BLAIRSVILLE, GA – On Oct. 9, incumbent Sheriff Mack Mason announced his intentions to run for reelection in Union County. Fetch Your News sat down with sheriff to learn more about his platform and hopes for the county’s future.

Three tenants of his 2020 campaign could be Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) efficiency, community safety, and inmate mental health.

Mason took office almost seven years ago in 2013, and before being elected as Sheriff, Mason spent 29 years as a Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

When asked why he decided to run for a third term, Mason referred to the alarming trend in this country where officers are losing respect and becoming afraid to do their jobs. “That’s not going to happen in Union County,” he said, referring to cities across the country being destroyed due to lack of law effective law enforcement.

“We have some of the most dedicated people that I have ever seen,” said Mason, “One fact that I am extremely proud of is when I took office, we have one female deputy, and she worked at the school. Now we have six female deputies on our shifts.”

Given today’s atmosphere, women deputies are essential to manage the female prison population and ensure everyone receives fair treatment at UCSO jail.
He also substantially raised the pay since taking office. When first elected jailers received “$8 or $9” an hour, and now they make $15. As for deputies in 2013, they started at $12. Currently, they earn $17 an hour.

“We could not get female applicants at $12 an hour,” stated Mason.

While raising wages to better his employees’ lives, overall, Mason tries to run a lean department.

In his seven years in office, the sheriff’s office has received approximately $572,000 in tax funding or $82,000 per year. This amount operates a 60 vehicle fleet, 40 deputies, jail staff, and part-timers.

All vehicles log their mileage and gas consumption from month to month. The records let Sheriff’s Office maintain an efficient and well-oiled fleet that’s always ready to roll for the community.
In his first two years, Mason began a crackdown on drugs after being elected as sheriff. UCSO collected enough drug seizure money to purchase new vehicles. Due to the drug task force’s vigilance, drug arrests are down for the year with only 67 thus far. In 2018, officers arrested123 individuals on drug-related charges.

UCSO has cracked down on drugs in the last seven years.

“Hopefully, people are getting the message,” Mason stated about individuals understanding Union County takes drugs seriously wants to keep them off the streets.

However, overall activity is still consistent with over 15,000 service calls so far into 2019.

“We don’t want to short our citizens with a lack of service of any kind,” said Mason, “We preach to these deputies to watch your driving mannerisms and use your head.” Mason wants to make sure that his deputies understand their role in the community and do not abuse it. Since taking office, he has set up patrol zones for deputies, so everyone knows their area. Deputies know where to patrol and can effectively monitor their zone.

Officers undergo 40 to 60 hours of training a year. The state of Georgia requires deputies to perform for at least 20 hours a year of training. Mason likes to be proactive with his deputies, so they are equipped for any situation that might arise in Union County.

The animal control unit also received praise for keeping an eye on the whole county from dogs to cows. The two officers will respond and take care of the incident promptly with the animal’s welfare in mind.

One area that Mason wants to improve is inmate care and mental health. Some inmates have been in the system for over 500 days without a court date.

Some inmates never see a lawyer because conflict attorneys from other counties don’t make an effort to visit or call. As a result, people remain stuck in jail for years. When a local public defender cannot represent an individual due to already representing another defendant in the same case, a conflict attorney takes responsibility for the unrepresented individual.

The jail has an occupancy of 54. However, the facility regularly experiences overcrowding, and UCSO houses inmates out when necessary.

Mason conceded, “We can get things done if they’ll talk, but if they never see their attorney.” He provides jail reports monthly to county officials, district attorneys, and judges, so they know how long people have been in jail without trial.

Also, some inmates have mental health issues and need to be in a facility for treatment. These inmates include people addicted to drugs who need rehab.

“It takes sometimes two to nine months for the state to call for [individuals sentenced to a mental facility],” explained Mason, “My question to the state is why is that happening? Why aren’t their more facilities? They have dropped the services for these people. The county jail is not the place for these people.”

“I’m trying to shed light on these problems,” said Mason referring to jail overcrowding and inability to properly care for inmates.