Sheriff Richard Roundtree and Eugene Brantley speak out amid runoff voting day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Tuesday, voters will head to the polls for the Democratic Primary Runoff for Richmond County Sheriff.  Eugene Brantley is facing off against current Sheriff Richard Roundtree.

Both Sheriff Richard Roundtree and Eugene Brantley are making their plans loud and clear ahead of runoff voting day.

Monday morning Brantley announced his plans for a safer community and more access for citizens to the sheriff.

“It’s very important that we get our officers back in the community so that we are able to build trust, build relationships in able to prevent crimes from happening. And when they do happen, we’re able to solve those crimes because we’ve built relationships with those people…,” Eugene “Gino Rock” Brantley said.

Gino also announcing his 10 goals for his first 100 days in office which includes immediate action on gun violence and reinstituting the traffic division. He said his strategies are designed to address the immediate needs of the community and restore safety and confidence in law enforcement.

“We want to get back to community-oriented law enforcement because it’s very important that we are out there, we are able to communicate with the kids, and we are able to know and understand what is going on in each neighborhood.”

We had the chance to speak with Sheriff Richard Roundtree who spoke about some current goals he and his administration accomplished, like removing fentanyl from the streets that could have taken the lives of three million people and the downtown camera project.

“Moving over the next four years, we want people to understand what we’ve done. We’re excited about the next four years with the Sheriff’s Office about our work we’ve accomplished already and keep putting their trust in us like they did four years ago…,” Sheriff Richard Roundtree said.

Roundtree said the effort to combat gun violence is a joint effort.

“I’ve been honestly candid that we’re there to be on the frontlines with you, but this has to be a community fight. For civic groups, for faith-based groups, civic organizations, communities, neighborhoods and most importantly, families.”

Polls are open tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You are asked to vote at your assigned voting precincts.

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