Talking with Sheriff Danny Smith

By James Orwig

I imagine that I am like many people when I identify a law enforcement vehicle: How fast was I going? Do I have a credible excuse? Isn’t there a grace mile per hour over the speed limit that you don’t get a ticket? In my aging mind, this is less of an issue, but it’s still a reflex. Another concern is that the police are looking for someone to arrest.

Sheriff Danny Smith took the time to give me a different perspective on how he sees his job and the services provided by the County Sheriff’s Department. As the only elected law enforcement officer in Crawford County, he administers a budget of over $4 million that covers the jail and correction officers, 911 dispatch, court security, and patrol officers.

Prisoners need to be evaluated for mental and physical health; they need to be fed, clothed, and managed 24/7. It’s like a hotel, but the guests can’t check out when they grow tired of the accommodations or the other guests.

The jail facility needs to be maintained and repaired, vehicles need to be purchased or leased, traffic laws enforced, criminal activity investigated, court documents served, violent situations de-escalated, weather-related situations that result in damage and injuries need to be managed, traffic accidents need emergency medical personnel to transport injured persons, traffic needs redirection, the accident needs to be investigated and reports filed. If there is a fatality, someone needs to notify next of kin.

The cities of Pittsburg and Frontenac have their own dispatchers, but the rest of the county relies on the dispatch services of the county. We talked at some length about the overlapping jurisdictions and how that is handled. “Things work out because we have good partnerships. The Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) includes representatives of the hospital, fire department, schools, police department, emergency services, Community Health, and County Sheriff’s Department. They meet monthly to share information and coordinate services.” It’s an opportunity to get to know people on a first name basis and put a face with a name, so that when needs arise, you know who to call. It gives everyone a sense of partnership, rather than being competitors.

Thinking about the many aspects of the job of County Sheriff, I asked Sheriff Smith if the stress experienced gets to him and how he handles it. He acknowledged the stress, but noted there were several factors that helped him avoid being overwhelmed. He credits his wife’s support and ability to be flexible when emergencies come that interrupt their plans, he avoids being a micro-manager, and he has learned to leave the job and take time to do things that he enjoys with family and friends, while still carrying “the Phone” And he really enjoys this job.

“I feel like I was born to do this job. When I was a kid, I wanted to either be in the military or law enforcement.” After beginning a business administration course of studies at Pitt State, he started volunteering at the Sheriff’s office as a dispatcher and riding along on patrols. After being hired as a dispatcher, he dropped his studies and did not resume them until a few years ago. During his 29 years at the Sheriff’s department, he has worked at every level of the department: being a dispatcher, running the jail, patrol, and his current position as County Sheriff.

Along the way he admits he has made mistakes. “Everyone makes mistakes. The most important thing is to accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. I use my mistakes to teach the new deputies what not to do.” People in law enforcement frequently make quick decisions and no matter how much you train and how well you plan for situations, things happen that you don’t anticipate and you do the best that you can.

I asked Sheriff Smith what he would like to see changed. After a long, thoughtful pause, he said, “We can always do better.” Things have evolved over the years. Sophisticated communications equipment, global positioning technology. Those are good things. One thing that has gone backwards is mental health resources. There were over 1,200 beds available in the 1990s and now there’s just 250.

“What’s happened is the locals have had to take it on. Crawford County Mental Health is building a new facility, and they will have some beds. We used to have places to take people with mental health problems, but now people with mental health problems sit in jail waiting to be evaluated. We have one person that’s been waiting a year and a half. Corrections officers can be compassionate, but it’s not their job to help these people get better.”

And that brings us to a remarkable illustration of unanticipated and successful innovations that are making a difference in the lives of those behind bars. The jail now has professionals from Crawford County Mental Health and Community Health of Southeast Kansans who screen inmates as they come in. There is a grant-funded addiction treatment program for people who need and want that. The grant-funded community health worker runs a life skills program, a parenting skills program, and a job skills program. She has become an advocate for them in court and with employers.

“When these people get out, they’re able to get jobs, housing, and some of them are getting their kids back. They’re coming out and being productive citizens, and if they’re being productive citizens, it reduces break-ins to feed their habit.”

There is now a grant-funded, fulltime nurse and a medical aide, rather than a parttime, once-a week nurse. Sheriff Smith said that these initiatives evolved from recognizing needs, and conversations with his partners in service. “All I do is provide the clients.” Crawford County’s use of resources has become a model for other counties in the state.

A final thought: Sheriff Smith wants people to know that he is accessible. Feel free to contact him if you have a concern. If he can’t address your issue directly, he probably knows who can.

Office Address: 225 N Enterprise Dr, Girard, KS 66743

Mailing Address: PO Box 157, Girard, KS 66743

Jail Admin: (620) 724-8853

Sheriff's Office: (620) 724-8274

Fax: (620) 724-8290

Home Phone: (620) 249-1966

Email: dsmithcrcoks@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SheriffDannySmith301

Visit Us At: www.crsoks.org