'State of the Sheriff's Office' by Lanier County Sheriff Nick N...

Copied from the Valdosta Daily Times

'State of the Sheriff's Office' by Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton

March 19, 2009 10:59 pm

— To all Lanier County Residents,

Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to provide what is best for all the citizens of Lanier County while making Lanier County as attractive as possible for those that are considering relocating here. As your Sheriff and the elected Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Lanier County, I believe having a modern, effective and well trained Sheriff’s Office staff is vital features of that attraction and a necessity for both new and existing residents while serving all residents of Lanier County and Lakeland, GA.
The “out of the box” thinking encouraged and implemented at LCSO has really paid off these past few years. Simple changes in creativity and our approach to providing law enforcement, utilizing available technologies and better hiring practices has made huge and very noticeable differences. Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has even become the “buzz” most anywhere you go throughout Georgia and spoken about in a very positive and supportive way! Working together and closely with all surrounding Sheriff’s Offices, Drug Task Forces, state and federal agencies, while meeting regularly to discuss options and ideas has thrust the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office years ahead of where we’ve been.
Currently your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is producing 29% of its budget; injecting over $159,000 from drug seizures; supplying over $250,000 from grants; and paying for vehicles and supplies from aggressive patrolling efforts. We are currently operating 21% below the national average for an agency similar in size and 15% below the state average. And although we are understaffed by state and national averages, we still perform all the required duties of the office by serving all court papers.
Since being in office, Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has seized over 4 million dollars worth of currency and drugs, not to mention the other assets that are awaiting closure from both state and federal court systems and filings that include vehicles, and equipment. Even our investigations recovery and solve ratio runs higher than the national average at 52%.

Lanier County Sheriff’s Office expenses are broken down as; salaries 42%, jail or inmate housing 36%, vehicle gas-oil-grease 5%, vehicle repairs and maintenance 4%, Capital outlay or vehicle payment/purchases 3%, office supplies 2%, telephone 2%, medical 1%, uniforms 1%, other 4%. Housing inmates alone account for 37% of our total budget. By far, this is the largest part of our budget expenditures and beyond our control. However, this is also as cheap as it gets, paying the lowest per person housing cost in the state for what we get in return. Even if Lanier County had our own jail we couldn’t house our 350% increase of inmates any cheaper than we are doing now when considering operating cost such as staff, medical, pharmacy, legal, building payments, food, clothing, electrical, transportation and other jail operation expenses.
The Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is the most versatile law enforcement in the county. Our authority derives from the state Constitution that extends our jurisdiction throughout the state, not simply the county and city. We are accountable to all the citizens of Lanier County and under law and serve the citizens of Lakeland just as we do the unincorporated areas of the county. Simply put, anyone in Lanier County may request the services of YOUR Sheriff’s Office at any time, day or night.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and remember, do not hesitate to call upon us for trained, experienced and professional help.

Sincerely,

Nick Norton, Sheriff

'State of the Sheriff's Office' by Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton

March 19, 2009 10:59 pm

— To all Lanier County Residents,

Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to provide what is best for all the citizens of Lanier County while making Lanier County as attractive as possible for those that are considering relocating here. As your Sheriff and the elected Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Lanier County, I believe having a modern, effective and well trained Sheriff’s Office staff is vital features of that attraction and a necessity for both new and existing residents while serving all residents of Lanier County and Lakeland, GA.
The “out of the box” thinking encouraged and implemented at LCSO has really paid off these past few years. Simple changes in creativity and our approach to providing law enforcement, utilizing available technologies and better hiring practices has made huge and very noticeable differences. Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has even become the “buzz” most anywhere you go throughout Georgia and spoken about in a very positive and supportive way! Working together and closely with all surrounding Sheriff’s Offices, Drug Task Forces, state and federal agencies, while meeting regularly to discuss options and ideas has thrust the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office years ahead of where we’ve been.
Currently your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is producing 29% of its budget; injecting over $159,000 from drug seizures; supplying over $250,000 from grants; and paying for vehicles and supplies from aggressive patrolling efforts. We are currently operating 21% below the national average for an agency similar in size and 15% below the state average. And although we are understaffed by state and national averages, we still perform all the required duties of the office by serving all court papers.
Since being in office, Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has seized over 4 million dollars worth of currency and drugs, not to mention the other assets that are awaiting closure from both state and federal court systems and filings that include vehicles, and equipment. Even our investigations recovery and solve ratio runs higher than the national average at 52%.

