San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer Tuesday appointed two clergymen, one of them a former gang member-turned-pastor, to the city's crime and public safety advisory boards.
Faulconer named Pastor Jesus Sandoval to the city's Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention and the Rev. Gerald Brown to the Citizens Advisory Board on Police-Community Relations. They will serve as the executive directors of their respective advisory boards and will help Faulconer and San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit work to improve public safety issues and community engagement.
"The relationships that our police officers build with the communities they serve is critical to keeping our neighborhoods safe," Faulconer said. "We must strive every day to strengthen those bonds, and the appointments of Pastor Sandoval and Rev. Brown will ensure the community has a voice at City Hall. They are trusted community leaders who have worked tirelessly to reduce gang violence and their experience will help improve public safety in neighborhoods through the city."
Sandoval will oversee matters of community policing and gang violence prevention by collaborating with local entities such as educational and faith institutions, law enforcement organizations, government offices and local residents. The former gang member, who became a pastor in 2003, has used his status to help other gang members and their families improve their lives.
Brown will promote communication, cooperation and trust between SDPD officers and San Diego residents. He has spent more than 20 years working with San Diego community members as the executive director of the United African American Ministerial Action Council, the program manager for the San Diego Rescue Mission and a case manager for the Neighborhood House Association.
"Both of these men are proven leaders in the community and their passion to assist others will help keep San Diegans safe," Nisleit said. "I am very excited to welcome Pastor Sandoval and Rev. Brown to these important positions."
