The New Sheriff in Town

On Monday, July 23rd was the first and hopefully not the last debate in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's race. The debate between current Sheriff Jim McDonnell and Sheriff’s Lt. Alex Villanueva offered a lot of insight for voters to see and hear them together for the first time in this setting, and it did not disappoint. Before the debate even began there was a large Abolish ICE and Anti-McDonnell protest.

You can see the entire protest video here.

According to Lauren Steiner, who was live streaming the entire event, noted there was an almost empty auditorium. This was because only "Police officers" and members of the "League of Women Voters" were allowed to attend. Ultimately, shutting out the general public from attending this debate. The reasoning was not to have protestors disrupting the debate.

From the very beginning of the debate, it appeared as if McDonnell was a little anxious. One of the key topics that was covered was the subject of I.C.E. Sheriff’s Lt. Alex Villanueva stated that "I will not allow the county jail to be a pipeline for deportation". While Sheriff McDonnell currently allows I.C.E. in the jails. This year a federal judge ruled from 2010 and 2014 the Sheriff’s Department was guilty of unlawfully holding people wanted by I.C.E.

Another important topic was the known clique's in Sheriff's department that identify themselves with tattoos, Specifically, the Compton station that has a history going on for 30 years . Remember the "Vikings Club"?A federal judge said, " It was a Neo-Nazi, white supremacist gang”. Maya Lau wrote a great article covering the gangs within the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department you can read it here. On this subject McDonnell seemed to give a confusing statement, saying "Deputies have a right to free expression". Then he follows it up with, "They can be a financial liability for the county." I'm guessing he supports the Clique tattoos.

After watching the 2 candidates live, I declare Sheriff’s Lt. Alex Villanueva the winner of this debate. The reasons being:

1. Villanueva's answers to the questions were more complete and honest. While McDonnell seemed to be not so genuine and scripted.
2. McDonnell seemed to just attack rather than answer the questions about problems facing the L.A.S.D. Even though Villanueva had some attacks also but he followed up with solutions and plans and that is something that is really important to voters.
3. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department needs change and needs to be free from the dark cloud of corruption that still lingers with McDonnell. The only way that change is going to happen is from somebody that understands what the needs of the Deputies. The Sheriff's Department needs someone who will put the Sheriff's Department first before their own political gain. Somebody who genuinely cares about the L.A.S.D. and the communities they serve. That somebody without a doubt is Sheriff’s Lt. Alex Villanueva.