Guest Opinion: From Sean Duffy

An Open Letter to the People of and around the Ashland Community:

I write to you directly to say that it pains me to see negative advertising and disparaging comments being said about Ashland County and the City of Ashland.

My wife, Rachel, and I love raising our children in Ashland. Ashland is a safe community with wonderful, caring people and I was honored to serve as Ashland County District Attorney for many years. It was a job I loved, and I’m proud of the 90 percent trial conviction rate I obtained with the help of so many dedicated law enforcement officials and court system staff. They are truly dedicated to public safety and the community at large. I’m also proud that with their help we took criminals off the streets and put them behind bars – some for good.

As you’ve probably realized by now, the crime statistics my opponent continues to tout are misleading and, in many cases, simply false. Here are the facts; when I became DA in 2002, the number of sexual assaults in our community was 27. In 2009, the number of sexual assaults was 27. While every assault is taken seriously and is one too many in my opinion, contrary to what my opponent’s disparaging campaign has said, there has not been an increase of sexual assaults. In fact, because of the hard work of law enforcement, the New Day Shelter, and others, reporting has actually improved.

The “increase” in violent crimes is primarily due to a change in reporting software in 2002, broadening legal definitions to what is classified as violent crime, and more cases being reported to Ashland County in different years from assisting the nearby Bad River Reservation when it was without a police chief or short on police staff (Reservation reports aren’t filed with the State of Wisconsin). The average number of crimes happening in Ashland County throughout my time as DA was 40 each year. Less than one a week – still too many – but Ashland is certainly not the crime-ridden place my opponent makes it to be.

Regardless, as the former Ashland County District Attorney, I think I can speak on behalf of all residents when I say that we’d prefer that these crimes do not occur in the first place. But when they do happen, we must hold the perpetrators accountable. And, with the help of dedicated law enforcement officials, that is exactly what we did. These statistics demonstrate the hard work of law enforcement to keep Ashland a safe community to operate a business, go to school and to raise a family.

I am grateful to all of you who have shown your support for me and the Ashland community by refuting my opponent’s false claims, which have been rated by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel fact check as “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire” and “Barely True.” And, most importantly, to those who continue to hold great pride for our wonderful community, and all the good, hard-working people who live here.

Signed,
Sean Duffy

Note: this letter was submitted to the Ashland Current on behalf of Sean Duffy by the Duffy for Congress Campaign.