Voter Facts
SHERIFF GARY HOFMANN
Rumor Control
The following is a list of rumors and questions that have been spread in the community and need to be addressed, in recent requests.
• Airplane
Grant funded lease of aircraft at NO expense to the local taxpayers for homeland security missions, searching for lost and missing persons, drug detection and aerial surveillance. Recently used to photograph local schools to help protect our children in the event of a disaster or terrorist act. The Office of the Sheriff does not own an airplane.
• AUDIT
- The US Treasury did complete an Audit on the seized funds, and found that the SHERIFF had impeccable records and the money was spent according to guidelines. No issues or concerns at all, inquiry was closed.
• ATV
Recovered property, utilized to patrol our parks and trails in areas that normal patrol vehicles cannot reach. Also used for homeland security missions, searching for lost or missing persons, drug detection, and investigating crime scenes.
• Boat
Donated by DNR and outfitted with seized funds to assist boaters and other agencies, detect environmental crimes, investigate crime scenes, and respond to disasters.
• Budget
Under budget four consecutive years, returning taxpayer money and reflecting fiscal responsibility by management.
• Grants
Constantly searching for grant opportunities to supplement the budget. Recent grants include Sex Offender Registry, Traffic Safety, Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, and various training grants.
• Motorcycle
Obtained through leftover funding in the budget a combination street/off-road motorcycle was authorized by the County Commissioners to assist in areas where a full sized patrol vehicle cannot reach, such as road closures and back-ups, fields and trails, and for special events.
• Seized Funds
More than 1.6 million dollars has been seized in the past four years to supplement the budget. With approval from the Federal government these funds have been utilized to upgrade services and technology, enhance citizen and deputy safety, and create various community programs.
• UAV (Drone)
The U.S. Department of Justice, under authority of the FAA, has field-tested an unmanned aerial vehicle in Queen Anne’s County. This testing was observed by a member of the Sheriff’s Office but has not been utilized and no plans are currently underway to do so. The Office of the Sheriff does not own a UAV.
