The two Sheriffs candidates may agree much more than they disagree, but there is one pronounced difference--and it relates to the controversial Arizona immigration law that made headlines this week.
At a debate on April 7th at California Lutheran University, Geoff Dean and Dennis Carpenter were both asked the stance they would take on illegal immigration. Here's what I wrote after attending the debate:
The candidates differed the most on enforcement of illegal immigration laws. Carpenter noted that the federal government could have done more to seal the border and indicated he would work with ICE. While Dean agreed, and credited Congressman Elton Gallegly for a high rate of deportations, he said that the downside to pushing too hard on immigration is that it will scare illegal immigrant victims from reporting crimes.
Dean's position is similar to incumbent Sheriff Bob Brooks'.
"This kind of enforcement would damage the relationship between law enforcement and immigrants who are often the victim of crimes, which might go unreported if they feared the police," Brooks said.
All three law enforcement officials' stances are more sane than some Democrats:
"It's a civil rights issue whenever you set someone aside because of the color of their skin or where they come from," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento.
Oh, were you surprised that they would play the race card? Yes, Darrell, we have a set of laws that takes into consideration where people originate--they're called borders, and they're sort of important for countries to have.
I'm not sure I buy that the "we want illegals to not be afraid to report crimes" is the main reason for candidates and politicians to oppose the Arizona law. I heard the same thing about Special Order 40 in Los Angeles--in the coming days I'll ask around about it and see if there's any merit to that argument.
Eric Ingemunson's commentary has been featured on Hannity, CNN, NBC, Inside Edition, and KFI's The John and Ken Show.
Eric was born and raised in Ventura County and currently resides in Moorpark. He earned a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. As a conservative, Eric supports smaller government, less taxation, more individual freedom, the rule of law, and a strict adherence to the Constitution.
Eric, maybe you should date Brook's quote - it was made after the CLU debate. I would like to know his position before the debate.
Correct, Brooks' quote was after the debate. I'm interested if Carpenter maintains his position after the AZ firestorm.
There is no merit to the racist comments by Democrats about the Arizona law. It's just a smokescreen put up by those who refuse to acknowledge the ever-increasing problems caused by "illegal" immigration.
The impacts ripple through every area of our society - crime rates, demands on social services and health care, the burden on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, burdens on the educational system, and the list goes on.
The bottom line is we cannot afford it any longer. Good for Arizona. I hope California follows suit.
No Merit, maybe if all the illegal aliens flowed into California they might consider it. But on the off chance it happened I doubt it'd make it out of the courts.
Incidentally, the incumbent Sheriff and both candidates are now on the record as being against the Arizona bill.
I know. So sad, but true.