Safety--Our Right and Our Responsibility

By Rocky J. Chavez

What are you doing to help make our city streets safe? Are you considerate when you drive? Are you patient? Do you use your cell phone and drive distractedly? Do you change lanes, drive too fast, or cut people off? How much do our own attitudes affect our safety?

Congratulations if you are doing your part. For those who aren't, it will take stronger law enforcement to stop them. Instead of spending time installing speed bumps to slow down speeders, law enforcement must be there to stop speeders for good! It can't be done without more police to cite drivers for their abuses. When I am in office I will work hard to bring about a sound, balanced budget with emergency reserves that will allow us to increase the size of our Police and Fire Departments.

I want to make it clear that public safety is my top priority. Without it, we do not have quality of life. Beautiful parks, beaches, buildings and schools mean nothing if we are afraid to walk the streets, or can't sleep because of rude and abusive drivers. We must protect all citizens from abuse and domestic violence--particularly the elderly, women, and children. We must ensure that our neighborhoods and schools are safe, with the best-trained and most well equipped police and firefighters in San Diego County. And we must take responsibility for our own actions, as part of the solution.