FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2020

PRESS RELEASE
XIARHOS VOICES OPPOSITION TO SANCTUARY POLICIES
Former Deputy Police Chief and candidate for State Rep. says sanctuary policies endanger public safety and must be blocked

BARNSTABLE – The Committee to Elect Steven Xiarhos released the following statement today on behalf of Steven Xiarhos, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District:

“I strongly oppose the so-called ‘Safe Communities Act’ (H.3573), which is being heard at the State House by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security today.

“As a former police officer, I know first-hand how important it is for law enforcement agencies to possess complete and accurate information, and to be able to share that information with other law enforcement agencies. Knowledge and cooperation are key to keeping people safe. Blocking law enforcement agencies from collecting and sharing complete information about those under investigation undoubtedly would make our communities less safe and would result in the potential for violent criminals to roam our streets freely. This is completely unacceptable.

“I strongly oppose sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants, and if elected to serve as a State Representative, I will use the power of my office to oppose the creation of sanctuary cities or a sanctuary state in Massachusetts. I also oppose proposals to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Public safety is a top priority, and sanctuary policies are completely inconsistent with well-established principles of law enforcement and public safety.”

About Steven Xiarhos

Steven Xiarhos is a resident of Barnstable and a Republican candidate for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District (Sandwich, Barnstable Pcts. 11 & 12, Bourne Pcts. 1, 2 & 7, and Plymouth Pct. 9).

Steve spent forty years serving the people of Cape Cod as a member of the Yarmouth Police Department, retiring in late 2019 from the position of Deputy Chief of Police. Throughout his career, Steve attended numerous specialized training courses and is a graduate of the Babson College Command Training Course and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. He is the recipient of 22 various police department awards and decorations including Officer of the Year, Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, Rotary Club of Yarmouth Vocational Service Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Officer of the Year, and the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission Rosenthal Award.

Steve also remains active in many charitable and civic causes. This includes, but is not limited to, the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund (which was created in memory of Steve’s son, Nick, who was a Marine killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2009). Currently, Steve serves on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund and the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation; as well as a Volunteer for Wounded Warrior Project Cape Cod Soldier Ride.

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