Lexington County Sheriff Candidates Debating Over Staffing and Growth Concerns

Are Safety Outcomes in Jeopardy Due to Staffing Worries in Lexington?

Introduction

Lexington County Sheriff’s race is heating due to the pressing issues of departmental staffing and the county’s consistent growth. Jay Koon, the incumbent sheriff, who is running for his third full term, is challenged by Alan Driggers, a retired lieutenant from the Lexington Sheriff’s department, and Billy Warren, an ex-deputy from Lexington and a state Highway Patrol veteran of 32 years. Presently, the focus is on whether Koon’s department is adequately staffed in comparison to the demands of crime incidences and county growth.

Staffing Concerns

Available records indicate that an escalating staffing crisis has been engulfing the department. Data shows that the numbers of staff leaving the organization have superseded hires, a pattern that has been ongoing for the past few years. The figures for the last four years are worrisome: In 2020, 90 employees departed while 77 were hired; in 2021, the disparity increased with 101 leavings and only 54 hires; in 2022, things slightly improved with 83 hires and 69 departures; in 2023, 65 new staff joined while 61 left.

Koon, in an email response, said that labor shortages are a common trend across the country and the law enforcement sector has taken a significant hit. He adds that the diminishing interest in law enforcement as a career, retirement of eligible officers, and attrition have exasperated the staffing issues. He maintained that there are positions open for deputies in detention, judicial/court services, and patrol, with highly competitive salaries.

Challengers’ Approach

While both Driggers and Warren agree that there have been some gains in staffing, they believe a change in leadership is necessary to keep up with the county’s growth. Warren identified a morale problem at the department, which he believes is contributing to its staffing issues. He also accused Koon of not interacting enough with the public and showing support for his deputies. Warren stressed the need for boosting the department’s resources to handle the growing demands of the county.

Driggers echoed Warren’s concerns about the staffing situation, referring to it as a crisis. He emphasized a need for public involvement and languished Koon didn’t make residents aware of the department’s issues.

Crime Dynamics

Despite staffing concerns, the number of serious crimes has dipped for the last four years. Aggravated assault, arson, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, and robbery saw a decline with around 4,900 serious crimes reported by the Sheriff’s department in 2023, down from 5,800 in 2022, 5,700 in 2021, and 6,400 in 2020. Neighboring Richland County, with a population of about 420,000 compared to Lexington’s approximately 300,000, documented about 10,000 such crimes in 2022.

Outlook for the Future

Koon indicated that he is fully aware of the growth requirements and is working to address them. However, his opponents insist that more proactive steps are necessary to safeguard the county’s swelling population and to stay ahead of any potential increases in crime. As the population continues to grow, they feel it’s essential for the department to be prepared and fully staffed to meet these challenges.

The proposed plans will be put to the test in the upcoming election, which will undoubtedly shape the future of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and its ability to handle the pressing issues of staffing and crime prevention in the rapidly expanding county.