Many Cobb County residents, especially those of color, believe that the current Cobb County Sheriff, Neil Warren, does not adequately represent all of the people of Cobb County. When Sheriff Warren first came into office Cobb County was approx. 10% minority and 90% white and now it is nearly 50/50. There is no doubt that the demographics of Cobb have changed and the Cobb Immigrant Alliance and member organizations of the Cobb United for Change Coalition, who represent many of the minority communities that have produced this change, have attempted to meet with Sheriff Warren for years to discuss these changes and to offer input on how the Sheriff’s department under his leadership can adapt to these changes in order to adequately serve all the people of Cobb, however their requests have fallen on deaf ears. Sheriff Warren has consistently denied all requests for meetings with these representatives of the community, even when he was encouraged to do so by County Commissioners and the Director of Public Safety, and hence has shown his disregard for the people they represent and unwillingness therefore to render equal service and protection for all. And other law enforcement leaders and professionals, both locally and nationally, have stated that some of Sheriff Warren’s policies have actually undermined law enforcement by damaging the delicate trust between law enforcement agencies and the community.

The Cobb Immigrant Alliance and Cobb United for Change, of which I am a member, therefore encourage every Cobb resident who feels that Sheriff Warren does not adequately represent and serve every resident of Cobb regardless of their race or culture to use the power of the vote on November 6^th. We want to remind members of the community that they can send a message that clearly registers their displeasure by voting for his opponent or withholding their vote from Sheriff Warren. Unfortunately, Sheriff Warren appears to be more interested in national notoriety as a tough guy on immigrants than he is interested in serving all the people of Cobb County, so let's retire him from public service.