SF District Attorney Calls for Federal Help for Witness Protection

By George Harris, KCBS
April 25, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- District Attorney Kamala Harris testified before a congressional sub-committee, calling the intimidation of witnesses who cooperate with police investigating serious crimes a national epidemic.

She spoke in support of three bills, one of which would grant $90 million in federal money for local D.A.s, and one that would bolster community policing efforts.

"We as law enforcement have a responsibility not only to public safety but to the communities we serve," said Harris.

She added that law enforcement needs to take advantage of different techniques to get witnesses to step forward, and recognize “that community policing is a legitimate tool in terms of crime reduction."

The legislation is scheduled for a vote next week.

Last year Terrell Rollins, 22, was killed after he left the witness protection program and returned to his old neighborhood in San Francisco.

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