Jail vandalism, mental health pod top Easter's priority list
The appearance of the Sedgwick County Jail frustrated Sheriff Jeff Easter when he took over the position to start the year.
"I was very disappointed when I came in here and I saw graffiti everywhere. I saw the amount of contraband that was being brought in here," Easter said. "I was very open about what we were going to do with that. That is a vandalism upon the property that is being payed for by the taxpayers of this county."
Easter said he will look at pressing charges on offending inmates, but there may be progress already. Through nine jail sweeps, Easter said there has been a "slowdown" in contraband and narcotics found on inmates.
It is a piece of a big picture puzzle for Easter, who wants the sheriff's office to be transparent and professional.
"A lot of times we can't discuss everything that's gone on, but I think it's important that we're not hiding it, either," he said. "If something has occurred, we have to address it."
Easter is pushing to create a Jail Oversight Committee. That task force would be composed of business leaders, mental health experts, citizens and faith-based individuals to look at issues such as gang education courses, jail population and what the county can do better.
Constructing a mental health pod is high of Easter's priority list. County commissioners have expressed the importance of it, too.
"It's a funding issue, simply," Easter said. "We all know it needs to take place, but where are we going to find the funding? That's what we're going to tackle this year."
Easter spent 23 years with the Wichita Police Department before defeating former Sheriff Bob Hinshaw in the 2012 election.
Experience gives him the background for the position, but Easter said two other principles drove him to vie for the sheriff's role. His brother was killed while working as a deputy for the force. Easter also said law enforcement has to change with the times, and show itself as an approachable bureau to the public.
"I think it's very important that we represent ourselves in a very professional and ethical manner. Those are two of the biggest things you'll find in law enforcement," he said. "For the kids, we should be role models."
Easter was a guest on KFDI's "At Issue" program. A copy of the podcast can be found here.
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