Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Burleigh County Sheriff candidates work on ideas for department

Burleigh County Sheriff candidates work on ideas for department

Sep 28, 2006 - 13:07:01 CDT

By JENNYMICHAEL
Bismarck Tribune

The two men facing off in the race for Burleigh County sheriff have been working on separate ideas for improving the sheriff's department.

Steve Berg, the current sheriff, has obtained a grant for the department to start a new domestic violence program.

Pat Heinert, the challenger in the November general election, wants the department to get involved in a program that helps prevent crime against senior citizens.

The two men ran against each other in the general election four years ago, with Berg emerging as the sheriff with 54 percent of votes.

Berg said he has gotten a $400,000 grant to hire a domestic violence investigator for the department. He said interviews will begin next week, and three candidates are already members of the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department.

If someone internal to the department gets the position, the department will hire a new deputy, Berg said.

The grant also covers hiring an additional assistant state's attorney and another victim's advocate, he said.

Burleigh County State's Attorney Richard Riha said his office is in the process of hiring an additional prosecuting attorney for the program.

Berg said the victim's advocate would work with the Abused Adult Resource Center.

The additional assistant state's attorney and victim's advocate would work entirely with domestic abuse cases, Berg said.

He said the grant will cover salaries and expenses for the three positions for two years.

The three positions will enable the sheriff's department to coordinate investigation and prosecution of domestic violence cases, Berg said. He said the department will be able to better track cases of domestic violence and get expertise from a variety of sources.

"What we're trying to do is get some consistency in how domestic violence cases are handled,"he said.

He said the new program also will focus on prevention and educational efforts to "stop the violence before it starts."

Heinert said the recent Benjamin Newman trial, in which a Bismarck man was convicted of murder, attempted murder, endangering by fire and violation of a domestic violence protection order for burning down the apartment building where his ex-girlfriend lived, highlights the need for a domestic violence program.

"That's an excellent program and well needed for the community,"he said. "I think that will be a great benefit to the community."

Heinert also has been working on a program that he would like to implement in the sheriff's department if he emerges as victor in the Nov. 7 election. At a Wednesday news conference, Heinert unveiled his plans to have the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department form a chapter of Triad, which is a crime prevention organization focusing on crimes against senior citizens.

Heinert said at the press conference that Triad brings together law enforcement, senior citizens and the community.

Triad is a cooperative organization started in 1988 by the AARP, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff's Association

Since the 2000 census reported that 15 percent of North Dakotans are 65 years old or older, Heinert believes the program would be beneficial to the growing Burleigh County population.

Crimes against senior citizens include identity theft, phone scams and home repair scams, Heinert said.

"Generally speaking, senior citizens have a higher level of trust than other people,"he said.

Heinert said the goals of the program are to reduce crime against the elderly and to reduce the fear of crime in the elderly.

He said Triad has several programs to help educate senior citizens about potential scams and how to educate themselves. However, Heinert said the program he is most excited about is a telephone reassurance program.

In that program, senior citizen volunteers would call other senior citizens regularly to check on them, Heinert said.

He said if volunteers don't get an answer, they can notify law enforcement to perform welfare checks on individuals.

Heinert said workforce numbers may be a problem in performing additional welfare checks, but he feels checking on people is a vital part of law enforcement.

The volunteers would be on what is called the SALT committee, which stands for seniors and law enforcement together, Heinert said.

"The committee itself will decide how far the program will go," he said.

Heinert said the program would cost little to implement and would require taxpayers to foot the bill on one new computer. He said officers would not spend much time on the program, with much of the labor coming from senior citizen volunteers.

Heinert said he also would like to involve the Bismarck Police Department and Lincoln Police Department in the effort.

"I plan on making this more than a Burleigh County initiative," he said.

Berg said he is not opposed to such a program but thinks that current crime prevention programs in the sheriff's department better educate people of all ages.

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department Web site provides a number of crime prevention tips for a variety of topics, Berg said. He said members of the department give talks to various groups, including senior citizens' groups, about crime prevention.

He said the rural area surrounding Bismarck, which is the patrol area of the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, does not receive many reports of crimes against senior citizens.

Berg said he would be willing to explore starting Triad in the department if that's what the community wants.

"If we can better connect ourselves to senior citizens, then we should do that,"he said. "If seniors want to go ahead ... and take that on, that would be great.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

hes good for the hospitals wrote on Oct 4, 2006 2:01 PM:

" I will say one thing about Berg.. The hospitals must love him.. after all i know of at least two deputies who have been admitted into the ER due to heart problems. one being rather young. and i know at lest 6 that are on some meds due to depression. Oh ya and there is the matter of the 2 employees that were comitted to the mental health unit.. or was that because she had her tonsils removed,,, humm gee i wonder.... and there is the matter of a deputy having to stay after work when his wife had a doctors apt. cause she just gave birh. Berg tells the deputy his family is not his concern. lol BERG you rock get real and get bent!!! "

Burleigh County Resident wrote on Sep 29, 2006 9:10 AM:

" While I am happy that Burleigh County received this grant, I find it troubling that Steve Berg is taking all the credit for securing it. The grant application was actually prepared and pushed hard for by SA Richard Riha and ASA Lloyd Suhr. These individuals and their staff are the ones that should be congratulated and thanked for securing the grant for the residents of Burleigh County, not Steve Berg. Give credit were credit is due. Yet another reason to vote for Pat Heinert. "

concerned wrote on Sep 29, 2006 7:47 AM:

" to dlw The sheriff in Ward County Vern Erck did not fire anybody. He changed some positions around. The sheriff in Morton County offered all personel positions and one chose not to stay with the department. The key word being chose not to be there. Do some research before you vouch for your buddy. "