Lanier County Sheriff’s Office expenses are broken down as; salaries 42%, jail or inmate housing 36%, vehicle gas-oil-grease 5%, vehicle repairs and maintenance 4%, Capital outlay or vehicle payment/purchases 3%, office supplies 2%, telephone 2%, medical 1%, uniforms 1%, other 4%. Housing inmates alone account for 37% of our total budget. By far, this is the largest part of our budget expenditures and beyond our control. However, this is also as cheap as it gets, paying the lowest per person housing cost in the state for what we get in return. Even if Lanier County had our own jail we couldn’t house our 350% increase of inmates any cheaper than we are doing now when considering operating cost such as staff, medical, pharmacy, legal, building payments, food, clothing, electrical, transportation and other jail operation expenses.
The Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is the most versatile law enforcement in the county. Our authority derives from the state Constitution that extends our jurisdiction throughout the state, not simply the county and city. We are accountable to all the citizens of Lanier County and under law and serve the citizens of Lakeland just as we do the unincorporated areas of the county. Simply put, anyone in Lanier County may request the services of YOUR Sheriff’s Office at any time, day or night.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and remember, do not hesitate to call upon us for trained, experienced and professional help.

Sincerely,

Nick Norton, Sheriff

What a joke. Looks like this sheriff can't add or subtract, let alone do statistics.

Copied from the Valdosta Daily Times

'State of the Sheriff's Office' by Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton

March 19, 2009 10:59 pm

— To all Lanier County Residents,

Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to provide what is best for all the citizens of Lanier County while making Lanier County as attractive as possible for those that are considering relocating here. As your Sheriff and the elected Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Lanier County, I believe having a modern, effective and well trained Sheriff’s Office staff is vital features of that attraction and a necessity for both new and existing residents while serving all residents of Lanier County and Lakeland, GA.
The “out of the box” thinking encouraged and implemented at LCSO has really paid off these past few years. Simple changes in creativity and our approach to providing law enforcement, utilizing available technologies and better hiring practices has made huge and very noticeable differences. Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has even become the “buzz” most anywhere you go throughout Georgia and spoken about in a very positive and supportive way! Working together and closely with all surrounding Sheriff’s Offices, Drug Task Forces, state and federal agencies, while meeting regularly to discuss options and ideas has thrust the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office years ahead of where we’ve been.
Currently your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is producing 29% of its budget; injecting over $159,000 from drug seizures; supplying over $250,000 from grants; and paying for vehicles and supplies from aggressive patrolling efforts. We are currently operating 21% below the national average for an agency similar in size and 15% below the state average. And although we are understaffed by state and national averages, we still perform all the required duties of the office by serving all court papers.
Since being in office, Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has seized over 4 million dollars worth of currency and drugs, not to mention the other assets that are awaiting closure from both state and federal court systems and filings that include vehicles, and equipment. Even our investigations recovery and solve ratio runs higher than the national average at 52%.

Lanier County Sheriff’s Office expenses are broken down as; salaries 42%, jail or inmate housing 36%, vehicle gas-oil-grease 5%, vehicle repairs and maintenance 4%, Capital outlay or vehicle payment/purchases 3%, office supplies 2%, telephone 2%, medical 1%, uniforms 1%, other 4%. Housing inmates alone account for 37% of our total budget. By far, this is the largest part of our budget expenditures and beyond our control. However, this is also as cheap as it gets, paying the lowest per person housing cost in the state for what we get in return. Even if Lanier County had our own jail we couldn’t house our 350% increase of inmates any cheaper than we are doing now when considering operating cost such as staff, medical, pharmacy, legal, building payments, food, clothing, electrical, transportation and other jail operation expenses.
The Lanier County Sheriff’s Office is the most versatile law enforcement in the county. Our authority derives from the state Constitution that extends our jurisdiction throughout the state, not simply the county and city. We are accountable to all the citizens of Lanier County and under law and serve the citizens of Lakeland just as we do the unincorporated areas of the county. Simply put, anyone in Lanier County may request the services of YOUR Sheriff’s Office at any time, day or night.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and remember, do not hesitate to call upon us for trained, experienced and professional help.

Sincerely,

Nick Norton, Sheriff

Quotes from snortin's article

"Your Lanier County Sheriff’s Office has even become the “buzz” most anywhere you go throughout Georgia"

YEAH RIGHT!! IT'S BUZZING THROUGH GEORGIA ALL RIGHT! WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR LAKELAND!

