Harold Steven Lush Republican Primary Candidate For Sheriff of Porter County, Indiana

While I encourage candidates from all perspectives to run in elections, especially primary elections, I met this man at a political fund-raising event and I got worried.

His campaign platform is as follows:

1. Forego some or all of my salary to bolster the Sheriff's Department.

A noble idea. I admire it. Not sure that it is all that practical, or even that it will largely benefit the Sheriff's Department, but what the heck.

2. Improve fiscal responsibility.

This worries me a bit. It seems to imply that the fiscal responsibility has not been an important part of Sheriff Reynolds' administration. I think that a careful review of the financial records while Reynolds has had the helm will reveal a fiscally sound approach... especially compared to other county sheriffs in Northwest Indiana.

3. PCSP to gain total trust and confidence of citizens of Porter County.

Hmmm... It seems to me that the existing Porter County Sheriff's Police have done an excellent job in terms of public relations, informing the public and gaining trust. I am not sure that I would totaly trust any police force because of a long history of police misconduct in the US. But I have met many PCSP officers in the last several weeks and found them to be personable, professional, courteous and reasonable. Sherrif Reynolds, the incumbent holder of office, seems to very popular within Porter County, and Chief Deputy Dave Lain is even more respected because he is also more recognized due to his role as a cable television star.

4. Zero tolerance toward Criminal behavior, DUI, Illegal drug offenses.

Here again, Mr. Lush seems to imply that there is a tolerance of these things that is deliberate or due to neglect. I have seen PCSP units patrolling the streets of Porter, Chesterton, Valparaiso and Portage, as well as monitoring traffic of IN-49, US 6, US 20, US 12, and US 30... and I have never seen any of them ignore or tolerate criminal behavior. In fact, after talking with Chief Deputy Dave Lain, I believe that the approach toward substance abuse offenses

5. Increase more unmarked vehicles.

There is a principle of community policing that says the more the police are seen in a community the more they serve as a deterrent to crime, reassurance to the community and a public relations reinforcement to the public. Even in terms of traffic control and enforcement of traffic laws, identifiable police vehicles serve the public better. There are tons of research articles in law enforcement and community policing that support these themes.

6. Acquire four door sedans, five passenger mid-size vehicles. Small SUV'S and small trucks.

Why? The rationale for doing so is not offered. However, it is usual for police units to order vehicles through a pooled vehicle distribution system to save on costs, to assure compliance with state and local police vehicle specifications, etc. Police vehicles need to meet certain specifications for safety, equipment requirements and for being able to detain and hold suspects during transport. All of the PCSP vehicles I have seen used for law enforcement are 4-door sedans of adequate size and specification. As for SUVs and small trucks, one would think that the price of gas and maintenance would preclude purchasing or using many of those types of vehicles.

7. Strict enforcement of speeding, inattentive, driving and road rage.

Here Mr. Lush seems to assert that these laws are not being enforced. I have been all over Porter County and all the PCSP vehicles I have seen have been patrolling and enforcing traffic laws. I have seen PCSP cruisers patrolling IN 49, US 6, US 12, US 20, US 30, I-94, as well as the streets of Porter, Portage, Chesterton, South Haven, Valparaiso and unincorporated areas. As for being strict in the enforcement, there is being strict and there is being ridiculously hard-nosed. I cannot tell from Mr. Blush's statement which he plans to be.

8. PCSD become comparable to Maricopa Co. Sheriff Dept. of Arizona.

This is not only reason enough to vote against Mr. Lush, but reason to actively campaign against him. Joe Arpaio, the current sheriff for Maricopa County in Arizona is an ultra-conservative huckster that garners lots of media attention but produces very little results. His rate of recidivism is not only the same as any other county sheriff's record, but it is actually higher because he plays games with the statistics and pushes inmates to leave his county upon release from one of his county jail programs. Arpaio treats inmates as if they were pieces of dirt and exposes them to hazards of weather that even the military is careful to avoid during boot camp and training. Old Crazy Joe sells the "law and order" shtick, but he is not an effective law enforcement officer or community leader. Joe Arpaio is all about promoting Joe Arpaio. Here in Porter County, Indiana, we want a seasoned professional with a committment to our community serving in the office of sheriff.

9. Develop outstanding law enforcement reputation whereas criminals would swiftly travel through Porter County without committing any crimes.

Beside the fact that the stated goal is ridiculously unachievable, there is also an implication that the current reputation of the law enforcement agencies and officers in Porter County (especially the PCSD) is less than outstanding. Again, I have met many of these folks and they are models of courtesy and respect, professional in appearance and demeanor, well-trained and disciplined, and enjoy a lot of respect in Porter County and the surrounding communities.

