Do not vote for Jackson
November 21st, 2009 by Kenneth Burns
Prince George’s County Sheriff Michael A. Jackson has lost his mind. I would also like to add that if you are a Prince George’s County Democrat considering giving him your vote next September, you are crazy.
In the past few years, we have seen that Jackson (D) has run a sheriff’s department which has officially gained the cowboy reputation. In addition to the SWAT team performing a botched raid on the home of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo, the department recently had to pay over a quarter million dollars ($261,000 to be exact) to a woman who was pepper sprayed and punched by sheriff deputies. In addition, there is an Accokeek couple that also claimed that their dogs were shot by deputies. Despite past history and all evidence from outside sources pointing to his department screwing up, Jackson acts as if his men did not mess up.
I would think that after eight years of County Executive Jack Johnson (D), the county would want hope and change of its own. Mr. Johnson has not handled crime very well; in addition to the countless ethical questions involving hiring his friends for positions they were not qualified for, giving sweetheart land deals to another set of friends and let’s not forget his attempt to pass off a tax without putting it to ballot.
The county police department has just came off of a U.S. Justice Department oversight and shortly thereafter a man who was accused of killing a police officer with a vehicle was murdered in a holding cell before he was charged with anything. The officers on duty in the county jail were allowed to maintain silence for a couple for days before they talked, when they should have been interviewed on the spot. Overall, you have to ask if the county would benefit from having a chief executive who sees no problem with situations that have been ruled unlawful by impartial third parties?
Maryland Politics Today has a long standing editorial policy of not endorsing any political candidates. However, if there is a politician that has shown himself as unethical or dishonorable, this blog has an obligation to point out the bad behavior regardless of party. Mr. Jackson has proven this many times over. The Prince George’s County Police Department has recognized that something went wrong in regards to the raid last month. Why can’t Jackson admit that his department has screwed up? My guess is that previous similar incidents would show a pattern of screwing up, hence why the state passed a law requiring SWAT team reports (thanks to Calvo).
Prince George’s County officials had their ethics in question for a long time. The residents in the county of which I grew up and spent 26 years as a resident would be good to send a strong message and not elect Mr. Jackson as County Executive.
P. Kenneth Burns is the Editor of Maryland Politics Today and the President/Executive Content Producer for The Maryland News Company. His email is kburns@themdnews.com.
Mark Anderson Says
I doubt there will be a “Dog Owners for Jackson” group running around the county.
Nov 23rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
george Says
He won’t get my vote!
Nov 23rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Lawrence Ford Says
I would like to applaud you on this article. You are absolutely correct about MR.INCOMPETENT, Michael Jackson.
I am speaking from someone that knows. I am a retiree from that Office (shamefully to say so). I also was a member of the swat team for 7 years. I worked under three administrations and we never did the stupid, brainless things that this current administration has done. I would only hope that the citizens of Prince George’s County truly understand that based on all that has happened under this administration Michael Jackson should NEVER HOLD ANY OFFICE OF PUBLIC TRUST AND I WILL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO SEE TO IT THAT THIS HAPPENS!!!!!!
Nov 24th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Lawrence Ford Says
I really appreciated your article and I really hope the citizens of Prince George’s County understand that we must hold our elected officials accountable for what they do. I am a retiree from the Sheriff’s Office and was a member of the swat team under three administrations and we had never committed such irresponsible acts. Michael Jackson should NEVER hold any office of public trust.
Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Kenneth Burns Says
@Mark…I certainly doubt there will be such a group.
Nov 24th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Shameful Truth Says
The citizens of this county really should know the person and the character of a persons before they vote. Because they were elected to one position does that mean that are qualified to be voted in as a leader of one of the most highly held positions in this county? Trust me, Mr. Burns you are so correct Sheriff Jackson is not qualifed to oversee the management of this county. The county need a change from politicians like Sheriff Jackson running only for their own personal gratification. He lacks the knowledge of how to run the daily operations of his own Office a man so proud to say that he made a mistake. Is one that I’m not willing to waste my vote on. One should never be wise in their own eyes. What happened to all that sensitivity training that officers are suppose to receive, surely Mr.Jackson need a remedial course. Mr. Micheal Vick did apolized to the public for his part in dog fighting. The very least he could have done was say that he was sorry this had to happen. But for those of us who know the man, he is proud and arrogant man. That will use any means and avenue necessary to accomplice what he wants. And I say to you citizens of Prince George’s County, yes, we need a change but is he the kind of change we need? Am so sad that Mr. Ivey chose not to run. A person of high integrity. Please rethink your decision you are what this county need and want!
Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm