puzzle comes together knowing that we have this legacy in place right now, something we can utilize a in terms of the services that we provide, we are a part of the collaborative effort involving all of our partners in the criminal-justice system. it is important to understand that we have room in the system right now. currently we have 450 people in our custody, and the 605 individuals we are speaking of will move into the custody setting to alleviate concerns right now. >> we will start with question no. 2, with mr. mirkarimi. san francisco is in a unique situation of having had one sheriff for 30 years. what issues or challenges might this mean for you in trying to institute changes?

hennessey >> -- >> sheriff hennessey is the longest serving elected official in the history of san francisco. i am honored and humbled to have his endorsement. he was never a cop. this race is not about who can out-cop whom. what he did was break through the ceiling in showing how you can innovate rehabilitation programs within legal circles themselves. the reason he has endorsed me, i believe, is in making sure that 7 cisco is prepared, ready, and able to deal with what it means to improve public safety in san francisco, taking care of those inside of the jail system, reducing the repeat offender risk. that is what i have been doing as a supervisor and, in the 10

years before that, working in law enforcement, concentrating on public safety. >> regarding the sheriff's legacy, in terms of enforcement, i have his professional endorsement. i have been promoted through the ranks by the sheriff in doing the actual job. the innovation that we had an success we have had under the sheriff's vision, i have been a part of that success my entire career in the sheriff's department. i have spent 15 years there -- years there and i believe that change can come from within. on that foundation, i believe that we have stability right now. stability in transition is key as we face this issue of realignment. in addition, once we face this challenge and effectively come to a conclusion on how to deal with it, i think that the next step is to be able to change

from within in pro in a foundation of success. >> thank you. mike hennessey will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest sheriff's in the history of california. there is only one hennessey. i was honored to be recruited by him two years ago, and i have the honor of working for him for one year. my years of public safety in the community, eight years as a labor leader in law-enforcement, many years later in treatment work, were " in the system under governor davis. that will be what brings me to the office of sheriff. my career has culminated in that. i think that the office of sheriff is a big job at a time when we see the criminal justice system changing before our

allies. i think i have the experience, along with the rest of the city family, and in the state of california. >> our third question, goes to you, mr. miyamoto. what do you see the workings relationship between the sheriff's department and the share -- san francisco police department as? >> we have a strong relationship. it has been a part of my career to be part of that relationship as well. as a member of the special response team, this is one of our units in which we interact with the police department on a continuing basis to provide mutual aid services to the police department. we are always there to augment law-enforcement needs for the city and county of san francisco. more importantly, it is important to make sure that, because we have the same goals

in mind, we need to continue on this relationship. we have had instances in the past where we have carried on additional duties in the department to augment responsibilities within the city and county. i think that that is where our role should be also. we should not be looking to take over what the police department does, we should be looking at helping them in what they do. all towards the goal of public safety. >> it is a great question. i think that the capt. hit on a good thing. the sheriff's department is strong and more than capable to supplement the mission of the sheriff's department. more important, the sheriff, working with the chief of police, the mayor, the district attorney, at the end of the day we are all citizens of public safety.

there is no reason we should not be working together. between the police officers, deputies, and cheese, we should be working together. for the victims of violent crime, for citizens who need services, the young people in the county jail that will be getting out, where are they going to go to support the police department there? working with the chief of police and his staff, we can do much better in the city. my experience in the police department over 25 years shows i can do the job. >> it is time that we all evade the level of deputy and it is time that we do have a small, paramilitary army of men and women who have badges, carry guns, and have the same credentials as those from the

police academy. i believe that we can start small. we can have sheriff's wagons in those 10 different district stations instead of the sf pd having to worry about bureaucracy. we can do it to% cheaper from the sheriff's department. -- we can do it 10% cheaper from the sheriff's department. post-tailgate violence could call on a deputy sheriff's. the savings to taxpayer dollars, we will be able to satisfy the crunch of staffing that the department is always talking about. in my six years, i have demonstrated how -- >> we can go to a new question. on the same topic, the idea of merging the police department and sheriff's department has come up a lot of times.

if you are in charge, what would you think of this? would you before the merger, or against that? >> i was a president at the police aofficer association when this was brought up. there was no substance there. i met with the mayor and the chief of police at the time. if there was some good government, cost savings, and efficiencies, i would say so, but i've seen none. we have a 150 year history in both departments. we have both work better together. i see no basis to merge those departments. but the people at home need to know, every county, every other county in california has one sheriff and multiple cheeks.

