Downs Hopes to be the Next Sheriff of Oconee County

A second lawman has announced he'll be running for Sheriff of Oconee County in 2012.

Cpl. Trey Downs, a graduate of has lived in the county all his life. His career in law enforcement began 13 years ago with the . He has also worked for the Jefferson Police Department and , where he is presently a detective overseeing all major case investigations, including crimes against children.

Downs says it's time for a new Sheriff who will take the Office in different directions and bring new ideas to the table.

"Working with people is most important to run [the Office] effectively and efficiently and bring the community closer," Downs said. "I will be with them and for them with an open door policy all day every day and all night every night.  I'll be available for people to talk to and everyone can have my phone number."

Downs says he wants to form neighborhood associations in every community with deputy liaisons.  He'd like to create a voluntary advisory board to receive input from representatives of the faith community, civic groups, parent and teacher groups, youth groups, the business community and governmental representatives.  Downs would also start a citizens police academy.

Downs would continue using social media to keep the public informed.  Additionally, he wants to utilize crime mapping technology, like that used in Gwinnett County, so residents will know where crimes are occurring.  Using the technology, citizens could send anonymous crime tips, pictures or videos via text messaging to dispatchers in real time, he said.

Other ideas Downs has include forming a crime suppression unit and a school resource liaison program. Read more about these in Downs' open letter to Oconee County citizens, attached as a PDF.

Downs is the second person to announce his candidacy.  Last week Pat Holl, a Madison County investigator and former Oconee County Sheriff's deputy, .

has been in office since 1992 and serves as the 2011-2012 President of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association. Berry has yet to publicly announce a bid for reelection.

Berry, Downs, and Holl are all Republicans.