Public Safety and Law Enforcement

Mike has a strong history of supporting public safety and law enforcement, and he is proud to have endorsements from leading law enforcement organizations like the California Fraternal Order of Police and the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs. He knows that we can support law enforcement and improve policing at the same time.

Mike has never supported defunding the police, and he never will. Instead, Mike believes we should increase funding for police in a way that helps them stay safe, do their jobs more effectively, and earn the trust of the communities they serve. Mike worked with local law enforcement to secure federal funding for patrol car cameras for the Oceanside Police Department, a priority for local police to help them do their jobs and community members who want more transparency and accountability.

Mike is also a cosponsor of the Invest to Protect Act, a bipartisan bill to authorize $50 million a year for five years to help strengthen and modernize smaller police departments, including a number here in San Diego and Orange counties. He stood with members of the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the Carlsbad Police Office Association to call on Congress to pass this bill, and he will continue to push for that funding.

Mike has also worked to stop dangerous drugs like fentanyl from crossing the border and reaching our communities. He has repeatedly supported funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, which assists law enforcement in critical drug trafficking areas, including the Southwest Border and through San Diego and Orange Counties. He also supported legislation to withhold foreign aid for any countries that allow the production of fentanyl, and to help global law enforcement agencies identify, track, and detect synthetic drugs.

Mike has worked with a bipartisan group of local, state, and federal officials to crack down on burglary tourism in Orange County and its connection to Chilean nationals entering the United States through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This has led the Chilean government to take steps to meet the information-sharing requirements under the VWP or risk being suspended or terminated from the program.

Mike will continue to work across the aisle to support local law enforcement and keep our communities safe.