The Smyth County News &amp;amp; Messenger has under way a multi-week series of profiles of candidates for local public offices, including the candidates for county sheriff. 
Based on questionnaires developed for each of the offices for which candidates are running and their responses, these question-and-answer format profiles reveal the candidates&rsquo; through their own words. The candidates in the series are those on record in the office of the county&rsquo;s voter registrar as having filed to run. Here challenger Beecher H. Perry shares his views. 

The Smyth County News &amp;amp; Messenger has under way a multi-week series of profiles of candidates for local public offices, including the candidates for county sheriff. 
Based on questionnaires developed for each of the offices for which candidates are running and their responses, these question-and-answer format profiles reveal the candidates&rsquo; through their own words. The candidates in the series are those on record in the office of the county&rsquo;s voter registrar as having filed to run. Here challenger Beecher H. Perry shares his views. 

Republican challenger Beecher H. Perry lives at 426 Prater Lane, Marion.

Why are you seeking election/reelection?
I seek the office of sheriff because I feel that over the past few years our law enforcement community has lost the respect and confidence of the public, due to the misconduct of a few. I feel that the people of Smyth County deserve a Sheriff&rsquo;s Dept. that is much more transparent and one that is more accountable to the people they serve.

What do you see as your qualifications to hold public office?
I served as a Virginia Game Warden for 13 years. After completing my basic training at the State Police Academy I was stationed in Sugar Grove. I completed one week of in-service training each year during my tenure. I completed a three-month course at VPA and have attended numerous seminars conducted by the FBI. I also served one term on WCC&rsquo;s Law Enforcement Advisory Board. I feel my experiences and background makes me uniquely qualified for the job.

What philosophy will guide your interaction with the public on a daily basis?
I believe in strong, effective law enforcement accomplished in a fair, compassionate, and respectful manner. If elected Sheriff, I will operate a Department that is very open and responsive to the needs and concerns of all citizens. I would assure the public that no person, regardless of position or status, would be treated any different than the common person.

What changes are needed in the sheriff&rsquo;s office, and how would you address them?
The Sheriff&rsquo;s Office should nurture a closer relationship with the general public. I would establish a Citizens Committee, made up of people throughout the county, and listen to their concerns and advice.
The Sheriff&rsquo;s Office should strive for a much closer working relationship with all the state and local police, fire, and rescue personnel. I would communicate with all the other agencies regularly and would commit my Dept. to ensure such a relationship existed.
The Sheriff&rsquo;s Office should utilize more vehicular patrols throughout the county. I would divide the county into patrol zones, and assign deputies to random patrols. These patrols are especially important in the more rural area of our county. I believe that law enforcement visibility serves as a great deterrent to criminal activity.

Looking at local crime, what trends concern you most, how will you respond, and what trends can be seen as positive?
I see illegal drug use by our youth and children as the most concerning trend. Our children are being exposed to the drug culture at a very young age. I would advocate for much harsher punishment of drug dealers and much more vigorous efforts to educate our children and parents. I applaud the DARE program and I would seek to streamline and expand this program. I would approach our local churches throughout the county, seeking their involvement and assistance in implementing such programs for their youth groups. Such groups within churches would make it easier to involve the parents, which I believe would be very positive. I would also focus more resources toward the apprehension of those who are supplying the drug dealers with prescription drugs and drugs such as cocaine and heroin. To kill a rattlesnake you must cut off its head, not the rattles on the tail.

What one thing would you say to a voter who is undecided headed to the polls Nov. 8?
I would simply implore the voters to contemplate the numerous law enforcement scandals that have occurred in the not so distant past. I would submit to the voters that law enforcement personnel should be held to a much higher standard than the ordinary person, and they should be held accountable for their actions. I would assure the voters that if elected Sheriff, every employee would meet the criteria. No more Deputy A and Deputy B.
I believe it is time to &ldquo;Choose Change.&rdquo; I trust the voters good judgment in electing their next Sheriff and I am proud to provide a &ldquo;Choice for Change.&rdquo;