Dear Editor,

I am supporting Jim Provenza for re-election to the Board of Supervisors on March 3. I have worked closely with Jim on public safety issues. As a former special assistant district attorney, Jim understands the need for active community engagement and public safety.

Jim is an advocate of smart on crime policies. He supports alternatives to incarceration for those who are suffering from mental illness and other non-violent offenders, while working to assure that that we have the resources we need to address violent and serious crime.

Jim is a strong supporter of our Day Reporting Center, an innovative program that reduces recidivism by delivering education, treatment and job training as an alternative to incarceration in county jail. He is also a supporter of our neighborhood courts and successfully advocated for the establishment of a second mental health court.

While supporting creative approaches, Jim stands with law enforcement in its effort to assure that the public is protected and that consequences are imposed upon those who endanger our community.

Jim Provenza has earned your vote.

Sheriff Tom Lopez