Dave Kramer

What inspired you to run for elected office?

It has been an honor to serve as your Sheriff for the last four years, and my decision to seek one more term in office is to continue on the progress that we have made these last four years. I love Boundary County and continue to feel a need to serve the people of our great community. My knowledge of Boundary County and experience will allow me to continue to serve as Sheriff to meet the needs and challenges of our area.

What unique qualifications would you bring to the office?

My involvement in the community from being a volunteer for over 10 years on the ambulance, an active member of search and rescue for over 30 years, serving as the County Director of Emergency Management for about 20 years brings a broad perspective of the importance of all the First Responder roles that are the backbone of our community. From my years in law enforcement in our County, I have a great understanding of some of the challenges and how we as law enforcement can continue to move forward meeting the needs and planning for the future.

What is your education related to the position?

Criminal Justice degree, graduate of FBI Command College and FBI National Academy in Quantico, graduate of National Sheriffs Institute, hold an Executive certification through (POST) Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training (highest level of certification in Idaho), Idaho POST instructor certification, and former adjunct Instructor of criminal justice for North Idaho College. 42 years law enforcement experience, with 24 of those years as an agency head.

What are the three most important issues facing the County and what are your solutions?

Population growth is something that we are experiencing in our county. The quality of life that brings people to Northern Idaho, the endless recreational opportunities, and the scenic views everywhere in the County are a huge draw to this area. The infrastructure and meeting the needs of rapid growth can be challenging with a limited tax base. From a law enforcement perspective we are concerned about illegal drugs, property crimes (theft) and increases in overall calls for service. Another area of concern is our jail, which due to its age, was not built for the number of inmates that we currently house as well as the plumbing and the overall aging building continue to plague us.

We have obtained a drug detection K9 to help keep illegal drugs off the street and out of our schools. This was made possible with a grant so not to use taxpayer dollars for this valuable resource. The deputies share the goal of wanting to keep drugs out of our community and they work diligently on every shift toward this goal. We have a great group of Reserve Deputies that help the full time deputies and they provide hundreds of hours each year as volunteers helping on special projects. As your Sheriff, we have partnered with the community by offering free training and informational seminars on crime prevention, Refuse to be a Victim class, as well as winter driving to the community, and youth ATV/MC courses. As your Sheriff, I have also had the Dispatchers trained and certified for emergency medical dispatching where they can help provide life saving information until the ambulance arrives on scene. We have added text 911 to allow people to get help when a cell phone call won't go out, but a text message will. We have also expanded backcountry patrols to provide law enforcement in all of Boundary County.

If you could only get one thing across to voters during your campaign what would it be?

Thank you for all the support that you continue to show to law enforcement, firefighters, medical, and search and rescue groups. As we see things happening around our country, the local show of support means so much to all of these first responders. Please continue to be supportive of all of them. I personally appreciate the support and trust that has been shown to me throughout my law enforcement career. I am humbled and do not take this trust for granted. I want to serve the people of Boundary County and continue to do my best to make decisions on what is in the best interest of our community.

Should any funding for local law enforcement be redirected to social and community-based programs?

There are many good social and community-based programs, but funding should not be redirected from law enforcement for them. Law enforcement is already stretched thin on meeting the needs that already exist. There are grant programs and already many community based programs provided by our faith community and other agencies/programs.

Should the government spend more money on education?

I believe that education and investing in our youth is very important, but I think there needs to be accountability for how the money is being spent and justifications before additional funding is approved. Where the funding comes from should be evaluated so that the majority is not placed on just property owners.

Should the government be allowed to pass requirements such as mask mandates in the event of a pandemic?

I believe in personal responsibility and think that government can make recommendations on what may be helpful, but don't think mandates are appropriate. People can and should choose if they want to wear a mask, if they go to a store or restaurant. Bottom line is government should be a source of education and recommendations and let people make their own decisions based on that information.

What improvements are needed in Boundary County?

Continue to work on attracting additional good paying jobs to our area, open up more of the public lands, and constantly be looking at a 5 and 10 year plan and revising it to be prepared for the future. The question asks what improvements are needed in Boundary County, and I would like to add that I think there is a lot of good things happening in Boundary County and we are blessed to live here in the beautiful county we call home.