. However, I would like to point out that their job ‘is’ to patrol and be seen. I wonder if the citizens are satisfied with the services ‘you’ provide. The deputies should be visible. It does deter crime. But why are you not visible sir? So you want to communicate with the citizens now? What storm are you referring to? The election storm? The one sweeping you off of your feet? Yes, quite the storm indeed. You suggest we keep the community intact? So if you are voted out are you suggesting that we are losing our community? Our community is more than you Sheriff Riley. You obviously think highly of yourself. You are right however. This is an important time. That is precisely what I have been saying for the past few months. Why is this not the time to change horses in the middle of the stream? Thoroughbreds can swim. However, donkeys will not cross! So the worst thing you can say about David Graham is that he is retired? Thanks for going easy on him. But I dare say, I don’t think he will be retired much longer. Why is your time now? Because you are in the middle of it? Yes, you very well may come up short, thanks to Sheriff Canaday. If only he would have retired a little sooner.

Time Is Running Out

As we enter election time it is important to reflect what this blog has revealed to us in the past months. There have been numerous questions and concerns that have been asked. Obviously the local news outlets don’t do their jobs. It is too bad the Tribune and its journalists don’t care enough about this community to challenge the candidates all; sheriff, district attorney, county commissioners and clerks, to the slightest bit of interest or scrutiny to allow our citizens to be served by the best possible person. It seems a shame that the Tribune doesn’t understand what should be a sense of responsibility, or maybe they do understand. So what is our alternative when the papers protect their own favorites and ignore their obvious duties? Citizens who are fed up will take matters into the hands in the form of blogs. What have we learned about the 2 ton, ignored elephant in the room?

Sheriff D. Brad Riley does read this blog but does not have interest to answer to the easiest of questions. Of course, no one expected him to grace this site with his presence, but why not the newspaper or his websites? He did feel the need to slightly address concerns about overpopulation in the jail. But what of all the surrounding concerns? Mr. Riley has not been held accountable to his county citizens. Born here, raised here…whatever! Shouldn’t he face the music? Is this the leadership we deserve? There is no leadership at all. Not only will he dodge press conferences designed by him but won’t so much as return a phone call.
That many of his deputies are selfish, ruthless, profane, egotistical, suspicious people that do not deserve to wear badges and guns. Now with that said, most are outstanding men and women who love this community. These are the ones who need our support and new leadership. The most vocal and sometimes profane deputies, voice concerns so extreme that it shows the frustration clear and true. Most want change and need direction. Others want the ones who think differently then them to leave, telling them they are unwanted and unwelcome in their own department. Does this not scream to us, the citizens, of the turmoil in the sheriff’s office? It is an attitude born from the top. Sheriff Riley supporters claim these vulgar employees can not be tamed by the sheriff. If he can not control this own, then how can he lead them.

The time is now to bring about change and new leadership. Sheriff Riley has had an opportunity to make an impression upon all of us; whether good or bad. Have the undecided voters taken their responsibility seriously? Have they done research and met David Graham? He is a man with outstanding credentials and more importantly than that, he is a man who is respected by ALL who know him. He represents true professionalism and leadership. He has run an outstanding campaign. Let us not miss this opportunity to read our compasses correctly. It is time to sail in the right direction.

To Debate or Not Debate

Since 1976 political debates have been a much anticipated part of the election process. It is a format by which a candidate can express his views and differences from his counterpart. This process is not just a formality viewed by the citizens but is actually expected. What better way to see, hear, comprehend, process, relate and hear the plans and ‘promises’ of the ones who want to lead us? Imagine, a presidential election year whereby you do not get to watch a debate. How misleading could this be? To cast a blind vote in the direction of a ‘name’ would be claustrophobic to our government. A political debate is the citizen’s way of watching the candidates go through the interview and application process.

Sheriff D. Brad Riley as quietly asserted that he is open to a debate with challenger David Graham. It is time for our Sheriff candidates to agree to a forum and rules for a much deserved debate. We citizens expect nothing less than to see our two candidates asking and answering questions from the opposing candidate, debate narrator, and audience.

The forum and theme of questions should be no less than unrestricted, open history, both job and personal. Every application for any job asks for full work history, both present and past, information on past drug usage, financials, driving history, criminal history, and a full check of references, both work and personal. The objective is to get the best possible applicant. This should be no less invasive than the usual polygraph or oral board.

