Sen. Ernst visits H.C. jail

CRESCO - Iowa Senator Joni Ernst visited the Howard County jail on the local stop on her 99-county tour on Friday, Aug. 12. She also stopped in Worth, Mitchell, Winneshiek and Chickasaw counties.

County officials and law enforcement were on hand to welcome her to the jail.

As a former county auditor herself, Ernst recognized former Howard County auditor Mick Gamez and current auditor Julie Chapman.

• When asked for questions, Chapman asked about the federal government taking over elections. “I’ve always thought states should be in charge of their own elections,” the senator replied. “I don’t want the federal government to come into the states and tell you how to run the elections.” She added that she tells other officials to go to Iowa. “Our auditors do a great job.

Chapman noted, “Iowa ranks #3 in elections performance, behind Vermont and Minnesota.”

• Ernst asked, “What are you seeing Chief [Tim Ruroden]?”

He replied he had just come from an active shooter meeting. 

In his training, the chief said, “For active shooters, the target group to look at are mostly age 17-25 males. Maybe psych evaluations need to be done [more often].”

Ernst commented, “I’m a huge 2nd Amendment supporter. Many times, the ones doing the shooting had incidents as juveniles.” She feels juveniles who committed violent incidents should have that follow them into adulthood. Then when they are trying to purchase a gun, it will put an additional flag when doing research on an individual.

Ruroden said one of the biggest problems he sees is mental health issues. “We’re not seeing anything for mental health help.”

Ernst feels at the federal level, it can give grant funding. “I think it is then best addressed by the states. They can apply for mental health funding.”

Ruroden said there needs to be follow-through for juveniles. Ernst said the YSS organization in Boone, Story, Hamilton and Marshall counties do follow-through and could be a good resource.

• Ernst then took a tour of the new jail, opened in 2019.

Sheriff Tim Beckman said the old jail was built in 1882. He noted the residents strongly supported a new facility.

 Chapman added, “The bond for the new jail went through on its first try.”

On the tour, Ernst was impressed with the padded cell, which was the first she had seen in person. She also saw the empty jail cells and dispatch center.

Beckman said, “She was impressed with all the monitors the dispatchers have to watch and all their duties. She thanked the dispatcher and jailer, saying they are truly unsung heroes because they aren't in the public’s eye like the police officers on the street.”

Ernst then continued her tour of Northeast Iowa.