PICKENS COUNTY — Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark announced Jan. 18 his bid for a second term as the head of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Clark, a native of Pickens County, elected in 2012, cited the accomplishments of his organization over his first term as reason for seeking a second, and made his bid official with the announcement.
“It is very simple. Over the past three years we have been addressing the issues that the citizens of Pickens County demanded action on in the 2012 election,” Clark stated. “We have taken the fight to the drug dealers in multiple round-up operations by hitting both the high level dealers and the street level users, restructured an agency that is more efficient and responsive, introduced technology into the Sheriff’s Office, implemented a targeted metal theft and petit larceny program, and increased our presence in the community through programs like directed neighborhood patrol zones, crime watches, community forums, and church safety presentations.”
Clark also spoke about the success of the programs his administration has implemented in his first four years in office and asked for the community’s involvement to ensure further success.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time, but there is still much more to be done, and we can’t afford to go back to the old ways in our fight against the criminals who try to prey on us,” Clark said. “So with that in mind, I’m asking the people of this community for their continued support and their prayers as we work together to ensure that the Pickens County of tomorrow is safe and filled with opportunities for our children and grandchildren.”
Clark is a 20-year veteran of law enforcement, beginning his career with PCSO. He is a former three term council member for the city of Liberty, a graduate of Clemson University, a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church, and a volunteer firefighter.