WILTON — Franklin County sheriff candidates answered voter questions Monday during a Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum held at Calzolaio Pasta Co.

Welcomed by Franklin County Chamber President Scott Landry, moderator Roger Lambert said there was no need for long introductions, referring to incumbent Sheriff Dennis Pike, 74, of Farmington and challenger, Scott Nichols Sr., 51, of New Sharon, Carrabassett Valley Police chief.

Both are known, born and raised in the Farmington area, each with years of experience in law enforcement, he said.

Agreeing on several issues, the main difference between candidates appeared to be a proposal for change in the Sheriff’s Department versus continuing with present programs and procedures.

Nichols, with 23 years experience as a state police trooper and supervisor of the homicide division, proposes “changing the way we do business.” He wants more active patrol in partnership with state police troopers throughout the county’s rural areas to help create police visibility as a potential deterrent to crime.

As part of his plans, deputies could use a wand to wave over computer chips posted in towns like Weld, Industry and Chesterville to verify that they are patrolling there, he said.

Pike began his service as a Farmington Police officer in 1966 and went on to work for the Sheriff’s Department. He has served as sheriff for the past 12 years. He agreed visibility along with luck were important but says he trusts his deputies and relies on a supervisor for each shift to oversee their work.

Nichols wants to make police coverage more effective and efficient. He proposes that the sheriff and administrative officers also patrol to expand coverage without increasing staff and to improve officer morale. Something he now does in Carrabassett Valley, he said. Nichols also wants county deputies and state police to work together as a team with both dispatched locally.

Pike agreed with Nichols that visibility is the greatest deterrent of crime. He added that state-mandated record keeping and budget limitations can, at times, affect patrolling.

The department maintains a proactive stance with the use of three canine officers, call-sharing with Maine State Police and a program devised after the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Operation Stonegarden with the U.S. Border Patrol, is an effort to enhance police coverage and visibility in northern Franklin County, one that reports a 40-percent reduction of reported crimes over the past four years, Pike said.

Narcotics and the use of drugs are the county’s biggest problem, Pike said, adding that prescription-tracking programs are being introduced.

The real question is “do you feel it’s safer now than five years ago?” Nichols said as each responded to a question about crime statistics now compared to five years ago.

Both agreed turning the county jail into a 72-hour holding facility in 2009 was a travesty. A formal request for restoration to a full service jail has been submitted. A response to specific points is needed by January 2011. It’s something the jail manager is on top of, Pike said.

Nichols said he started attending the state Board of Correction meetings this year to establish a relationship and educate himself. He discussed the need for the sheriff to be at meetings.

Pike countered that he has attended several meetings but was not allowed to speak.

Technology has made a significant change in fighting crime, Nichols said. For example, small computers in cruisers can identify the registered owner of a car. New services allow texting a tip, a process that secures the tipster’s identity. A potential program that he would consider though unsure of costs for the program.

“It costs money to keep you safe,” Nichols said.

The public can continue to phone tips to Pike with confidence that their identity is held in confidence, Pike said. He agreed law enforcement has changed dramatically. Years ago officers were told to take the longest route to reach a reported domestic violence as by the time they got there, the couple would have made up, he said as an example. State law changed that in 1970.

In closing, Pike said after 46-years in law enforcement, he would like to reach a half-century of service and to also see the dispatch facility constructed and operating.

Nichols said he would take a pay-cut to accept the sheriff position, that’s how committed he is to the need for change. He voiced his experience and the networks he’s created as a benefit.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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