Dear Editor,
We’re approximately a year out from the presidential election, and boy does this one look to be less traditional and more of a gong show. Incumbent President Joe Biden is facing daily challenges to his cognitive abilities while former president and current Republican front-runner Donald Trump is battling 91 felonies, all while maintaining a firm grip on a cult formerly known as the Republican Party.
However while that national circus plays out center stage, we mustn’t lose sight that locally our top law enforcement officials have competitors vying to unseat them in 2024.
First up is Sheriff Richard Roundtree who has faced increased criticism over inmates essentially serving what amounts to prison sentences while awaiting trial. According to Roundtree, inmates at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center are averaging four years of wait time before achieving case resolution. A recent article by Augusta Chronicle’s Abraham Kenmore revealed CBWDC is listed at “110% of capacity, with 1,179 people in a facility designed for 1,064,” with 89% of the jail population waiting for their day in court. It should be noted that many of the accused persons being held are still sitting due to an inability to secure enough funds to make bail.
If having to respond to endless questioning as to how he intends to fix the issue of jail overcrowding has been a thorn in his side, then reports that the recent firing of former deputy jailer Diamonte O’Neal brought “close to 20 the number of jail staff fired, arrested or both in the last year-and-a-half, and to almost 40 the number of sheriff’s personnel fired for committing crimes” has to be a bane of his existence.
Nonetheless, despite the overcrowding crisis and moral decadence of many of his employees, Roundtree should not be held accountable for what is undoubtedly out of his control. The COVID pandemic struck hard with brutal consequences. And although Eugene Brantley, Bo Johnson and Richard Dixon have every right to challenge and unseat Roundtree’s leadership role it is worth considering that we are still recovering from the heinous effects COVID brought upon the globe. I say give Roundtree another term.
Next up is District Attorney Jared Williams who, in a recent press conference, wasted no time presenting his receipts. Not only did he put constituents of the Augusta Judicial Circuit on notice of the success AJC’s District Attorney’s Office has achieved with him at the helm, including a 32% increase, from 48%-80%, in trial success rate since he formed the office’s Major Crimes Division, he also announced new social justice initiatives aimed at preventing recidivism and clogging the school-to-prison pipeline. DA Williams has done an outstanding job appealing to the needs of distressed and marginalized communities while still holding violent perpetrators accountable.
It also should be noted that while Williams’ administration has been on the hook for delayed prosecutions, much of that responsibility should fall on the actual prosecutor assigned to each case in question. The district attorney has a tough responsibility and simply cannot pay the attention we expect of him to over 1,000 cases. That’s why we have assistant district attorneys. If an ADA is strategically utilizing a delay tactic to compel an accused person who cannot make or does not have bail then that’s an issue to take to the judge presiding over the case. Again, what’s left of our justice system has been severely hampered by COVID. So, while Amber Brantley’s challenge should be respected, Williams should remain in office.
Lastly, Commissioner Jordan Johnson who, although not a law enforcement official, has been relentless in his zealous fight against homelessness. His efforts stand out beyond margins. Commissioner Johnson co-chairs the Augusta’s Task Force for the Homeless. He is extremely astute and aware not to allow any sleight of hand undercurrents to drown what he as well as we should know will only help the Augusta community. His sincerity is documented in his actions and responses to proposed initiatives or ordinances concerning the homeless community which, although uninformed and unprotected, continues to grow. I don’t expect Johnson to have a challenger. But if he does, I’m optimistic he will run a very successful campaign for re-election.
In my opinion, addressing root causes of crime and homelessness should unceasingly remain on the table. Roundtree, Williams and Johnson all have recognized that objective and, to that point, all have proved to be the men in the arena. And because of the advancements they are making in the arena they should stay until the fight is won.
Lawrence Anthony Brannen
Founder/President
Ex-Offenders For Reform & Advancement, Inc.
