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Cooperation called crucial for safety, security
(by Joan Demirjian - September 17, 2008)
Cooperation called crucial for safety, security
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Geauga County Sheriff Daniel C. McClelland, Chester Police Chief Mark Purchase and state Sen. Timothy J. Grendell, R-Chester, will speak at a Sept. 22 public forum hosted by the Geauga Constitutional Council.
The event will start at 7 p.m. in the West Geauga High School cafeteria and will focus on "safety and security in troubled uncertain times," according Edmund Corsi, the council's founder.
Mr. Grendell will explain the "Castle Doctrine," Ohio Senate Bill 184, approved recently by the state legislature.
Mr. McClelland will speak on "catastrophic events," and Mr. Purchase will tell about what the township is doing to "rid us of the two houses of ill repute on Mayfield Road," Mr. Corsi said.
The council is nonpartisan and focuses on "unconstitutional government intrusion in our lives and loss of rights," he said, and those issues and more will be discussed Sept. 22.
Mr. Grendell worked for passage of S.B. 184, which was signed into law by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland.
The primary purpose of the "Castle Doctrine" is to designate a home or car as a place where one has protection from illegal trespass and violent attack, he said. It ensures the legal right to use deadly force to defend oneself and the home. The bill also ensures that a criminal injured in the commission of a crime does not have the right to sue a homeowner.
Mr. Corsi said the sheriff will discuss "unconstitutional government intrusion in our lives and our rights being taken away."
The sheriff has more authority in Geauga County than federal agents, Mr. Corsi said. There was a situation in the West in which a sheriff stopped federal agents from entering the county, he said. "They were abusing a resident by taking his rights away without warrants."
People should learn to be more self-sufficient, not looking to what the federal government can do for them, Mr. Corsi said. "We are our best resource against crime and catastrophes. Communities have to pull together," he said.
"Instead of making government our daddy, we have the ability ourselves to help and clean up after disasters. Our best defense is us. We know our communities. We need to stand up on our own two feet, with the help of agencies like the sheriff's department."
As an example, in a big tornado, there are people in business with the equipment to help and who would volunteer, Mr. Corsi said. "People will care about their neighbors and help out. And it's wise to have local volunteer groups in times like that," he said. "We're the ones best suited to handle such events, not some stranger from the government," he said.
"The mission of the council is to educate people on their constitutional rights and to alert the public on things that could affect their freedoms and property rights," Mr. Corsi said.
"We support conservative candidates who will uphold the Constitution," he said. "We're nonpartisan. We don't belong to any group. It's dangerously absurd to vote party lines. We should look at each candidate to see if they will uphold the Constitution."
People often do not take the time to research candidates, Mr. Corsi said. "That's why we are in the shape we are in. Tim Grendell is one of those people who works for the people and not for big-money interests."
Mr. Purchase said he will talk about how law-enforcement agencies in the county are seeking to work together. One way is by working through the Valley Enforcement Group, which is made up of 15 departments, which share resources, he said.
Recently, the Chester Police Department called on the assistance of the Geauga County Sheriff's Department when it raided the Silver Spa in Chester. Several people were arrested at that business.
"They brought in manpower and executed the warrants," Mr. Purchase said of the sheriff's deputies.
By sharing resources, they will be better prepared to address incidents that can include natural disasters and manmade events, he said. "You have to learn to regionalize certain things, including manpower and equipment."
Mr. McClelland said sharing resources is imperative these days. It is "far too expensive" to work alone, he said. "We work with police departments in the county and outside the county," he said.
"We all cooperate and come to each other's assistance," Mr. McClelland said. "We'll tell how law enforcement works and cooperates together," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. And it's important to hear the concerns of our residents as well."
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