2. Paul's Accomplishments

While the Sheriff’s Office has been proactive in the last four years under Sheriff Milbrath, the Drug Task Force unit has as well. The Jefferson County Drug Task Force has helped form the South East Area Drug Operation Group (SEADOG), along with Walworth, Racine, Kenosha, and Dodge Counties. This multi-county organization provides a cooperative working relationship and an effective intelligence gathering operation in the apprehension of drug-related criminals.

Sheriff’s Office personnel strive to find improved and effective ways to serve and protect the citizens of Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff’s Association partnered with the Sheriff’s Office to purchase and provide Beacon Bulbs at cost to individuals or families who wanted one. Beacon Bulbs, which are used in place of regular light bulbs, will flash on and off to identify locations where there is a need for officers or EMT services. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office has given out over 2,000 free gun locks in the past three years as an aid in preventing accidental gun mishaps, especially by children. The “A Child is Missing” program has also recently been implemented by Sheriff Milbrath. He has obtained close to 100% of the county chiefs of police to come on board as well. “A Child is Missing” is a crucial program which informs citizens and allows them to become involved when a child or other individual, such as a person with Alzheimer’s disease, is reported missing or has wandered off.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 program has just recently acquired its third patrol dog. The German shepherds, Jasko, Ahron, and Deuce are used for tracking, officer safety, and drug detection. The dogs have increasingly been used in school searches to help keep them as drug-free zones. They continue to be valuable tools for the Sheriff’s Office and the public.

Sheriff Milbrath and the members of the Sheriff’s Office have worked diligently to be fiscally responsible and accountable with taxpayer dollars. Each year the Sheriff’s Office has run with a conservative budget and has ended each year well under the budget proposed to the county board. Sheriff Milbrath has been innovative in establishing effective operations while maintaining a tight budget. Due to the ever increasing workloads of the officers, Milbrath created the support services division to cut back on overtime and provide more efficient service for prisoner transports, civil process, and the courts. In addition, courthouse security measures have increased, providing a safer environment for courthouse employees and visitors. The Sheriff’s Office also continues to seek out and apply for highway safety grants with the ultimate goal of making the county roadways safer. Sheriff Milbrath has personally written and received technology grants for equipment such as night vision gear and a fiber optic scope which allows officers the ability to look around corners and under doors during search operations. This equipment provides additional safety measures and protection for the officers.

In 2002, Paul Milbrath made a campaign promise to be more accessible to the public and responsive to the needs and concerns of the public. During the past four years, Sheriff Milbrath or a deputy has been attending the various town or village board meetings in the county. This effort has allowed the Sheriff’s Office to quickly address concerns of the public and has provided a fast and efficient way to get information out to citizens as well. While Sheriff Milbrath spends much of his time attending to duties, he also gives generously of his time for various presentations and local functions.