As the mother of two boys, ages 2 and 6, the position of sheriff is critical to my family. “Cops and Robbers” is a game in our Pismo household. However, a single town over, there reside real life racketeering and gangsters who steal the lives of youth like my sons.

One of the sheriff’s top priorities is public safety. I moved from the city of Boston, where it wasn’t uncommon to see syringes wash ashore. As a 12-year resident of Pismo Beach, I have watched drug-related crimes and neighboring gang activity drop. My sons and I wade the waters of Pismo Beach barefoot.

Police Chief Joe Cortez, thank you for protecting my family and making Pismo paradise. I can’t wait to see the progress you’ll make as sheriff.