Homelessness is the top priority because it impacts every aspect of quality of life for every Sacramento County citizen. The homeless crisis is impacting literally every part of the quality of life for the citizens and businesses in Sacramento County.  I strongly believe the current Sheriff’s leadership is not doing remotely enough to help solve the problem. This starts with building stronger relationships with local elected’s, businesses and non-profits.  The Office of Sheriff has immense authority to impact the quality of life for all citizens and businesses and I believe that authority is being underused in Sacramento County.  I don’t believe there is enough focus on mental illness or drug/alcohol addiction as a cause of homelessness.   Mental illness and addiction can impede an individual’s ability to accept help and in some cases is the core reason behind criminal activity and blight caused by the homeless problem. As Sheriff, I will implement a model of compassionate accountability.  This will include advocating for the restoration of Sacramento Mental Health Services, much of which was lost in the last recession.  I will devote resources that will assist in compelling those who refuse mental health and addiction services to accept it.  I believe that getting people on their feet, thinking clearly and functional is the right solution. 

Serial Theft is killing business.  Those who engage in serial theft and organized retail theft feel emboldened.  Because of recent ballot measures a person can steal up to $950.00 multiple times a day and it’s still a misdemeanor.  This crisis goes far beyond just the lack of accountability on serial thieves, it affects the quality of life in our neighborhoods, hurts small businesses and can affect inflation which hurts those who are living paycheck-to-paycheck.  I also understand it impacts the shopping experience which can lead to more online shopping.  Unfortunately, the best path to change this is taking it back to the voters.  I tried this in 2018 and as Sheriff will continue those efforts.  As a subject matter expert on this issue, I believe there are still things that can be done at the local level, even with the restraints from existing law.  I will coordinate with the District Attorney and use the Sheriff’s Offices resources to bring the best cases, on the worse offenders, to the District Attorney to make their job of prosecution easier. I will continue to be engaged in the Legislature.  I will have the ability and access to work with the Legislature and Governor’s Office as the Sheriff for the Capital City.  I have a robust, government relations plan that I will implement immediately. 

Violent Crime is on the increase in Sacramento. There are many factors that play a role in this, such as lack of mental health services, COVID and the recent changes in public safety laws.  In my 8 years in the Assembly, I have taken a position of being pro-victim and holding those who commit violent crime accountable.  My position on this was never more apparent when I was the face of Proposition 20 (2020).  I do believe some reform is good and necessary but we have gone too far, at the expense of victims.  Current California law classifies some crimes like drugging and raping a person, sexually trafficking children, drive by shooting and domestic violence as non-violent crimes.  As such, it allows persons convicted of these crimes eligible for very early release from prison. On top of this, when “high-risk” parolees are released, they are not accounted for.  This is why, this year, I have authored the Kate Tibbitts Act of 2022. This proposed law will require all high-risk parolees like murderers, rapists and child molesters be held accountable when they do not report to their parole officer.  Something that is not happening now.  As your Sheriff, I will continue fighting to change this loophole so we don’t accept more vulnerable victims simply as collateral damage. Locally, I will be directly engaged with State Parole and County Probation.  I will look for mutual task force opportunities that I we can devote resources to.  Those resources, financial or work-force power will be engaged in keeping an eye on the most dangerous, but also for robust rehabilitation and youth services programs.