Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Third Term Is Sought By Sheriff Steve Otwell

Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell announces his intention to seek a third term in office.

"I've enjoyed a lot of public support being in office," he said, and I thank the people for their help.

"This would be almost an impossible job without the help of the people. A lot of crimes have been solved with the public's help."

Otwell plans to keep upgrading the NCSO to make sure his deputies are properly trained and educated along with having the tools they need to fight crime.

During his four years in office, the NCSO has been fully computerized and become a member of the Arkansas Crime Information Center, along with the National Crime Information Center.

When he first ran, Otwell promised he would attend the law enforcement academy at Camden and did.

Now, he said, all of the deputies with the NCSO are fully trained and certified as law enforcement officers.

In addition, he said, the NCSO staff is from Prescott and Nevada County. "They're all concerned with where the county is going. It makes a difference."

Whenever possible, he said, the deputies are sent to classes and workshops to help them keep up with the changes made in the law, especially domestic violence.

"The laws change daily," he said, "particularly with domestic violence, and it's imperative to go to classes and stay updated on these changes."

Otwell and his wife, Vivian, have three children, Holly, 15, Shane, 12, and Brianna, 9. The Otwells are members of the First Baptist Church in Emmet.

Currently, he is working to improve the security of the Nevada County jail and make sure contraband doesn't get in, and if it does it is removed.

The NCSO also has a victim identity system where crime victims can call an 800 telephone number and get information about the person who committed a crime against them.

A computer program has also been devised keeping track of crimes committed in the county from Jan. 1998 until now. This information, Otwell said, can be used to pinpoint where criminal activity may occur at any given time.

"I'm asking the people for their trust and support again," he said, "and asking them to reelect me."