fresno elections 2008

I strongly support Tulare County law enforcement’s current efforts to attack the gang problem by focusing on the twin tasks of prevention and intervention. Gangs are a serious problem in Tulare County and the current effort by the District Attorney, the Sheriff and local police forces to prevent known gang members from associating sends a zero tolerance message to gang members. We also need to work closely with our schools, religious groups and families to give our youth alternatives to gang membership. A comprehensive and well-rounded approach to the gang problem will no doubt achieve the results this community needs. I am proud to have the endorsements of Sheriff Bill Wittman, District Attorney Phil Cline, the Tulare County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Professional Law Enforcement Manager’s Association and the Latino Police Officers Association. This support clearly shows that I will be able to work effectively with law enforcement to go after gangs and the crime they create in our community.

I will stand up to gang violence. Working in Tulare County Juvenile Probation I am involved every day with this issue. As a father of two children, I am deeply concerned for public safety within our communities. Gang violence creates innocent victims and holds our communities hostage from living free and open. The current approach is not enough. Public awareness forums need to take place and involve all diverse areas of the community. In addition, open bed space in our jail facilities needs to be utilized. Time and time again repeat offenders are creating repeat crimes. These repeat gang offenders need to remain behind bars, and that is accomplished by having the staff to maintain our jail facilities. Further, sub stations need to be opened once again in rural county locations to provide a public safety presence throughout the whole county.

Tulare County is financially sound. I am against raising taxes without voter approval. I would only raise fees and charges to reflect increase in the cost of providing existing chargeable services. If revenue does not support a particular service, that service may have to be reduced.

I absolutely support our approach to deal with gangs. We need to add an additional 7 deputies devoted to gang suppression in the southern part of the county. We have added 14 deputies this year to suppress gangs. I wold add another 50 deputies to address the gangs if funds are available.

Do you favor changes to the county’s current approach? What should be done, or done differently?
I agree with our current approach to the gang issue in Tulare County. Last year as chairman of the board, I assigned Supervisor Cox to form the Tulare County Gang Taskforce to deal with suppression, intervention and prevention. The Board of Supervisors funded the Gang Taskforce and Supervisor Cox has done an excellent job. The board recognized that there isn't enough jail space if we only used suppression and that intervention and prevention was an important part of our efforts. We have partnered with school districts, concerned residents and all the law enforcement agencies in Tulare County to develop a cohesive countywide approach to deal with this issue. We have had two Step-Up Community Outreach Meetings which were attended by over 3,500 students, parents, clergy, educators, business leaders, law enforcement and concerned residents. We are currently planning several more in different locations.

Coming from Law Enforcement, I know first-hand just how serious this problem really is. I live here too. I have a wife and we’re raising three of our granddaughters. We want to feel safe just like you do.

During the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to attend two Gang Summits. One in Exeter and one in the Cutler-Orosi area. While these are two distinctly different communities I saw the same questions and concern on peoples faces. How do we protect our children, ourselves and our communities.

At these summits I watched as Law Enforcement, Civic Leaders, Clergy and Judicial representatives described what is being done to confront the gang issue. One common theme emerged throughout both meetings. It cannot be done alone. In order to take back our neighborhoods we must use every resource at our disposal…. and our biggest resource is each other.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors I will not just support the fight against gangs with a vote. I intend to play an active role in providing Law Enforcement with the tools necessary to get the job done.