Order of Protections Slow, Candidate Says

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Byline: Mark Spencer Daily Herald Staff Writer

Lake County Sheriff's Police must act more quickly in serving orders of protection to safeguard victims of domestic violence, Lake County Sheriff candidate Willie Ray Smith charged Friday.

Smith said he would make serving orders of protection a top priority, assigning them to patrol officers if the warrants division cannot guarantee delivery within 48 hours.

A judge's order of protection, which often demands an abuser stay a specified distance away from a victim, is not in effect until the abuser receives the document stating the terms.

"It is critical that these are served immediately," said Smith, …