County Law Enforcement Issues
Several concerns have been brought to Steven Sentz attention as well as some that he has seen first hand. Steven Sentz can tackle them and make our community a safer place.
Drug Usage
Steven Sentz recognizes that Clare County faces a serious drug problem, and he believes this issue is a driving force behind many other crimes, including assaults, domestic assaults, and theft. He emphasizes that strong, consistent enforcement is essential to holding offenders accountable and reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the community.
Sentz also stresses the importance of providing individuals with access to rehabilitative services that can begin in the jail, helping break the cycle of addiction and repeat offenses. He believes that combining enforcement with meaningful treatment is the key to long-term improvement in public safety.
Sentz is committed to strengthening partnerships, including actively connecting with the regional drug team, to enhance intelligence and improve investigative capabilities within the Sheriff’s Office. By doing so, he aims to equip Clare County with the information and resources needed to combat drug-related crime more effectively.
Home Invasion/Breaking and Entering
Steven Sentz understands that Clare County faces a significant challenge with break-ins, especially due to the large number of seasonal homes in the area. Many homeowners only discover their property has been burglarized when they visit a few times a year, making timely reporting and investigation difficult.
Sentz emphasizes the need for proactive patrols to deter criminals who target these vulnerable residences. He is committed to ensuring the Detective Bureau provides dedicated services focused on mapping, tracking, and connecting related cases to identify and dismantle the criminal enterprises behind these break-ins. By building stronger, well-documented cases, Sentz believes the Sheriff’s Office can pursue enhanced penalties based on the volume of connected crimes.
His goal is to protect seasonal and full-time residents alike by stopping these offenders before they can strike again.
Larceny
Steven Sentz recognizes that Clare County experiences a high number of larcenies, driven in part by vulnerable seasonal properties and the increase in thefts committed by individuals struggling with drug addiction. He also acknowledges that limited job opportunities in the county contribute to the desperation that leads some people to steal.
Sentz believes the Sheriff’s Office must address both the criminal behavior and the underlying issues that fuel it. He emphasizes that, before individuals are released from jail, the department can play a key role in connecting them with state and local services that offer treatment, employment assistance, and support.
By helping people access these resources early, Sentz believes the county can reduce repeat offenses and give individuals a path away from crime. His goal is to combine enforcement with meaningful intervention to create a safer, more resilient Clare County.
Retention of Staff
Clare County is fortunate to have some of the most experienced and dedicated sheriff’s office staff in the business. Steven Sentz recognizes that their professionalism and commitment to serving the community are invaluable, and retaining this level of talent must be a top priority.
He is committed to placing a greater emphasis on staff retention by fostering a positive, healthy, and supportive work environment within the department. This includes improving communication, ensuring fair opportunities for growth, and recognizing the hard work employees contribute every day.
By investing in the people who serve Clare County, Steven Sentz believes the department—and the community—will be stronger and safer.