UNIONVILLE, MO. -- With the calendar turning to November, Election Day inches closer, and in Putnam County, three men are running for sheriff.
We caught up with the candidates and asked each of them about changes they would like to make.
"The biggest concern I heard from the public is the coverage they're getting in the outskirts of the county, the edges of the county,” said Putnam County Sheriff candidate Shawn Hydorn, running as an independent. "They don't feel like they’re getting the same coverage closer to town."
Another candidate, Democrat Jett Campbell, mentioned several things, including greater public visibility. "We need to increase the visibility and education in our school and community," Campbell said. "Also develop a process that ensures the citizens that when you do call, we will show up in a timely fashion."
Incumbent Jason Knight acknowledged he wanted to be more visible in the community if re-elected, as well as trying to maintain the job the department has been doing despite funding cuts.
“We’ve had tremendous cutbacks in grants, federal funding and things of that nature," Knight said. "So it's just going to make it tough to continue on, but we're just going to have to find a way to tighten belts and provide the best law enforcement we can.”
If the department could receive grant money, Knight would look to add more police help.