I am running for Sheriff because of the need to rebuild trust in the Sheriff's Department and to fix the most pressing problems facing our community.  Within the first 100 days in office, I will implement the following priorities: 

• Rebuilding Trust
  Open and honest communications and transparency are a must for a low enforcement agency.  I will institute a "Meet the Sheriff" program and on the 7th day of each month, rain or shine - weekends or holidays - I will be there to talk with you and answer your questions.
   
• Civilian Oversight
  The Sheriff is the most powerful position in the County and currently answers to no one.  I will institute an "Office of Citizens Complaints and Civilian Review Board" staffed with our fellow citizens to provide needed checks and balances on the Sheriff.
   
• Protection for children and seniors
  We must protect our most vulnerable citizens.  I will restore the "Child and Elder Abuse" detective positions to provide badly needed resources for our children and seniors.
   
• Combat hard drugs
  Drugs are at the root of our most violent crimes.  I will reinstate the "Drug Task Force" eliminated by the current Sheriff.  The task force will address the growing methamphetamine production, distribution and use problems in Lake County.  This program worked before; it can work again.
   
• Priority for veterans
  Lake County has one of the highest veteran populations in the country.  Disabled veterans with PTSD are being criminalized unnecessarily because of performance evaluation based arrest quotas instituted by the current Sheriff.  I will end this practice.  I will refer veterans to the local VA for appropriate services and give returning veterans hiring preference.
   
• Reduce crime rate
  While nationally crime rates are down, violent crimes in Lake County rose 22% last year.  I will institute a "Rapid Response Program" and reallocate deputies, supervisors and detectives to field offices.  This will provide faster response times, better protection, and will reduce violent crimes in Lake County.
   
• Suppressing gang activity
  Nationwide gangs are an ever growing problem; Lake County is no exception.  The current Sheriff's approach to gangs has been ineffective.  This problem is best solved in cooperation with the community.  I will work closely with neighborhoods, schools, faith based communities and other organizations to provide early intervention for at risk youth.