A Message from Fred
We all have a stake in the future of public safety, and it will take all of us working together to enact meaningful, positive change.
It starts with Putting Our Community F.I.R.S.T.!
As I have done while serving as State Senator the agency will always put the needs of our community first in all that we do. I believe in my core that as an elected leader you serve every member of the community, no matter where they live, how much money they make, their gender, race, creed or religion.
We will advance the "Community First" model focusing on the following:
It starts with Putting Our Community F.I.R.S.T.!
As I have done while serving as State Senator the agency will always put the needs of our community first in all that we do. I believe in my core that as an elected leader you serve every member of the community, no matter where they live, how much money they make, their gender, race, creed or religion.
We will advance the "Community First" model focusing on the following:
Fred Akshar's Community F.I.R.S.T. Plan
Fiscal Responsibility
The taxpayers of Broome County deserve a responsible leader who will utilize the budget effectively and efficiently to enforce the laws, keep people safe and secure our community. Our families also deserve a Sheriff who will responsibly invest in long-term programs that have lasting and life-changing effects on our community's way of life, especially on community members who find themselves incarcerated.
Integrated Community Policing
Over the past 5, 10 and 50 years, our community and our public safety needs have continued to change. Law enforcement must continuously change and evolve to meet those ever-changing needs. The past few years have taught us that we must all do a better job at connecting our community with those who are sworn to protect it. The community needs to know who their deputies are and what they do on a daily basis.
Community Policing starts from the top down. As Sheriff, I will continue the work that was started as state senator to bring our message and our agency directly to the people. As Senator, we've held over 50 town hall meetings, and I truly believe that people, regardless of political persuasion, deserve leaders who are accessible and approachable.
The Sheriff's Office exists in service of the people of this community, and I will ensure that there will be continuous open dialog between both. When community members and members of law enforcement are actively engaged and working together, I believe our community wins. Under our administration it will become second nature, because those who have employ will know that it will be expected.
These goals may create a different culture at the Sheriff's Office, but I believe it's the right one.
Community Policing starts from the top down. As Sheriff, I will continue the work that was started as state senator to bring our message and our agency directly to the people. As Senator, we've held over 50 town hall meetings, and I truly believe that people, regardless of political persuasion, deserve leaders who are accessible and approachable.
The Sheriff's Office exists in service of the people of this community, and I will ensure that there will be continuous open dialog between both. When community members and members of law enforcement are actively engaged and working together, I believe our community wins. Under our administration it will become second nature, because those who have employ will know that it will be expected.
These goals may create a different culture at the Sheriff's Office, but I believe it's the right one.
Responsible Re-entry
The end goal of incarceration should be in preventing future offenses, not perpetuating a vicious cycle of crime and punishment. I believe in my heart that communities across our country are failing more than they are succeeding at this, and ours is no different.
If we truly want safer communities, no jail system should put revenue generation above successful reintegration and crime prevention.
We must enact robust programing to include and to address specific issues, like
If someone finds themselves incarcerated, I want to be able to provide the resources that person needs to get back on their feet, be a contributing member of our community and never return to jail.
If we truly want safer communities, no jail system should put revenue generation above successful reintegration and crime prevention.
We must enact robust programing to include and to address specific issues, like
- Substance use disorder through a true Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) program;
- Mental health diagnosis and treatment;
- Employment opportunities;
- Educational opportunities; and
- Parenting and family life skills and training opportunities.
If someone finds themselves incarcerated, I want to be able to provide the resources that person needs to get back on their feet, be a contributing member of our community and never return to jail.
Safety and Security
It is the role of the Sheriff to ensure our entire community is a safe and secure place to live, work and raise our families. For far too long resources have been deployed utilizing archaic zone assignments that were developed decades ago. I would utilize technology and data to deploy resources to the places that the deputies are needed the most. Part of the integrated community policing model with reference to involving the community in ongoing discussions allows the administration to deploy resources to where the community believes they're needed also.
As Broome County's next Sheriff, I am committed to the creation of a four-member Community Response Team.
The Community Response Team's mission will be to use the integrated community policing model to respond to recurring community issues or crime surges wherever they present themselves. The team's deployment will utilize real time data and direct input from the community. Taking a proactive, problem-solving approach they will be easily deployed to any neighborhood in any jurisdiction to help keep our families and neighborhoods both safe and secure.
As Broome County's next Sheriff, I am committed to the creation of a four-member Community Response Team.
The Community Response Team's mission will be to use the integrated community policing model to respond to recurring community issues or crime surges wherever they present themselves. The team's deployment will utilize real time data and direct input from the community. Taking a proactive, problem-solving approach they will be easily deployed to any neighborhood in any jurisdiction to help keep our families and neighborhoods both safe and secure.
Transparency
Without transparency, it is utterly impossible for law enforcement to build the necessary trust to properly serve and protect the community.
When it comes to investigating deaths at the Broome County Jail, the Sheriff must share with the community the results of any investigation by the Commission of Correction Medical Review Board once the investigation is complete.
The community should never be left to wonder what happened to their loved one while he or she was incarcerated. Additionally, due to the number of recent deaths at the Broome County Correctional Facility, I would demand a review of the current medical contract at the Broome County Correctional Facility and would be receptive to making appropriate changes. If the review found something egregious, I would move to end the contract prematurely.
Broome County families deserve common sense and common decency from their law enforcement administration, not more of the same status quo policies and management.
That's why I pledge to open up visitation for families and loved ones within my first 30 days in office.
It took a NYS Supreme Court ruling to force the Broome County Correctional Facility to allow visitation for the first time since March 2020. Currently, the Sheriff's Office is appealing the decision, but no appeal or delay will change the fact that denying families and loved ones any visitation throughout 2022 has nothing to do with COVID-19 and everything to do with an inability or unwillingness to provide adequate staffing due to poor planning, under-recruitment and low morale.
Correctional facilities in our neighboring counties have been allowing visitation for families and loved ones, and so can we.
With your help and support through Election Day and beyond, we can bring lasting, positive change throughout the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, including the correctional facility.
Finally, no candidate for Sheriff should tout transparency without making their complete personnel file available. That's why you can find the complete compendium of my employment records from the Broome County Sheriff's Office here.
When it comes to investigating deaths at the Broome County Jail, the Sheriff must share with the community the results of any investigation by the Commission of Correction Medical Review Board once the investigation is complete.
The community should never be left to wonder what happened to their loved one while he or she was incarcerated. Additionally, due to the number of recent deaths at the Broome County Correctional Facility, I would demand a review of the current medical contract at the Broome County Correctional Facility and would be receptive to making appropriate changes. If the review found something egregious, I would move to end the contract prematurely.
Broome County families deserve common sense and common decency from their law enforcement administration, not more of the same status quo policies and management.
That's why I pledge to open up visitation for families and loved ones within my first 30 days in office.
It took a NYS Supreme Court ruling to force the Broome County Correctional Facility to allow visitation for the first time since March 2020. Currently, the Sheriff's Office is appealing the decision, but no appeal or delay will change the fact that denying families and loved ones any visitation throughout 2022 has nothing to do with COVID-19 and everything to do with an inability or unwillingness to provide adequate staffing due to poor planning, under-recruitment and low morale.
Correctional facilities in our neighboring counties have been allowing visitation for families and loved ones, and so can we.
With your help and support through Election Day and beyond, we can bring lasting, positive change throughout the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, including the correctional facility.
Finally, no candidate for Sheriff should tout transparency without making their complete personnel file available. That's why you can find the complete compendium of my employment records from the Broome County Sheriff's Office here.
