Sonoma County Sheriff Applauded In Address To Latino Community

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Dressed casually in blue jeans and a button-down shirt, Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick addressed a crowd of about 2,000 Friday night when he made a public appearance at a Latino music and dancing event held monthly at Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park.

In a surprise before headliner group Ramon Ayala, Federation Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris came onto the Grand Ballroom stage and enthusiastically introduced the sheriff to the crowd.

With the help of an interpreter, Sheriff Essick told the crowd that the sheriff's office will protect the rights of immigrants and will work to ensure that all residents of Sonoma County know they have legal rights and protection regardless of their immigration status.

By the end of the message, the crowd was chanting and cheering the two men as if they were rock stars.

"This is a chance to talk to 2,000 people we might not have the opportunity to talk to otherwise," said Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Misti Wood. "It is part of our overall engagement strategy to meet people where they are. That is why we appreciate this opportunity from Chairman Sarris of the Rancherias."

Wood told Patch the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has been and will continue working with ICE in areas required under Senate Bill 54; the message the sheriff wants to get out is that undocumented immigrants should not refrain from calling for help, she said.

"We want our immigrant community to report crime to us, if they are victims of crime," Wood said. "Reporting crime makes everybody safer, so it is important for our immigrant community to know that we are there to protect them and respond, regardless of their immigration status."