Puett seeking reelection as county sheriff
Feb. 23—Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett formally announced his plans to seek reelection as sheriff in 2024.
Puett said during his seven years leading the department, he's accomplished and will continue to accomplish many of the goals he set forth in the beginning. This includes engaging with the community, enhancing training for fellow officers and keeping criminals off the street.
"Today, I'm proud to say that we have done those things," he said. "While our work isn't finished, I want to continue the work that we have begun. I'm extremely committed to serving you as your sheriff, making our community a better and safer place. I remain dedicated to local crime issues, but I'm also working at the state and federal levels on threats that are affecting our community."
Among many problems, including scams, human trafficking and physical abuse, the illegal import of drugs is one of the biggest, according to the sheriff's office.
"We've completed an abundant, large seizures and arrest for fentanyl and methamphetamine," Puett said. "We've also arrested numerous wanted violent fugitives working with our law enforcement partners and submitted a considerable number of cases for prosecution and hope to continue doing so moving forward. This fentanyl crisis is a tremendous scourge on our community."
Law enforcement also mentioned the issue of human trafficking in the area, even to young children.
"Human trafficking continues to be a concern," Puett said. "The children that are being victimized, moved, sexually abused, the child pornography — all those things are issues I want us to continue to attack."
Puett said combating these issues takes joint effort from all law enforcement partners and he's grateful for each department collaborating to solve public safety issues at hand.
Law enforcement officers spent a long duration facing retention issues due to low pay but recently, with the sales tax and increased salary they've been able to retain more officers and even bring in new ones, which will continue to be a key role in fighting crime.
As they continue to recruit devoted officers from the local law enforcement academy and other areas, Puett said he is certain he will continue his goal to create a safer community for Buchanan County and hopes to continue receiving community support.
"I've come up through the ranks, I've worked really hard and I continue to educate myself," he said. "I know the organization in and out, I talk with community members, and I stay active in all the levels — local, state and federal to make sure that I am on the cutting edge and can continue to lead these men and women in the right way to do the right things. I ask for your support and your vote on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. Thank you very much."
Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.
