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Friday, October 27, 2006

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Klang, Dahl stay the course

CROW WING COUNTY SHERIFF

By MIKE O'ROURKE

Associate Editor

There were no fireworks at Thursday night's forum in the Crow Wing County sheriff's race as Sheriff Eric Klang and Sgt. Todd Dahl each stressed the talking points of their campaigns to be the county's top law officer.

The forum was conducted at the Brainerd High School Little Theatre and was broadcast on cable television outlets.

Dahl opened the forum stating that his desire to be sheriff was similar to the reason he traveled to Haiti on mission trips - because he wanted to make Crow Wing County a better place to live. He continued to emphasize his education and training including his education at Bemidji State University and 10 weeks at the FBI's national academy. He said that as sheriff he would periodically patrol the streets and described himself as the most qualified candidate.

Klang, 40, stressed the strides that have been made in the department with "cutting-edge technology" and an improved records management system that provides time-sensitive information to deputies. He also lauded a vehicle locator system that's used in the county and the department's efforts to fight ID theft and fight illegal drug trafficking.

"We've been very proactive busting meth labs," the first-term sheriff said.

The Crow Wing County sheriff's race, featuring Sheriff Eric Klang (far right) and Sgt. Todd Dahl (second from right), led off Thursday night's three-hour candidate's forum, which was sponsored by the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of the Brainerd Lakes Area. Members of the panel were moderator Lisa Paxton, chief executive officer of the chamber (left); Dave Johnson of Anderson Brothers and the chamber's business council; Linda Andrews, of BL Broadcasting; and Mike O'Rourke, Brainerd Dispatch associate editor. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
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Addressing the topics of county growth and budget restraints Dahl said more staff would have to be added since population projections call for the county to grow by 60 percent by 2030. He also said more emphasis might have to be placed on fighting scams, frauds and crimes against the elderly.

"We have to keep adding on people," he said of the department in years to come.

Klang said technology would help the department work more efficiently.

"We have to learn how to do more with less," Klang said.

Dahl, 41, said he'd like to see Crow Wing County take advantage of its central location and become a frequent training site.

"We have the resources here to provide the training," he said.

Klang said it was important to provide staff with training in the latest law enforcement techniques.

Both men noted the importance of cooperating with other law agencies. Cooperating together was a key to success, Klang said.

"We have to take a team approach," Dahl said. "We're all in this business to fight crime."

Citizen involvement in crime prevention was emphasized by both candidates with Dahl urging citizens to call in suspicious activities or write down license plate numbers of suspected criminals.

"Community policing has always been a priority of mine," Klang said. "We want their input," he said of the public. "We need their help."

On the topic of educating citizens on their responsibility to help fight crime, Klang said information could be brought to them at Neighborhood Watch and lake association meetings.

Dahl emphasized the importance of patrolling rural areas.

"People should get as much law enforcement in the southern part of the county as in the northern part of the county," Dahl said.

Klang's closing statement emphasized the importance of hiring the most qualified employees, embracing new technology and his pride in the "impressive" results of his first term.

Dahl closed by urging voters to ask themselves which candidate has the leadership, skills and training to be a good sheriff.

MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.

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