On November 12, El Paso City Council voted in support of a cite and release program. The vote came down 6 – 2 in favor of implementing a cite and release program, a move that would free up police and jail resources and save tax-payer dollars.
On of the six votes in favor of the resolution came from District 3 Representative Cassandra Hernandez. The opposition came from District 7’s Henry Rivera and District 8’s Cissy Lizarraga and the only person of the public to speak against the resolution was Michael Short, the President of the El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association.
The only thing Mr. Short brought to the discussion was age old fear tactics. Short was trying to state that implementing a cite and release program would increase crime, and that it would send a message that ‘drugs’ are okay. Mr. Short also stated that it would raise the homeless population, in which State Representative Joe Moody made it clear that there was no correlation between the two. A cite a release program would be able to keep officers on the street for more of their shift, therefore, making the streets safer.
This past week, it was brought to my attention that a advertisement hit the mailboxes of District 3 trying to condemn Rep. Cassandra Hernandez for her support of a cite and release program. The advertisement was from non-other than Will Veliz, candidate for District 3.
There is a major problem here. Deceit. Let me explain why. Will Veliz’ campaign is hiding the truth. The flyer states that cite and release will have police officers ticketing instead of arresting crime offenders “on certain Class A and B criminal offenses.” Although that is what House Bill 2391 which was passed in 2007 allowed for, that IS NOT what the resolution that was passed on November 12 was for nor is it what those pushing the issue are pushing for. The resolution that was passed on November 12th was only in support of citing and release people found in misdemeanor possession of marijuana, 4 ounces and under. The resolution did not include any other offenses.
Here is where the deceit lies. Will Veliz’ campaign didn’t include the word marijuana on the flyer, and I can only assume why. We know from polls that a majority of Americans across the United States support reforming our out dated marijuana laws. From the federal level, all the way to the local level. Why would the campaign include wording that would actually benefit Rep. Hernandez? They don’t want the public knowing that the cite and release is for marijuana offenses, because a lot of people in El Paso support ending arrests for marijuana offenses. In my opinion, I actually see the ad as positive advertisement for Rep. Hernandez. If this landed in my mailbox, I would see this as a plus for the candidate supporting sensible policy such as cite and release.
Veliz is already trying to deceive the public before he enters office. If this is something that he can hide the truth on, then what else is he capable of hiding from the public if elected to office? Veliz is blatantly deceiving the public with no care in the world.
Rep. Hernandez and Will Veliz are in a run-off election. An election that is being held on Saturday December 14, 2019, with early voting from Wednesday, November 27, 2019 through Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
One is standing with the public, while one deceives the public. Use your voice and be the deciding factor. We need to support those that support us. From the local level, to the state and federal level. We can’t let those that hide behind fear mongering and lies, win. Remember, if you live in District 3 (map below), please go vote December 14th. Your voice is needed.
