Hot 20 2011: Ross Mirkarimi, District 5 supervisor and candidate for sheriff

The Law
Ross Mirkarimi, 50
District 5 supervisor and candidate for sheriff
Photographed by Robyn Twomey in Potrero Hill

When Ross Mirkarimi speaks, people listen. With a baritone voice, the supe talks about everything from farmers markets (his domain, District 5, has the most in the city) to San Francisco’s immigrant population. “We’re not as enlightened as everyone thinks,” he says. Once the progressive politico, who is running for sheriff on the November ballot, gets going on public safety—something he wants to beef up, most notably, along Divisadero Street and his home base, Western Addition—Mirkarimi’s manifesto is kind of operatic. (Now that he’s married to Venezuelan actress Eliana López and a father, the stakes on public safety seem even higher.) “What happens inside the county jail system is directly affecting our neighborhoods,” says Mirkarimi, a former criminal investigator for the SF district attorney’s office. (Fact: More than three out of four people sentenced in SF become repeat offenders within three years.) “The communities that are distressed with crime are the ones that host the greatest number of repeat offenders.” To break the downward spiral, Mirkarimi wants more education and mental-health treatments in the county jail’s criminal-rehab system. “The question is,” says Mirkarimi, “can we turn people’s lives around so they don’t repeat their crimes?”

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wife beater

By Anonymous (not verified) on January 06, 2012

Ross is hands down the best candidate for Sheriff. Outgoing Sheriff Mike Hennessey, a San Francisco icon and the most popular politican in the last quarter century, Sheriff Mike also endorses Ross!

By Pedro (not verified) on October 12, 2011

Who writes their own bio on someone's elses article? Someone desperate! Come on Miyamoto, get your own interview and stop piggybacking on Ross's moment. Besides you're an unknown trying to toot a horn that's already been blown.

By Ms. B (not verified) on October 04, 2011

Captain Paul Miyamoto has the support of the members of the San Francisco Sheriff's Department. That is a huge factor that San Franciscans should think about. He has worked all the jail facilities and know the inmates and those arrested in San Francisco better than any officer on the street. He has dedicated many years of service handling the inmate population and knowing how they act, how they live, how they utilize programs, and how they abuse programs. No other candidate can claim this skill and most especially, Capt. Miyamoto has not been politicized. He is a fresh breath of air in city government and is not tainted by silly politics and backdoor dealings. The other candidates may have the basic requirements to run as Sheriff, however Capt. Miyamoto has dedicated his life and career to serving with the Sheriff's Department as well as serving the City and County of San Francisco. He has been on the street as mutual aid to various law enforcement agencies. He has worked with civilian and programs staff in regards to making programs more accessible to inmates and making sure inmates who want to use these programs offered can. He has been a well balanced supervisor enforcing the rules and regulations, while still remembering his experiences as a line staff deputy. He has listened to every complaint, every praise, and every concern that comes up from those incarcerated. A San Franciscan who is true to his community, he works to better the lives of not just his family, but to all others in San Francisco. Vote Paul Miyamoto for Sheriff 2011. EXPERIENCE, NOT POLITICS!

By Anonymous (not verified) on October 02, 2011

Just another lawmaker/politician trying to be Hot by marrying an actress; yawn!

By Anonymous (not verified) on October 01, 2011

Just another lawmaker trying to be Hot by marrying an actress; yawn!

By Anonymous (not verified) on October 01, 2011

Sure hope the answer to your last question is YES!

By Anonymous (not verified) on September 28, 2011