Albany County Sheriff James Campbell announced Thursday, Jan. 22, that he is planning to run for re-election in November.
Campbell, 68, is serving his fifth term as sheriff. He said he plans to continue to provide the county with innovative and progressive programs.
He said he is still excited to come to work every day and help keep the county safe.
I love to work, Campbell said.
Campbell said the dedication, loyalty and `highly progressive and professional` work ethic of his office have yielded many positive results and will continue to do so if he is elected to another term.
If elected, he said, he is planning several initiatives.
First, he and Albany County Executive Mike Breslin are going to try to consolidate the `public service answering points` that handle 911 calls.
Right now there are seven primary answering points and six secondary ones that handle calls in Albany County. He said over the next few years, a cost-saving consolidation could eliminate some of the points and still service the same area.
Campbell is also planning to push an initiative to build an annex to the Albany County Correctional Facility to house inmates with mental health issues. He said the county is planning 80 beds, and it would be the first of its kind in the area.
According to his office, Campbell’s past accomplishments include the Work Alternative Program that has saved $4 million; the creation of a countywide Drug Unit, Advanced Life Support Program for the `hilltowns,` a countywide forensics and hazardous materials unit and Project Access, an educational and enforcement program that targets motorists illegally parking in spaces reserved for those with disabilities.
Breslin said Campbell has been an asset to the county.
`Sheriff Jim Campbell has been a consummate professional, and I am pleased to support him in his re-election,` said Breslin. `I commend him for his recent efforts to enhance and streamline the communication and coordination of emergency services across our region, and the instrumental role he has played in securing grant funding for Homeland Security efforts.`
According to Campbell’s office, it has received several million dollars in grants from Homeland Security and provided equipment and training for law enforcement and fire departments across the county.
Matthew Clyne, the Democratic Commissioner of the Albany County Board of Elections said Campbell, along with any potential challengers, will need to collect 2,000 signatures from June through July to run for the position.“
