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Bill could ban predators from social sites

bleubitz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:59:26 -0800

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County authorities are finding ways to keep predators away from social networking sites to keep children safe.

Authorities say that California has the highest population of registered sex offenders in the country and they hope that a new legislation will help protect children from online predators.

Authorities hope it will be the newest tool to keep sex offenders off of social networking websites.

"Our children go there as a place where they will make new friends. They go there to play, they do it from the safety of their own homes," said Kamala Harris, San Francisco District Attorney.

Police and legislative leaders are calling for the passage of the Child Cyber Safety Act. It comes in the wake of the arrest of Matthew Castaneda, a 33-year-old suspected child rapist. Police allege he met a 12-year-old girl on MySpace.com last month and lured her to an Anaheim motel near Disneyland where he assaulted her.

Studies show that one in five children who go on computer chatrooms have been approached over the internet by pedophiles. Most have never told their parents.

"Currently, there is no legislation to stop predators from preying on our children on the internet. We need to make it a crime," said Norma Torres, California Assembly Member.

If the legislation passes, it would make it a crime for registered sex offenders to go on social websites. Violators would face jail or prison time. Some, however, wonder how it can be enforced.

"Much of our strategy will be online posing as children to catch people," said Chief Paul Walters, Santa Ana Police. "We want to be as proactive as possible."

Sponsors of the bill admit it is still in its early stages but say it's a step in the right direction.

"When we open that laptop, we are opening the front door to our home for the world to come in. But let's shut the door to proven predators," said Harris.

The exact details on the penalties are still being worked on. But one assembly member who introduced the bill says violators could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Protect Children From Online Predators

rsumner — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:34:35 -0800

Assemblymember Torres and I are working to protect California's children. If you would like to support this legislation, please sign our petition at kamalaharris.org/SafeInternet. Together, we can work to make the Internet a safer place for our children.

In 1994, Megan Kanka's parents thought their 7-year-old daughter was safe. After all, they were raising her in a quiet New Jersey town.

Her parents, Richard and Maureen, could have never predicted that on July 29, 1994, the neighbor living across the street — who was, without their knowledge, a registered sex offender — would lure Megan Kanka into his home, where he would sexually assault and murder her.

In the wake of this horrific crime, it became clear that the laws were not strong enough to protect our children from registered sex offenders. In 1996, Megan's Law was enacted, requiring every state in the country to notify the public when sex offenders are residing in their area.

The time has come again for us to band together. We must protect our kids from registered sex offenders trying to "friend" them online. That is why we joined forces to introduce the Child Cyber Safety Act of 2010. This legislation would make it a crime for registered sex offenders in California to use a social networking Internet site. Period. If they do, they go back to jail.

Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo are incredibly popular. Since 2007, the number of users has doubled. Social networking sites provide a new venue for sex offenders to establish relationships with children they will later assault.

Children no longer just play in their front yard, local playground or schoolyard. Today's kids play online.

And sex offenders know it.

In November 2009, 12-year-old Jane Doe's parents thought she was safe. Instead, their daughter met a 33-year-old man on MySpace who lured their child to an Anaheim hotel and sexually assaulted her. That same year, the parents of 14-year-old John Doe of Pomona did not realize that their son was in danger online. Instead, their son met a 47-year-old man online who later pleaded guilty to sodomizing him.

And the parents of more than 80 victims in Riverside from ages 11 to 17 did not know that a 32-year-old man was using a social networking site to manipulate their children into sending him nude photographs of themselves.

As the law is currently written, the defendants in these cases, if convicted, will be required to register as sex offenders in California. However, once they've served their sentences, there is nothing stopping them from jumping right back online and using social networking sites to locate new victims.

The man who murdered 7-year-old Megan Kanka in 1994 was similarly situated. Having served time for attacking a 5-year-old child and attempting to sexually assault a 7-year-old, nothing stopped this registered sex offender from living in anonymity, able to troll his neighborhood for child victims.

We are not interested in waiting until the next child is victimized. The Child Cyber Safety Act would make registered sex offenders trolling social networking sites a crime.

Other states such as New York and Connecticut have employed efforts to require sex offenders to register e-mail addresses with the state or notify the social networking sites of their status so those profiles can be purged. However, according to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, Internet pedophiles are becoming increasingly adept at employing counter -intelligence techniques to protect themselves. They register fake names, create multiple e-mail addresses and use technology in other ways to conceal their identity.

