Bill Passed To Reform Witness Protection Program
Bay Area law enforcement officials announced an upgrade today to the state's program for witnesses of violent crimes to encourage them to speak out as well as to guarantee support for them from officials.
For the first time in nearly a decade, what was formerly known as the Witness Protection Program, has been drastically reformed by SB 594, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris said today at a news conference, where she was joined by three other Bay Area district attorneys and the San Francisco chief of police.
With the new Witness Relocation and Assistance Program, witnesses receive assistance for 180 days following the end of a trial as opposed to the prior 90 days of support, according to Harris.
In addition, officials now not only help witnesses relocate as the witness protection program previously offered, but they would provide support with enrolling in school, substance abuse counseling, and seeking employment, according to Harris.
The purpose of adding support to the witness program is to ensure witnesses not only are relocated but are able to adapt into their new communities with as little turbulence as possible, Harris said.
"We can't simply dump witnesses after a trial is done," said Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr.
Officials also noted the difficulty in testifying in a courthouse while remaining in a community where trepidation is to be expected.
"Why would someone want to come forward when there's fear and intimidation," San Francisco Chief of Police Heather Fong said. "This assures witnesses...they will be kept safe and supported."
"Gangs thrive on fear," Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said. "We have to make sure witnesses have the full support to come forward to a courthouse."
Harris cited the death of 22-year-old Terrell Rollins, a San Francisco resident who was killed May 4, 2006, after he joined the city's witness protection program, as a factor in the program's enhancement.
"Our priority is that the heroes, the witnesses, who come forward are safe," Harris said. "We took a hard look at what we were doing and what we could do better."
"We ask a lot from our witnesses," said the governor's gang and youth policy state director Paul Seave. "This bill enables law enforcement officials to do a better job protecting the witnesses."
Funding for the Witness Relocation and Assistance Program was doubled as well, up from $3 million in 2006 to $6 million from the state this year, according to Harris.
