(La Porte County, IN) - The race for La Porte County Sheriff in November was decided in last night’s primary election. Current Chief Deputy Sheriff Ron Heeg defeated patrol officer Andrew Morse by 18-percent points.

 

If Heeg wins in November, one of his top priorities is connecting more people with treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues. Heeg believes that extending help to more people with those difficulties would put a major dent in crime.

 

“I’m going to say probably about 30 to 50 percent of all crimes in La Porte County are because of substance abuse,” Heeg explained. 

Heeg said the crimes committed by substance abusers are often burglary and theft to obtain things of value to buy drugs. Other crimes resulting from substance abuse include operating while intoxicated, he said. 

 

In the November general election, Heeg will face Capt. Andy Hynek won the Democrat party nomination. Hynek defeated current jail commander Al Ott by five percentage points. Deputy James D. Arnold received 20-percent of the vote.

 

Hynek's plan includes reducing recidivism in the jail, increasing focus on mental health within the jail and among the staff, and using a first-hand educational approach to battling the heroin epidemic.