Keith Nygren
Mike Mahon
That’s the gist of a statement released today by Democratic Party sheriff challenger Mike Mahon. He is running against Republican incumbent Keith Nygren and Green Party candidate Gus Philpott.
The release follows:
MAHON CAMPAIGN CRITICIZES INDIFFERENCE TO OFFICER SAFETY AT MCSD
The Mike Mahon for Sheriff Campaign Wednesday issued a statement criticizing the current McHenry County Sheriff’s policy of denying armed, uniformed Process Servers and courthouse security officers the protection of bulletproof vests, saying it provides evidence of “indifference” to officer safety by the MCSD Administration.
Neither Court Deputies nor Process Servers are provided bulletproof vests by the MCSD. Other county sheriff’s offices do provide the potentially life-saving vests to their process servers and those working frontline security at courthouses.
While sheriff’s police officers are issued vests, process servers, who mostly work alone, but in uniform and driving marked squad cars, are not.
Most recipients of legal process are not potentially dangerous, but some are, especially in cases where emotions run high, such as child custody, divorce, foreclosure or in cases where defendants’ misdemeanor or felony supervision status has been revoked and they must appear in court.
Meanwhile, court security officers are the first line of defense against angry litigants who may come to court armed with a knife or a gun.
Mike Mahon shaking hands at the February Business Expo in McHenry.
“Court security deputies are reminded of their vulnerability every time they confiscate a weapon at the front door,”
Sheriff’s Office Candidate Mike Mahon said.
A good bulletproof vest can be acquired for about $450.
To equip all MCSD process servers with the item would only cost about $10,350. To further equip about 30 courthouse security deputies would be another $13,500, for a total of $23,850.
“That’s a drop in the bucket in terms of the Sheriff’s Office budget,” Mahon said.
“Sheriff Nygren has already spent more than two-thirds of that amount on legal fees in his fruitless effort to fire a deputy, and all the bills aren’t in yet.” [Perhaps referring to this McHenry County Blog article.]
Mahon added that the policy fits a pattern of apparent indifference to officer safety by the Nygren administration.
“Accidents like the recent wounding of a SWAT officer at the firearms range should not be surprising, given the overall lax attitude toward officer safety exemplified by the failure to provide defensive tools like bulletproof vests to officers doing street work and denying correctional officers the right to carry firearms,”
Mahon said.
For more information contact the Mike Mahon for Sheriff Campaign at 847.515.4772.
Mike, you state: The McHenry County Sheriff’s office is “denying” armed, uniformed Process Servers and courthouse security officers the protection of bulletproof vests, saying it provides evidence of “indifference” to officer safety by the MCSD Administration.
You ‘THEN ‘state: Neither Court Deputies nor Process Servers are “provided” bulletproof vests by the MCSD.
Are the vests being ‘denied’ or not provided for ‘some’ reason?
Could you be a bit more specific with your Press Statements? “Denying” and not “Providing” could read two different ways? Thank you for the clarification.
Oh, Mr. Mahon. What are your “Drug” program and “Gang” prevention platforms please. So far, your press releases have not revealed anything at all about your candidacy.
Let’s let Sheriff Nygren respond to this.
I’ve been watching your “Press Releases” and I’ve yet to read what a “Sheriff Mahon” would be doing come December 1st. Please advise.
You’re kind of looking like Tom Cynor’s old campaign….. Lots of finger pointing, but no substance!
The Democratic Party of McHenry County is a joke!
Not that I disagree with these officers having this protection but, they are NOT BULLET PROOF VESTS!. The correct term is Protective Body Armor or Bullet Resistant Vest. Many vests are only designed for handgun rounds. Many easily available ammo rounds will zip right through them. Very few are rated for rifle rounds or even some handgun rounds. They are not bullet proof.
Also I thought Process Servers were offered vests and if they did not want them they signed a waiver. Why stop at process servers? There are edged weapon vests also. Designed for those that work in Correctioanl facilities. Don’t the jailers face similar danger in the jail or while on transports?
I think the issue of Correctional Officers carrying weapons was settled. State LAW not the Sheriff dictate whom may, or may not, carry off duty. Remember that Cook County has its own rules which do not always follow State laws.
If Mr. Mahon wants to be the High Sheriff, he should first get his facts straight
Justin – You can pick nits all day long, but body armor is, in fact, a solid issue in this campaign and I’m glad Mahon has brought it up. There is body armor available that will take a 12 gauge round, many have teflon and steel plates. Any body armor is better than none, you must agree. And if a law enforcement professional declines using it, well, he/she is placing him/herself in unnecessary jeopardy. Signing a document declining body armor is another serious matter and I’m glad you brought it up: a real Sheriff would mandate that his people not go out on the street without it, or else face discipline. This is both a liability and a safety issue. Most real street coppers will tell you that a knife in the hands of a truly skilled handler can kill before a gun is even out of the holster – even at a distance of 15 or 20 feet. So the real issue is not what type of body armor, but having body armor, period. Our officers deserve as much protection as we can provide, I’m sure you must agree with that. As a Nygren supporter, you must be as aware as the rest of us that there are funds that could be made available from within the MCSO existing budget – to say nothing of the “extra” funds generated by the ICE detainees’ income. Sheriff Nygren had better get his priorities in better order before too long and start thinking of his officers instead of himself and his ego. “Pride goeth before the fall” – and I am beginning to feel a downdraft… and thats good for Mahon. And David – I agree: let’s hear some other positive programs from Mike Mahon, like his view of how to handle our increasing gang population, and what he suggests we do about drugs in the County. But, David, at least Mahon is putting SOMETHING out there for us to consider. At least she’s already offering something more than Keith or Gus. Both you gentlemen seem to be beefing because Mahon has made a proposal. We can discuss and debate proposals. But Mahon is the only one making them at this time.