Mayor Smith, We the undersigned are expressing our support and respect for Mesa Police Chief George Gascon. During his tenure in office the serious crim rate in the city of Mesa has decreased by more than 34 percent, overall crime has decreased by twenty percent. This is in comparison to the surrounding areas of Maricopa County where the overal crime rate has increased by sixteen percent. The professionalism which Chief Gascon and his department have shown in establishing relationships with the diverse communities within Mesa has shown concrete results. The importance Chief Gascon places upon community policing and community outreach is making Mesa a safer place in which to live and work.