10. Request Judges deal severely with offenders.

There are two implications here. One that the current sheriff has not actively sought full and effective prosecution, and another that the sheriff has any authority to ask for severe sentencing. Prosecution is handled by local, county and state prosecutors. Sentencing is a process employed by judges that involve recommendations from the prosecutors, pre-sentencing probation reports, counseling feedback and examining the record of the convicted person. Apparently, Mr. Lush does not understand the job requirements and roles of the sheriff. If he wants input on the sentencing, then he should run for the office of County Prosecutor.

11. Use of prisoners for labor chain gang and work inside the Porter County Sheriff's complex.

One might want to check the Indiana Constitution, recent state and federal court precedents, and the ideas of the citizens before proposing such things. First of all, there are a lot of hidden costs with running a "labor chain gang," including the need to hire at least one corrections officer for evey 5-8 inmates working on such a gang. Then, in the case of escaping prisoners, there are the costs associated with a fugitive hunt, which may involve costs for mutual aid from surrounding communities and counties. A better idea might be a community service alternative for non-violent first-time offenders... but wait, that already exists and is managed by probation officers of the courts, leaving the PCSD to do its duties.

12. Intensify the D.A.R.E. program grades K through 12.

DARE is a great public relations piece that reassures the community and puts a police presence in the schools. However, most of the recent research indicates that DARE does not effectively deter drug use and intensifying the program would be a waste of additional monies that could be used elsewhere. We should keep DARE at the levels we currently use it, but not spend any more county money on the program. Besides, most of the DARE programs are handled by municipal police entities supported by the PCSD.

13. Bridge gap between the community and PCSD.

What gap? I am a recent resident of Porter County and I have had more contact with PCSP officers in a year than I have had with an entire police force in Lynn, Massachusetts, where I have close relatives on the force... and it's my home town.

14. More effective reduction of crime through police intelligence.

Assumption of facts not in evidence. The PCSD already coordinates with local and regional law enforcement agencies. They have investigators that do a fine job. Is Mr. Lush following the lead of George W. Bush and suggesting we should tap the phones of known past offenders? What exactly does he mean by "police intelligence" and is he sure that it is not already being used effectively? To quote an old Wendy's commercial, "Where's the BEEF?"

15. Thorough training and education in the fields of law enforcement, crime prevention and detection, jail management, public safety and civil process.

Mr. Blush needs to talk to some PCSP officers and corrections officers. The PCSD has some of the most professionally trained officers in Indiana. Under the leadership of Sheriff Reynolds and Chief Deputy Lain, professionalism, education and training have been a high priority. In one encounter with a senion PCSD officer, we discussed getting involved with the Law Enforcement Training Programs offered in Indianapolis and through Calument College of St. Joseph. My grandfather used to tell me not to fix things that are not broken... Perhaps Mr. Lush needs to heed that old adage.

16. Support developing laws and policies that promote public safety to its citizens in Porter County.

Already being done. Sheriff Reynolds and Cheif Deputy Lain are actively involved in coordinating with many different county and local agencies to promote public safety, inplement effective policy and involve Porter County residents. Anyone ever seen the "Behind the Star" cable program?

17. Promote positive interaction among all criminal justice agencies, associations in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the PCSP for the betterment of the Porter County citizens.

Already being done... and again there is an assumption that it hasn't been done under Sheriff Reynolds.

18. Maintain technology with foresight to the future.

If by this Mr. Lush means computers, databases, science lab cooperation, security systems at the county jail, etc.... then he is behind the times.

19. Equality to all regardless of color, race, gender, creed, culture and ethnicity.

As far as I can tell, the PCSD is well above average in terms of treating all people with respect, courtesy and kindness... and equality.

20. Increase pride, honor among all employed by the PCSD.

Is there a lack of pride and honor among the PCSD personnel? That is not how the representatives of the department seemed to me during my numerous interactions over the past year. There is an implication--if not an insinuation--that something is wrong at the PCSD and among all of its personnel.

21. In my striving to love and serve God, it is obligatory to love and serve other souls.

Let us hope that Mr. Lush also reads (and understands) the Constitution of the State of Indiana, the Constitution of the United States of America, numerous laws, regulations, and policy manuals, as well as he thumps on his Bible. But once again, there seems to be an insinuation that the current status of the PCSD is one that does not strive to serve and protect the souls that live in Porter County.

Mr. Lush may be a well-meaning individual... I really do not know because I only met him once and he failed to impress me. But I try not to let first impressions be lasting impressions. But it strikes me that Mr. Lush does not possess the rudimentary knowledge, skills or abilities to be sheriff in a professional law enforcement department... nor does he seem to have any professional qualifications or certification in law enforcement, public administration, corrections or governmental operations that specifically qualify him for the job... and his ideas seem poorly thought out and faulty in the area of research.