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San Benito County Crime & Justice Digest



Health and Human Services Agency Inspection Reports Deficiencies in San Benito Jail System

03/26/2024

The San Benito Health and Human Services Agency annual inspection turned up deficiencies in health training and services provided by the San Benito County jail system with most in the juvenile facility.

Reps. Gaetz and Greene Lawsuit Against Cities Where Political Rally Was Canceled Can Move Forward

03/25/2024

A judge ruled GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene can move forward with their lawsuit against two California cities where rallies were canceled.

California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row

03/18/2024

California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.

New Public Defender Chosen by San Benito Supervisors

03/13/2024

Beginning May 1, Harry Damkar will provide indigent defense services for the county, replacing the Fitzgerald, Alvarez & Ciummo law firm.

California Law Enforcement Transparency Legislation Signed Into Law

03/09/2024

After receiving bipartisan support, California Senate Bill 400, legislation intended to increase law enforcement transparency, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

San Francisco Voters Pass Police & Drug Ballot Measures

03/08/2024

Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.

Study Finds Almost 50% of San Francisco Drug Users Not Residents

03/01/2024

A report of a 12 month study which ended in February indicates almost half of those cited for drug usage were not residents of the city, leading to questions about city approaches to drug addiction.

State Report Cites 'Inadequate' Public Defender Services in San Benito County

02/29/2024

County’s public defense system lack of structured leadership, transparency, accountability and funds, and frequent attorney turnover, high caseloads and low litigation noted.

Why Does California Elect Local Judges?

02/23/2024

Of all the races on your ballot, the least information is often available on local judges. Here are some ways to find out more about these candidates.

Judge Again Dismisses Charges Against Members of California White Supremacist Group

02/21/2024

In his decision, a judge agreed that the alleged white nationalists were being selectively prosecuted instead of 'far-left extremist groups, such as Antifa.'

Bay Area Car Owners Have Yet Another Crime to Worry About

02/20/2024

License plates are getting stolen from vehicles, Livermore officials say.

Beekeeper Offers $100,000 Reward in Brazen Fresno Beehive Thefts

02/14/2024

Commercial beekeeper Andrew Strehlow estimates he’s had 1,000 hives stolen over the years. The latest theft, of 96 hives from a Fresno County orchard, was his last straw.

Central California Is Battling a Unique, ‘Growing’ Crime Problem

02/13/2024

Beehives, tractors and more are getting stolen from farmers.

Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Calif. Background Checks for Ammo Purchases

02/06/2024

California’s law that requires background checks when purchasing ammunition is back in place.

Newsom to Send 120 CHP Officers to Fight Crime in Oakland

02/05/2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom is increasing state police presence in Oakland under a new law enforcement campaign to target rising violent crime and theft.

How Many People Die Each Year in Jails and Prisons? No One Knows

02/02/2024

As Jay D. Aronson and Dr. Roger A. Mitchell explore in their book “Death in Custody,” that lack of data is a national problem.

Tribal Leaders Cite Problems with California’s Feather Alert for Native People Who Go Missing

01/28/2024

In the first year of California’s Feather Alert system, authorities denied some requests to issue bulletins on missing people, causing concerns.

L.A. Is Being ‘Stripped for Parts.’ Here’s What the City Council Wants to Do About It

01/26/2024

Among growing concern over copper wire thefts, L.A. City Councilmembers Kevin de León and Traci Park proposed a task force anchored by the LAPD.

Controversial California Bill Would Physically Stop New Cars From Speeding

01/25/2024

The proposed bill would require new California cars to have a speed limiter.

Jailed for Missing a Court Date, He Died After Not Being Given His HIV Medicine

01/23/2024

An El Dorado County Jail inmate died after not receiving vital HIV medication for weeks, a new lawsuit claims.

As California Closes Prisons, State Spending Per Inmate Hits a New Record

01/22/2024

Locking up a California state prisoner for one year costs nearly twice as much as tuition at the state’s top private universities—due to inmate medical costs and pay boosts for prison guards and other workers.

Californians Want to Use Zoom for Court Appearances. Will Lawmakers Let Them?

01/22/2024

Each year, California lawmakers pass temporary extensions to COVID-era rules that allow people to attend court via video conferencing services. One powerful state union has been a barrier to making the feature permanent.

Oakland Gas Station Is Going Viral for Its Nonstop Car Burglaries

01/16/2024

An auto burglary trend shows that thieves are targeting travelers.

LAPD Chief Announces Departure at End of February

01/12/2024

Michel Moore, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, announced he will resign. The departure of Moore, who has been in the job since 2018, will spur the appointment of an interim chief and a nationwide search for his replacement, according to Mayor Karen Bass.

SCOTUS to Hear Case with Major Implications for Homeless

01/12/2024

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case related to whether cities and towns can ban camping on public property. The high court could overturn Martin v. Boise, a 2018 federal court decision that keeps western cities and counties from blocking public camping when sufficient shelter space is unavailable.

With Tighter Budgets, Police Seek Less Time in Court

01/11/2024

To keep more police on patrols, law enforcement groups want officers to spend less time in court. Legislation would allow non-sworn community service officers to testify in preliminary hearings.

Hate Crimes Rising in Los Angeles

01/09/2024

Cal State San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism found that hate crimes rose 12.9% between 2022 and 2023. The spike follows a particularly stark increase in crimes against Jewish people.

$10M-Plus Lawsuit Follows Multiple Deaths at Sacramento Jail

01/09/2024

Sacramento attorney Mark Merin has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of a man who died in May after being held at the county jail. Other inmates have died in recent years, and the jail is under a federal consent decree to improve its health care.

Kinder, Gentler Prison Guards Key to Newsom San Quentin Reform Plan

01/05/2024

California correctional officers train like ‘they are going to war’ to work in state prisons. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to transform San Quentin could require a kinder approach.

Sacramento Councilman Under Federal Indictment Resigns from Office

01/04/2024

Sean Loloee, a first-term Sacramento councilmember, has resigned from office—a move that came weeks after he was federally indicted on charges related to his business Viva Supermarkets.

A Step Forward for Free Speech in Kern County?

12/28/2023

Kern County agrees to better protect free speech in a deal with the state Justice Department—inspired by the county’s’ 2020 squashing of COVID contracts to organizations that advocated defunding police.

California Consumers Will Have Easier Time Getting Compensation for False Advertising Under New 2024 Law

12/27/2023

A new law, sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, will create a fund designed to fully compensate victims of false advertising or unfair competition.

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