Kuntz re-elected

 GARY KUNTZ .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5,601   56.18
 PATRICK GARRAHAN .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4,353   43.66
 WRITE-IN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        16     .16
         Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     9,970

 Checking the early results...

Sheriff Gary Kuntz Statement of Candidacy 2014: Why I’m Running

When I ran for Sheriff four years ago, law enforcement in Calaveras County faced some real challenges. 

I believed then that my 24-year career in Calaveras County law enforcement made me the best candidate to confront those challenges, and I asked for your vote.  I sincerely appreciate the trust placed in me by the voters.

Back then I pledged to fight for public safety.  I pledged to put emphasis back on community policing.  I pledged to help get the jail project back on track, and to restore trust in the Sheriff’s office.

Today, working together, we have made real progress on all these fronts.

Despite a widely dispersed County population and an ongoing budget crisis, with the support of the Board of Supervisors we were able to increase the number of deputies on patrol and decrease Average Response Times.  The Average Response Time for all calls is now 36 ¾ minutes, down around 4 ½ minutes, or 11%.  For emergency calls, the Average Response Time is now around 19 minutes, down 1 ¾ minutes, or 8%.   Average Response Times are heading in the right direction.

Overall, general crime prevention activity has greatly increased.  In 2010, the year before I took office, the number of car stops was 1106.  In 2013 car stops were up over 300% to 3116.  Checks on commercial buildings and businesses are also up significantly, going from 21 in 2010 to 495 in 2013.  Overall, violent crime is down about 17% since 2011.  

Interview with Sheriff Gary Kuntz - seeking re-election June 3, 2014

Sheriff Gary Kuntz, a Calaveras resident for 45 years, is seeking re-election to the office of Sheriff on the June 3, 2014 ballot, running against Valley Springs resident and retired police officer Pat Garrahan.

"I would like to continue to serve this community. I feel I have proven myself to be a strong leader and a good Sheriff."

Kuntz began his law enforcement career with the Calaveras County Sheriff Department in 1985 as a reserve and was quickly hired as an extra hire correctional officer. By 1986 he became a full time officer. Recruited by Lodi in the early '90's, Kuntz passed on the offer, "I like to work where I live." In 2009 Kuntz retired as a Lieutenant and ran for Sheriff the following year.

When Kuntz first became Sheriff  "the budget crunch has just hit and we had lost 14 deputies and support staff due to budget cuts and they were asking for another 10% cut. Working outside of the box we were able to stop the bleeding." To date Kuntz has been able to replace 8 of the cut positions, most recently the "partially new board gave back three deputy positions" in a 4-1 vote with Callaway the only 'no' vote.
 

Courtesy photo.

Sheriff and Deputy visit with the children of Copper School

On Tuesday October 22, 2013 Sheriff Kuntz and Resident Deputy Newnam visited the classrooms at Copperopolis Elementary.

Sheriff Kuntz said it was his "goal to visit all schools in the District" to meet with the children and administration. After spending many hours with Superintendent Kathy Northington on many of his visits to schools within the county he learned about funding and expenditures. Kuntz felt funding was used wisely and was impressed with community involvement at every level.

When visiting the Copper kinders Newnam and Kuntz covered everything from the importance of knowing your name and phone number to strangers and drugs. Johnny Bettencourt knew exactly who a stranger was saying, "A stranger is someone you don't know."

After handing out a small story and activity book and reading to the children Newnam jokingly asked what Deputies eat. Alexa Bettencourt answered quickly, "Donuts!" This was followed by laughter from her classmates and the Deputy alike.

Letter from Sheriff Gary Kuntz