By By Janet Little Cooper
Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith qualified for reelection on Monday after serving three years as sheriff.
"It has been my honor to serve the past three years as sheriff," Smith said. "I am respectfully asking the citizens of Escambia County to allow me to serve another four years."
During Smith's term of office the county has seen the installation of maximum security locks and lock controls in the Escambia County Detention Center and the installation of 32 color surveillance cameras in the center as well.
"I am very proud of the progress we have made in the sheriff's office, none of which could have been accomplished without the assistance of the Escambia County Commission," Smith said. "The work at the detention center is some of the things I am most proud of. The work release center which is currently under construction and the security locks due to be finished in July are all paid for with monies generated by housing federal inmates and are not taken from the general fund."
A deputy sheriff has been placed in the county's middle schools during Smith's term also. This is a joint effort of the Escambia County School Board, The Finley Foundation, the Neal Trust, the McMillan Trust, and the Escambia County Commission.
"In addition to providing security for the schools, the deputies also teach the D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education) to every 5th grade class," Smith said.
Another accomplishment made under Smith's leadership, is Project Lifesaver in Escambia County. Project Lifesaver allows law enforcement to track victims of Alzheimer's disease that may wander away from home and become endangered.
Smith is available to speak with anyone regarding the campaign and any issues you may have. He may be reached by calling the office at 809-2141 or 368-4779 or at home at 867-9537.