I have worked with Sheriff Rick Whitney since 2010
addressing vital community prevention to reduce alcohol and substance abuse
among youth. The relationship he built with Partners for Prevention in Allegany
County (PPAC), A Drug Free Communities Coalition, was paramount in the success
of the initiatives in substance abuse prevention. When I first approached him
about the Allegany County Pill Drops, he was on board with us from day 1.
During that time, we initiated a strong united front with
numerous police departments, first responders, Allegany Council on Alcohol and
Substance Abuse (ACASA), local pharmacists, faith leaders, and educators, to
provide an opportunity for citizens to dispose of their unwanted, unused, and
expired drugs. It yielded 1.2 million dollars in potential illegal street
drugs, and that number has only grown by leaps and bounds since my departure in
December, 2014.
Sheriff Whitney participated as a panelist for our town hall
meetings, providing information on heroin and opioid abuse, suicide prevention,
bullying, and methamphetamine abuse. He chaired PPAC’s Environmental Strategies
Committee that worked to change policies, participated in media awareness campaigns
and implemented DWI Checkpoints, while enforcing laws that prevent alcohol
sales to people under 21. Sheriff Whitney helped to increase awareness to
community issues, as well as strengthened the relationship between local police
departments, PPAC, and other community agencies, making a positive impact on
the community as a whole. He also sits on PPAC’s Advisory Board to continue
these vitally important community-based efforts.
Sheriff Whitney provided all of us his expertise and showed
us his true commitment and love for his Allegany County. He is always there for
us, always willing to participate, and a great champion for the cause. In all
of my extensive world travels since leaving Allegany County, I still speak
about the example of leadership he modeled. I talk about the kind of Sheriff
that promotes a safer and more connected community...he’s my “go-to” example of
what community policing really looks like. Allegany County is blessed to have
this man, a great leader, responsible administrator, and beloved neighbor as
their Sheriff.
Therefore, it is my honor and privilege to endorse Sheriff
Rick Whitney for re-election for Allegany County Sheriff.
Respectfully submitted,
Shawnee Bigelow, PhDc, MBA
Former Coalition Coordinator, Partners for Prevention in
Allegany County 2005-2014
