Both candidates running for Fort Bend County sheriff talk of the importance in bridging the gap between the sheriff’s office and the Asian-American community.<\/p>\n
Democrat Michael Ellison and Republican Troy Nehls each discussed recruiting more Asian-Americans to the law enforcement profession as part of their strategy.<\/p>\n
They voiced their concerns surrounding crime and safety to approximately 60 members of Fort Bend’s Asian-American community – which represents more than 17 percent of the county’s population. Residents gathered at the University Branch Library in Sugar Land Oct. 4 to find out what the two candidates running for sheriff on Nov. 6 would do to help them.<\/p>\n
“Safety and security of citizens is important,” said Riaz Ahmed who stopped by to hear what the candidates had to say.<\/p>\n
Asian-Americans also account for 35 percent of the Sugar Land population.<\/p>\n
But Ben Chou, board member of the OCA-Greater Houston and forum sponsor, said that Asian-Americans have a very low voter turnout. “I have heard so many excuses as to why we don’t vote,” said Chou.<\/p>\n
He organized the event to get more of them involved in the electoral process. “Together we can make our votes count,” said Chou.<\/p>\n
More communication<\/p>\n
Both Nehls and Ellison expressed the desire to have more communication with Asian-Americans.<\/p>\n
“The effectiveness of law enforcement is its involvement in the community,” said Ellison, who is a 28-year veteran in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.<\/p>\n
“We need to have a liaison that can reach out to the Asian community,” said Nehls, who has served in law enforcement for close to 20 years.<\/p>\n
Nehls said Fort Bend provides some unique challenges because of the number of ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
“There are people in the office who don’t know about different cultures and religions,” said Nehls.<\/p>\n
That’s why he said the creation of a citizen’s advisory committee will provide the link between the sheriff’s office and the community.<\/p>\n
The Fort Bend County Precinct 4 constable wants to create an evening shift of detectives so that what he now considers a dismal rate of solving crimes will improve.<\/p>\n
Nehls said that only 4 percent of burglaries, 18 percent of robberies and 33 percent of sexual assaults are solved in Fort Bend.<\/p>\n
He mentioned robberies in Asian homes in Riverstone as being a concern for the community. “I want law enforcement to get out and establish a relationship with people, that’s how we will solve more crimes,” said Nehls.<\/p>\n
Ellison agreed that law enforcement needs to be more visible to bring down crime rates.<\/p>\n
He said he plans to do this by opening more storefronts in the community. “It’s the presence and visibility on the streets so that crime will be deterred,” said Ellison.<\/p>\n
Ellison also focused on what he would do to bridge the gap between the sheriff’s office and the Asian community. “The biggest hindrance is the language barrier,” said Ellison.<\/p>\n
Recruiting officers<\/p>\n
“We need to actively recruit Asian-Americans so that they can relate to Asian-Americans in our community,” said Ellison. “The law enforcement agency needs to be the face of this diversity.”<\/p>\n
But it was Nehls’ comment about Asian-Americans lacking interest in joining law enforcement because of lower pay and the idea that it doesn’t follow traditional professions that ruffled a few feathers.<\/p>\n
“Constable Troy Nehls said that because the pay is only in the $30, 000 range Asian-Americans wouldn’t be interested in law enforcement,” said Chou.<\/p>\n
“Not every Asian-American wants to be a doctor or an engineer. Some of us want to be in law enforcement,” said Chou.<\/p>\n
Asian American Voters President, AJ Durani also wasn’t satisfied with either candidates’ approach.<\/p>\n
“I wish that the candidates would have said how they would actively recruit Asian-Americans,” said Durani. “We need to have education in our community about the opportunities that exist in law enforcement and we need to engage the youth.<\/p>\n
“If we are approached for them to come speak at our mosques and temples, we would like that,” said Durani.<\/p>\n
Texas House District 26 Democratic candidate Vy Nguyen also attended the forum.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.chron.com\/fortbend\/news\/article\/Fort-Bend-County-sheriff-candidates-say-would-3932698.php<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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