JUNE 4TH, 2020
The Way Forward
Former State Senator Peter Daniels sits in The Watchtower with Lieutenant Governor Charles Moreno to talk about some remarkable occurrences that happened in San Andreas in the last few weeks, from the race for the post of Lieutenant Governor to the recent riots in Los Santos. Together, Daniels and Moreno examine the rocky elections that saw him as the victor and discuss whether a new way of policing is needed in San Andreas, reflecting on the need to combine the needs of law enforcement with the demands of the community.
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The Way Forward
Transcript by KSAN-FM Staff.
Peter Daniels:
Good evening from The Watchtower. You're on KSAN-FM and I'm your host, former State Senator Peter Daniels. Tonight we have the opportunity of speaking with a really special guest we'll talk with about the recent events involving our State and his plans to recover from them and move forward. Let me welcome Lieutenant Governor Charles Moreno. Welcome to The Watchtower, Moreno.
Charles Moreno:
Thank you, thank you. It's a pleasure to be here Peter.
Peter Daniels:
Thank you for coming by. Given what's been going on lately, I'm sure it was no easy task to find some time to get here, so we appreciate you dropping by for a talk 'bout it all. To begin with, how's your new job been treatin' you?
Charles Moreno:
Ha, well Peter I'd be lying if I said I settled in. In all honesty, I'm still finding my feet. I've went in with a full government reform. I've had to reopen the State Senate. I've had to put together a cabinet. And on top of that, I'm trying to get around to still saying thank you to everyone.
Peter Daniels:
Sounds like you've been busy, indeed. Now that you made it, is it easier being a candidate or having finally landed the job?
Charles Moreno:
Well the election was a very rocky, dramatic and eventful path. A lot of things happened, as you know. But once you get the job. You then need to put your plan into action, and you got to be honest to yourself. You have to remain committed to your manifesto. And you have so many different people around you, trying to help you. You have to prioritise and decide; what comes first? For me, the reformation of the Government is number one priority. I'm almost through that phase now.
Peter Daniels:
You mentioned how the elections have been full of unexpected events, with the indictment of former Senator Underhill and of former Secretary Cuevas, as well as Governor Richardson's decision to postpone the elections themselves following the indictment. Tell me something, do you feel Richardson's decision was justified or appropriate?
Charles Moreno:
As far as I'm concerned, he gave the Republicans a chance to submit a new candidate. Imagine that outrage we could have seen if we let a charged man, run for the second most important position in the State Government? I don't think it was an easy decision to make. I didn't like the decison, it delayed democracy but we can only blame those who put the Governor into that position, in the first place.
Peter Daniels:
I mean, what Underhill did surely was ethically questionable, no doubt about it, but isn't he innocent until proven guilty? Even if accused of something, people on't lose their rights until convicted.
Charles Moreno:
He is innocent until proven guilty, yes. And you know it saddens me, because me and Frank were actually friends before ll of this. However, I still believe a person sitting on felony charges should not be able to run. It's inappropriate. We wouldn't afford that right to our average citizen, so why should we afford that right to our politicians? My point is; the Republicans themselves should have known leaving Frank in the ring would have been a bad idea. They had the chance to choose another candidate, so the Republican voters still had a chance. I would have loved an opportunity at the time, to have faced him in the ballot.
Peter Daniels:
But they conceded, and you became Lieutenant Governor instead. And just days after your appointment, you found yourself dealing with a major crisis already. I'm talking about the riots that have affected the city last week. What's your take on them?
Charles Moreno:
I feel like every time someone from SAN asks me this, it's like you're expecting a different answer. The people have the right to protest against this Government, against the Police Department and Sheriff Department. Against anything at all they wish to protest about. But, a lot of protests lead to senseless and unnecessary violence. Violence leads to violence. It's a repetative cycle. How we achieve change is through conversation. We need to start speaking to the people more, particularly those in East Los Santos. We don't do enough. I don't do enough. The Senate doesn't. No one does. We can do so much better than we're doing. But equally, those who we need to engage with, need to be willing to have that discussion in the first place. Does that make sense?
Peter Daniels:
Yeah, it does. That's something that, as a former State Senator, can agree with completely. I also think the Senate never reached out enough to the citizens they were representing. But since you complained about my earlier question, let me be more specific: do you believe there are some problems with policing strategies in San Andreas? As a former cop, I find most agencies have moved forward, but I'd like to hear your take on it.
Charles Moreno:
My daughter was in the LSPD. I know her. She is beautiful. And she was a good public servant. During my time as Senator, I dealt with a few Internal Affairs cases, funny enough when Chief Brown was in charge of it. And I also had the opportunity to meet Deputy Chief of Police Esparza and learn more about the gang unit. The gang unit, in particular, has came a long way. They focus a lot on community outreach. Those on the recieving end may not always see it like that however, I know for a fact they give more time of their day to those kids getting in trouble as opposed to the rest of us. And if you speak to an officer or deputy, a lot of times, they'll say we aren't doing enough. And they're right. Fact is, you will always have a few bad apples but the majority of law enforcers are good people and I will always have the upmost respect for them. But as a elected official, I'll hold them to account too, and I've made that clear.
Peter Daniels:
So do you believe there's a problem with how policing is done in San Andreas? I'll hold you to a simple answer, yes or no.
Charles Moreno:
A yes or no? Really?
Peter Daniels:
You know me. I'm as straightforward as they come.
Charles Moreno:
I think the issue is too complex for such an answer but if that's what you want. Yes. The fact is this, Peter. This State has the best men and women ever. But you're asking me to say there is no problem? No problem with the style of policing? I mean, you're kidding me. Name one State that doesn't have a problem with policing? Policing will never be perfect. There will always be problems. But not because of the men and women that are here with us today, working their ass off to keep us safe. To protect us. To do good and better in the community. The problem lays with us, the politicians, and the organizations behind it all. We need to start listening to the Deputy Sheriffs and Sergeants. Those on the frontline. The day anyone comes on your show and says policing is perfect, then I'll be worried.
Peter Daniels:
Well, honesty is the best policy. And yes, I agree with you in saying part of the problem is indeed with the politicians. I still have nightmares thinking about Governor Reynolds' reform plan of the correctional system and how it absolutely rolled back State Corrections by decades by refusing to listen to those who had more knowledge than him. That's your battle, now, though, and I hope you can get the Senate to be more focused on real issues than it ever was in the past.
Charles Moreno:
I just want to make one thing clear Peter.
Peter Daniels:
Feel free.
Charles Moreno:
I have and always will have the upmost respect for law enforcement. I'll fight for whatever they damn well need.
Peter Daniels:
As a former cop and warden, I surely hope so. So, before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to tell the people of San Andreas?
Charles Moreno:
I'll be doing a meet and greet on my way out of the SAN building, for anyone who wants to share anything with me. I'm particularly keen to hear their thoughts.
Peter Daniels:
Heard that, people? Lieutenant Governor Moreno will be outside our tower in a few minutes, so feel free to drop by to tell him your thoughts. In the meantime, let me thank Lieutenant Governor Moreno for having been here tonight.
Charles Moreno:
It's been a pleasure Peter. Thank you.
Peter Daniels:
Likewise. I'm your host, former State Senator Peter Daniels, and you've been listening to The Watchtower, live on KSAN-FM. Have a good evening.
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