Episode 17 - Supervisor Lisa Gauthier: Inside the Sheriff Appointment, Over Policing, and Priorities
Welcome to The Game! Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Supervisor Lisa Gauthier to break down the most urgent issues facing San Mateo County, including the highly politicized process to appoint a new Sheriff and her focus on community priorities.
Supervisor Gauthier, who served 12 years on the East Palo Alto City Council (2012–2024), including a term as mayor during the pandemic, was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2024 and immediately faced the ongoing controversy surrounding former Sheriff Christina Corpus.
Gauthier details the strains of the high-profile appointment process, which she states has been a "huge distraction" from other necessary county work and is "weighing heavy on everyone". She explains the Board’s decision to move forward with an appointment over a special election, noting that an election would cost additional resources and money, and an immediate appointment was deemed fairer because a short timeline election favors popular candidates who already possess resources.
The discussion focuses heavily on the qualities needed in the next Sheriff:
• Integrity, authenticity, and accountability.
• The ability to heal a department that has become fractured.
• Understanding how the jail is working and ensuring that incarcerated individuals are protected.
Gauthier is hopeful after the recent four-hour hearing, noting that both Ken Binder (the former undersheriff in Santa Clara County) and David Lazar (the assistant chief of police in San Francisco) show "a lot of promise".
Combating Over Policing: Supervisor Gauthier speaks directly to the history of law enforcement relations in her district, including East Palo Alto and North Fair Oaks. She discusses the historical issue of "over policing," citing the example of police stopping people of color based on vague descriptions. She stresses that the new leadership must champion community policing—officers getting out of their cars, walking the community, and engaging with residents rather than judging them based on the color of their skin. East Palo Alto became a city in 1983 primarily to gain self-determination and avoid being policed by the sheriff’s department due to heavy policing.
Top District Priorities: Once the sheriff issue is finalized, Gauthier is eager to focus on:
• Child Care Costs: San Mateo County has the fifth highest child care cost (up to $4,000 a month), acting as a significant barrier to families working.
• Immigration: District 4's large immigrant community is often "scared and nervous" and requires support.
• Displacement and Homelessness: Persistent issues linked to the high cost of living.
Supervisor Gauthier also expresses 100% confidence in County Executive Mike Halig, stating that an investigation proved the allegations made against him by former Sheriff Corpus were false.
Episode Highlights:
• The high cost and complexity of the sheriff appointment process.
• Gauthier’s expectations for the new sheriff's leadership.
• The history of over policing in East Palo Alto.
• Community policing vs. judging people by the color of their skin.
• San Mateo County's childcare crisis.
• The challenge of zero cooperation policy with ICE.
• Confidence in County Executive Mike Halig.
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