In California, the birthplace of the personal computer, we must stay ahead of the online predator. Let's pass the Child Cyber Safety Act to keep registered sex offenders from contacting our kids online.

KAMALA D. HARRIS is San Francisco"s district attorney and a candidate for state attorney general. NORMA TORRES (D-Paloma) represents the 61st District in the Assembly. They wrote this article for the San Jose Mercury News.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

rsumner — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:04:45 -0800

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

"As District Attorney, Kamala Harris has been an effective and dedicated partner in San Francisco’s efforts to tackle school truancy, crack down on financial crimes, and combat human trafficking and child predators,” said Mayor Newsom. "Kamala Harris' innovative ‘smart on crime’ approach, with its record of success in our city, is exactly what California needs in our next Attorney General."

"Mayor Newsom has been an exceptional leader in San Francisco and many of his groundbreaking initiatives serve as a model for our state and nation," said Harris. "I’m honored to have Mayor Newsom's support for my candidacy, and I look forward to continuing our work together to make our city and state safer."

As San Francisco’s District Attorney, Harris has used her nearly 20 years of prosecutorial experience to focus intensively on fighting violent crime. She increased felony conviction rates, expanded services to victims of crime and their families, created new prosecution divisions focused on child assault, public integrity and environmental crimes, and launched innovative initiatives to prevent re-offending.

This work is paying off – the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has more than doubled its trial conviction rate for gun felonies to 90 percent. Under her leadership, the office has sent 70 percent more serious and violent offenders to State Prison. According to the State of California Department of Justice, the office’s overall felony conviction rate is at its highest point in nearly 15 years. Due to the success of her innovative crime-fighting initiatives, Harris recently participated in the White House Conference on Gang Violence Prevention and Crime Control.

California League of Conservation Voters Endorses Kamala Harris for California Attorney General

rsumner — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:35:15 -0800

The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) — the non-partisan political arm of the environmental movement in California — today announced its endorsement of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris in her campaign for California Attorney General.

"CLCV is proud to endorse Kamala Harris to become California’s next Attorney General,” said CLCV Chief Executive Officer Warner Chabot. “As District Attorney, Kamala Harris has a record of protecting the environment through tough enforcement of our state’s environmental laws. As Attorney General, Kamala Harris will vigorously defend and uphold the state’s groundbreaking environmental policies, actively enforce the law to ensure that our citizens have clean air and water, and continue to lead the fight against global climate change."

As San Francisco District Attorney, Harris created the Environmental Justice Unit in the SFDA's office to hold polluters accountable and protect the health of the city’s residents. The Environmental Justice Unit has prosecuted cases ranging from illegal dumping of hazardous waste to fraudulent smog test operations. Harris has participated in local, statewide and federal efforts to protect the environment, most recently sponsoring legislation authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman (AB 708), signed into law by the Governor in 2009 and taking effect in 2010, which imposes substantial new penalties for poaching in California.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of CLCV," said Harris. "I will be an Attorney General who believes in strong, effective enforcement of our state’s environmental laws. California has long been a leader on the issue of environmental protection, and I believe it is essential that our state’s next Attorney General continue to lead the nation in protecting our environment and our citizens."

About the California League of Conservation Voters

The political muscle of the environmental movement in America’s leading environmental state, the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) is the nation’s oldest grassroots environmental political action organization. CLCV uses sophisticated campaign tools to help elect pro-environment officials – and to hold them accountable for passing legislation to protect health, communities and the environment. CLCV publishes the annual California Environmental Scorecard, which rates the actions of every state legislator and the governor on the state’s environmental priorities each legislative year. For the results of the 36th annual California Environmental Scorecard, and for information on CLCV’s election priorities and endorsements, visit www.ecovote.org.

Bill to Ban Social Networking for Sex Offenders

rsumner — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:00:07 -0800

Sex offenders in California would be barred from using social networking Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace under a proposed law aimed at making the Internet safer for children as more and more of them flock to the Web.

Citing horrific cases in which children were sexually assaulted by men they met online, Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Pomona (Los Angeles County) introduced the bill last month, which would make it a crime for Californian's 63,000 registered sex offenders to use any social networking site. The proposed law defines those as a Web site "designed with the intent of allowing users to build networks or connect with other people and that provides means for users to connect over the Internet."

