Mollenhauer
Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer announced in a press release Jan. 19 his candidacy for re-election for LaPorte County Sheriff in the May 4, 2010, Democratic primary. Mollenhauer was elected to his first four-year term as sheriff in the 2006 general election, taking office Jan. 1, 2007.
Mollenhauer has served in law enforcement for over 42 years. He began with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office in 1968 as a patrol/jail deputy. He was later promoted to the Investigations Division as a detective sergeant. He was promoted to captain as a uniform division commander. He has also held the positions as chief of police with the Bremen Police Department and court security with the United States Marshal Service in Hammond, IN.
In his press release, Mollenhauer cited these as his major accomplishments during his first term as sheriff:
— Opened additional 80-bed jail space, thus averting possible civil suits from inmate injury from overcrowded conditions and creating safer working conditions for jail employees.
— Restructured the LaPorte County Drug Task Force Unit, made up of both the sheriff’s department and the LaPorte City Police. This unit has accomplished an outstanding example of investigations, seizures and arrests of narcotic offenders throughout our city and county.
— In 2008, placed a sheriff’s deputy as school resource officer in the LaPorte Community Schools, thus helping create a professional atmosphere with students and both teaching and enforcing disciplinary rules and laws.
— Created a renewed working relationship with all other law enforcement agencies and officers throughout the county and surrounding counties, thus enabling all to work as a team with only one goal in mind: to better serve all the citizens of LaPorte County.
— Honored by Norfolk and Southern Railroad for the sheriff’s department’s part in the investigation and subsequent arrests of individuals who were involved in the theft of thousands of dollars of railroad property.
— The assignment of an unmarked patrol car to a uniformed officer on each patrol shift in an effort to increase traffic safety and to provide as a surveillance tool throughout the county, towns, and residential areas.
— Continuing to offer open-door community meetings throughout the county, allowing citizens to ask questions and express concerns or ideas.
— Established a Citizens Academy, allowing participants to learn more about county government and the different aspects of the sheriff’s department operations.
— Created a new program entitled S.T.O.P.P.E.D. (Sheriffs Telling Our Parents Promoting Educated Drivers). The goal of this program is to assist parents with their young adult drivers (ages 16-20) by notifying the parent by mail if the youth is stopped for any traffic violation.
— Exploring the possibility of a “Book and Release” program within the jail for first-time minor offenders to help decrease the inmate population, resulting in the savings of food and medical costs.
— The sheriff’s office will be launching a new Community information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to county residents using the latest technology. Residents will be alerted to public safety threats, and be able to see where crime is occurring in a specific area in the county.
“I have worked hard to earn your trust over these years,” Mollenhauer said in the press release. “I am proud and honored to have been elected to the top law enforcement agency in LaPorte County as your sheriff. It is a privilege to lead this department; these men and women are professional in every sense of the word and the citizens of LaPorte County can rest assured they are being protected by the finest. I am asking for your continued support and vote in the May 4 primary election.”
