Donald Dixon Deceives the Commissioners | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: Political discourse is the hallmark of America's political system, which, along with the adherence to our Constitution, is our last best chance to remain a free People. Beaufort County NOW is proud to have the capacity to provide a platform to such discourse, and we thank the candidates and our readership for participating, and aiding in our ability to do so.

    It takes two to tango, or is to tangle. Anyway, the opponent's post can be found here.

    Donald Dixon appeared before the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners recently to promote himself as a candidate for Sheriff for the third time. He claims to have contacted all of the prisons and detention centers from Raleigh to the Outer Banks checking on available bed space and other matters. I find this difficult to believe, but I can not offer any proof he did not do this. In specific however, he talks about the Pitt County Detention Center.

    Candidate Dixon claims the Pitt County Detention Center has 1000 beds and 500 beds remain empty all of the time. He says Pitt County would love to have our prisoners. As a smart businessman, he reminds us that a Detention Center will not make money unless there are prisoners in all of the beds. Candidate Dixon makes it clear the Pitt County Detention Center remains 50% empty all of the time. Candidate Dixon is so proud of this information he runs this ad on the Beaufort Observer.

    The Captain of the Beaufort County Detention Center reported to me for approximately thirteen years, and I knew the information Candidate Dixon presented did not ring true. Usually all it takes to learn he is not telling the truth is a phone call and that is what I did to confirm my thoughts.

    Anyone can call the Pitt County Detention Center and get the same information I did from Major Jeff Phillips, Chief of Detention Services. I encourage you to do so if there is any doubt. The Pitt County Detention Center has a total of 596 beds according to the Major. In fact, the Pitt County government web site says the center has 404 beds but may not be up to date. On March 27, 2014, there were 450 people incarcerated there. This is the slow season for inmates according to the Major. At times, there may be as many as 570 or more prisoners in the facility during a busy period. Candidate Dixon says Beaufort County would be better off sending all of our inmates to Pitt County. If we do this, the Pitt Detention Center would be over capacity by as many as 94 inmates at peak times. I submit to you Pitt County would not "love" that situation.

    When candidate Dixon speaks again before the Commissioners on any law enforcement matter, remember he was a School Resource Officer eleven years ago and will say or do anything to get your vote. He has not worked in law enforcement that he has mentioned since he suddenly resigned from the Sheriff's Office in 2003. Professional law enforcement today demands a high skill set that takes years of work and service to achieve. The days of a retired bus driver or an air conditioner repairman effectively running a modern law enforcement agency have long passed us by. If he will lie to the Commissioners during a regular board meeting on such a simple matter, think of what he will do as your elected Sheriff.

     Republican Candidate for Sheriff of Beaufort County

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