it is not a good government policy. there is no savings there. we have a great sheriff's department and a great police department. >> can we get an answer from you, miss miyamoto? >> to alleviate concern from the prior question, sheriff's deputies are at the forty-niner games that. we are a part of that public safety. also, one other thing that i would like to point out, there is a history of us working with the police department. we have had the wagons at one. . that is something that i did myself. i thought that it was something that we could continue as well. in terms of the merger question and whether or not we would look into that, i feel that the city charter, because of the unique nature of san francisco, this is something to take into

consideration. i do not think it is something we should explore at this time, i do not think it is good government right now. the decision to keep it separate because of the unique nature of san francisco and because we have to agencies with different functions, it has been functional. it has been my career to work with both departments and at think we should continue that department. >> i apologize. mr. mirkarimi? >> it is quite ok. i do not believe that merging departments should be done at all. i would like you share with you why i think it is partially a sensitive subject. there is civilian oversight of the san francisco police department. at the commission we have the office of citizen complaint. civilian oversight for a deputy sheriff, as a person that renders discipline over the

deputy sheriff, when there is more interdisciplinary levels for the sheriff itself, it is important that people are aware of the fact that just as there are hazards of abuse of power outside the system, there is within the system as well. a lack of civilian oversight raises the concern as to why we would want to have strong, a civilian, independent oversight to run the sheriff's department. that is why i believe the sheriff has endorsed me. just as he was never terror -- tethered to the police department or sheriff's union, a civilian oversight is essential. >> our order is a little bit off, because mr. wong is not here. we will have to start at the end of the table. mr. cunnie? >> ok. ito letsh, a hat -- >> oh, i

have to ask a question. [laughter] >> i am good, but not that good. >> october is the domestic violence awareness month. there is a silent witness that says that -- exhibit across the street. how would you prevent instances of domestic violence? >> as a share if an elected city leader, it is our responsibility to be -- to stand up and be counted on to any violence, including domestic violence. i would not sit here and pretend to be an expert. i would go to the experts. and i have done that. i would meet with the community of victims, seeing what their needs are and how, as a sheriff, we can do better. the department already has many programs for the department of justice. people that were convicted.

batterers. also on that issue, i would be very careful to make sure that batterers do not slip through the cracks. two or three cases back, they may be convicted batterers. another issue on domestic violence. i would go to the experts, getting the input from the community. i would support where there needs to be support. >> six years on the budget committee, the board of supervisors has come to the defense, enthusiastically, every time the previous mayor tried to cut domestic violence programs in san francisco. it was baffling how it was a routine cut. recently, even because the korean jury had announced that there had been an improvement in domestic violence numbers, this

city has a long way to go. there are communities, immigrant communities in particular, and same-sex communities. i would like to applaud the fleet of nonprofits working with the commission. everyone has been brilliant -- working hard to improve the response to domestic violence. just because we are making progress, it does not mean that you cut funding. always make sure that we defend enthusiastically from the sheriff's purge, as much as i did as a supervisor. >> i believe very strongly in the program we had in place. obviously, as the sheriff, it is our responsibility to make sure that we have adequate funding. the results of that funding, the concrete and tangible results of what i see every day, that is the big difference and what will

make me a passionate advocate. we do not just have victims and we do not just call them victims. we have an ongoing process of survivor restoration in getting advocates involved in the system itself, growing and becoming a part of the healing process. that is what the sort of justice is all about. it will be key for any of us to make sure that we continue funding on that. i will make sure i am passionate on that matter. >> we will start again. this time, and mirkarimi mr., your first -- this time, and mr. mirkarimi, you are first. do you know the current policy on visiting rights? and would you change them? >> yes, actually, i would. i have been out there on cold

days. i see families and friends lined up outside of the jail system, who are essentially somewhat being mistreated and is respected while they are waiting to go inside to visit their families and those who are incarcerated. yes, there is somewhat of a distinction and stigma inside the system itself. i also worry that we are not trying to foster federal relationships in harmonize relationships. especially as we help people reintegrate effectively without repeating the crimes back into the communities that they come from. starting with making sure that there is a more accommodating and hospitable situation. >> mr. miyamoto? >> our current policy is visits on weekends and holidays. this does create operational

issues. we have separate ways to sign up. on the phone, and in person. i believe in expansion. visits go beyond just these kinds of meetings. often they are between parents and children. we have programs in place right now where parental visits are very important. we are trying to reestablish family and the concept of one family coming together to be a part of the rehabilitation process. we are not just talking about the visits, we are also talking about contact with children. it is something to keep going. we have strong policies and programs that facilitate this. >> when i was the under-sheriff, i did have some concerns on how families are made to wait outside. let me say this, as sheriff i

would first get the concerns and meet with my captains and lieutenants, pointing out their concerns. as a sheriff, i would work with this policy to change it. the sheriff just needs to take leadership, making sure that people who visit their loved ones are treated with compassion and respect. making sure that the policy is accurate and that people are being served well. with public safety always at the top issue, not only for the deputies, but for inmates and families. compassion is important. deputies i have worked with, since coming into the sheriff's department, have that knowledge in their hearts. it just needs the leadership to make it happen. >> glad that we made it through that round.

