Why Did Smith Fail to Win a Majority Vote from His Party?

In the Republic primary for Sheriff on September 15, Don Smith failed to win a majority of his own party - receiving only 47.8% of the vote. That's surprising for an incumbent who has been in office almost eight years. Obviously, the people who know Smith best wanted another candidate.

There are a lot of reasons for Smith's failure:

Poor Law Enforcement

• New York State Criminal Justice reports Putnam crime is up 34% in last three years
• Alcohol-involved accidents up 163%, total auto accidents increased 67%

Ineffective Training

• Condemned by NYS Commission of Investigation for failure to properly handle teen rape case
• Did not properly train in use of force: Deputies injured and hospitalized a woman
• Injured woman sued: lawsuit settled in her favor, damages to be paid by taxpayers

Violations

• Sheriff violated Putnam ethics code, let Deputy Dunn head Putnam Humane Society
• Smith allowed Dunn to make TV ad in uniform, an ethics code violation

Lawsuits Naming Smith

• Karen Meltz excessive force lawsuit settled out-of-court; taxpayers pay
• Sinkov suicide lawsuit settles, Smith held partly responsible for suicide
• Nelson lawsuit charges illegal search and seizure; in preliminary stages

Malfeasance

• Failure to act on findings by NYS Commission of Correction to prevent additional suicides in jail led to Sinkov suicide
• Accepted $1,000 campaign donation from jail medical provider, Americor, 10 weeks after Sinkov suicide
• Americor found 35% at fault in Sinkov suicide, supported Smith
• Smith failed to update policy and procedure manual during eight years in office
• Did not control overtime in jail, taxpayers will pay

Why is Kevin McConville the right choice for Putnam County Sheriff? Because he has a five-point program for crime fighting and prevention:

1. Instilling core values
2. Promoting safety
3. Ensuring safety
4. Training, education and mentoring
5. Enforcing the law equitably