On Thursday, February 26 Sheriff William D. Gore came to the Pacifica Institute to discuss a myriad of topics. The theme for the event was “Major Priorities of the Sheriff’s Department 2015.” Sheriff Gore, the elected San Diego County Sheriff, has served the county since 2009. The sheriff was an articulate, warm, witty man that kept the audience at the Pacifica Institute engaged throughout his time there.
Sheriff Gore spoke on a number of important issues relevant to our community. He opened by discussing what he did and what exactly the Sheriff’s department does in the county. He stressed the importance and need for community involvement and partnership with the San Diego Sheriff’s department. He talked about a new frontier of crime and conflict touching the community–the Internet. He emphasized that it would be important for all areas of law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to more closely watch the internet in the future.
The audience was given time to ask questions directly to Sheriff Gore. An audience member asked about racial profiling and highlighted a few of the relevant, contemporary examples of this occurring throughout the country. Sheriff Gore responded saying that nobody is a criminal, or should be targeted, just because of their culture, race or religious beliefs and stressed tolerance between law enforcement and the community. Another audience member asked about the state of the homeless in the county, and why it was prevalent to the degree that it is. Sheriff Gore took the time to discuss how the majority of the homeless are mentally ill and in need of help. He talked about how he, as the head of the county’s prison system, is the largest houser of the mentally ill in San Diego county. He talked about the various ways the city and county are helping the homeless who are having a hard time, saying that those people who want help are able to get help.
Sheriff Gore stayed for an hour after the question portion, and took the time to shake hands and meet face to face with members of the audience. There were tables of Turkish foods and tea, and Sheriff Gore sampled and enjoyed a number of different items. By the time he said goodbye, the members who attended had been enriched by the experience and all had learned more about the man who was elected to run the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.