O’Donoghue calls out Absent Atlantic County Sheriff Eric Scheffler

Egg Harbor Township-

Joe O’Donoghue, the Republican nominee for Atlantic County Sheriff, released the following statement in response to Democrat Atlantic County Sheriff’s continued absence of leadership, full time law enforcement and accountability.

“First, during National Night Out, Hope Atlantic County, which shares the same phone number as the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, both of which are led by Atlantic County Sheriff Scheffler, distributed tax payer funded Narcan within colored draw-sting bags with comic-styled lettering with phrases like “WHAM” and “POW” on them to children. Shocked parents called the Municipal Drug Alliance. They released a statement denying involvement, as the bags were part of their “Real Heroes Don’t Do Drugs” community awareness program, and directed all concerns over the distribution to the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, as they were the distributors of the bags. No statements, no apologies, no responsibility, and no accountability was taken as usual by Atlantic County Sheriff Scheffler.”

O’Donoghue continued, “Then, when the Biden Administration proposed sending over 60,000 undocumented migrants from New York City to shelter them indefinitely at Atlantic City International Airport, local Republicans and Democrats united to voice their non-partisan opposition. It was encouraging to witness elected officials on both sides of the aisle stand together for the community; I was there in support as a candidate. But not Atlantic County Sheriff Scheffler. He was nowhere to be found.” It took him four days to post his support then immediately deleted that support when local activist called him a xenophobe and threatened to oppose his re-election.

Recently our absent Sheriff even gave up his offices control of the County court allowing a local private security agency to install security guards in the place of his sworn deputies. At this time it is unknown how much this will cost the tax payers in salaries and potential liability.

“Now, Democrat U.S Senator Robert Menendez has just been indicted on federal bribery and conspiracy charges. Everyone is entitled to due process, but we are talking gold bars and stacks of cash found at his home.” O’Donoghue continued, “The conclusion is clear and even Democrat Governor Phil Murphy and Democrat Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin have already demanded Senator Menedez’s immediate resignation, as well as other Democrats across the state. But not from Atlantic County Sheriff Scheffler who recently posted pictures of the two of them on his official Sheriffs page attending events together in support as a team. It is just crickets as usual.”

O’Donoghue has worked in law enforcement for over 40 years, which includes serving as a Special Officer in the Atlantic City Police Department, a Detective in Hamilton Township Police Department, a Police Officer in Mullica Police Department, a Detective in the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department, and a Sergeant in the Atlantic & Cape May County Superior Court. He currently serves as an Egg Harbor Township Committeeman running and supervising all aspects of the municipality with other committee members.

“We need a new Atlantic County Sheriff who will Bring Back FULL TIME LAW ENFORCEMENT to the Sheriff’s Office. We need to Bring Safety Back by leading, enforcing the law, and taking responsibility for the actions of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office. Narcan being distributed to children and losing the County Court is inexcusable, housing undocumented migrants in Atlantic City Airport is not feasible, and Senator Menendez should resign immediately,” O’Donoghue concluded.

Atlantic County Sheriff is a constitutional office and the next election is November 7, 2023.

Please follow Joe O’Donoghue’s campaign on social media via Facebook and visit his website at https://www.joeforsheriff2023.com.