Former deputy challenges Lott for Richland County sheriff in Democratic primary

Richland County’s sheriff of 24-years is being challenged by one of his former deputies to lead the sheriff’s department.

Sheriff Leon Lott takes on Jason Roberts, who has worked for 24 years in law enforcement.

The sheriff leads Richland County’s largest police agency.

Leon Lott

Age: 66

Education: Associate degree in Police Administration, USC; bachelor’s degree in sociology, USC; master’s in Emergency Management from Lander University

Political experience: 45 Years in law enforcement, including 3 1/2 years as police chief of St. Matthews, 24 years as Richland County sheriff

Where did you grow up? Aiken, SC

What do you think the sheriff’s deputy does well? Building community partnerships.

What do you think the sheriff’s department should do better? Reduce youth violence.

What are the top three issues in this campaign, and howspecifically would you address them?

1. Youth Violence 2. Youth Violence 3. Youth Violence

We have to have a generation that does not believe the gun is the solution. This can be accomplished through education and enforcement. Our SROs and our Youth Services Division will play a vital role in the education area. Partnering with parents, schools, churches and community, we can reach these young people.

Tell us something important about you that you want voters to know?

I am a proud father, grandfather and husband. I have three families: my personal one, professional one, and all the citizens of Richland County that I have dedicated my life to protect.

Jason E. Roberts

Age: 46

Education: I graduated from Keenan High School and I am currently a student at Liberty University.

Political experience: I have never held a political office before. I am not a politician, but consider myself a public servant.

Professional experience: I am a 24-year law enforcement veteran. I have served at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia Police Department, the Eastover Police Department, and the South Carolina State University Police Department.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the Greenview subdivision of Richland County.

What do you think the sheriff’s department does well?

I believe that the Richland County Sheriff’s Department has done a decent job maintaining the well-established reputation that Sheriff Lott created when he first took office in 1996.

What do you think the sheriff’s department should do better?

The crime rate in Richland County is extremely high! Reducing the ever-rising crime rate has to be tackled sooner, rather than later. I believe that the Richland County Sheriff’s Department needs to do a much better job at preventing and solving crime.

What are the top three issues in this campaign, and howspecifically would you address them?

The top three issues that we need to address in Richland County are:

1) Violent Crime

I would address the violent crime problem by purchasing homes in high crime areas of Richland County and allowing our deputies to live there rent-free. These deputies’ job will be to build relationships with the community, identify criminal activity, and work within the community to stop and prevent the crime in that area. I call it, “The Mayberry Philosophy.” Deputies that live where they work and work where they live. I will also launch a Richland County Sheriff’s Department phone app and establish a mobile crime watch, a crime alert system, and a panic button for the citizens of Richland County.

2) Youth Violence

To address the youth violence problem and to help our at-risk youth in Richland County, I will offer free sports programs and mentoring. I will establish the Sheriff’s Cadet Program and employ youth ages 16-20 to be a part of it. Unfortunately, our youth today have lost hope. I believe that if we put in the time, resources, and effort, we can save generations of children from gangs, drugs, and violence.

3) Domestic Violence

I will implement a Domestic Violence Enforcement unit to combat domestic violence. This unit will be responsible for responding to and investigating all incidents of domestic violence in Richland County. I believe that the only real way to fight against domestic violence is to have a Zero Tolerance Policy. I also plan to develop a Public Registry for individuals convicted of domestic violence that have orders of protection or restraining orders against them. To aid victims of domestic violence, I will implement a “Help Button” through the Richland County Sheriff’s Department phone app that will alert deputies, without the knowledge of the abuser.

Tell us something important about you that you want voters to know?

I would like voters to know that I have been a public servant and a protector all of my life. I became a police officer at the age of 21 because I wanted to make my community safe and I wanted to protect others from crime and violence. As a police officer, I believe that we must always do the right thing, especially when nobody else is looking. I also believe that justice should be blind and fair. If elected to be your next sheriff, I will fight day and night to ensure justice and to make Richland County one of the safest places to live in America!

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 10:27 AM.

David Travis Bland

The State

803-771-8342‬

David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription