To the citizens of Fayette County:

The construction of a new jail facility is always a controversial and difficult process. If not for the threat of lawsuits, I would never become involved in such a project. Because I recognize the need, I will support whatever the Board of Commissioners recommends.

Although I welcome input form citizens in the community, there is one piece of misinformation which has been published that I feel the need to correct. The schools in Fayetteville have never been locked down because of escapes at the jail.

The reason I can state this categorically is simple. The current jail was constructed in 1985, and since it has been occupied, there has never been an escape from the facility. Ever.

I am concerned that someone in the community has been misinformed and I want to avoid unnecessary panic among parents.

Sheriff Randall Johnson

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