By Marc Strauss

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage cites increased drug enforcement and jail expansion as two reasons he deserves to be re-elected.

Announcing he’ll run for a second term, Sandage told WJBC he wants to tackle drug abuse with more preventative measures.

“Of course I want to build on the accomplishments we’ve had, but also I think there’s more that needs to be done in the areas of the heroin epidemic and opiod abuse,” Sandage said.

Sandage said his office will team up with the Man in Recovery Foundation to have recovering addicts to speak to young people.

“It’s a great program and we’re looking to bring that to a couple of the schools come fall, and also have some evening sessions for parents to sit in on,” Sandage added.

The sheriff said under his watch crime is down in McLean County.

“In 2016, our reported crime was down 36 percent,” Sandage said. “Of course, nationwide crime is down, but I attribute part of ours to our deputies out there every day proactively patrolling, and I think that’s made a huge difference.”

The primary election is March 20.

Marc Strauss can be reached at [email protected].