Suffolk incumbent, challenger differ on deployment

The man challenging a four-term incumbent for sheriff said that he plans to expand the office's role in this 430-square -mile city by putting deputies on patrol if elected - and he wants to do it without adding positions.

Jay Clason, a 57-year-old instructor for Maritime Civil Affairs Group, said some of the deputies who provide security at the courthouse should patrol the streets instead.

Raleigh Isaacs Sr. called his challenger's goals "totally ridiculous." The 69-year-old Suffolk native ousted a 20-year sheriff in 1993 and has served largely without controversy.

"That's typical of somebody who really doesn't understand the system. The sheriff's responsibilities are outlined in the state code" and include courthouse and courtroom security and civil enforcement, Isaacs said.

Twenty-four full-time employees and 13 part-time make up the sheriff's office, Isaacs said. "Tell me where you find the time."

Workers served civil papers, transported mental patients and juvenile defendants, carried out evictions and screened more than 211,500 people as they came into the courthouse last year, Isaacs said.

Clason said he would seek federal funding to help pay for the expanded roles of the sheriff's office.

"I envision I'll have to work with legislators" to make the changes, Clason said. "Can I do it in one term? Probably not."

Clason spent 37 years in the Army and Army Reserves and worked as a disaster planner for the Department of Defense. He is a Michigan native and moved to Suffolk eight years ago. He said he would bring an international perspective to the office of sheriff.

Isaacs spent 32 years in law enforcement, starting as a patrolman in Norfolk. He worked for the Suffolk Police Department for 23 years, last serving as captain.

Isaacs touts virtually no turnover among his staff, with full-time employees averaging about 17-1/2 years of experience.

Both Isaacs and Clason are independents.

Clason said he wants to "build a department the city can be proud of."

Isaacs said he's done that. "We don't have any issues. Change just for change sake is not necessarily a good thing."

Kristin Davis, (757) 222-5555, kristin.davis@pilotonline.com