"Lanier County Sheriff’s Office expenses are broken down as; salaries 42%, jail or inmate housing 36%, vehicle gas-oil-grease 5%, vehicle repairs and maintenance 4%, Capital outlay or vehicle payment/purchases 3%, office supplies 2%, telephone 2%, medical 1%, uniforms 1%, other 4%. Housing inmates alone account for 37% of our total budget. By far, this is the largest part of our budget expenditures and beyond our control."

OK SNORTIN NORTON, WHICH IS IT? IS SALARIES THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE ON EXPENSES OR IS IT HOUSING INMATES? DID YOU GET MC OR KC TO FIGURE THIS FOR YOU?

Copied from Valdosta Daily Times
Rift divides Lanier’s lawmen
By Malynda Fulton
March 19, 2009 11:29 pm
Although a recent Lakeland arson-murder has brought most of the Lakeland community together, the existing rift between the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeland Police Department remains constant.The most recent conflict stems from Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton’s claim that he headed the investigation into the arson after the Lakeland Police Department said it wanted nothing to do with the investigation.The Valdosta Daily Times ran a statement from Norton, which indicated that his office was being assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in the arson case. The Times was later informed that the Lakeland Police Dept was still head of the investigation and a retraction was printed.Following the retraction, Norton was unable to be reached by The Times for comment on any incidents that occurred in the Lanier Co Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction. The Times finally reached Norton Wednesday, at which time he alleged that The Times printed “fallacies” about the Lakeland Police Department handling the investigation. He then agreed to release mug shots of the suspects arrested in the arson case.In light of Norton’s accusations and frustration with the police department’s involvement in the case, The Times invited Norton to share his feelings about the police department, as well as address rumors that he refused to work with the agency because of Lakeland Police Chief Robbie Grantham. When asked whether he had ever ordered his deputies not to provide assistance to Lakeland police officers during a call, Norton replied,“I would not tear the sheriff’s department down to their level.”
Norton did, however, admit that he has said that he will not work with the police department as long as Grantham is the chief. He later clarified to The Times’ publisher, Sandy Sanders, that he meant he would not work with the police department on recovery projects but would never refuse to assist the department when it needs backup on a call.Grantham said that the rift between he and the sheriff has existed since he became police chief in 2006.“When I first got the position, I went to his (Norton’s) office and said that we needed to work together,” Grantham said.“We are both small agencies with limited manpower, so that seemed to be a good solution to me. He let me know that his plans were to take over all law enforcement in Lanier County.”
Grantham said he has heard that Norton won’t allow his deputies to assist police officers on calls.“That’s only putting our officers and the citizens’ lives in jeopardy,” Grantham said.“I have told my officers that if they ever refuse to provide back up for sheriff’s deputies who need it, they will be fired on the spot.”Grantham added that he is willing to put aside all differences with the sheriff for the good of Lakeland and Lanier Co.“I hate what this does in our community, and I believe that if we work together we can use our experience and expertise to make the community better,” he said.
Lakeland Mayor Bill Darsey said that the tension between the law-enforcement agencies puts him in a bad place, particularly because of the positive relationship he shares with both the sheriff and the police chief.“The sheriff has come to me and told me,‘You’ve got to fire that Robbie Grantham,’” Darsey said.“The personal issues he may have with the police chief should not affect the way either agency provides service to the community.”Nonetheless, Darsey said that some city police officers recently needed assistance with at least four fights occurring imultaneously at or around a local restaurant. Darsey said that some county deputies saw the altercations from across the street and failed to provide assistance.“Regardless of the circumstance, the city remains willing to work with the sheriff’s office if needed,” Darsey said.

I always heard that Sheriff over there liked a good "buzz". Now he is writing about it.

u couldn't have said it better!

Old Nick up there in Lakeland if he did'nt toot his own horn I do not who would! Buzzard that was great about him loving a good BUZZ! Funny thing is we all know that man lives in Lowndes County, how does he get away with that?

He thinks he walks on water. Hopefully the waves will cave in on him soon!

Quit hating. Nick is doing a good job for the county. He is trying to clean up the county. He does not dance to the music of the good old boys of the county. It is time that new blood runs the county and the big bank man mind his own business and his tail kissers get a backbone. Good luck Nick and good job.

First to Jafo, Nick lives in Lanier, I have seen his house, it "North" of the "South" Lanier county sign. Guess you did not pass geography.

Two, too bad the Sheriff and Chief can not see eye to eye, but it is laughable AND a lie that Deputies did not come to Lackland PD officers aid. Read between the lines, and you can clearly read that the Chief was spreading a rumor, not a fact. People with an above average IQ can read AND decipher/understand the facts from the BS.

