Incumbent Tommy Ferrell, a Republican, and Democrat Charles Woods are touting their law enforcement experience as they seek their party’s nominations in August.

Ferrell is running unopposed, while Woods has four opponents.

Tommy Ferrell

Ferrell, as the incumbent of 16 years, said he is running based on his proven record of 34 years in the sheriff’s office. He said the sheriff should be a proven leader because the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in the county. Ferrell said he takes pride in being the sheriff of a county full of deputies that are some of the best trained, educated and courteous employees.

Ferrell plans to run the sheriff’s office like it has been under his helm. He said his deputies will continue to work with the court system to aid in collecting fines on a daily basis.

Ferrell said the crime rate is at its lowest point in decades. The largest problem, he said, is drug-related crimes. However, Ferrell said the sheriff’s office relies heavily on the Metro Narcotics unit to enforce the drug laws of Mississippi.

Ferrell said he wants to enhance the programs already in place in the county, such as the neighborhood watch, junior deputies, TRIAD for elderly citizens and RUOK which checks on elderly citizens that live alone.

As far as the D.A.R.E. program, Ferrell said it is mainly for municipal governments and funding for the program is nearly nonexistent. Therefore, Ferrell said, the department has had to initiate its own programs for educating children about drugs and will continue to do so.

The low crime rate, Ferrell said, is due in part to the 85 percent law, which says a criminal has to serve at least 85 percent of the time sentenced. Ferrell said this has reduced crime because it takes career criminals off the streets.

Ferrell said there is little a sheriff can do in economic development except make sure the county is safe. Crime is one of the first questions employers ask about, Ferrell said.

Ferrell did say, however, the sheriff’s office is helping with some technology programs in the county and that will help with economic development because it will bring jobs to the county.

Charles Woods

Woods wants to bring an open door policy to the office of sheriff, making sure citizens know they can talk to the sheriff at any time. He wants to implement many programs in the community through the sheriff’s office such as youth programs, rehabilitation for inmates, preventative training for citizens, citizen police academy and countywide neighborhood watch groups.

Woods has a simple solution to outstanding fines in justice court &045; appoint a deputy to serve warrants full-time.

As far as economic development: &uot;I want to work closely with all the officials here to get jobs back here in Adams County so our children don’t have to leave town to find good jobs,&uot; Woods said.

Woods said the crime rate is not that bad but has gone up in the last 10 years. He feels preventive measure are the key to lowering the crime rate, by proving extra patrols throughout the county.

Woods also said he thinks the sheriff’s department needs to work more closely with the police department to curtail the drug problem in Natchez because &uot;more manpower is what we need out there,&uot; Woods said.

As far as economic development, he feels the sheriff’s role is to work closely with other elected officials to get more jobs to Adams County although the sheriff’s first priority s law enforcement.