Combined El Paso Public Safety Coalition endorse Jo Anne Bernal For County Attorney

Today the Combined El Paso Public Safety Coalition endorsed Jo Anne Bernal for County Attorney. Bellow a transcription of the press release issued to the media this afternoon.

Community Safety At Risk
Unless Jo Anne Bernal Elected to County Attorney

Public Safety PACs Announce Candidate Endorsement

Media Conference

When: Today, Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 2:00 PM
Where: 747 E. San Antonio, Suite 103, EPMPOA Board Room

The Combined El Paso Public Safety Coalition:

El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association
El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association
El Paso Firefighters Association Local 51

The Combined El Paso Public Safety Coalition is publicly endorsing Jo Anne Bernal for County Attorney and ask for the voters support in electing her.

El Paso is the second safest city of its size. Much of this success is due to a strong and healthy partnership between the public, elected officials, law enforcement, the district attorney and the county attorney. In order to keep this community safe, we need a County Attorney who is ethical, courageous, dedicated and willing to work with law enforcement. It is for these reasons that we endorse Jo Anne Bernal for County Attorney. Her long standing commitment to public safety is in sharp contrast to her opponent’s relentless attacks on law enforcement and her inability to work well with others.

Problem Solving. Under Jo Anne Bernal’s leadership, the County Attorney’s office can be counted on to work with law enforcement to solve crime issues that plague neighborhoods. Jo Anne Bernal has spearheaded anti-graffiti measures in the County. Jo Anne Bernal worked cooperatively with the El Paso Police Department to pursue gang injunctions in Segundo Barrio and Northeast El Paso in order to protect these neighborhoods from violent criminal organizations. In contrast, her opponent has defended members of the Bloods named in the injunction and has called the injunctions “unconstitutional.”

Collaboration. In partnership with Jo Anne Bernal, law enforcement and the County Attorney’s office has worked together tirelessly to prosecute offenders and protect victims. The County Attorney’s office has aggressively prosecuted serious juvenile crimes and initiated successful Teen Court programs in local school districts. In contrast, her opponent has worked tirelessly to prosecute law enforcement, using the courts and thousands of tax payer dollars to wage a personal war against law enforcement.

Trust and integrity. Jo Anne Bernal is a well respected lawyer whose legal counsel can be depended upon. Under her leadership, the County Attorney’s office has an enviable record of wins in the courtroom. In contrast, her opponent has had personal disputes with many judges and as a result cannot practice in the 65th District Court (the 65th District Court handles one third of all family violence protective order cases) and in the 388th District Court (the 388th handles one third of all family violence protective order cases). Her opponent is facing possible suspension of practice in the 5th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals where the County has several cases every year.

It is for these reasons that we believe that unless El Pasoans elect Jo Anne Bernal for County Attorney, the critical working relationships between the public, law enforcement, the District Attorney and the County Attorney will be harmed and the public’s safety will be put at risk.


For more information, contact:

Ron Martin
EPMPOA President
(915) 256-7822