In response to the article, “Criminal activity in Fayetteville: Reality vs. perception” (The Citizen, Jan. 16, 2008), I agree with Chief Steve Heaton when he stated, “The number of criminal offenses at the Pavilion are low with the exception of larcenies. Larcenies are the predominate offense at the Pavilion. This is not surprising considering it is the largest retail center in the area.”

The Fayette Pavilion with its 1,450,837 square feet is the largest open air shopping center in the state. Since opening in 1998, it has become a magnet in attracting criminals to the county. Each day criminals travel to Fayette County to prey on persons shopping at the Pavilion who leave their purses and wallets unattended in shopping carts. These criminals are looking to steal anything that isn’t nailed down.

Long-time residents of Fayette County are alarmed by the number of larcenies committed in the Pavilion, and other retail centers in the county. Many residents avoid shopping at the Pavilion because of the fear of crime.

In the spirit of community policing, the public should be informed of the types of criminal activity occurring at the Pavilion and other retail centers. Once the public has been made aware of these crimes, they should be taught how to avoid becoming a crime victim while shopping at these locations.

There are three major components, known as the “Triangle of Crime,” that are necessary for the completion of any given crime. They are (1) the criminal, (2) the victim, and (3) the opportunity. Without all three of these components, no crime can occur.

Residents can break the triangle if they are taught to recognize and reduce the opportunity for crime. Without an opportunity, the criminal will not be able to commit the crime, and the resident will not become a victim.

Residents can learn to reduce the opportunity for crimes through practice of the basic components of crime prevention, which are recognition, anticipation, and avoidance of a crime risk.

When I am elected to serve as the sheriff of Fayette County, I will train all department personnel in the concepts of proactive crime prevention. I will create a Crime Prevention Unit in the department to conduct crime prevention training courses that will be offered to citizens and business owners.

Additionally, I will join forces with local chiefs of police to initiate innovative deployment strategies aimed at apprehending criminals, and deterring criminal activity in their jurisdictions. Many of these strategies are commonly used in large urban areas to suppress criminal activity.

Additionally, I will join forces with the directors of security of the major retail stores in the Pavilion, and other shopping centers, to develop crime prevention programs to protect our citizens and visitors who shop in their stores.

When I am elected, I will create a unit in the Sheriff’s Department to suppress youth gang activity. I will offer gang prevention training programs to parents, school officials, and youths that address the following topics: what are they, how do we identify them, why kids join a gang, and the hazards of being involved in a gang.

The next sheriff will be faced with many challenges. There will be no time for an apprentice to learn the job. Fayette County will need a qualified sheriff who has the skills, experience and education to do an effective job. There will be no time for on the job training.

Please join me in the fight to preserve our peaceful way of life. Community involvement is key to resolving the current problems we face in our community, by working as a “TEAM,” Together Everyone Achieves More.

To learn more about my candidacy, or to volunteer to work on the campaign or to make a contribution, please visit my website at http://www.simmonsforsheriff.org. I can be contacted by email at dsimmons@simmonsforsheriff.org or by phone at 770-716-9088.

Dave Simmons, CPP

2008 Republican candidate for Fayette County Sheriff

Fayetteville, Ga.