MACON, Ga. — Bibb County sheriff candidates addressed all sorts of issues Monday, from domestic violence to crime numbers to the county jail.
It all happened at a community forum at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center on Poplar Street for all viewers to see.
The county commission chambers were standing-room only. Voters, county leaders and sheriff's office officials packed the room.
Each candidate had a different opinion on the jail and how they'd run it. Ron Rodgers had the idea of reducing the number of inmates. He'd send people home if they're in for something like not paying child support.
"If we can remove 50 people from the jail, therefore we can start spreading people out. And those places that are not secure, then we move those individuals to that particular area," he explained.
Marshall Hughes wants to increase staffing levels, while Chris Paul wants better training. Sheriff David Davis stressed the need for a new jail while fixing up the current one.
"Since the escape, we have spent $1.5 million on refurbishing the jail, on putting new locks," he said.
Chris E. Patterson would implement monthly searches of the jail with the SWAT team. He'd also move violent inmates to the newer wings of the jail.
DeAndre Hall suggested mandatory security checks for visitors and more programs for inmates.
"Rehabilitation of the actual inmates that are in the jail right now is just as important as getting a new jail," Hall said.
Recent Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime numbers also came up, and candidates addressed how to reduce violent crime. Hall says staffing and community programs could help on that effort.
Rodgers says the answer is education. He credits Macon's MVP Program with reducing violent crime numbers in 2023. Patterson wants to increase deputy presence by increasing pay to recruit and retain more.
"Have a meeting with Mr. Mayor and county commissioners to try and come up with a plan to make us the highest law enforcement agency in Central Georgia," Patterson said.
Paul thinks the answer lies closer to home, with stronger role models.
"We all know what the foundation is. It's family. Family is the foundation. And families these days are broken," Paul said.
Hughes says he'd get deputies out into the community to show people they're involved.
"We've got to be out and knock on doors. We've got to get out. And community policing is the key. We've got to rebuild trust in the community," Hughes said.
Candidates also addressed domestic violence and whether they'd arrest someone automatically if they injure another in a domestic situation. They all agreed. They say there's a Georgia law that requires someone be arrested if they injure another in a domestic call, and that they'd follow that law.
The primary for the sheriff's race is May 21.
If you want to watch the full forum, you can find it here.