Editor,
In his Feb. 21 column, John Horgan objects to allowing anyone who is either undocumented or has a criminal record to serve on the new Sheriff Advisory Committee. However, immigration status has nothing to do with whether you care about transparency. Anyone can be stopped, arrested, jailed or the victim of a crime. We all have a stake in the safety of our community.
That being said, undocumented workers keep their heads down and do not apply to county advisory boards. So why raise it? It is language often used in order to stoke the fear that “they” (people of color, immigrants and non-immigrants alike) are encroaching on our power and right of privilege.
And, yes, the advisory committee should definitively not exclude people with criminal records. We need the voices of those who have seen the other side of law enforcement actions. And we need them involved in local politics. People like Paul Bocanegra, who was condemned at the age of 17 to a life sentence for a crime he did not commit. He is the only candidate for District 4 supervisor who is actively working to raise awareness and improve how our county treats children in the criminal justice system.
It bears repeating that this is not the civilian oversight promised by the supervisors. It lacks most of the essential components. Why do we still need oversight even though we have (finally) elected an excellent Sheriff in Christina Corpus? Because … but I’m at the word limit, so, topic for another letter!
Keldyn West
Redwood City
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(3) comments
So Keldyn, let me get this straight, you want folks with a criminal record (which means they’ve been convicted of something and likely on parole) and you want undocumented workers to be on a Sheriff Advisory Committee? Don’t you think they’d always rule in favor of Sheriff’s? After all, if undocumented workers or folks on parole make any unfavorable decisions to Sheriff’s… Also the winds of change may increase ICE reporting and enforcement… BTW, I don’t believe you’re anywhere close to the word limit. I’ve seen and written longer comments so write on next time.
Paul Bocanegra's personal story is a compelling example of why we need civilian oversight of our policing and prosecutorial agencies. If you are a San Mateo Country resident and don't believe we have a history of systemic racism and overly zealous prosecution then I highly recommend you listen to Bocanegra's story.
Paul is a felon and an immigrant who should not even be here. Why listen to his compelling story when there are myriad others from legal resident who don't get their light of day because they are now the wrong demographic? Get rid of this guy, The sheriff is already an AA hire, we don't need more bleeding hearts but law and order!
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