The Taos County Democratic Occasion hosted the primary discussion board for candidates within the June 7 Democratic main Monday (March 28), with contenders for the place of Taos County sheriff answering questions from the get together and the general public.
The candidates for the sheriff’s place are Steve Miera, the present undersheriff, and Michael Tafoya, a deputy with the Taos County Sheriff’s Workplace. Miera additionally ran for sheriff in 2014 in opposition to the present sheriff, Jerry Hogrefe. A 3rd candidate, Gaspar Martinez, dropped out of the race.
Taos Democratic Occasion Chairman Darien Fernandez was set to average, however was out in poor health. The discussion board was as an alternative moderated by get together treasurer and marketing campaign director George Brown, who started by asking every candidate what they felt it meant to “serve and defend.”
“The sheriff’s workplace serves the group and is a direct illustration of the group,” answered Miera, who mentioned it was essential to have interaction with the area people past simply imposing legal guidelines. “It doesn’t simply imply chasing dangerous guys. It means defending and taking good care of those that can’t care for themselves.”
Tafoya echoed these sentiments. “It means serving [the community] with their wants, no matter they’re.” He mentioned that in relation to “defending” the group, this implies connecting these with drug and alcohol issues with individuals who can assist.
The candidates had been additionally later requested in the event that they help the Legislation Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program, which works to divert low stage drug offenders away from the court docket system and into remedy applications.
Tafoya mentioned that he had not heard about this system till not too long ago, however mentioned he would help “any program that’s going to encourage psychological well being… We need to be extra concerned like that.”
Miera additionally mentioned he helps this system, so long as low-level, repeat offenders don’t reap the benefits of it. “I do align myself with its aims, however it’s a very laborious and arduous process if just one facet of this program is lively.”
Brown then requested the candidates how they felt about crime in Taos total — particularly whether or not it was on the rise, or similar to crime in greater cities in New Mexico. “I don’t consider [the crime] is simply in Albuquerque. When [police] flip up the warmth there, it principally pushes all of the criminals towards the opposite communities,” mentioned Meira.
Tafoya agreed, including that native regulation enforcement has seen a latest improve in property crime. “Albuquerque is doing the perfect they will, nevertheless it has filtered [crime] to smaller communities,” he mentioned. “All people is short-handed.”
When requested in regards to the legalization of hashish, each candidates appeared hesitant to say it was a superb factor for the group. Miera mentioned he wasn’t precisely positive how impaired driving can be enforced, as there at the moment isn’t know-how to measure the quantity of THC in an individual’s system (THC can be saved in fats cells for as much as a month after consumption). He mentioned he does foresee DUI numbers going up with leisure hashish gross sales going dwell on April 1.
Tafoya agreed that native regulation enforcement had been in “uncharted areas.” He additionally expects to see DUI numbers improve. Each males additionally mentioned they suppose Taos will see an increase in property crime. “When these items is on the market, property crimes will go up,” mentioned Tafoya.
Brown additionally requested the candidates about their ideas on the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Affiliation, a gaggle of regulation enforcement officers who maintain the idea that county sheriff’s rank increased than federal or state authorities authorities, and have a constitutional obligation to both obey or oppose legal guidelines they really feel do or do not uphold the U.S. Structure. Brown mentioned it was their most requested query from members of the general public.
Miera mentioned the group was designed to carry county sheriffs to their constitutional obligations, “nevertheless, you’re certain to a sworn oath, and that’s to the state of New Mexico… If we’ve got about an hour I can actually get into this.”
Miera mentioned the underside line was that “the residents of Taos County deserve a sheriff who’s going to be staunch of his stance on integrity… The sheriff solutions the individuals immediately.”
“I wouldn’t attempt to interpret [the law] in my very own method,” mentioned Tafoya. “The regulation is the regulation. We don’t veer from that, because the undersheriff mentioned, and we don’t let our private opinions become involved in it.”
Brown pushed a bit additional, asking about government mandates, just like the latest masks mandate. “On the subject of government orders, these usually are not legal guidelines,” mentioned Miera. “We selected to method masks from an academic standpoint, and would disseminate data so everyone knew what was happening versus getting into and simply issuing citations… Now we have far better battles to battle.”
Tafoya agreed that with government mandates, they use their greatest discretion. “Let the general public resolve what they’ll do with the mandates. If it isn’t the regulation, it’s not one thing I intervene with,” he mentioned.
In closing statements, Tafoya reminded voters that he has been serving Taos County for 23 years in numerous capacities: as a college bus driver, a Fiestas council member and a regulation enforcement officer. “What I supply is transparency, my integrity, and my group engagement,” he mentioned. “The one promise I make is that I’ll give 100% to my job.”
Miera touted 19 years with the division — together with having spent the previous seven as undersheriff — as prime {qualifications} for the job. “As undersheriff, I’ve educated each single day for the final seven years to serve you as your subsequent sheriff,” he mentioned. “With that comes professionalism, integrity, transparency and accountability.”
As a result of there aren’t any Republican candidates working for the place, the June 7 main will resolve who will exchange Sheriff Hogrefe, who gained re-election to a second time period in 2018.