well, the pickup. mr. miyamoto, your first in line. have you answer that question? >> yes. >> what would you do to stop the terrible problem of illegal drug trafficking. >> basically, we have units in the field that deal with, some of our areas of responsibility, however it is a bigger issue for the city and county. this brings realignment into play. one of the issues that we have in place right now is a strong relationship with the probation department, fostering that. something that would validate

some one, this on a daily basis, but i cannot speak to how we would solve this problem. i do know that pokies it -- people are incarcerated, we do provide recovery services in which we tried to. i will continue that on my next one. [laughter] >> to you, yes. but would you do to try to stop the illegal drug dealing on the street? >> again, going back to my original comments about the elected sheriff of san francisco, and the chief of police, and the chief of adult probation, we'll need to be

working together. not just to worry about his peace of the pie for the jails, but to stick with the city family. the big problem in our city, especially in certain areas of the tenderloin, where we know there is low level abuse, low levels constantly on the street in and out of jails. what are we doing to stop that? with realignment, it will intensify. as someone who has been in public safety for 30 years, i have the ability to step up and be heard. to support the chief of police and make substantive changes. >> mr. mirkarimi, what would you

do? >> i do not think anyone should be in jail for smoking marijuana. i cannot believe that we would incarcerate someone for marijuana use. it took a leadership position from 2005 to devise the first municipal regulations for medical cannabis dispensaries in san francisco and the united states. 13 states followed our lead. there has to be reformed in the criminal-justice system, especially as it addresses those that sell drugs as opposed to those that used drugs. we have demonstrated great success without incarceration. those who have been using those products and have tried to reduce their probability of recidivism have weakened. trafficking is usually affiliated with other illegal activity. it does become a continuous challenge to the police department. that is why it is important to

circle the wagons, in this regard. >> we move to a new question. we start with you, miss cunnie. -- miss cunnie. -- mr. cunnie. are you it willing to subsidize the project by guards? >> yes. >> guards or share? >> -- sheriff? >> i definitely resist that. if there is any case made to the role of deputy sheriff in san francisco, laguna honda is a community. it is their home. general hospital in reno could be a very volatile place.

sworn law enforcement officers, as in the deputy sheriff. i would resist that. >> let's get an answer know from you, and mirkarimi mr. -- you, mr. mirkarimi. >> four times the sheriff's department has tried to contract that out. we succeeded in charging against that every single time. i believe that those efforts for prop j will continue. i would continue those efforts as sheriff. the general hospital is involved with public safety challenges around that area. this is contributing to the larger goals of leveling challenges in that part of town.

the department of emergency management, where you have four homicides? we need to do with that rigid deal with that. no contracting out. >> i concretely agreed. i think it is our moral obligation to make sure that we provide this service we are supposed to be providing for the citizens. and i spent time as a lieutenant at the general hospital it is also part of a family that we

have out there. the contract in, we have many clinics that we were responsible for. i would not simply fight for privatization, but the issue is that we are under-that. >> new question, same order, the question is that the sheriff was one of the first in the nation to come out against the secure community law from the federal government. fingerprints from those booked at county jail and turned over to immigration authorities. your feeling? >> i concur with the sheriff. the federal government, the department of justice, by its

own admission, mission that was set out, the sheriff was a leader on the issue and spoke out against it. saying that they would not change. i believe that one of the things the sheriff has done that i respect him for. they go on a bus. it taken away. and until the government can resolve their issues, i support the sheriff's plan.

>> one of the things that makes me very proud of san francisco was what sheriff hennessey did 18 months before any other elected official in the united states. he stood tall against officials for their reckless policies. only about one year later to the other governors follow suit. thanks to sharon hennessey showing what is in dispute. though i am not as happy with the obama administration by now -- not just for english-speaking only communities. it is about foster and trust collects always speak of -- we

have to balance, as the sheriff, and will have to continue to balance between the concerns of the secure program, to keep us safe from dangerous and violent criminals, and the concerns of our sanctuary city status, to protect the very people who come here for that policy. we actually process individuals who have provided fingerprints and are a part of a retainer. those individuals are released by us, they do not fall under certain share of criteria. i believe that that is important. he has to maintain that balance. it is a complex issue. i believe that the collaboration between ourselves and the between ourselves and the federal agency is something that