Ed Robb, Sheriff of Albemarle County, Virginia writes:

"I am writing you Mr. Loper ... because I believe you are a law-abiding citizen who has worked hard for what you have. I also believe you are fed up with people who turn to crime as an easy way to make a living with no responsibility for society.

Almost every day I witness the lawless, criminal activities of crooks, thieves, rapists, drug pushers, and murderers. Sheriffs made over 70,000 criminal arrests last year and are responsible for court services and the security of jails and prisons across Virginia.

The Sheriffs of Virginia want to see tougher laws for criminals, more meaningful punishment, and an overall improvement in our criminal justice system.

.....

For just 6 cents a day for the next year ($20), you can become an Associate Member of the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute. Your dues will be used to support crime prevention and awareness programs ... provide needed educational scholarships for young people ... promote public safety ... and provide more and improved training for sheriffs and their deputies ..." (Sheriff Ed Robb, Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, October 2000).

Sounds to me like a man who likes his job!

If you have thoughts about the way Ed Robb spends his time or about overall improvements he would like to make to the criminal justice system, such as the use of volunteers by the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office and the creation of a military-style boot camp for juveniles, please send your comments to george@loper.org and the most representative will be posted.

Editor's Note: The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute is registered with the Virginia Division of Consumer Affairs and their financial statement is available upon request.Their financial statement (Form 990) for 1998 indicates that of their $797,542 Total Expenses, $426,446 was spent on Program Services and $300,000 was spent on fundraising.

The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute is managed by an executive staff under contract with the Virginia Sheriff's Association.

In the year 2000, "Sen. Thomas K. Norment, R-James City, reported $7,682 in gifts, including a $3,639 hunting trip to Canada underwritten by the Virginia Sheriff's Association but listed on his dislosure form only as an 'event,' [a] VCU report said" (The Daily Progress, March 15, 2001).

Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle also reportedly received an Arctic trip similar to the one received by Norment, courtesy of the Virginia Sheriff's Association. And, the "sheriff's association was [the] third [largest giver to the General Assembly and statewide offices] at $9,631 for 16 gifts" (The Daily Progress, March 15, 2001).