As a mother and the wife of a member of our local law enforcement, I would like to explain why I am voting for Steve Brown as our next district attorney.

Like my husband and I, Steve and his wife Nikole want Lake County to be a safe place to raise a family and live without concern that those that keep getting arrested aren't being prosecuted properly.

I have been witness to a revolving door of the same criminal element being allowed back out on the street after being arrested for felonies, many of them with violence, and then to be offered misdemeanor plea deals with no punishment that gave the DA a “conviction,” at the expense of the safety of our community. I am concerned that this same arrangement may continue if Steve’s opponent is elected.

I was shocked when I learned of the young mother being killed in broad daylight on the Main Street of Lower Lake, then to have the same prosecutor that is running for DA agree to a plea that would only give the man accused of her death a few more months to serve. All of this was done without even notifying the young woman’s family and allowing them to have input.

I know Steve Brown and I know that he will be fair when it comes to the protection that our families deserve so I ask you to join me in voting for Steve Brown on June 5.

Jocelyn Cook lives in Clearlake, Calif.