FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
DAN SCHNUR
MARCH 8, 1994
BETH MILLER

WILSON BRINGS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT TOUR TO ORANGE COUNTY; PROMISES "MORE COPS ON THE STREET AND MORE THUGS BEHIND BARS" "I'VE BEEN TO TOO MANY FUNERALS WITH TOO MANY OFFICERS"

WESTMINISTER -- Stressing the twin themes of "a California that's safe for jobs and safe for families," Governor Pete Wilson today formally announced his candidacy for re-election in a series of speeches and rallies across Southern California.

After beginning the day in the Inland Empire with a speech to area business and community leaders devoted largely to job creation and economic growth, Wilson came to Orange County to stress the themes of public safety and law enforcement in an appearance at the Westminster Police Department to highlight the city's successful gang intervention and prevention targeting program.

"This program is an example of the kind of leadership we need in the war on crime," said Wilson. "It targets the most dangerous criminals, commits the resources we need to win the fight and tries to lock up the thugs for as long as possible."

Wilson contrasted his extensive record on law enforcement and public safety issues with those of his opponents, saying, "We're not going to reclaim our streets with multi-point plans or catchy
slogans...There's a big difference between talking tough on crime and actually doing what it takes to fight crime day after day, year after year."

Wilson pointed to his record of more than twenty-five years as a leader in California's fight against crime, citing his role as Southern California chairman for the Victims Bill of Rights campaign (Proposition 8) in 1972, and his leadership roles in the passage of Proposition 115 in 1990 and Proposition 172 last year.

"California doesn't need leaders who just talk about crime on our streets and in our schools. We need someone who's done something about it. That's why I'm running for re-election as Governor."

Westminster's anti-gang program, known as TARGET (Tri-Agency Resource Gang Enforcement Team), is funded by a combination of local, state, and federal funds, including a $100,000 grant from Wilson's Office of Criminal Justice and Planning. By coordinating efforts between police,
probation officers, district attorneys, and investigators, TARGET has drastically reduced the activities of the cities 63 active gangs.

In his remarks, Governor Wilson outlined his anti-crime agenda, highlighted by the recently signed "Three Strikes and You're Out" legislation, and also including tougher sentencing requirements, more police officers on the street, and life imprisonment for first-time rapists, arsonists and child molesters. He also pointed to his support of the death penalty and the necessity of appointing judges who share that support.

"I've been to too many funerals with too many officers to have any doubts about the threats facing these men and women," Wilson said. "California needs a Governor who understands these threats and knows what must be done to combat them."

The Governor received the endorsements of several of Orange County's leading law enforcement officials, including Sheriff Brad Gates, County District Attorney Mike Capizzi, Westminster Police Chief Jim Cook, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters and the Orange County Police Chiefs
Association.

Governor Wilson also discussed several other subjects in his remarks, ranging from job creation to welfare reform to illegal immigration to education to reducing government spending.

"Californians still face tough times," Wilson said. "And to get through these tough times, we need more than ten point plans and catchy slogans. What California needs today is strong and unflinching
leadership."

Orange County is the third stop on the two-day, seven-city statewide announcement tour, which will officially kick off Governor Wilson's re-election campaign. Wilson's schedule today includes events in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, followed by stops Wednesday in the Central Valley, Silicon Valley and Sacramento.

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