Atlanta, Georgia Local News
Clayton County sheriff candidates meet at community forum with current sheriff a no-show
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FOREST PARK, GA. – The lobby of Living Faith Tabernacle was full of local election candidates and tables full of campaign flyers, cards, yard signs, and bumper stickers on Sunday evening. The church was the site for the first candidate forum of the election season. The three people looking to unseat current Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen, Jr. during the May 21 election, Clarence Cox, Jeffrey Turner, and Charlene Watson-Fraser, all arrived at the church for what would be a well-attended forum. Allen did not attend. He also failed to attend a candidate forum for the special run-off election in January 2023 , but that did not stop him from winning the election by 266 votes over Cox.
The forum, which was moderated by WCLK-FM radio personality Kiplyn Primas, began with the seat to the right of Cox empty and each candidate making opening remarks. Turner, a 35-year Clayton County employee in a number of capacities, including Clayton County Police Department chief, referred to himself as a “local guy.” Watson-Fraser, who spent part of her law enforcement career in Baltimore as a police officer, also has experience working for the county as she is currently a detective with the Clayton County Police Department. She seemed nervous during her opening remarks and made sure to mention that she is a mother and grandmother. Cox, no stranger to campaigning for sheriff, said during his opening remarks, “I’ve led before and I will continue to lead, and with your help we can change the dynamic of Clayton County.”
The first topic of discussion for the sheriff candidates focussed on the 24-year-old Clayton County Jail and what to do with the facility going forward. Though 24 years isn’t old for a county facility, there have been interior issues with the cell locks, for example, at the jail. The candidates were asked what two issues they would immediately address regarding the jail if they were sheriff and Cox said, “You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.” He listed having a department-wide forensic audit as a way to learn what exactly needs to be fixed. Watson-Fraser, who looked to become more comfortable after a few minutes, said the Sheriff’s Department’s budget and proper training were her two immediate concerns.
“My job would be to make sure no one else leaves that jail in a bodybag or on a stretcher,” she added.
The question of whether the candidates would support the creation of a citizen review board if they were to be elected was met with both yes and no votes. Both Cox and Turner thought a citizens review board would better serve the Clayton County Police Department, not the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department. “An advisory board would definitely be welcomed,” Turner said.
Watson-Fraser was the only affirmative in this case.
“I believe everyone should be accountable,” she said. “I believe there should be open dialogue between the sheriff’s department and the citizens of Clayton County.”
Cox’s experience as the county’s first leader of school police helped him be the most prepared for a question about school infractions being down by 75% in the 2023-24 academic year. “This is an easy one for me,” said Cox. “If a kid knows you care, they tend to do better. I am for having school resource officers in K-5.”
The department’s budget, safety for inmates and officers in the jail and in a moment of humor, who would be the first person to earn an honorary deputy badge under their term as sheriff were among the topics of discussion during the one-hour forum.
Audience questions were submitted throughout the forum and presented to the candidates towards the end of the night. The topics of the questions were mental health training, how to better build a relationship with the Clayton County Police Department, and how to better keep Clayton County judges safer at the county courthouse.
The closing remarks from the candidates included Turner saying, “When I become the next sheriff of Clayton County it will be because the citizens place that trust in me.”
Cox said he would remain as humble and responsive with the public if elected the same way he has been while campaigning for office. “My doors will be open,” Cox said.
Watson-Fraser answered that transparency, fiscal responsibility and “bringing the sheriff’s department into the 21st century” were her goals.
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Donnell Suggs
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