So Sheriff D. Brad Riley and Mr. David Graham, are you ready to rumble?

Charlotte's Crime 'Is' Cabarrus County's Crime

If you believe for one second that by re-electing Sheriff D. Brad Riley to another term as Cabarrus County sheriff that you receive immunity for Charlotte’s crime, then think again. Much of Charlotte’s crime originates right here in our ‘protected’ county. This weekend two of Cabarrus County’s homegrown murdered a Charlotte man, their so called drug dealer, to support their heroin addiction, as reported by the Charlotte Observer. Cabarrus County, and especially Harrisburg, should feel lucky that his brutal crime didn’t occur in their neighborhoods. Jonathan Fitzgerald, 18, and Danielle Holmes, 17, were known to the Cabarrus Sheriff’s Office. This being the case, what is Sheriff Riley doing to protect Cabarrus County from drug runners who funnel heroin into our area? We very rarely see information of drug arrests in Cabarrus County. What is being done? In this case it took the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to clean up this mess, making the arrests in Cabarrus County. Sheriff Riley is quoted in the Independent Tribune as saying, “Our officers heavily assisted in the arrests,” Riley said. It was literally the very least he could do. Although Sheriff Riley does give a shout out to his brave officers, he is clearly acknowledging that it took Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department to rid Cabarrus County of these young murderers. My point is this. Sheriff Riley tries repeatedly to imply that by not re-electing him that we are inviting Charlotte’s problems to Cabarrus County. Too late! This is not the Cabarrus County of 1958 to 1982. It is not even the same Cabarrus County as 10 years ago. Cabarrus County has big league problems and needs a big league hitter. We need someone who has fought the big league fights and can readily identify and combat these problems. This is the time to change the course of fate for Cabarrus County. The problems of drugs, gangs, theft, and murder are here. They have been for quite a while. Let’s bring in a man that has the experience to fix this mess.

Overcrowding in the NEW Jail Part 2

I find it interesting that after the posting on July 16th, and with the help of the always on top of the story Independent Tribune, that Sheriff D. Brad Riley finally offers up an explanation to our concerns. Unfortunately, Sheriff Riley tries to shift blame and only tells half truths. As promised on July 16th, I will explain what Sheriff Riley has attempted to leave out.

Let’s begin with Sheriff Riley’s first, and my personal favorite, opinionated quote. “With the new annex, we don’t have the ability to sleep them on the floor like we do on the old linear floor,” Riley said. “Not only is it becoming grossly overcrowded, but all the services…are increased and heightened and certainly something that needs to be looked at,” he said. News flash!!! No kidding. I thought that is what we started doing in 2001. So after 200 million dollars spent on construction that is still not operational do you think something needs to be ‘looked at’? Were you not intimately involved in the suggesting that there needs to be extra walling in the design of the jail? Sheriff, weren’t you the primary one who made these strong suggestions that caused the design price of the jail to sore from 50 million to 200 million. Something DOES need to be looked at. The sheriff’s election in November.

“When you start looking at cost, it doesn’t compare to putting bodies in a new facility,” Riley said. “But at the same time there is a lot of risk that goes along with that. We’re still looking at least 11 months of the current track we’re on”. Will someone please explain to me what in the hell Riley is trying to say? Sheriff you are very informative. What I would like for you do explain to the county tax payers and Independent Tribune is why you failed to ask for the staffing for this project until January. At least this is what our Cabarrus County Chairman Jay White has said. I would like to hear you explain why you failed to budget money to transport inmates to other facilities. Isn’t this one of the big reasons for our jail overcrowding now? What about the extra costs of time, salaries of transporting officers, gas, not to include board. How can money not be budgeted for transportation when jail administrators know of the overcrowding problem?

Sheriff why do you not use the jail population projection models that almost every other jail in the state uses? These projections can be so actuate that at any given point throughout the year we would know within a few percent what the jail population would be. But why do you refuse to use these projection models? You think in the end all you have to do is tell your friend Jay White that all the budgeting problems can be rectified by chalking it all up as “unexpected cost”?

And again Commissioner Chairman Jay White brings up the rear. “I would suggest we keep tabs on this to make certain we see what can be done to ensure things do not get out of control,” White said. Thank you Mr. Chairman for looking out for our best interest. I get the feeling that you are all over it. Start by holding Sheriff Riley accountable rather than making excuses for him. It does not look good that you do everything in your power to protect Sheriff Riley in the same year that you are up for re-election. It is no secret that Sheriff Riley blames the County Commissioner’s for these mis-calculations. Chairman, do your job. You are not Mr. Koch. Think of ways to make Cabarrus County a better place, not looking after Sheriff Riley.

