Kurt Cummings accepts Democratic nomination for Monroe Sheriff

Kurt Cummings, the public safety chief of A Pocono Country Place in Tobyhanna, announced his candidacy for Monroe County Sheriff at a meeting of the county Democratic committee in Stroudsburg. It is his second run for office since 2017 bid for district justice in Coolbaugh, an election won by Danielle Travagline.

Cummings said he has the experience to run the sheriff's office and is ready to take on the duties and responsibilities of running a 47-member department.

"The Sheriff's Office works with local judges and serves warrants, which is pretty much part of the duties of the APCP Public Safety Office along with emergency medical response," said the former emergency medical technician and peace officer who led Fernwood Resort's Public Safety Department.

Cummings, of Tobyhanna, said being Monroe County sheriff would be a lateral move from the position he's held for the past five years as Public Safety chief of A Pocono Country Place in Coolbaugh Township.

The party began searching for a new candidate for sheriff after Joseph Rogan accepted a job with the Pennsylvania state police and withdrew from the campaign.

The race for sheriff has taken on new life after longtime incumbent Todd Martin announced he will not be seeking re-election.

"The Sheriff's Office works with local judges and serves warrants, which is pretty much part of the duties of the APCP Public Safety Office along with emergency medical response," said the former emergency medical technician and peace officer who led Fernwood Resort's Public Safety Department.

"There are comparisons between the two positions," said Cummings, 49, a former New York City police communications technician running on the Democratic ticket for sheriff.

"The Sheriff's Office has 47 employees. The APCP Public Safety Office has 43. Both offices have comparable budgets.

"If I were to be elected sheriff, my duties would be pretty similar to what I'm doing now, but in a capacity that reaches far beyond just one residential community," he said. "I feel it's time to grow and serve in that greater capacity."

"There were people impressed with how I'd campaigned for district judge," said Cummings, now in his second consecutive year as Coolbaugh Township's representative to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Commission.

"I'd done most of the work myself and managed to get support from my church and many people in the community.

"Because of this, I was chosen over six other prospects to run on the ticket for sheriff," he said. "The Monroe County Democratic Committee discussed with me how my background makes me a suitable candidate."

"I work with people on a one-on-one basis in finding peaceful ways to resolve conflicts, which can be a great asset," said the Northeast Pennsylvania Public Safety Chiefs Association's Humanitarian Award winner and married father of four. "It's been a passion of mine ever since high school, when I first became interested in law enforcement, politics and community affairs."

https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20...monroe-sheriff

i don't live in that county but if I did my question would be where he and the other candidates stand on gun rights.

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Originally Posted by eagleclaw

i don't live in that county but if I did my question would be where he and the other candidates stand on gun rights.

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I'm sure we will find out very soon.

I don't know how stance on 2A, but I don't like him.

I remember one time I was sitting on line to get into A Pocono country place and the person in front of me was belligerent and disrespectful to the gate officer. I thought for sure this guy was going to get tossed. I see him hand his phone to the gate officer and then the gate went up. When I got to the window I asked what that was about and the gate officer said he called chief and chief said to open it. I asked what if I acted that way and I was told they would call public safety and I'd be escorted out of the community. That's a major red flag.

At the Exxon on 196 I saw a PCP public safety officer. I asked them if they had legit police power and they said no. To put into context they told me that if a burglar is in a house they have to park a safe distance away and wait for regional. I asked so what's with all the gear. Answer was it's for show. I also asked how many public safety officers there are and the answer was 9, but there's a revolving door because nobody wants to deal with what they deal with. I asked the follow up question and was told it's disorganized and people do whatever they want. They call out show up late and there are no consequences. People that actually with either stop caring or quit. In this interview Cummings disrespects the sheriff's office by saying they're the same and says his staff is larger than it actually is.

Lastly a Google search of his name turns up a discrimination lawsuit for firing someone because he's white. There is no follow up which leads me to believe it was settled out of court.

That's just from simple conversations with people that work for him. I don't think he's a good leader or fit for this position.

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Originally Posted by Banks

I don't know how stance on 2A, but I don't like him.

I remember one time I was sitting on line to get into A Pocono country place and the person in front of me was belligerent and disrespectful to the gate officer. I thought for sure this guy was going to get tossed. I see him hand his phone to the gate officer and then the gate went up. When I got to the window I asked what that was about and the gate officer said he called chief and chief said to open it. I asked what if I acted that way and I was told they would call public safety and I'd be escorted out of the community. That's a major red flag.

At the Exxon on 196 I saw a PCP public safety officer. I asked them if they had legit police power and they said no. To put into context they told me that if a burglar is in a house they have to park a safe distance away and wait for regional. I asked so what's with all the gear. Answer was it's for show. I also asked how many public safety officers there are and the answer was 9, but there's a revolving door because nobody wants to deal with what they deal with. I asked the follow up question and was told it's disorganized and people do whatever they want. They call out show up late and there are no consequences. People that actually with either stop caring or quit. In this interview Cummings disrespects the sheriff's office by saying they're the same and says his staff is larger than it actually is.

Lastly a Google search of his name turns up a discrimination lawsuit for firing someone because he's white. There is no follow up which leads me to believe it was settled out of court.

That's just from simple conversations with people that work for him. I don't think he's a good leader or fit for this position.

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Thanks for the information.

I reached out to Efrain Madera. I asked about his stance on the 2A. His response was

"I believe in the second amendment its our right to bear arms. I also believe that you should be willing to learn how to use one if your going to carry."

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Originally Posted by Banks

I reached out to Efrain Madera. I asked about his stance on the 2A. His response was

"I believe in the second amendment its our right to bear arms. I also believe that you should be willing to learn how to use one if your going to carry."

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Since he lost the Republican nomination isn't he out?

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Originally Posted by Hodgie

Since he lost the Republican nomination isn't he out?

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I'm not sure. I emailed the address on file and I got that reply. I had no idea that Ken Morris won.

This makes me wonder which would be better. A Martin carry-over is still better than Cummings. I'd rather keep Martin than get Cummings.

I reached out to Ken Morris. I asked him what he would do differently from Sheriff Martin and his 2A stance. Here is his reply

Mr. (My name here) I appreciate your question and your vote in November! Sheriff Martin has done a great job since 1995 as our Sheriff. He moved the office forward since taking over for the late Sheriff Sebring. Todd did a lot of community service which I intend to continue. Couple things that I will do differently is; 1) I will be in full uniform performing the duties of the office. 1 or 2 days a week will be "office" days and the rest I will be on the road alongside my Deputies looking for wanted ppl etc. Another thing I will be looking to do is expanding upon our inmate work detail. I would like to get the inmates out on the roads at least once a month cleaning up litter. This job will be reserved for the non violent inmates. Also I will be putting Deputies on the Drug Task Force, to help other departments investigate, deter and incarcerate drug dealers in our area.


The 2nd amendment is very important to me. I spent 8 years in the Marines from 2002 to 2010 so I know how important our constitution is. The 2nd amendment is one that should never be infringed upon. Weapon permits will be issued according to state law and I am looking to making the permits same day issue. Right now it takes 30 days for residents to get permits.*


I really appreciate your questions and support. If you have anymore please don't hesitate to ask or contact me through this email address. If you wish to speak to me personally over the phone my number is: (insert number here.) If I don't answer please leave a voicemail or text me. Please consider telling your friends and family to vote for me this November 5th!


New Beginnings*

Ken Morris

Sergeant, MCSO

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