Judge advises Ashtabula County residents to "arm themselves" in face of law enforcement cut-backs

By Chad D. Baus

Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey made national headlines over the weekend after he advised residents to "arm themselves" in the face of severe budget cuts that have reduced the number of sheriff's deputies in the state's largest county by land area from 112 to 49, and parked all but one patrol car.

The quote was first published at WKYC.com:

The Ashtabula County Jail has confined as many as 140 prisoners. It now houses only 30 because of reductions in the staff of corrections officers.

All told, 700 accused criminals are on a waiting list to serve time in the jail.

Are there dangerous people free among the 700 who cannot be locked up?

"There probably are," Sheriff Johnson said, "but I'm telling you, any known violent criminal, we're housing them. We've got murderers in there."

Ashtabula County is the largest county in Ohio by land area.

Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Alfred Mackey was asked what residents should do to protect themselves and their families with the severe cutback in law enforcement.

"Arm themselves," the judge said. "Be very careful, be vigilant, get in touch with your neighbors, because we're going to have to look after each other."

The story, which was subsequently picked up by the Associated Press, and eventually by USA Today, goes on to say that Ashtabula County gun dealers and firearms instructors say their business has really picked up since the Sheriff's Department cutbacks began some months ago.

"That's exactly why they are coming, so that they can protect themselves," says Tracy Williams, a certified firearms instructor in Jefferson. "They don't feel that they are protected. They want to be able to protect themselves."

Williams says interest in his classes has doubled recently, and many of those coming are people who he would not normally expect to have interest in obtaining a concealed carry permit.

"And as far as him (Judge Mackey) telling you to arm yourselves and protect yourselves, you don't have any other option," Williams told WKYC. "We don't have the law enforcement out here to handle it right now."

According to WKYC, Ashtabula County, where unemployment is higher than the state average, is asking May primary voters to approve a one half per cent sales tax increase.

The tax hike would raise the tax in the county to seven percent, whereas a quality self-defense firearm can be purchased for a one-time cost of only a few hundred dollars.