Steve Moore, Linden
Q:Why are you the best candidate for the seat?
A:My tenure of 111⁄2 years as Sheriff providing services to county residents and staying within the established budget. The experience of successfully guiding my office through the latest recession while maintaining our delivery of service to the public. My established relationships with members of the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Officer, other county department heads as well as my law enforcement partners throughout the county.
Additionally I have been recognized by my fellow sheriffs to serve as the current president of the California State Sheriff's Association.
Q:What issues set you apart from your opponent?
A:What sets me apart from my opponent is the issue of management. He lacks understanding the complexities of operating a department of over 900 employees and managerial experience in any division within the Sheriff's Office. As a sergeant, his duties were as a first line supervisor, not dealing with overseeing budgeting, scheduling and deployment of personnel throughout the department to provide the best services for the citizens of San Joaquin County.
Q:If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your first 90 days in office?
A:Break ground on the construction project for the new medium security jail facility. Finalize the construction plans and begin the construction of a new county morgue facility.
Your thoughts on: Separation of sheriff/coroner roles
The Board of Supervisors has made the decision to separate the elected coroner’s function from the sheriffs office and establish an independent medical examiner appointed by the Board of Supervisors. My duty is to work with the new medical examiner once appointed, to ensure a successful transition of the job functions so that our residents continue to receive all necessary services during this process.
Police/prison reforms
We have been dealing with prison reform since AB109 through Proposition 57 early parole. The Community Corrections Partnership has facilitated a variety of strategies across the county criminal justice system in addressing the impact of these reforms to the county and has achieved successes in reducing the recidivism rate. With the state's need to keep it's prison population below the federal cap, no one is sure of what actions may result in the future. The new legislation being proposed to reform the use of force by police is still being crafted at this time, and is of great concern to all agencies in being able to effectively protect the public and their staff in performing their sworn duties while addressing community concerns.
Sanctuary policies
San Joaquin County is not a sanctuary county, and I believe this is the best course of action even though because of state law we must comply with the Trust Act, Truth Act and Values Act (SB54). Through the California State Sheriffs Association we have been opposed to such policies as it prevents local law enforcement from being able to communicate with our federal partners to address criminals who may be illegal immigrants. We continue to support amending the laws to allow local law enforcement agencies greater ability to communicate with immigration authorities when undocumented criminals are in custody.
Rehabilitation programs
Working with our Community Corrections Partnership, bringing additional programs needed to assist those who have been previously incarcerated is one of the main components in reducing recidivism in the county. Further the use of local community based organizations to deliver such services provides ongoing resources and wraparound services to an individual that has left custody. They also provide employment opportunities for those individuals which in turn lends credibility and incentives to the program in working with new clients. These programs help provide stability to individuals as they seek to reintegrate into our community.
Reducing property crimes
Reductions in property crimes can be accomplished by several means.
First, to eliminate the opportunity for being a victim. Utilizing an alarm system in your home or business. Employing crime prevention through design strategies. Not leaving valuables in plain site in your vehicles. Being aware of your surroundings and how you carry your purse or wallet.
Second via crime analysis identify locations where property crimes have been committed then utilizing such information to develop an operational enforcement plan to deploy staff in the target areas to focus on such crimes, making contact with potential suspects to identify them, and take all available enforcement actions.
Transparency/public relations
We have an established Public Information Officer who is responsible to handle public requests for information and documents via the California Pubic Records Act. We are actively working to improve our public outreach through the use of social media. Our focus has been on our recently established Facebook page to provide information on all activities of the Sheriff's Office to the public. Items such as recent cases of interest, arrests, results of special enforcement actions, staff interactions with the public and our participation in local activities to promote the building of positive relationships with all members of our varied communities.
Overcrowding
We are poised to build a new medium security jail facility with state funding as we have received the initial cost estimates for the facility that is within the established funding for the project. It will be constructed on the site of our current jail facilities. This new 256-bed medium security jail will be fully utilized to house inmates to complete their full court ordered sentences and not be released early on the County Jail Court Ordered Population Cap.
Securing evidence
The securing of all evidence and property taken in by the deputies and staff is critical. Over the past two years we have been implementing the recommendations of the civil grand jury. Staff dedicated specifically to the evidence/property room has been implemented. All operational policies and procedures have been reviewed to be in compliance with POST training standards. Additionally all staff involved in the operation have joined the CAPE organization and we are participating in a county wide evidence/property room association coordinated through the District Attorney's Office. Contract bids for a new evidence/property tracking system has been opened to upgrade and replace our old system.
Crime prevention
Crime prevention can be accomplished in different forms, such as Crime Prevention Through Design, which provides tips to business and homeowners on such things as lighting, clear lines of sight, location of landscaping, and building design to support these concepts. It can also be derived from our crime analysis unit, in being able to recognize reoccurring trends of criminal activity so that staffing can create operational plans to combat the identified activity. Further it can predict future criminal activity that is cyclical and possible suspects that perpetrate such crimes.
Dealing with people with mental illnesses
Continued training for all staff on interacting with those who suffer from mental illness. In cases where a crime has not been committed having the mobile mental health crisis unit respond to the call as they are better prepared to work with such individuals in resolving the current situation and make referrals to the behavior health agency for future follow up with the client.