Guadalupe residents meet controversial new Director of Public Safety

Guadalupe residents and community organizations gathered at city hall on Tuesday to meet Michael Cash the new Director of Public Safety.

Cash was elected despite some protest voiced by the community after numerous allegations were made that he covered up sexual assaults, misused police funds, and fired his duty weapon in a police locker room endangering others.

The controversies caused a heated debate and an investigation by the city. Cash says he is innocent of the allegations and the mett & great in hopes to connect with the community and hear what ways he can improve Guadalupe’s public safety.

He says right now he wants to find out what has worked in the past and zone in on community engagement.

“Community is the backbone, without the community you have no public safety, ” said Cash.

Cash said he wants people to do their research and make up their mind versus listening to allegations that were not proven. He says he has an open door policy and doesn’t want people to be afraid to ask him about the claims.

“If you read most of that stuff it says these are allegations … it doesn’t say if anyone even checked in to see if it’s correct, ” said Cash.

When asked why he thinks so many allegations are out there he said he does not know and won’t bad mouth his past employer because he does not want to do the same injustice that was done to him.

City officials are adamant that Cash interviewed very well and felt his explanations of the allegations were sufficient enough to feel comfortable hiring him.

Crystal Guzman, a local resident, felt he deserves a chance.

“I think it’s a fresh start for everyone. I think this is a good opportunity to prove the allegations wrong and his actions are going to speak louder then what’s being said around,” said Guzman.

Many that attended voiced that they hope Cash will focus the cities attention on their youth.

“I would sure like to see a lot more involvement with the youth, the young people coming out of high school and junior high,” said Guadalupe lifetime resident Joe Talaugon.

Mayor Protem, Ariston Julian, says cash plans to do just that.

“He is strong in recreation which I like because we have about 2600 kids under the age of 18 without much of an organized area for youth. So if you don’t have an organized area for youth and youth are scattered about then the police don’t know where they are. But if there is recreation then they know where they are, ” said Julian.