Assembly Bill 2208 is similar to legislation passed last year in Illinois, but doesn't go quite as far as a New York state law that additionally requires sex offenders to register their e-mail addresses and online aliases with state authorities, who can then turn over the names to the companies that run the social networking sites. After the New York law passed, 3,500 sex offenders were purged from MySpace and Facebook by the Internet companies.

All of the laws depend to some extent on the assumption that sex offenders will police themselves.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, who is sponsoring the measure, acknowledged that the proposed law isn't a fail-safe measure, but said it will offer a deterrent to sex offenders who do not want to return to jail. Harris, who specialized in child sexual assault cases as a courtroom prosecutor, said it will also create more public awareness around the issue and give law enforcement another tool.

"The carrot is don't get on these sites, and the stick is we will prosecute you," said Harris, who is running for state attorney general. "In my experience, these types of predators are a slimy group and they don't want to go to jail, and what we're telling them is that if you go online and start chatting with my 12-year-old niece, you're going to jail."

The number of users on social networking sites has doubled since 2007, Torres said, and many of those users are children. She noted that just last month, a 33-year-old man lured a 12-year-old girl to a hotel in Anaheim, where she was sexually assaulted.

Facebook attorney Chris Kelly, another attorney general hopeful, said the law is a good first step but noted that it is often difficult for social networking sites to identify sex offenders without knowing how they identify themselves online.

"It's a good start," he said. "But it needs to be strengthened."

VIDEO: SF Indicts Alleged Leaders of BNT Gang

rsumner — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:37:26 -0800

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris's Office Indicts 10 Alleged Members of BNT Gang

[WATCH VIDEO]

San Francisco Chronicle, March 1, 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco grand jury indicted 10 alleged members of a Bayview-Hunters Point gang that has been linked to three homicides, including the slaying of a man in July in front of his girlfriend, mother and his three children.

In announcing a 30-count indictment - which was handed down Thursday but sealed as police tried to arrest the suspects - District Attorney Kamala Harris said authorities had "decapitated" the gang, known as BNT.

"These folks thought that we were not going to remember what they did," Harris said.

According to police and prosecutors, 25 to 50 people are in the gang at any one time, ranging in age from 14 to about 25. The gang operates in an area along Third Street near Kirkwood Avenue, selling drugs to make money and intimidating foes through violence, authorities said.

Three of the defendants - Cecil Terrell, 23, Antoine Fowler, 25, and Clark Benson, 25 - were charged with murdering a one-time friend, 21-year-old Lloyd Randleston, on Oct. 13, 2006. After luring him to a secluded area and asking him if he had stolen a gun from the gang, Fowler shot Randleston, prosecutors said.

Brian Yang, 20, was charged with murdering Gregory Chapman, a 46-year-old bus driver, during a robbery in 2008. Yang's fingerprint was allegedly found on the victim's sunglasses.

The case that pushed authorities toward convening a grand jury was the killing of 28-year-old Delvon Fields on July 16 as he drove with his family near Third Street.

According to prosecutors, 22-year-old London Shaw shot him. Shaw was indicted for murder along with Missy Davis, 20, who is accused of driving a rented getaway car.

Police Officer Len Broberg, who led the investigation of BNT, recalled arriving at the scene of Fields' slaying to find the victim's 6-year-old son crying.

"He kept talking about how he had to watch his daddy die," Broberg said. "These guys have been acting with impunity. Each time they get away with something, they get emboldened."

Police arrested five people, including Shaw, soon after Fields was killed. But prosecutors with Harris' office declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence.

The next month, investigators launched the wider probe into the gang, which led to 77 witnesses testifying in front of the grand jury over three months.

Shaw did not have to be arrested after the indictment. He is in custody in Sacramento, where authorities say he and another BNT member fatally shot a 26-year-old man in June - using the same gun that killed Fields.

Also charged in the indictment were Cyril Hanna, 22; Julius Rhodes, 19; James Talley, 22; and 24-year-old Thomas Sims III. Charges against them include robbery, drug dealing and conspiracy.

Police said Hanna and Davis remain at large, with most of the others scheduled to make a first court appearance Tuesday.

EMILY’s List endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

bleubitz — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:57:43 -0800

EMILY’s List, one of the nation’s largest political action committees with more than 100,000 members, today announced its endorsement of District Attorney Kamala Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.

“Over the last two and a half decades, EMILY’s List has helped elect dozens of highly qualified women candidates in California at all levels of public office,” said Harris. “I am honored to have EMILY’s List by my side in this campaign to bring a smart on crime approach to California’s justice system.”

Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has played an active role in many California elections, helping to elect the state’s two U.S. Senators, 21 Congresswomen and 39 women to state and local office.

In December 2003, Kamala Harris was elected as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco's history, and as the first African American woman and South Asian American woman in California to hold the office. If elected Attorney General, Kamala Harris would become only the sixth woman elected to statewide constitutional office in California history.

EMILY’s List joins other prominent local, statewide and national women’s organizations in supporting Harris’ candidacy, including Black Women Organized for Political Action, CALIFORNIA List, Los Angeles Women’s Political Committee, National Women’s Political Caucus, San Francisco Women’s Political Committee, and Women’s Campaign Forum.

Getting African American Children Back in School Before It’s Too Late

rsumner — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:22:51 -0800

Many of the landmark battles of our Civil Rights Movement hinged on the right to an education.

We all remember the images — the Little Rock Nine escorted to school by federal troops, or a deadly firefight between U.S. Marshals, soldiers and rioting segregationists intent on blocking James Meredith’s enrollment at the University of Mississippi.

Adults and children lost their lives so that African American students could enter America’s school houses. Under the law, our battle was won. But today, in many respects, we are losing the war.

African American children are dropping out of school at alarming rates, with nearly half failing to finish high school. The pattern starts young and begins with chronic school absences. Many urban school districts across the country report that literally thousands of students are absent without an excuse each day. Often, more than 40 percent of these missing students are in elementary school.

In San Francisco, African Americans make up just 11 percent of the public school population, but account for nearly 40 percent of truant students. A study of African American third-graders in Philadelphia revealed that 39 percent had missed 25 days or more compared to 19 percent of white students. Nearly 60 percent of the children at the Minneapolis Truancy Center are African American, while they comprise a little more than 30 percent of the total student population.

So what does it mean that so many of our young African American children are not in school? It means they fall behind, and they fall through the cracks. Elementary school children who skip class today become tomorrow’s high school truants, juvenile delinquents and dropouts. Dropouts are those most likely to have poor health, be unemployed or work at low-paying jobs, and are more likely to end up on the streets as victims or perpetrators of crime.

The statistics speak volumes. In California, three-fourths of prison inmates are high school dropouts. In San Francisco, more than 94 percent of all homicide victims under the age of 25 are high school dropouts.

When it comes to giving our children a chance, we can either pay attention to the signs of trouble now, or we can pay the price later. The early signs of trouble are clear.

In 2007, the National Center for Children in Poverty issued a study finding that elementary school children who miss 10 percent or more days in a given school year are the most likely to have lower academic performance and risk permanently falling behind in subsequent school years. I believe that 10 percent or more is a “tipping point.”

Children who miss less than 10 percent have a chance to recover, while children who miss more than 10 percent begin to permanently fall off.

As a community, we need to do everything possible to identify children who have reached the tipping point and demand action to get these children back on track. We cannot afford to simply wring our hands. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and do the work necessary to make sure our children get to school and get the education they deserve — the education for which those who came before us fought and died.

After I was elected district attorney for San Francisco, I learned that 44 percent of the truant students were in elementary school. I decided to partner with the San Francisco Unified School District to combat elementary school truancy. Every fall, I sent a letter to all parents informing them that truancy is against the law and that I will enforce the law.

During the school year, prosecutors from my office hold mediations with parents and truant students at schools to equip them with services to improve their children’s attendance.

In most cases, attendance improves. But when it doesn’t, my office prosecutes parents in a specialized Truancy Court that combines court monitoring with tailored family services. We have service providers on hand to help resolve underlying issues such as unstable housing, substance abuse, mental health issues or unresolved special education needs.

Our strategy has worked. In the last year alone, truancy among elementary school students in San Francisco dropped by 20 percent.

The students in our Truancy Initiative are getting needed services, and they are back in school. While we ultimately don’t know what these young students will choose to do with their lives, we do know that now they have a chance.

It is up to us to get our children in school. We know what happens when they are not there. Let’s call on our locally- and state-elected leaders to recognize that the children in a community should be thought of as the children of us all.

We must recognize the tipping point and intervene early — before it’s too late.

The Mortgage Crisis is Not Colorblind

rsumner — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:37:44 -0800

Ask anyone to define the "American Dream" and almost surely, the reply will be: "owning a home." And for good reason - a home is equal parts family sanctuary and financial cornerstone. But for too many African-Americans, that part of the American Dream is still that - just a dream. And the recent mortgage crisis has made matters worse. But as we respond to today's headlines, I urge you to not forget yesterday's lessons.

