It is rare that Newsmax gets involved in local political races in Florida.
But we are doing so this year in Palm Beach County, recommending to our readers an exemplary public official for re-election, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
Sheriff Bradshaw has established an impressive record as the leading law enforcement official in Palm Beach County, and he deserves re-election when voters go to the polls on August 14.
Sheriff Bradshaw has a successful track record of over 40 years in law enforcement. He served on the West Palm Beach Police Department, becoming Chief of Police in 1996, and on Jan. 4, 2005 he was sworn in as the 13th Sheriff of Palm Beach County.
Among his remarkable record of achievements during his seven years in office, Sheriff Bradshaw created the County Wide Gang Task Force to address escalating gang crime, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in gang-related homicides.
Sheriff Bradshaw also established the Palm Beach County Violent Crimes Task Force, which has been successful in reducing violent crime in the county by 5.8 percent in 2011. The murder rate last year was the lowest since 2003.
The Sheriff has been a key leader in the fight against prescription drug abuse and is committed to locating and removing the illegal prescription drug clinics known as pill mills, which affect everyone, from families to businesses. The task force has been extremely successful in shutting down pill mills and arresting their operators in the county.
Since taking office Sheriff Bradshaw has updated the technology for the Sheriff’s office, putting laptop computers in patrol cars, updating jail records and using computers to dispatch police resources.
He has streamlined top management, reducing the number of top level managers to lower personnel costs, putting deputies back on the streets to protect citizens, and hiring civilian employees to handle administrative work in the Sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Bradshaw’s re-election effort has received the endorsement of the Florida Professional Firefighters, and is the first candidate for Sheriff ever endorsed by the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County.
He has also won the endorsement of the Florida State Lodge Order of Police.
Even popular TV news personality John Walsh of “America’s Most Wanted” has weighed in, urging voters to re-elect one of the country’s most effective law enforcement officers.
Sheriff Bradshaw is Chairman of the Florida Sheriffs Emergency Task Force for Region 7, a member of the Executive Board of the FBI's Joint Terrorist Task Force, Executive Board Co-Chairman of Regional Domestic Security Task Force for Region 7, a member of the Medicaid and Public Assistance Fraud Strike Force, and has been designated Who's Who in Academic Excellence in America.
Sheriff Bradshaw said: “In these tough economic times, my office has found creative ways to continue providing services to keep all residents safe. I am committed to shutting down pill-mills, dismantling gangs, reducing violent crimes, and making sure every resident feels safe no matter where they live.”
Americans of whatever political persuasion — Republican, Democrat or Independent — agree that the fair and proper enforcement of the law is necessary. We know of no one more qualified to do this job in Palm Beach County than Ric Bradshaw.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.