The First Amendment

Wow! Where do I start? Yes, let’s start with the 1st amendment. Why did our forefathers put this one first? Because it is that important! When laying the basic foundation of our government, this is what they thought MOST important. This is my 5th post. I have outlined my opinion, my prospective, my concerns and now my rebuttal. Have I at any point, threatened, slandered or made any type of false accusation? We in America may ask any question of our public official? They represent us. King George III would have taken Thomas Jefferson’s head given the chance. What high treason have I committed? I voice my opinion and allow others to comment and for that I should fear my personal well being or life? I’ll touch more or that later.

Although I have only expressed my opinion, prospective, concerns and now rebuttal, I am advised that an investigation into my identity will lead to my physical harm. First of all, make certain you launch this investigation privately outside of sheriff’s office time and resources. Otherwise, I would strongly assert that this would not only be an abuse of power but down right illegal. Let me guide you on this issue. Secondly you want to make sure this is construed to the district’s office as a ‘criminal investigation’. After that and thirdly, contact your local cyber crime task force, sell them the oceanfront property in Arizona, and commence to laying out your paper trail. After this, do your search warrant for evidence, like you would actually find something. Fifth, get an attorney. Besides free speech, gun ownership and quartering soldiers, the other big thing on Thomas Jefferson’s mind was the 4th amendment.

You say, “Someone is going to get "hurt". (not mentally but, physically or worse) It is not a matter of "if" something happens but, "when". Let me say this. If you have a loose cannon on your hands, this is something that you should be ready to deal with. This is not a site designed to destroy or tear anyone’s life apart. This is a site where people can ‘FREELY’ register their opinions. And from what I have observed, there are a lot of opinions. Just because these opinions are different from yours doesn’t mean you dispatch your legions to squash the very law giving “We the People” a voice.

The way I see it Sheriff you have three choices. First, you can illegally call on your powers to identify me. Do you not think that I have given this some thought? Do you really want to shake this tree? I will be entitled to serve my own subpoenas, call for depositions, call witnesses and put YOU on the stand. I will guarantee most of the IP addresses are referenced FROM the sheriff’s office. This is a mighty big tree.

Second, you can follow through on your threats. However, don’t think I haven’t taken my precautions. If I get killed in a car wreck, get hit by a bus, get struck by lightning or slip on a banana peel, be ready for the full onslaught of investigators.

Or, lastly, you can sit behind your desk, meet with your administration on what should be done next, in the end do nothing, and let freedom of speech be shouted in its 235th year.

Overcrowding in the NEW Jail

It amazes me that after years of planning and careful consideration on our new sheriff’s office and jail complex that we are still not completed. Not only are we not completed, the old jail and NEW annex jail are completely overcrowded. How is it that there is so much overcrowding in the Cabarrus County Jail’s?

A few days ago a lady sent me a facebook message in reference to her son. She explained how he had been jailed (for the first time) and was overwhelmed by the conditions that he found himself in. He was given a mat and told to sleep on the floor. The cell was so overcrowded that he literally had to step over people to make his way to the toilet and shower. He asked if he could get a bed and was told that the jail was over populated. After telling his mother she attempted to contact Sheriff Riley to register her concern. As of the time of the writing, Sheriff Riley never contacted her back. She was not disputing the reason why her son was in jail. No doubt many will say he shouldn’t have been there to begin with. But as a tax payer, a mother, a citizen, she asks...”Why are the conditions in the Cabarrus County Jail’s so bad?”

After all this money spent, why is there overcrowding? Why after all this planning is the new jail still ill equipped in housing inmates? Isn’t this the reason the FBI strongly suggested that the county build new state of the art jails to begin with? And why isn’t the main complex completed? Why is there a delay on the inspection? Why does the sheriff not return phone calls to caring mothers?

Actually, I have a great explanation for all these questions, which I will be happy to reveal very soon. In the meanwhile, anyone reading this post that has concerns they would like addressed, feel free to do as the mother of the jailed son. Send a facebook message to Sharon Wentworth. After verification that the complaint is real, we may just ask for the answers.