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The Candidate

Name

Mark Howell

Age

63

Address

Hickory Tree Road, Mocksville

Family

Wife of 41 years, Renee; daughter, Stephanie

Education

1977 graduate, Davie County High School

Occupation

Law enforcement career since 1979, most recently with Rowan County Sheriff’s Office; Davie Sheriff’s Chief Deputy 1994-2006; NCDMV license/theft inspector, 1987-1994; Davie Sheriff’s Office 1979-1987, jailer and road deputy

In The Community

• Smith Grove United Methodist Church, Methodist Men, Backpack Buddy project, Family Promise & Just Hope

• Advance Masonic Lodge since 2002, past Master

• Support Masonic Children’s Home in Oxford

 

Why did you decide to seek public office?

Howell: After careful consideration and talking with my family, the decision was made to run for the Office of Sheriff. With considering myself a public servant with having 43 years of law enforcement experience, I would like to continue my career. I feel that I would be well qualified for this job. I have worked all positions of a Sheriff’s office. From jailer to deputy to Inspector with license and theft with DMV to Chief Deputy to Bailiff.

What personal attributes make for a successful sheriff?

Howell: The Sheriff must be a level-headed person and open to all criticism from the citizens of Davie County. He should be able to work with all of the County departments and the County manager.

The Sheriff has only three things he must do. They are the service of civil papers, security of the courthouse and to maintain the jail. His deputies are to do as he commands through policy and procedures. Service calls throughout the county are to be answered as quickly as possible and in a professional and timely manner. Traffic stops are to be performed according to State and Federal law.

The Sheriff should be able to bring professional and dignified law enforcement service to the County and to see that these attributes are carried out by all employees of the Sheriff’s Office. I feel that the officers need to know that their leaders have the knowledge and experience to do their job and to lead them in the right direction. I plan to work closely with the officers and see what they may be lacking and to see that they get the proper training they need to do their job to be the best of their ability.

With considering myself as a public servant, I would proudly serve Davie County as your Sheriff.

What are the most worrisome crimes in Davie County and what would you do to combat them?

Howell: In North Carolina, Davie County is above average in property crimes. With only a little over 43,000 people in the county you would think different.

Davie County also has major drug issues. These issues have caused much damage and will continue to do just that unless there are effective ways within the county to effectively fight them.

With concerning the drug situation, lots of the property thefts are thieves looking for items to sale to be able to get money for drugs. I would try my best to work with all the surrounding counties to gather information to help to combat the drug and theft problem.

I would have more efficient use of manpower and aggressive patrols to help control property thefts and the drug issues.

Other Issues

Howell: I would work closely with the school system to provide the information and manpower to combat school safety issues. I would aggressively work with the ongoing drug problem and property crimes in the county. I feel that with more aggressive patrols throughput the county that this would help to deter more of the crimes. I will see that the officers make good arrests and prepare good case work for the court so that conviction rate will show how professional we can be. I will encourage the officers to be more approachable and receptive to information from the citizens of Davie County. I want the citizens to be able to contact the office and be greeted in a professional and timely manner with prompt follow-up calls on all issues no matter how big or how small.

Domestic violence is another major issue. It can be sexual assault, physical assault, murder or rape. It can  also be verbal or emotional abuse. With the centers available in Davie County for domestic violence victims, I would push for more awareness, advocacy education and action for social change. With doing these items we would hope that it would help to decrease the number of domestic violence cases.

With my 43 years of law enforcement experience I have learned how to relate to people and their needs. I am a Christian with high moral values and can relate to all needs of all people and will strive to meet those needs.

My door will always be open for anyone to come and express their needs. I feel that with all of these details this is what would make me the best candidate for the Office of Sheriff of Davie County.