Finally, Sheriff Norton has significantly raised the Sheriff's department core, to include requiting new deputies with excellent experience and records. I do not exaggerate when I say he has raised the prestige of Lanier County around the surrounding Law Enforcement Agencies and Court Systems. I know, I have heard it and I have no dog in the hunt....

I have no dog in this hunt, but I DO know what Sheriff Norton has done to clean up Lanier County after the previous administration and their blatant abuse of power, influence, and their mockery of legal, moral and ethical issues.
Before you slam him, you just might want to go TALK to him yourself and you'll see that he is not, as claimed by "He Walks On Water", someone who thinks he walks on water. He is a working Sheriff with an open door to anyone who wants to talk with him.
As for "Chief" Robbie Grantham... lillies are white, and Robbie is not a lilly... there's enough skeletons there to fill a cemetary... quite the little job-hopper in law enforcement, he is !
Fawlcon - people do not want to know the truth, gossip makes better fodder... and some of those "in the know" people have'nt got a brain of their own to think with.
Sheriff Norton has raised the personnel standards of the Lanier County Sheriff's Office so much so that he has no problem recruiting personnel from other agencies. I'm sure "someone" will say those who come from other agencies to work for the LCSO are idiots, bad apples, or whatever cleverly derrogatory comments "they" might come up with, but the proof is in the LCSO's track record. Look at the current arrest and solved cases numbers... clearly, they're out there working hard when you're in your bed at night... just check the stats.

Nota wrote:

What a joke. Looks like this sheriff can't add or subtract, let alone do statistics.

i agree

some people commenting needs to check there spelling or go back to school. I have asked Nick for help and he has turned me down, closed the door right in my face. If you haven't noticed crime has went up in lanier county since he became sheriff. And how can you be a sheriff when over half of the population believe he has been buzzing if you what i mean. I have seen no changes in our communities. The drugs are still there, the thieves, the murders has only accelerated. What money has he really saved the tax payers? Average funeral costs are 6 to 7 thousand dollars. New locks, new bicycles, windows, xboxes, t.v.s', etc. You get the point. And as far as our chief of police, now that's a real joke, i don't know who runs that place him or his so called officers, who either jump the gun because they don't investigate shit or the officers who take all reports as a joke. If you ask me start with the sherif and deputies down to the chief and officers and make some better arrangements because what we have now is all a joke. Everyone in the state of GA knows lanier co. is not the place to live. Even down to the school system is a joke. In high school p.e. they just set around taking pictures of each to send to my space. So answer this question "with everything that has happened in lanier within the past 4 yrs. do you feel safe letting your child live in an area where you may get that phone call your child's not coming home" I don't.

Both sides of the tracks has gotten it right on the school system. Big joke!!! This begins with the school system. The super and his wife both work at the board office together. Isn't this against the state law of ethics. She is a nice lady and smart. She should be the super and he should just leave and take his tail kissers with him.(J.W.(Wife on the board, GC-principal-TC-principal-JG-- busdriver with DUI-wifeonboard-PC-cabinetmake r-JR-jailer) All these crooks should just leave.....

who are the lakeland police officials?

Aunt Bee wrote:

Both sides of the tracks has gotten it right on the school system. Big joke!!! This begins with the school system. The super and his wife both work at the board office together. Isn't this against the state law of ethics. She is a nice lady and smart. She should be the super and he should just leave and take his tail kissers with him.(J.W.(Wife on the board, GC-principal-TC-principal-JG-- busdriver with DUI-wifeonboard-PC-cabinetmake r-JR-jailer) All these crooks should just leave.....

who's cabinet maker? i'm new here and now i'm just curious.

The Lanier County Sheriff's Office is doing a great job. This department's budget has been cut from the down turn of the economy but this Sheriff and his people are still giving more than 100% effort and hard work to protect the citizens of this county. Thank you Sheriff and Deputy for coming to my call when it was needed. I truly appreicate it.

There's reasons for high conviction rates in lanier co. It's called false evidence and incident reports full of lies. The accused has the burden of disproving lies, while the officers hardly have to prove them in court. Video editing is common practice that should be used to prove an officers actions while doing stops and using their favorite toys-tazers! Bringing officers from other counties that have been forced to resign previous positions because of potential police brutality cases isn't help to protect my family. Our children need to protected from these goon squads. There's no integrity in this office, which he claimed while running in the election. First hand experience will make a true believer out of you.