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LEESBURG - Aaron Rovenstine said his top priority will be jail expansion if he is elected sheriff of Kosciusko County.
The jail was one of several issues touched upon by the patrolman who is campaigning to replace his father, Al, the longtime sheriff who is prevented by law from seeking another term in office.
The jail has been overcrowded for several years and the average daily population reached 120 inmates in 1996. The jail was originally designed to hold about 70 inmates.
Expansion would reduce tension among inmates and provide a better environment for jailers. It would also provide badly needed office space and an opportunity to upgrade communications equipment, Rovenstine said.
Rovenstine pointed out that the sheriff doesn't control the destiny of the jail expansion decision, but said "I would like to push for an answer."
Rovenstine's comments were made in Leesburg, one of two towns he held rallies in Tuesday. The first was conducted in Milford.
Rovenstine also addressed two proposals by rival candidate Sam Whitaker, who suggested a full-time fire inspector was needed and that a civilian should be used to distribute civil warrants.
Rovenstine said he doesn't believe a fire investigator is needed. Last year, the county investigated four arsons, two of which were solved.
One of those was the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church fire, which led to the arrest of a teenager. The investigation underscored the existing cooperation between investigators, the sheriff's department and other agencies.
He said having a civilian handle civil warrants is "a good idea," because it will free up more time for officers. But he said he believes criminal warrants should continue to be handled by officers.
Whitaker, a fellow Republican, was the first to announce his candidacy and proposed the changes.
Rovenstine was asked if the number of existing patrols is sufficient. Rovenstine said the county normally has two or three officers on patrol.
"We can do the job with what we have ... but you could always use more," Rovenstine said.
Rovenstine is one of six candidates who have announced intentions to run for sheriff.
In recent days, three Republican candidates have announced plans to run for prosecutor.
Rovenstine said there is no chance he will endorse one of the prosecutor candidates.
