Elk Grove Citizen - Election '16: Jones discusses homeland security, phone encryption

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By Lance Armstrong

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones recently spoke to the Citizen on a variety of issues as he continues his campaign to replace Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove) as the representative of Congressional District 7.

With Jones' background in law enforcement, the Republican's campaign is heavily focusing on public safety and homeland security.

Jones said that it is important to not only recognize terrorism threats facing America, but to also address those issues, as opposed to allowing them to get increasingly stronger.

Also important to Jones is the topic of illegal immigration. He expressed a need for immigration reform that includes securing the country's land and sea borders.

"No matter what we do with the 11 million (illegal immigrants) that are here, we have to secure the border, and that means consequences, it means enforcements, it may mean physical barriers in some places," Jones said.

As for those who have gained illegal entrance into this country, Jones said that he has been a longtime advocate for providing a "pathway to legal status."

"The only way you're going to have comprehensive immigration reform going forward is to provide a pathway to legal status for every single person that's here, after you secure the border," he said. "And that can be education visa or work visa or any number of visa programs that currently exist."

This approach to immigration reform, Jones added, would include consequences for those unwilling to abide by this "pathway" opportunity.

He emphasized that there needs to be a thorough record of those who enter and leave the United States.

"There's no logical reason why we shouldn't know who's coming into and out of our country," Jones said.

Another issue, which Jones mentioned, is the need to decrease hurdles and regulatory boundaries pertaining to water retention infrastructures.

"Obviously, it is very difficult not to be mindful of the water issues that are facing California," he said. "And you know, a lot of the drought is by government inaction rather than the active lack of water, as evidenced by our consistent releasing of all this extra water we have at Folsom out into the ocean."

Jones also addressed the issue pertaining to the Apple, Inc.-FBI smartphone battle and law enforcement's inability to access encrypted communications or data on such devices.

"From the attorney side of me, it's a fascinating legal argument, but from the cop side of me, I have passion for the ability to protect people," he said.

Jones, who is hopeful that a decision on this issue favors the FBI, said that a different decision could have more far reaching implications on law enforcement.

"As technology gets better, so does very bad people's ability and capability to use this technology," he said. "And so, it's not just an Apple phone. As we go forward, it's going to be everything encrypted communications. It's really going to put law enforcement in a difficult position to try and get the information they need."

As for news of his opponent's failure to be supported by the Elk Grove-South County (EG-SC) Democratic Club prior to the pre-endorsement conference last January, Jones said he was surprised.

"I was obviously familiar with Dr. Bera's voting record in Congress," he said. "I was unfamiliar with a lot of local dissent that he is experiencing now."

With a divided district, consisting of 38 percent registered Democrats, 36 percent registered Republicans and 26 percent declining to state, Jones understands that if elected to represent the district, he would not always cast traditional Republican votes.

"It's a swing district, so you're going to have votes to try to encompass the collective will of your entire district," he said. "I wouldn't suspect any candidate for this district or any particular district that's so closely aligned to vote 100 percent of the party line on either side."

Although Jones realizes that any negative news regarding Bera can be beneficial for him, he mentioned that he is more interested in his personal campaigning efforts.

"I told myself at the beginning of my campaign that I'm going to put things in two categories: Things that I can control and things that I can't control," he said. "The things I can't control is the support that Dr. Bera either gets or loses. I don't necessarily celebrate his bad news, nor will I let it overly affect me negatively if he has good news. I want to keep focusing on my campaign."

In a positive turn of events for Bera, the EG-SC Democratic Club voted in its March meeting to endorse him in the June primary election.

Jones recognized both his desire to obtain votes from Elk Grove voters and the importance of making educated votes.

"I know Elk Grove as a city covers about 28 or 29 percent of the voting (area) of the district," he said. "So, they're going to have the most significant impact in this campaign. So, I just implore them to get educated about myself, as well as Dr. Bera, and make a decision based on who they feel would best represent them in Congress."

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