By FILAM STAR STAFF
REDWOOD CITY (Calif.) – He is more popularly known as The Sheriff, having been so for almost 14 years until 2007. And that seemed to be the imprint he left in the minds of many for he has been a very successful law enforcer.
Don Horsley is president of the Sequoia healthcare district, another elective position, but he has recently given in to the growing clamor of community leaders and supporters for him to run as San Mateo county supervisor, for the seat to be vacated by Rich Gordon.
In an exclusive interview with FilAm Star, Don admitted that the incumbent was doing a good job in the county, and that kept him from running for the post earlier.
“But I am running now because the county needs the experience and leadership. I have demonstrated leadership, and I have experience,” Don said quite assuredly. “I think it is a difficult time for the county, state and all local jurisdictions and it is about time for someone like me to step up and seek that leadership position.”
People remember his superb track record when, as county sheriff, he dramatically reduced the number of killings in East Palo Alto — then considered the murder capital of the whole United States — from 42 to 4.
“Despite a significant budget constraint that affected administrative operation, I reorganized the department, organized a regional law enforcement response with highway patrol, sheriff’s department and the two adjoining cities and sent 18 deputy sheriffs to East Palo Alto that dramatically reduced crime,” Donrecalled.
In his stint at the Sheriff’s Office, he was also able to start a mental health and medical facilities, started a critical training program for police officers throughout the county to help them deal with people with mental issues, and supervised a technologically-advanced green crime lab, which is a great crime fighting tool.
He was also responsible for the creation of individual offender program where sexual offenders are constantly monitored, and a special intelligence unit where gang activities were closely watched throughout the county.
On a judicial matter, Don was also credited with the institutionalization of a court decision against law enforcers who abuse their peace power, especially with the use of a gun and racial epithets. With a landmark court decision, he proved that one may not be able to fire a law enforcer but his peace officer’s powers can be taken away, the gun removed, and his or her duties confined to a desk job.
That particular policy has endeared Don to residents in general, especially minority groups, by opening the department up to them.
“If you have to get the confidence of the community, you have to reflect community values, including the diverse ethnic make-up of the community. By establishing standards of behavior, you can improve law enforcement in California, and this I am proud of,” Don told FAS.
This is the same principle for expanding opportunities for minority people in the sheriff’s department that he wants to build upon should he be given the mandate by the county’s voters.
A former teacher, Don grew up in Daly City, where he continues to maintain a strong connection with the residents, especially including the city’s teeming Filipino Americans.
He actually enjoys the support of such respected Filipino community leaders like Mario Panoringan, who have worked with him over the years and understood his values. (Panoringan at press time is mulling running for a seat in the Daly City Council.)
The former math and science teacher said that if elected, his priorities are education, public safety and health care, plus promoting the sustainable growth of the local economy.
“Our schools have been hard pressed with inadequate funding. I am willing to work with our school district and carry out this dedication to have to strengthen our schools,” Don pointed out.
As for public safety, he promises to make sure that public safety has the support necessary to “ensure that our communities continue be good place to live to bring up children.”
In advancing healthcare programs, Don wants to ensure that everybody has access to quality health care, especially the underserved. In line with this, he plans to work with private hospital and community clinics so they may give greater access to all people.
Don also vows to work closely with local governments and businesses to see how processes can be streamlined to stimulate the local economy and create more jobs. He wants to work on a master plan on how to help local businesses expand, so they can hire more people and give them remunerative jobs.
“I want to focus on the economy and see to it that we work together — businesses and investors and cities — to have a master plan that would help local business expand its employment base,” he stressed.
Don continued: “I think that the county is doing very well. But with budget deficit, liabilities and other problems amounting to about $100 million and may even rise to $150 million, I think that may require additional leadership, which I believe I can bring to the fore, coupled with my experience to make good decisions.”
The Sheriff made it clear that he made a pledge not to run for the State Assembly or Senate if he is seated as county supervisor.
“I am convinced I will have a greater impact serving the county and its people, and that’s what 14 years of being San Mateo County’s sheriff has taught me,” Don said.
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