Thursday, March 28, 2024

Leyde seeks position of Douglas County Sheriff

Posted

WENATCHEE – Leeon Leyde, former Washington State Patrol trooper and currently an East Wenatchee police officer, is running for Douglas County Sheriff against acting Sheriff Kevin Morris.

Leyde recently responded to four questions submitted by the Quad City Herald.

1. With your three decades in law enforcement experience, what changes would you bring to the DCSO?
Leyde: A fresh new perspective showing concern for citizens call for public safety. The folks I spoke to in the Bridgeport, Mansfield and Waterville area felt like they were left out and have been for years. I find that interesting especially since my opponent has lived in the Bridgeport area. At a council meeting I spoke at I assured those in attendance that I will attend meetings and events in the area. Deputies, sergeant and all of my staff members will seek out ways to improve public safety in the entire county. Just driving around in a patrol car does not cut it.  We all need to take the time we have to reach out find out what the people want.  Stopping and talking to our citizens will be encouraged.

2. In your campaign literature you specify placing a member of the DCSO on the Columbia River Drug Task Force. What is your opinion of the CRDTF as currently structured?
Leyde: There is no member of the Douglas County Sheriff's office on that task force and has not been for 13 years according to a retired sheriff and that is not serving our citizens.  The citizens of Douglas County deserve to have someone on that task force who has a vested interest in the well being of Douglas County citizens.  In 2017 according to data provided to me by the task force there were only 6 cases in Douglas County out of 50+ initiated and investigated by the Columbia River Drug Task Force.  My opponent can claim Douglas County is involved in the Task Force because the SRT team responds to help but that is not the same.  Any agency will assist with warrants and major cases if within their own county.

3. Another priority you cite is school security. How would you change or improve current school security measures?
Leyde: I have stressed doing things to begin with that do not cost any money.  Sitting in the school parking lots completing paperwork of just observing the school activities does not cost a dime.  Neither does getting out of a patrol car and walking into the school and saying hello to the students and staff.  I do all of these things and have had several people comment about how nice it is and to keep coming.  As your elected Sheriff, I will continue to do this and encourage all members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to do it as well.  I will also reach out to my law enforcement partners and suggest that we train together at our schools so we are all on the same page and we become a cohesive group.  I have yet to see this being done.  Lots of talk but no action.  I will also reach out to the school district leaders and offer the best training we can give them and also best practices so the staff and students are prepared in the event of an active shooter.

4. What is your position on working with federal agencies such as ICE and USCIS when dealing with undocumented immigrants apprehended for violations of law?
Leyde: I believe that if you are here legally and have done everything as required you should never have a problem.  If a person is here illegally and does not matter from where, then there are processes in place to send that person back to wherever they came from.  I also believe that if a person is here illegally and they have committed a serious crime against a member of our society then they should serve the time here and then be sent back.  The victims deserve justice.  I would assure that any Federal agency complies with county law and first off they are required to come to the Sheriff since he/she is the lead agency in the county he/she serves.  As the sheriff of a rural county with limited funding, it is my job to make sure proper procedures are being followed when assisting any Federal agency or other law enforcement agencies.  I will not allow another agency to come in and violate civil rights of our citizens.  It is important that our Constitutional Rights are not violated.  Douglas County cannot afford the litigation that would follow.
 

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