Some basic numbers tell a familiar story: African-Americans own fewer homes than other Americans, and those homes generally have lower average value. This is, in part, the difficult arithmetic of our history. African-American communities have historically been poorer and more marginalized, meaning that securing competitive loans or even having access to major banks has been difficult.

Past is often prologue, and the housing market is no exception. In recent years, African-American communities have been deeply exposed to subprime and other risky mortgage products. Subprime and other mortgages that are associated with high default rates are often more common in predominantly African-American neighborhoods. And, although determining who gets what loan, and on what terms, is a complicated affair, recent reports have suggested that, even when income and other traditional credit criteria are similar, African-American borrowers are likely to pay higher rates for riskier loans than other groups.

And so, when the mortgage market collapsed, African-American homeownership went with it. Between 2004 and 2007 - the beginning of the mortgage meltdown - rates of African-American homeownership declined faster than for any other group. And it might get worse still, as African-Americans are less and less likely to even apply for a mortgage - applications from African-American borrowers fell by more than a third from 2006 to 2007.

To top it all off, the crisis has brought with it new forms of exploitation, including mortgage fraud and other schemes targeting vulnerable homeowners. Reports of mortgage fraud have risen steeply across the nation, as have criminal investigations into these crimes. In one common scenario that my office has increasingly seen in California, so-called "loss mitigation" companies promise to help distressed homeowners for an upfront fee that is sometimes in the thousands of dollars. Once paid, these firms do little or nothing, allow the loan to fall further behind, and walk away when banks foreclose on the home. For these fraudsters and others like them, African-American communities, where subprime and other high-priced or risky mortgages are more common, present major targets.

These crimes must not be tolerated. We must act, and government at all levels is responding. In May 2009, President Obama signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act into law, including a plan to provide free assistance to millions of distressed homeowners. By December, more than 650,000 homeowners had lowered their monthly
payments by securing a mortgage modification with help from the Administration's Making Home Affordable program. In California, authorities at the state and local levels are putting in place programs to crack down on mortgage fraud and support distressed
homeowners.

My office in San Francisco has established a new Mortgage and Investment Fraud Unit to target the middle men who play a central role in the fraud industry: the local lenders, real estate brokers, loan consultants and investment advisors who facilitate fraud against hundreds of people in our city. As a district attorney, I can act - I am acting - to combat fraud and exploitation of distressed homeowners. As an elected official, I must - we all must - keep the lessons of history alive.

February is Black History Month, when we celebrate our struggle, our achievements, our contributions to the world. But it is also a time when we can recognize our challenges. African-Americans own fewer homes with less value, and we often pay more to get them, and more to keep them. Until we lay a stronger foundation for sustained, and sustainable, growth in African-American homeownership, our communities will remain dangerously exposed to the next crisis. This must be our work. We have been dreaming long enough.

Book 'Em: Smart on Crime - Crimesider - CBS News

rsumner — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:05:14 -0800

NEW YORK (CBS) How can we break the cycle of crime that is filling our prisons to capacity year after year with the same prisoners?

In her new book Smart on Crime, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris takes on one of society’s most pressing issues: reforming our broken criminal justice system.

Smart on Crime challenges basic assumptions and proposes unconventional ways to fight crime:
- Break the Cycle: Harris says corrections institutions are failing their mission -- prisoners are leaving the system as increasingly hardened criminals, not rehabilitated citizens. She lays out the program she pioneered for first-time offenders, mixing tough love with job training to straighten out young lives.

- Start in First Grade: Thousands of children are chronically truant starting as early as the first grade, says Harris. She shows how law enforcement crackdowns on parents of truant children keep kids out of jail in the long term.

- Treat Children for PTSD: Harris argues that children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should be treated clinically. Without treatment, children who grow up surrounded by violence are likely to commit crimes themselves.

- High-Tech Policing: Harris explains how cutting-edge technologies, like “shot spotters” which can quickly identify the precise location of gunfire, license plate scanning equipment, and the GPS, can enhance the capabilities of law enforcement.

Harris offers a Freakanomics-like examination of our criminal justice system, and delivers a comprehensive agenda for social and economic change—while making the case for the transformative impact that comes from being Smart on Crime.

Interview with Kamala Harris by Barry Leibowitz, Senior Writer at 48 Hours | Mystery

What’s the biggest misconception Americans have about how to fight crime?

