Campaign Phone
352-275-5004
1. Rebuilding trust and honor at the agency through proven compassionate and experienced leadership.
2. Restaffing the agency with dedicated employees has been a top priority. Over the past nine months, my team and I have made significant strides towards this goal, achieving a net gain of 93 new employees to fill the 248 vacant positions we inherited upon taking office.
3. Reestablishing positive working relationships with our local, state and federal partners has been crucial in addressing the unacceptable rise in gun violence and other criminal activities committed by those who chose to violate the rights of law-abiding citizens. My 39 plus years of experience and success in law enforcement serve as my qualifications.
The Mental Health Co-Responder teams are among the best programs managed by the Sheriff's Office, city and university police departments. These teams consist of specialty trained deputies, who partner with Mental Health professionals from Meridian. They have proven to be highly effective in diverting citizens experiencing a mental health crisis away from the legal and emergency health care systems and into more appropriate treatment programs. This approach ensures that individuals receive the treatment they need instead of facing arrest, when appropriate. The ACSO's program saved the taxpayers over $2.8 million dollars in 2023.
I fully support this program. It is my intent to expand this unit in 2025 due to its proven effectiveness.
I am a staunch supporter of the constitutional rights of our citizens, and our state legislative process. As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the county, it is my duty to uphold the laws of our US Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Florida.
I have and continue to encourage all gun owners to take safety courses on the proper operation of all firearms they own, to include the proper handling and safety features of their firearms. I also strongly encourage gun owners to keep their firearms secure and locked away from children at all times and store them in a secure manner (gun safes, and/or secure locking mechanisms) to prevent the theft of their firearms.
Campaign Phone
352-356-8683
*Gun violence is a critical public health risk. Despite law enforcement's hard work, we need new innovative solutions to address this crisis. With my public policy and legislative expertise, I can collaborate with local, state, and federal officials as well as community programs to stop senseless killings.
*Supporting Families -As a mom, I understand the impact of home life on schools and streets, and I'm committed to building collaborations for sustainable solutions that involve our parents and children.
*ASO morale- As a former mayoral Chief of Staff, I know we must listen to our employees, prioritize their well-being, and foster a respectful, supportive environment to retain and attract people who are proud to be part of the ASO family.
Co-responders are critical for law enforcement as well as the person who is having a mental health challenge. As the number of the mentally ill increases in our community, co-responders can not be our long-term solution. We must advocate for a more sustainable solution for those with Alzheimer's, PTSD, autism, and other mental health disorders.
Safety is our number one goal. I believe in sensible gun control measures that help prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands. This includes background checks, closing loopholes, and ensuring that those with a history of violence or mental illness are unable to obtain weapons.
*Promoting gun safety is paramount. I support educational programs that teach responsible gun ownership, safe storage practices, and proper handling techniques to reduce accidental injuries and deaths. Encouraging gun safety courses and public awareness campaigns can make a significant difference.
*Effective gun regulation is necessary to maintain public safety, by implementing laws that balance the rights of responsible gun owners and public safety.
Campaign Phone
352-485-2355
The sheriff’s department faces pressing challenges including gun violence prevention, enhancing community engagement, and addressing mental health concerns. Drawing on my extensive experience in narcotics investigations and Special Operations, I prioritize proactive strategies to reduce gun violence and ensure community safety. I emphasize transparent communication and collaboration to build trust and strengthen community relations. As someone who has managed budgets and resources as Chief of Police and Colonel, I understand the importance of efficient resource allocation to support mental health initiatives and provide compassionate care.
Our office in Alachua has integrated mental health programs into our operations, recognizing their crucial role in modern policing. However, the current resources are insufficient. We need to at least triple our capacity to ensure these services are available 24/7. To this end, I propose creating a captain position dedicated solely to overseeing and enhancing our mental health initiatives. This role will focus on developing comprehensive programs that proactively work in the community to prevent crises and better support individuals facing mental health challenges. By significantly expanding our resources, we aim to create a safer, more compassionate community, where mental health care is a fundamental aspect of our protection and service.
As a former school resource officer, I've witnessed firsthand how the presence of firearms can dangerously escalate situations, especially among our youth. We have too many guns on our streets, and too often, these end up in the hands of our children, fostering a cycle of violence that we must break. My approach to gun control focuses on removing firearms from the streets and intensifying our efforts on educating families about gun safety. It's imperative that we teach our children about the dangers of firearms, instilling a sense of responsibility and awareness from a young age. By combining law enforcement action with comprehensive education and community engagement, we can create a safer environment for everyone.
