Meet the Candidates Series Continues, Week of April 7, 2013
By Nicole Sanders | The Save Jersey Blog
In my efforts to introduce candidates to the voting public, Save Jerseyans, I started a weekly column called Meet the Candidates. In essence it is a past day stump speech updated for the virtual world.
For this week’s column I am honored to introduce to you the Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano.
He has been a lifelong resident of Somerset County where he first joined the Bridgewater Police Department in 1968 as a patrolman and by the time he retired in 2001 he was a Captain of the Administrative Division. That same year he was elected Sheriff and has held the title ever since.
The following is my interview with the Sheriff:
Sanders: You recently stated you wanted to update the Sheriff Department (Office) to the 21st century. Do you feel like you have been successful doing that so far? Why or why not?
Sheriff: Since I became Sheriff 12 yrs. ago, I have started several programs to enhance the safety and well-being of the citizens of Somerset County. To name a few: School Resource Officers in County Schools, K-9 Unit, Gang Unit, Security at the county Jail and Courthouse has been upgraded with technology, We have incorporate a Child Safety Seat program, W.H.A.L.E. (We Have A Little Emergency) which Is an ID logo sticker placed on the window to notify first Responders in situations where communicating with the operator of the vehicle is not possible. We are presently evaluating other programs for their effectiveness. I’m especially proud that this year the Sheriff’s Office has received Accreditation from CALEA RECOGNIZATION PROGRAM and the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.
Accreditation addresses officer safety issues, provides for adequate training and enhances morale by increasing employee confidence in the operation of the agency
Sanders: You are credited with starting a program called Project Life Saver. Can you please articulate as to what the program is and does?
Sheriff: Project Life Saver is a bracelet program which puts out a radio signal 24/7 which helps locates seniors with Alzheimer’s and children with Autism should they walk off. The Sheriff created a 24/7 on- call Task Force should a client be reported missing. Currently the program has approx. 20 clients. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office now trains and certifies other law enforcement agencies using the Project Lifesaver equipment. The National website is: www.projectlifesaver.org
Sanders: Since you have been elected, do you feel like Somerset County is safer? Why or why not?
Sheriff: I feel Somerset County is safer, as you can see we have incorporated programs with the safety and well-being of the citizens in mind. Recently we unveiled the Medicine Collection Program, whereby, unused or expired medications can be dropped off 24 hrs. a day to prevent environmental contamination. Also serves to keep drugs out of the hands of people susceptible to substance abuse and accidental poisoning of children. We spearheaded the HERO campaign to encourage a designated driver. We are still first and foremost responsible for Court Security, County Jail, and County Buildings, while at the same time serving the public with safety programs county wide.
Sanders: What have you done to combat the rise in violence in schools?
Sheriff: We presently have a Gang Intelligence Unit conducting several Gang Awareness Seminars throughout the county to familiarize the Educators in the public & private sector about the threat that gangs are in our communities including the hospital staff in identifying gang tattoos on patients.
We have (i.e.) School Resource Officers in County schools as part of the staff. These Officers make a difference by offering assistance in school and non-school issues in the students’ lives. They have also been asked to coach the school basketball team.
We have partnered with Somerset County Vo-Tech HS to assist with their Law and Safety Course by providing Sheriff’s and Correction Officers as instructors.
Sanders: Do you think putting armed officers in schools is a good idea?
Sheriff: No
Sanders: In a short statement please advise why your constituents should vote for you and what do you want accomplish in the next four years?
Sheriff: The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office is a PRO-ACTIVE, not a RE-ACTIVE law enforcement agency and has developed programs to enhance the security for all county residents. We are now in the process of educating county employees regarding Active Shooter incidents and intend to bring this education to the general public in the near future. This along with other programs such as: Expanding the “Rx Mission Drive-in Drop-Off” is an offshoot of the “Medicine Collection program, whereby sites have been designated that citizens can drive in and drop their unwanted drugs at several locations in the county. Also in the interest of reducing liability and for the security of our officers we are pursuing the installation of in- car- cameras in both the inmate transport vans and Sheriff vehicles. These expanded and work in progress measures are in the design stage with the safety and well-being with the public in mind
Sanders: If your constituents wanted to reach out to you to ask you questions or to volunteer on your campaign, who can they contact?
Sheriff: I can be reached at 908-231-7135 or at the Sheriff’s office website: www.somcosheriff.org
If you are a candidate and interested in being a part of my weekly Meet the Candidates article, email me at nikisands3@hotmail.com.
