Brown elected sheriff

Greg Brown, who grew up in Bend and now lives in the Sisters area, has been elected sheriff of Deschutes County.

While some absentee ballots may not have been tallied by press time because of Veteran's Day, as of Friday at 1 p.m. Brown had 22,825 votes to Larry Blanton's 19,273, or 54 percent to 46 percent.

Blanton said he was very tired, glad the election was over and ready to focus of public safety. Blanton said of the election that the sheriff's department has "never been discussed as much as it has in the last year. I think that is positive."

Sheriff-elect Greg Brown said he had two immediate priorities.

"I will send a letter out next week that the politics are over and it is time to get down to business, that we need to continue to provide the top level of service that citizens of Deschutes County have come to expect."

His second priority will be to assemble a citizens advisory committee.

"We need input on what sheriff's services should be now, and in the future. We need to know if citizens think we are doing a good job and what should we do to improve," said Brown.

As an example, Brown said a few years ago the public was concerned there was too much emphasis on traffic enforcement and that the sheriff should put the effort elsewhere.

"Now we are killing people on the roads every few weeks. Should we continue that policy or reexamine it?" Brown said priorities may have changed.

A long-term effort, the citizens advisory group will provide input "as long as I am sheriff," Brown said.

In January, Brown said that he will form a new management team following the retirement of Sheriff Darryl Davidson and Undersheriff Norm Thrasher.

As to whether the county sheriff's office should take over law enforcement duties in the Sisters area, Brown said "I would like to talk to the new council and get more input from residents.

"If we can provide a better level of service to all the residents of the Sisters area, I think we should consider it."