To the Editor:

Sheriff Mark Marshall recently said it was “preposterous” and “impossible,” or similar such words, to put deputies in every one of our county’s schools without massive budget increases. Yet since 2012, he’s had almost $1 million in budget increases, and slashed the SRO’s from the schools since taking office.

In my hands right now, is a detailed plan from Russ Stephenson. He will put a deputy in every single school, for full, complete coverage, plus night duty for sports games, for less than $200,000 per year; even less once grants are obtained.

Where Marshall sees negatives and impossibles, Russ Stephenson sees solutions. Proof that it doesn’t take the FBI academy, leading the Chiefs of Police Association, and 30-plus years experience to solve simple problems. It just takes common sense. So while Marshall likes to pound his chest and tout his resume, Russ Stephenson has been hard at work before taking office making our community a better place.

I predict we also won’t have $4 million lawsuits against deputies either, which we’ve also had under Marshall. Which do we want, fanfare and fancy resumes, or real-world solutions that protect our children? Vote Stephenson on Nov. 3.

Karrie Maphis
Smithfield