San Benito County Local Crime & Justice News Articles and Digest

Crime & Justice

$150 Million Settlement Reached between PG&E and California Regulators in Zogg Fire

05/18/2023
In 2020, a fallen tree in Shasta County landed on PG&E energy conductors, which caused a fire that burned 56,338 acres and killed four people. On May 18, a $150 million settlement was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission regarding PG&E's involvement in the Zogg Fire.

From CalMatters...

Education Crime & Justice

California Inmates Depended on Community Colleges. What Happens When Their Prisons Close?

05/17/2023
Newsom is closing and downsizing prisons across the state, putting the future of over a thousand incarcerated students at risk. College administrators say they have few resources to help.

From Benito Link...

Crime & Justice

Law Enforcement Seeking Improved Dash and Body Cams

05/15/2023
Cameras mounted inside vehicles or worn on the body have become an essential part of local law enforcement, and both the Hollister Police Department and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department are looking at options to replace their current systems.

From The Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Liberal California Is a Hotbed for Right-Wing Extremist Activity, Report Finds

05/11/2023
California may be a Democratic stronghold, but it has also become a hotbed of right-wing, white supremacist and antisemitic activity, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League. The ADL report found more incidents and collaboration between groups.

From SanBenitocom...

Crime & Justice County of San Benito County of San Benito Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff’s Office Launches New Engagement Platform

05/03/2023
Image for display with article titled Sheriff’s Office Launches New Engagement Platform

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Office has launched Axon’s engagement platform, My90, to collect feedback and improve outcomes following service calls.

From San Francisco Chronicle...

Crime & Justice

California’s AR-15 Ban Upheld in First Ruling Since New Supreme Court Standards

05/03/2023
In the first ruling on a California gun law since the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the government’s authority to regulate firearms, the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento upheld a ban on AR-15-style rifles, stating the weapons are “not typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes.”

From CalMatters...

Economy & Jobs Crime & Justice State of California

Here Are the Legal Hurdles to Social Media Regulation

04/30/2023
A California bill would hold social media companies legally responsible for addicting kids to their platforms. Tech lobbyists, digital rights advocates, and others say the proposal would run afoul of federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

From Benito Link...

Land Use & Development Crime & Justice

Judge Dismisses Suits Against Betabel Project

04/25/2023
Judge Patrick Palacios tentatively ruled to dismiss two lawsuits against the Betabel Road project along Highway 101 in San Benito County. Peter Prows, attorney for the Betabel property owners, said they filed a motion to dismiss based on a 30-day statute of limitations, but opposing counsel is confident Protect San Benito County and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band filed on time.

From Gilroy Dispatch...

Crime & Justice City of Gilroy

Gilroy to Purchase Armored Vehicle for Police

04/19/2023
Image for display with article titled Gilroy to Purchase Armored Vehicle for Police

Gilroy will buy an armored vehicle for the police department after its access to a shared vehicle was restricted due to a recent state law. The council unanimously approved purchase of a $360,497 Lenco BearCat.

From Monterey Herald...

Health Crime & Justice

California Announces Multi-State Settlement With Juul

04/12/2023
California will receive $175.8 million—the highest amount of any state settlement yet reached with Juul Labs—of the $462 million total settlement over marketing vaping to kids.

From Monterey Herald...

Crime & Justice

Are Charging Stations Safe at Airports?

04/12/2023
If you are running out of battery on your phone, it might be tempting to use one of the free charging stations you find in airports and shopping centers. But the FBI is advising people to avoid using these public charge stations because criminals can import malware and monitoring software onto devices via USB ports.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice

Now That Police Must Release Shooting Footage, Videos Follow the Same Script

04/09/2023
California law requires law enforcement agencies to release body cam footage of police shootings. Many departments shape those images into stories they want to tell.

From SanBenitocom...

Crime & Justice County of San Benito County of San Benito Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff’s Commander Tomas Corral Graduates From FBI National Academy

03/30/2023
Image for display with article titled Local Officer Graduates from FBI National Academy

San Benito County Sheriff’s Commander Tomas Corral graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, where he absorbed knowledge that he expects will be beneficial to his local colleagues.

From Gilroy Dispatch...

Crime & Justice Public Safety County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff

Sheriff Investigates Fentanyl Exposures at Jail

03/17/2023
Image for display with article titled Sheriff Investigates Fentanyl Exposures at Jail

Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen is drawing attention to a rash of fentanyl overdoses and exposures at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice State of California

Governor Moves to ‘Transform’ San Quentin as State’s Prison Population Shrinks

03/16/2023
San Quentin housed California’s death row for decades. Now Gavin Newsom wants the prison to emphasize rehabilitation and helping inmates re-enter society.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Crime & Justice

Federal Judge Threatens State With Daily Fines

03/02/2023
More than 200 inmates have killed themselves while state prison officials failed to complete court-ordered suicide prevention safeguards. A federal judge says the state must act or pay a price.

From CalMatters...

Crime & Justice State of California

How Many More Prisons Can Gavin Newsom Close?

02/22/2023
California spends more than $15 billion a year on its prison system. Now, with the number of people behind bars plummeting, the Newsom administration is moving to shut down more institutions.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Crime & Justice

Leaving Prison Can Mean Homelessness, Overdose

02/13/2023
In January, California became the first state permitted to provide some benefits under Medicaid to incarcerated individuals—an effort to create a smooth transition from behind bars.

From Benito Link...

Crime & Justice City of Hollister

Hollister Considers Technology to Detect Gunshots

01/20/2023
The Hollister City Council has proposed a meeting with staff to consider contracting with ShotSpotter, a Fremont-based company that claims its technology helps police detect where gunshots are coming from to accelerate response time to shootings.

From Monterey Herald...

Crime & Justice United States

Panetta Votes to Release Trump Tax Returns, Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure Audits

12/20/2022
Reports, which include former President Donald Trump's tax returns, highlight the failures of the mandatory IRS program to audit presidential and vice-presidential tax returns.

San Benito County Local News: Crime & Justice