(And Here's The Proof)
Look, anyone can make promises during election season...
But when Sheriff Smith took office in 2022, he didn't just talk about change - he PUT HIS REPUTATION ON THE LINE with a simple promise:
Real leadership delivers real results. Period.
No excuses. No "we're working on it." No political double-talk.
Just cold, hard RESULTS that you can see, measure, and count on.
What you're about to see isn't campaign fluff or wishful thinking. These are documented facts that prove one simple truth:
When you elect someone who knows how to get things done, things actually GET DONE.
Promise made. Promise kept.
Here's your proof...
Here's a fact that'll blow your mind...
For over a DECADE, Cherokee County's patrol coverage sat completely stagnant.
While our community grew, while crime evolved, while families needed more protection... nothing changed.
Until Sheriff Smith stepped in.
He didn't just complain about the problem. He didn't form a committee to "study the issue."
He got on the phone, worked the system, and secured a $250,000 federal grant to add TWO new patrol deputies.
The first expansion since 2012.
Now, two deputies might not sound like much to folks in big cities... but in a rural county like ours? That's HUGE.
We're talking about real officers, in real patrol cars, providing real coverage when YOUR family dials 911.
But wait... it gets better.
Within weeks, Cherokee County will have something most counties our size can only dream of:
One K-9 unit on duty EVERY SINGLE SHIFT.
Think about what that means...
Drug Detection That Actually Works:
✓ Narcotics detection in vehicles, buildings, and packages
✓ School safety sweeps keeping YOUR kids protected
✓ Mail and package inspection stopping drug trafficking cold
✓ Large-scale event security screening
Suspect Tracking In Cherokee County's Toughest Terrain:
✓ Missing person searches in our challenging mountain landscape
✓ Fugitive apprehension in wooded and rural areas where suspects think they can hide
✓ Evidence recovery in outdoor crime scenes
✓ Emergency response for lost hikers or hunters
Community Safety and Engagement:
✓ Festival and community event security
✓ School safety demonstrations that educate AND protect
✓ Deterrent presence at high-risk locations
Professional Excellence You Can Count On:
Our K-9 handlers receive ongoing professional training to maintain certification and effectiveness. These aren't just dogs with badges—they're highly trained law enforcement tools that enhance every aspect of public safety.
Around the clock. Every day. Every shift.
The Bottom Line:
This 24/7 K-9 program represents a significant investment in Cherokee County's safety infrastructure, providing capabilities that rival much larger departments.
This level of specialized coverage was pure fantasy just a few years ago. Now it's Cherokee County's new reality.
Because when you have a Sheriff who knows how to make things happen... things actually HAPPEN.
The revolving door of addiction and crime costs Cherokee County taxpayers a FORTUNE.
Same people. Same crimes. Same expensive court processes. Over and over again.
Sheriff Smith attacked this problem head-on.
With support from Dogwood Health Trust, Cherokee County launched a groundbreaking MAT program that treats addiction as a medical condition - because that's what the science proves works.
Our dedicated clinician develops personalized recovery plans for each inmate. But here's the smart part: We're following participants back into the community with transition support.
The Bottom Line:
When people beat their addiction, they stop committing crimes. When they stop committing crimes, your tax dollars stop getting wasted on the same offenders cycling through the system.
Evidence-based treatment while incarcerated + community support after release = fewer repeat offenders draining Cherokee County resources.
This isn't just compassionate. It's fiscally responsible leadership that actually solves problems instead of just managing them.
Traffic citations went from 12 in the final year of the previous administration to nearly 300 in Sheriff Smith's first year.
But here's what's really happening behind those numbers...
This isn't about writing tickets to fill quotas. This is about ACTIVE law enforcement that gets results.
Here's a fact most people don't know: Nearly 70% of fugitives nationwide get caught during routine traffic stops.
Every vehicle stopped, every citation written increases our chances of catching the bad guys who think they can hide in Cherokee County.
Plus, when deputies are actively patrolling and enforcing traffic laws, dangerous drivers get pulled off the road BEFORE they kill someone's family member.
The Results:
More fugitives apprehended. Fewer reckless drivers threatening your family. And a crystal-clear message that Cherokee County isn't a safe haven for criminals anymore.
When you see a Cherokee County deputy on patrol, that's not just traffic enforcement. That's your safety net in action.
While others come to taxpayers with their hand out every time they need something, Sheriff Smith finds ways to get things done WITHOUT raiding your wallet.
Through strategic grant applications, partnerships, and donations, the Sheriff's Office has secured over $1.3 MILLION in essential equipment and funding.
