NBC29Charlottesville Men Vie For Sheriffs Office

Charlottesville Men Vie For Sheriffs Office

There are two men running for sheriff in Charlottesville in a race that's gotten very little attention, although that's started to change with some last minute campaigning.

Democrat James Brown and independent Paul Best both have 15 years of law enforcement experience. Both would bring more community programming to the sheriff's office. The difference is in the how.

Sheriffs candidate Paul Best says, "I just feel it's time for the sheriff's office here in Charlottesville to provide more benefits to the community in the same way that Albemarle county sheriff's office does for their community."

Best says he plans to start a deputy reserve volunteer program to increase manpower.

"It just provides so much more benefits, such as the search and rescue team, added courtroom security, cost-cutting security for special events, work release program for non-violent offenders."

Best wants to implement the gang reduction intervention program for at-risk youth.

His Democratic opponent James Brown also wants a youth program, but it's very different. "That program is going to work with youth who don't have to be in criminal trouble or have gang affiliation or anything like that," says Brown.  "It's just for everyday youth that may be looking for extracurricular activities".

Keeping politics out of the job and being held accountable by everyone is important to both candidates.

Best said, "We need to let people know that we're working hard for the community and we're doing what we're saying we're doing."

James Brown added, "It has nothing to do with anyone's political affiliation, anything of that nature."

Reported by Tracy Clemons
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