Justice wrote on Sep 28, 2006 7:00 PM:

" Berg has ruined alot of good people's careers and livelihoods. After the election he will learn how it feels!!! "

heinert fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:57 PM:

" Proves what kind of man Berg is. If he was a real man he would have acted with a little more tact. "

dlw wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:44 PM:

" To Heinert fan: The Sheriff fired his opponent for the same reason a newly voted in President doesn't keep the old President on his team...they're opponents!! Have you EVER heard of ANY elected office where a new person is voted in and they ask their opponent to stay on?? Hello! "

Heinert fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:12 PM:

" Can anyone tell me why when Berg won the election he fired Heinert? What a crock! I can't wait to see Berg unemployed and wondering how he will pay the bills just like everyone he has fired. "

Berg isn't God wrote on Sep 28, 2006 4:07 PM:

" did you all know that Berg invented the wheel, the internet, and he was the first person to slice a loaf of bread!?!?!? Elect Heinert so we can stop this madness!!! "

Another Heinert fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 3:28 PM:

" I lived in Bismarck when Heinert and Berg were running against each other before. I have since moved and wish all the luck to Heinert. Heinert should have came in after Bob Harvey left anyway. "

Informed Citizen wrote on Sep 28, 2006 3:08 PM:

" to "Other Things Needed." It amazes me that you are complaining that other things are needed in the Sheriff's Dept. If you only go to Berg's website you will see the man has been working diligently to bring the Sheriff's Dept. up to speed. Look at the advances in technology, jail equipment, the patrol vehicles, etc., etc. It's great! And, have you ever watched any of the commission meetings? I have. Our sheriff has REPEATEDLY requested MORE patrol officers and MORE jailers, yet been denied. Your complaint should instead be taken up with the commissioners. They are the ones who are denying the sheriff extra officers, not Berg. "

Are You For Real? wrote on Sep 28, 2006 2:58 PM:

" To direct from the website. I went to Sheriff Berg's website and he states that he is currently working with AARC to obtain $68,000 to fund a domestic violence investigator. So where's the problem? In today's newspaper it then goes on to explain the additonal expenses of starting such a program. Again, where's the problem? This is a great step towards helping victims of domestic violence and yet some of you angry individuals can NOT get past your hate and be thankful that abused people are getting the help and attention they deserve. And Smokey, you say the sheriff had nothing to do with it?? Unreal. It is common sense that the sheriff would have had to agree with this and sign off on it since he is providing the investigator! "

Other Things Needed wrote on Sep 28, 2006 2:36 PM:

" It seems Berg wants to be a Gloy Hog and get his name in the paper. I feel that the TRIAD plan and the Domestic Viol. plan are both good thing for the County BUT what about the County Jail?? I have been told it is getting old and under staffed. What about more Deputies out on patrol?? What about more training for staff?? It seems that Berg cares only about what will get his name in the paper and his face on news. Vote Heinert please folks. "

concerned wrote on Sep 28, 2006 2:31 PM:

" The comments today are starting to show that the public is finally seeing what we have to deal with everyday we come to work. Our sheriff knows everything just ask him. Looking forward to the future. Go Heinert!! "

to berg fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 2:18 PM:

" The issue everyone is having is NOT about who did the work to obtain the grant, because you're right, it's just great that the county is benefiting. What people ARE taking issue with is Berg's constant "look at me & what I've done" attitude when, in fact, he did not do anything to obtain this grant. Other people did the work but he's taking all the credit. That's the issue. "

One Senior wrote on Sep 28, 2006 1:01 PM:

" According to Berg his program is already better than what the National Sheriff's Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and AARP have been working on for almost 20 years? What an EGO. I am sure all of us Seniors feel a lot safer already. He just blew this program off without even understanding what TRIAD is all about. "

to berg fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 12:33 PM:

Heinert fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 11:12 AM:

" "Go Heinert, it's your birthday"....You da man! "

wow wrote on Sep 28, 2006 11:06 AM:

" Smoky! I believe a person has to file for those grants. They just don't flop onto your desk. "

berg fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 10:25 AM:

" who cares were the money comes from or who did the paper work the good news is that the sheriffs department has it and its doing something good for all of us. I think sheriff berg has done a great job and he has my vote. GO BERG "

direct from the website wrote on Sep 28, 2006 9:42 AM:

" Here's a direct quote from Berg's propoganda website "Currently collaborating with the Abused Adult Resource Center to secure grant funds of $68,000 to fund a full-time Domestic Violence Investigator position" Now all of a sudden he, all by himself, got 5 times that to hire an attorney and advocate too? Which is it sheriff?? "

smoky wrote on Sep 28, 2006 9:34 AM:

" I can't believe Berg said he obtained a grant to fund his project, when infact he had nothing to do with it.How many more lies will it take to show people that being dishonist is what he's all about. You want proof? Stay tuned it will all unfollowed in front of you. "

Glory Hog! wrote on Sep 28, 2006 9:22 AM:

" "Berg said he has gotten a $400,000 grant to hire a domestic violence investigator for the department." Wow! Berg has single-handedly received a grant to hire an investigator, prosecutor, and victim witness advocate? BULL! You don't think the lawyers in the State's Attorney's office would have done that?! BULL! At the VERY minimum, this was a TEAM effort by MULTIPLE agencies. Yet, Berg has done it all by himself! I'm sure this will be added to his self-serving webpage as another accomplishment he's done all on his own. I'd love to actually see the grant to see who did all the work on it! VOTE HEINERT!!! "

Heinert fan wrote on Sep 28, 2006 8:26 AM:

" Go Heinert! Buh bye Berg! "

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