Goodin would continue video arraignments


February 1, 2012 at 4:42p.m.

Goodin would continue video arraignments

YOUNGSTOWN — Poland Township Police Chief Brian Goodin said if he’s elected Mahoning County sheriff he would take administrators and have them patrol streets in high-crime areas and take care of video arraignments.

Goodin, one of three Democrats seeking to replace Sheriff Randall Wellington, said today that elimination of video arraignments at the jail, starting Monday, poses a danger to police officers and citizens.

Wellington said his office can no longer afford to have deputies handle video arraignments at the county jail for Youngstown Municipal Court.

Jerry Greene, a sheriff candidate serving as the department’s director of jail services, supports Wellington’s decision to end video arraignments.

Former Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, also running for sheriff in the primary, said the sheriff shouldn’t be eliminating video arraignments.