Equipment Acquired at ZERO Cost to You:
✓ Alcohol screening devices for every deputy — donated
✓ Three radar units — secured through state point system
✓ Refurbished speed board — now protecting Cherokee County AND loaned to Andrews PD
✓ Three vehicles donated — including two for animal control plus spare Tahoe
✓ 16 in-car printers ($600 each) — donated for eCourts transition
Major Grant Victories:
✓ $250,000 federal grant for patrol expansion
✓ $1.1 million state grant for mental health co-responder program
The Bottom Line:
Cherokee County gets better equipment, expanded services, and enhanced protection while your tax burden stays LOW.
This is what happens when you elect someone who knows how to work the system FOR you instead of AGAINST you.
Maximum results. Minimum tax burden. That's leadership you can count on.
Coffee with a Cop: Real Conversations, Real Solutions
Sheriff Smith launched "Coffee with a Cop" sessions where deputies and citizens can actually TALK to each other like human beings. No agenda. No speeches. No political grandstanding.
Just neighbors talking with neighbors about keeping Cherokee County safe.
Benefits:
✓ Early identification of community safety concerns - Problems get spotted and solved BEFORE they become bigger issues
✓ Direct communication between citizens and law enforcement - No more bureaucratic runaround when you need to talk to someone who can actually help
✓ Relationship building that enhances cooperation - When deputies and citizens know each other as people, everybody works together better
✓ Community education about safety resources and programs - Cherokee County families learn about resources they didn't even know existed
National Night Out Revival
For the first time in recent memory, Cherokee County hosted National Night Out - bringing together ALL emergency services and community members for a night that proved something important:
Law enforcement and community aren't adversaries. We're PARTNERS.
Citizens in Leadership Decisions
Here's something that'll surprise you...
When Sheriff Smith promotes patrol deputies, he includes community members on the interview boards. That means YOU have a direct voice in choosing the people who'll be protecting your family.
Why? Because the community deserves to know the character and standards of the people wearing the badge.
Impact:
✓ Community members understand deputy qualifications - You get to see firsthand what it takes to earn a badge in Cherokee County
✓ Citizens have voice in law enforcement leadership - YOUR input helps choose the people who'll be protecting your family
✓ Transparency in promotion and hiring processes - No backroom deals or political favors - everything happens in the open
✓ Enhanced accountability and public trust - When the community is part of the process, everyone knows the standards are real
The Bottom Line:
Stronger relationships. Better communication. And a sheriff's office that actually serves WITH community input instead of operating in isolation.
When law enforcement and citizens work together as a team, crime goes down, trust goes up, and Cherokee County becomes the kind of place where families want to live and raise their kids.
Sheriff Smith's approach to equipment modernization proves something important: You can have operational excellence AND fiscal responsibility at the same time.
Through strategic grants, partnerships, and donations, Cherokee County got cutting-edge law enforcement equipment without touching taxpayer wallets.
eCourts Technology Transition:
When North Carolina's court system transitioned to eCourts, Sheriff Smith saw it coming and got ahead of the curve. Result? 16 in-car printers (worth $600 each) - ALL donated. Cherokee County deputies seamlessly transitioned without any service disruption or county expense.
Alcohol Screening Revolution:
Every deputy now carries portable breath testing equipment. Immediate DUI detection on every traffic stop. Enhanced officer safety and evidence collection. Donated equipment worth thousands of dollars that didn't cost Cherokee County a penny.
Radar Technology Upgrade:
Three new radar units secured through the state point system. Professional-grade accuracy for court proceedings. Mobile and stationary speed detection that actually works.
Speed Monitoring Innovation:
Refurbished speed board now operational in problem areas. Community speed awareness that works. Plus, we're loaning it to Andrews PD for regional cooperation - that's leadership that builds relationships.
Vehicle Fleet Enhancement:
Three donated vehicles added to the fleet - two dedicated animal control vehicles and one spare Chevrolet Tahoe for emergency backup. Reduced maintenance costs through strategic acquisitions.
The Bottom Line:
Over $15,000 in essential equipment acquired without spending a single county dollar. When you have a Sheriff who anticipates needs and plans ahead, Cherokee County gets modern, efficient law enforcement while keeping costs low for taxpayers.
This is what forward-thinking fiscal responsibility looks like in action.
But We're Just Getting Started
You've seen the proof. You've seen the numbers. You've seen what REAL leadership delivers when it's backed by 21+ years of experience and an unwavering commitment to results.
Expanded patrol coverage. Over $1.3 million secured without touching your tax dollars. Innovative programs that actually work. Technology upgrades that keep Cherokee County ahead of the curve.
All in just ONE term.
But here's the thing...
This is just the foundation. The groundwork. The beginning of what Cherokee County can become when you have a Sheriff who knows how to turn plans into REALITY.
March 3, 2026. Republican Primary.
The choice is crystal clear: Proven results that you can see, measure, and count on... or roll the dice on promises that may never materialize.
Cherokee County is moving forward. The momentum is building. The results are undeniable.
Don't let anyone convince you to throw that progress away.
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