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Walworth County stands by Graves

ELKHORN — David Graves won another term as Walworth County sheriff by easily outdistancing both of his opponents.

Of 30,166 votes cast in the race, Graves won 85 percent.

Graves was at the Abbey Resort celebrating Tyler August's victory in the 32nd Assembly District.

"I'm looking forward to serving over the next four years. It overwhelms me," Graves said of his wide margin of victory. "It tells me people really appreciate good law enforcement."

The biggest challenge will be providing the level of protective services that Walworth County residents have come to expect while coping with potential budget problems in the county during the next two years, Graves said.

"I think the citizens of Walworth County have come to expect superior law enforcement," Graves said. "It's going be tough as the budget tightens down, but we are going to figure out a way to do it."

Other challenges will be controlling the county jail population, introducing a new records management system and putting community policing in Walworth County townships that do not have police agencies, Graves has said.

County officials are studying methods to reduce jail populations by establishing new courts and moving inmates more quickly through courts and thereby keeping associated expenses in check.

Graves said he does not want to be forced into a situation where he has to advocate for jail expansion. A building project is costly, as is additional staff needed to operate a larger jail.

A computerized records system is being installed, Graves said. The system will provide law enforcement personnel instant access to sheriff's records and information from the other police agencies hooked into it, he said.

Spreading the sheriff's office community policing services is another part of Grave's vision for his office. If towns contract with the sheriff's office, deputies could enforce non-criminal ordinance violations such as illegal storage of junk and disabled vehicles.

Graves, a Republican, beat two independent candidates in Paul Yakowenko and Csaba Keller.