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Claps aiming to reconnect law enforcement with the community

DEMÓCRATA| Gene Claps says he’s ready to be Sheriff of Adams County.( Picture/El Comercio de Colorado)

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR ADAMS COUNTY SHERIFF

Antonio Martínez/ El Comercio de Colorado

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Gene Claps is running for sheriff of Adams County. When asked about the challenges that face the present-day Adams County sheriff’s, Claps shared that one of the biggest issues that he’s noted over the last few administrations, is that “we’ve drifted away from the public.” He spoke about the need for the sheriff’s office, law enforcement, and the community to collaborate, work with, and build trust with each other to better police. Claps said that by working together law enforcement and community can be “proactive instead of reactive” He added that law enforcement needs to listen and “be part of the community” to solve problems.

Claps aiming to reconnect law enforcement with the community.

Reducing recidivism

Claps expressed that he also wants to reduce recidivism, which is essentially the tendency of convicted criminals committing crimes that keep bringing them back to prison. He believes that inmates (prisoners) should be provided with more programs that help them to “be able to provide for themselves” once they get back to the community. He followed this by suggesting that prisoners be provided more educational opportunities so they can learn things like how to write a resume, apply for a job, find housing, so that ultimately, they can be productive members of the community and don’t have to support themselves by committing crimes.

Adams County born and raised

“Seeing the sheriff’s office running correctly means a lot to me,” said Claps. Since he was born and raised in Adams County, the individuals and groups of that county hold an important place in his heart. Claps believes that the people of Adams County deserve better law enforcement and so he wants to make it his priority to connect with the people. He has already begun doing this by attending various community and cultural events. Claps also isn’t without experience in his county’s sheriff’s office. He worked in the Adam’s County sheriff’s office for over 22 years, where he last served as Division Chief.