Harris: First off, this book is predicated on one main premise, which is that all Americans have the right to live in safe communities. Having spent nearly two decades as a courtroom prosecutor, I know that it simply is not enough to just talk tough about crime. I want us to be “smart on crime.” That means in order to make our communities safer, we have to take a strategic approach to changing the status quo, because our current system is failing all of us. In the book, I first address some of the myths and outdated approaches that I believe are failing. In the second half of the book, I outline the ways in which I believe we can chart a new course for tackling these long-standing problems.

Some of the biggest misconceptions that I address in the book have to do with the approach we as law enforcement take in order to protect the public. Fighting crime requires both enforcement and prevention. One approach does not exclude the other. If there is one lesson to be learned from the public health model, it is that prevention is the most effective and least costly way to stop any epidemic.

Without question, when a crime has been committed, we must respond and offenders must be held accountable. But if we want to address the overall problem of crime, and not just respond to individual cases and incidents of violence, we need to be more than reactive. We need to be proactive in stopping crime before it starts.

If you could change one thing about our criminal justice system, what would it be?

Harris: In California, one of the most serious challenges that we as law enforcement leaders face is our rate of recidivism, or re-offense, which is the highest in the nation. Within three years of being released from prison, 70 percent of offenders will end up behind bars again. If we can stop the revolving door that currently just cycles criminals in and out of prison, California can set the standard for public safety in America. In order to achieve this, however, we have to move past the false choice of being either “tough” or “soft” on crime.

I believe that it is time to instead get smart on crime, and recognize that the overwhelming majority of offenders will serve their time and return to the very same communities where they originally offended. If we don’t invest the time and resources needed to make sure that prisoners’ return to society is productive, we will continue to pay in terms of diminished public safety and wasted resources.

Why should people care about non-violent crime, when violent crime, including murder, is more devastating?

Harris: I am frequently asked that question, so let me start by saying this: as a career prosecutor, I believe those who commit serious and violent crimes should face swift and certain justice. I have personally tried some of the most horrific cases imaginable, and secured convictions that have sent some of the worst criminals to spend the rest of their days behind bars.

We must also recognize that “crime” is not monolithic. I have found that the “crime pyramid” is an effective way to visualize the totality of crimes committed in our society, and an effective way to communicate about how we can best fight crime. Visualizing this pyramid, at the top are the very worst crimes: murder, rape, violent assaults, crimes that rightly command our attention. While these crimes are so horrific and threatening, they form the very top of the pyramid because they constitute the minority of crimes – as only one fourth of all offenders sentenced to prison are violent offenders.

One of the main reasons we haven’t been able to effectively prevent nonviolent crime is that we have been using only the tools best suited to combating the offenders at the top of the pyramid. For several decades, the passage of tough laws and long sentences has created an illusion in the public’s mind that public safety is best served when we treat all offenders the same way: arrest, convict, imprison, parole, and hope they learn their lesson. But the numbers paint the true story, which is that most nonviolent offenders are learning the wrong lesson, and in many cases, they are becoming more hard¬ened criminals.

What do you tell critics who think trying to transform criminals into responsible citizens means you’re “soft on crime”?

Harris: Getting smart on crime does not mean reducing sentences or punishments for crimes. Being smart on crime means using the time and resources we now spend on offenders more productively to reduce their odds of re-offending.

For decades we have spent billions of dollars on ineffective solutions that have not improved public safety. I believe that especially in these tough economic times, it is critical that we evaluate the cost of action versus the cost of inaction. I strongly believe that for serious and violent criminals, we absolutely must hold them accountable for their crimes and send them to prison. But as I discuss in the book, we must take a smarter approach when it comes to combating nonviolent crime. And it is also essential that when we look at investing in innovative ways to fight crime before it occurs, we must weigh the short-term costs of action versus the long-term costs of inaction.

Is there any evidence your “Smart on Crime” approach works?

Harris: Absolutely, and I am proud of the successes we have had in San Francisco. Since I took office in 2004, we’ve raised the felony conviction rate to its highest level in 15 years. We’re winning convictions and making sure that offenders are held accountable. Roughly twice as many people were sentenced to state prison in 2008, compared to 2003. By creating a gun specialist team we’ve been able to achieve great success in felony gun trials, doubling the conviction rate from a little over 40 percent in 2003 to more than 90 percent.

