Candidates For Sheriff Exchange Views During Forum
Candidates for Roosevelt County sheriff discussed their desire to decrease crime including drug use in the county during a forum sponsored by this newspaper and the Wolf Point Elks Lodge on Thursday, May 5.
The primary election is scheduled for June 7. The general election is Nov. 8.
Current Sheriff Jason Frederick said he possesses the passion to be the sheriff. He noted that he realized that he wanted to have a career in law enforcement when he was just a little boy. His experience includes as a police officer in Poplar, working for the Fort Peck Tribal Police and then as a county deputy.
“You have to have the passion,” Frederick said.
He is one of five sheriffs in the entire state that serves on the board of directors for the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers.
David Gonzales said the reason that he’s seeking the office is “because of kids.” He added that he sees some of the worse things where he lives, and that people have urged him to go back into law enforcement.
“I want my kids to grow up in a better area than it is now,” Gonzales said.
Brent Nygard wants to be sheriff in order to reduce the county’s crime rate. “We have a drug and crime problem across the county and communities that is tearing us apart.”
Nygard said he doesn’t have a background in law enforcement, but he knows how to be an administrator. “I can run a budget. Most importantly, I can learn,” he added.
As far as providing law enforcement throughout the county, Gonzales said everyone is equally important. “We should rush to every call. I keep hearing it takes too long,” he said.
Nygard answered that every citizen of Roosevelt County needs to be safe and protected. He said it needs to be determined where and what crimes are taking place to make sure those locations are covered. The sheriff should also work with other agencies to protect the county’s residents.
Frederick explained that the city police, tribal police and highway patrol each have their coverage. “The sheriff’s office is responsible for everything else,” Frederick said. The sheriff’s office has a cross-deputized agreement with the tribes.
He said the office’s challenge is a lack of money. The office has lost four employees during the last five years. “No community is more important than another,” Frederick said.
Regarding their approach to controlling drugs in the county, Nygard pointed to working with other agencies including tribes, state, federal and cities. “You have to become one,” he said. Taking part in trainings is also important.
Nygard said that an individual from DCI told him that Roosevelt County hasn’t invited them to come and help fight the drug problem. “They will help you clean it up,” Nygard said. “I want to take the drugs out of our communities once and for all.”
Frederick said there’s no way to control drug use. “I’m going to be honest. I’m passionate about drugs. Only thing we can do is prevent it,” he said. Frederick said it has to be a community effort.
He noted that they have reached out to a federal legislator and the Safe Trails Task Force was established, but then the area’s FBI agent was transferred. Recently, the FBI has helped with the task force and a good bust was conducted by the task force. “We’re going to keep pounding, but it’s not something we can control,” Frederick said.
Gonzales said there needs to be more law enforcement and money to deal with the drug problem. “We also don’t report everything. We need the community’s help,” he said. Gonzales also encourages additional training and working with other areas.
Regarding the relationship between the sheriff and county commissioners, Gonzales said the offices need to work together. “Two heads are better than one,” he said. The elected officers should educate each other and have an open line of communication.
Nygard said the commissioners are there to oversee the taxpayers’ dollars. “It’s up to them to get together and work with the budget,” Nygard said.
Frederick said he works well with the current commissioners until it comes to money. He said there’s many ways to cut from the county’s budget without hurting law enforcement. Commissioners don’t want the sheriff funding the office through grants, because grants are only good for a few years. “We have to find the money, and that’s the commissioners’ job,” Frederick said.
Black Dog
William “Willy” Black Dog couldn’t attend the candidates’ forum because he was the only tribal officer in the Poplar area that night.
“If elected, I will be out in communities taking calls and working patrol for more police presence in the communities and working closely with all the police department,” Black Dog said.
His goal is to get the more dangerous drugs out of the county. “I will work tirelessly for the people of Roosevelt County,” he said. He has a two-year degree in criminal justice.
He added that he and deputies will cover Wolf Point, Poplar, Brockton, Culbertson, Bainville and Froid and all other small communities. They will cover 24 hours, seven days a week. They will also help surrounding counties and police departments.
