Swain Indivisible hosts candidate forum ahead of November election

Swain Indivisible, a local civic-engagement organization affiliated with the nationwide Indivisible movement, hosted a candidate forum Thursday, Sept 10, at the Swain County Senior Center, giving candidates for Sheriff and Swain County Board of Education an opportunity to answer questions from the public and discuss their platforms ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Sheriff Brian Kirkland participated in the forum. His Democratic opponent, David Southards, was not present. State election records list Kirkland and Southards as the candidates for Swain County Sheriff. Both candidates were invited to attend. During his presentation, Kirkland highlighted initiatives Swain County Sheriff's Office has implemented since he took the reigns as incumbent Sheriff in July of last year. Kirkland was elected Sheriff during the Primary Election March 3. Kirkland said the Sheriff's Office has created a Community Impact Team to strengthen community-oriented policing, increase public engagement and provide additional patrols in areas experiencing higher call volumes. He also discussed changes at the Swain County Detention Center, including hiring a new detention captain, renegotiating vendor contracts, installing a new control board and contracting with a mental health provider. Other detention initiatives included bringing Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs into the facility and partnering with Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness to help detainees prepare for their return to the community. Kirkland said the Sheriff's Office is also working to introduce the Guardian RFID system to help document and ensure timely detention rounds. According to Kirkland, the agency equipped deputies with body-worn cameras and new body armor. He described the cameras as tools for transparency and criminal prosecution and said the updated armor provides deputies with improved protection. Kirkland added that the Sheriff's Office has also purchased a drone to assist with search-and-rescue operations and the apprehension of suspects. Kirkland said the agency established a K-9 program featuring Toro and his handler, Sgt. Eli Kirkland, and expanded specialized training opportunities for deputies. Public outreach efforts highlighted during the forum included drug education programs, presentations designed to help senior citizens avoid online scams, Swain County's first National Night Out and the county's first Cops N Kids event. Kirkland also pointed to the creation of a Sheriff's Office mobile application for iPhone and Android devices. The app provides information about current events, weather, news releases and scam alerts. The Sheriff's Office has hired a part-time public information officer to help distribute information to the public and improve transparency, Kirkland said. According to Kirkland, cooperation with local, state and federal agencies remains a priority, allowing the sheriff's office to draw upon additional resources and expertise during emergencies and other significant incidents. The forum was organized to promote public participation and allow residents to hear directly from candidates before the election. North Carolina's general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Swain Indivisible hosts candidate forum ahead of November election

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