MDJ
18 October, 2009

DEAR EDITOR:

It is with the utmost respect and appreciation that I write this letter in support of our county sheriff, Neil Warren, and his staff.

As the county’s public safety director, I fully understand the importance of using every available resource to save lives, prevent crimes and prosecute criminals.

Sheriff Warren works closely with all public safety agencies in Cobb and is clearly correct in utilizing Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program which is designed to be used in a jail setting. This program enables deputies to identify and then notify federal officials when a suspected illegal immigrant has been arrested.

Cobb’s police department goes to great lengths to work within the Latino community. Our Spanish-speaking officers routinely appear in area churches, participate in Spanish language radio programs and work alongside community leaders.

This ongoing effort is focused on opening lines of communication to identify and arrest those criminals that are preying on Latinos.

However, good communications and positive relations are not enough to prevent crime within a community. The Sheriff’s Office is aiding the crime fighting effort by identifying and then notifying federal authorities when a suspected illegal immigrant has been arrested for a crime.

Sheriff Neil Warren is working hard to utilize the 287(g) program to legally protect our community. I proudly support these efforts.

G.M. Lloyd
Public Safety Director
Cobb Government

HERE