Our innovative efforts to close the revolving door that cycles criminals in and out of the system – with an emphasis on first-time, non-violent low level drug offenders – have also achieved remarkable results. Police and prosecutors are deluged with low-level drug cases, and the public spends billions on prisons to warehouse these offenders. And, every year, prisons release hundreds of thousands of these offenders back into our communities. They have no plan, no skills, nowhere to go, and they pick up right where they left off.

That is why in 2005, I created an initiative called Back On Track. Back on Track is a reentry initiative designed to redirect young people who are mostly in their early 20’s, have no prior criminal records and were caught for low-level drug offenses. None of their cases involves gangs, guns, or weapons.

We give them a choice: they can go through a tough, year-long program that will require them to get educated, stay employed, be responsible parents, drug test, and transition to a crime-free life, or they can go to jail. Those who choose Back On Track plead guilty to their crime, and their jail sentence is deferred while they appear before a judge every two weeks for at least a year. They must obtain a high-school-equivalency diploma and hold down a steady job. Fathers need to get and stay in good standing on their child-support payments, and everyone has to take parenting classes. For people who hit all of these milestones, the felony charge is going to be cleared from their records.

The results speak for the wisdom of investing in reentry programs. For this population, the recidivism re-offense rate is above 50 percent. Four years into this initiative, recidivism has been less than 10 percent among Back On Track graduates. And the program costs only $5,000 per person, compared to over $40,000 a year for county jail. That saves our city roughly $1 million per year in jail costs alone. When you add in the total expense of criminal prosecutions to taxpayers, including court costs, public defenders, state prison, and probation, the savings are closer to $2 million. And we cannot even begin to quantify the value of these individuals’ future productivity, taxes and child support payments, or the brightened prospects for their children.

That is why both Governor Schwarzenegger and the US Department of Justice have recognized Back on Track as a model for both our state and nation.

Is there something the average citizen should do to help reduce crime?

Harris: There are a number of ways citizens can help reduce crime. First, citizens must protect and look out for one another. You should view yourselves as partners with law enforcement, helping with neighborhood safety efforts; supporting local organizations that fight domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse; coming forward to help police if you witness a crime. Being active in your own communities also means asking your leaders – law enforcement leaders, elected officials, policymakers, or otherwise: “what is your plan to prevent crime and break the cycles of crime?” – and then working together to forge solutions to longstanding problems.

What question should Crimesider have asked you that we didn’t … and what’s the answer?

Harris: A question I’m often asked is, “Why on earth would a District Attorney take on the issue of school truancy?” The answer is straightforward: I believe there is a direct connection between public safety and education. When I learned that more than 2,400 San Francisco elementary school children had missed as many as 80 days of a 180-day school year, I knew we were facing a school truancy crisis that had to be addressed.

There is a reason that we have compulsory education laws. As a product of California’s public schools, I believe that a child going without an education is tantamount to a crime. Two-thirds of inmates in our prisons were high school dropouts. Our children are being educated on the streets instead of in a classroom. Here’s what we did: we began by putting parents on notice, and then prosecuting those who failed to avail themselves of the offered services that would enable them to get their children back in school on a regular basis. Since we started this initiative with the San Francisco Unified School District four years ago, attendance among elementary school students has improved an average of 20 percent.

This is the type of smart on crime approach that can, and should, be adopted around the state and nation.

__________________________

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About the Author

Kamala D. Harris was elected San Francisco’s District Attorney in 2003 and ran unopposed for reelection in 2007. She was born in Oakland, California, where she began her career as a prosecutor. Harris attended Howard University, and then the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She has been featured on the Oprah Show and in Newsweek as one of “America’s 20 Most Powerful Women.” In both 2004 and 2008, she helped develop the Democratic Party’s national platform for criminal justice. Harris served as co-chair of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in California.

VIDEO: Discussing Human Trafficking at the Commonwealth Club

rsumner — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:26:58 -0800

A few weeks ago, I discussed human trafficking at the Commonwealth Club, and what we are doing in San Francisco to fight it. Watch the video here.

You can watch more videos at the official campaign YouTube channel.

San Francisco DA Accuses Doctor of Fraud

rsumner — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:33:30 -0800

Prosecutors today charged a 66-year-old San Francisco man with 51 felony counts for allegedly practicing medicine without a license and defrauding dozens of patients out of about $75,000.

Timothy Syed Andersson, also known as "Dr. Syed," was arrested Tuesday, according to the district attorney's office.

