Mark Jasso will bring structure, accountability as sheriff

April 29--Mark Jasso is banking on his extensive career and personal knowledge of Luna County to catapult him as the county's new Sheriff. Jasso is campaigning on the Democratic ticket in the June 3, Luna County Primary Election.

Jasso faces five other Democrats in the primary.

"I'm going to bring quality and professional service to the people we serve and protect," said Jasso. "I also want to bring with me my current working relationship with our other local law enforcement, fire department and federal agencies that I have with my position as (Luna County) Emergency Services Director."

Jasso commends Sheriff Raymond Cobos on his accomplishments, but assures voters he wants to go further. He plans on enforcing structure and accountability with the sheriff's office to bring quality and professional service to the residents of Luna County.

Born and raised in Deming, he graduated from Deming High School in 1991. Jasso began working with the LCSO in 1996 when he was hired as a detention officer and dispatcher.

Climbing the ranks, Jasso obtained the rank of Sergeant and ultimately left in 2009 to become Luna County Emergency Director in 2009 and assisted in running the detention center as interim warden.

Jasso recently graduated as a Certified Public Officer with New Mexico State University (NMEDGE) for county and municipalities. He is also close to completing his Risk Management Certification. He hopes to be certified by September.

Jasso is married to his wife, Sara, a Luna County Magistrate court manager. The couple has been married for 16 years, and they have six children, Christopher, 25, Bianca, 22, Stephanie, 20, Anthony, 18, Cassie, 17 and Dylan, 12.

Once elected, Jasso wants to involve his department more with youth safety and anti-gang programs, drug education and assembling a high crime monitoring unit to get law enforcement more involved with concerns involving local youth.

Having a long standing personal commitment with community youths, Jasso feels it is important to maintain a relationship with youths.

"They are our future,"said Jasso. "It is up to us to make sure their needs are addressed."

Jasso was a school resource officer with Deming Public Schools before the program was terminated due to lack of funding. The SRO program was a federal-funded program that assigned law enforcement officers to local schools to provide security. Jasso was the only LCSO deputy involved in the program.

Coaching community sports teams in softball, flag football and volleyball has allowed Jasso to keep a close relationships with youths and hear about concerns in the community involving youth.

Jasso worked as the Luna County Juvenile Services Administrator in 2005 until he was hired as the safety director for the county.

Serving as a drug court surveillance officer and juvenile boot camp officer, Jasso is confident he is in tune with the youth of this community.

He firmly believes his knowledge of administrative and law enforcement policies are what is needed to continue to propel Luna County in the right direction.

"I am coming to make a difference to this office as Sheriff," Jasso said. "I will continue to be an effective leader in the way of striving for more than just the average. By ways of looking at both sides of the situation and making sure people are not just heard -- but they are answered through follow up."

Jasso has offered residents and county staff an open door policy and invites constituents to contact him with concerns and questions regarding issues involving the county.

Elena Ruiz may be reached at (575)546-2611 (ext. 2608).

FACT BOX

MEET THE CANDIDATE

Candidate: Mark Jasso

Age: 41

Party: Democrat

Spouse: Sara Jasso

Children: Christopher, 25, Bianca, 22, Stephanie, 20, Anthony, 18, Cassie, 17 and Dylan, 12

Job: Luna County Emergency Services Director

Platform:

--Enforcing structure and accountability within the sheriff's office.

--Assemble high crime and gang activity monitoring unit.

--Becoming a more community involved law enforcement department.

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