District Attorney Kamala Harris said today that Andersson represented himself as a dermatologist and maintained a practice out of his home office in the Sunset District, where he allegedly treated patients for a variety of skin conditions with injections of unknown substances.

Harris said Andersson, who immigrated to the United States from Sweden but was originally from Pakistan, is not licensed to practice medicine in California or anywhere in the country. She accused him of "preying" on the city's South Asian immigrant community.

Harris' office has had contact with 38 alleged victims, including eight children, who were charged between $1,000 and $5,000 for treatment by Andersson, she said.

"By masquerading as a doctor and treating patients, the defendant betrayed those persons who trusted him to take care of them in their time of need," Harris said.

Andersson appeared in San Francisco Superior Court this morning but delayed entering a plea to 27 counts of practicing medicine without a license, 23 counts of grand theft and one count of perjury. Bail was set at $1 million and he remains in custody.

Andersson allegedly said he worked at the University of California at San Francisco and at Stanford University, and claimed he had authored several medical papers, according to Harris.

Harris also claimed that Andersson doctored photographs of celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Hurley to include himself in the pictures.

Andersson also used the name Tanweer Ahmad Syed and, as "Dr. Syed," advertised his services on Indian radio stations and the Internet, according to the district attorney's office.

"We will be looking for and we will track down people who prey on anyone in our community," Harris said. She advised patients to check their doctor's credentials by visiting the Web site of the Medical Board of California at www.mbc.ca.gov or by calling (916) 263-2382.

Among the alleged practices Andersson is accused of are using a syringe to draw blood from a female patient's legs to treat varicose veins; diagnosing several patients, including a 13-year-old child, with cancer; and repeatedly injecting patients with unknown substances.

Harris said none of the patients was seriously injured, but some required corrective surgery.

Andersson's trademark product, Syed Hypo-Allergenic Facial Cream, advertised on his Web site for $125 a jar, advertises ingredients such as green tea and seaweed extracts to combat the effects of aging.

Harris today called the product "a bunch of BS."

Andersson's attorney was in trial and not immediately available for comment today, according to his office.

Video Source: ABC News

TheGrio's 100: Kamala Harris, the future of California politics

bleubitz — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:36:17 -0800

By Donna M Owens

In 2003, San Francisco voters elected Kamala Harris to be the city's first female District Attorney. Overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term, Harris is now aiming for higher office: California Attorney General in 2010.

It's a natural progression for Harris, 45, a California native born to an Indian mother and Jamaican-American father. Harris attended Howard University, and then received a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. After graduating, Harris joined the Alameda County DA's office, where she focused on prosecuting child sexual assault cases. She went on to serve in the San Francisco DA's office, where she focused on fighting violent crime.

In her current role, Harris has increased conviction rates for serious and violent offenses, expanded services to victims and their families, and created new divisions in areas like child assault, public integrity and environmental crimes.

Harris has brought innovation to the office, too. This includes programs to help ex-offenders re-enter society and a team to implement tough gun charging policies. She's also launched outreach programs in local communities, and brought free legal clinics into immigrant-heavy neighborhoods.

The efforts seem to paying off: the DA's office says it has more than doubled trial conviction rates for gun felonies; put some 200 gang members behind bars, and convicted more than 1,200 domestic violence offenders.

Harris is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association in 2005. She's also been featured on Oprah, and alongside the media magnate when Newsweek featured 20 of America's most powerful women in 2006.

An early Obama supporter, Harris was invited to speak at the White House in August. In another vote of confidence The New York Times cited her among 17 women likely to become the first female president of the United States.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PROFILES ON ALL OF THEGRIO'S 100

Smart on Crime Book Reception

bleubitz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:27:41 -0800

Join us for a book reception in honor of the publication of Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Eso Won Bookstore,4311 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

View Google Map

Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP to EsoWon@kamalaharris.org

California Federation of Teachers Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

rsumner — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:09:23 -0800

CFT Joins former CA Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin in backing Harris’ candidacy.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Federation of Teachers, which represents 120,000 faculty and other school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education, today announced its endorsement of San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.

"There is a direct connection between public safety and public education, and I believe that California’s Attorney General can use her office to keep our streets safe by injecting innovative ideas into our justice system,” said Harris. “I am honored to earn the endorsement of CFT, and I look forward to working with CFT’s members to protect public education and public safety as California Attorney General."

CFT joins former California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin in endorsing Harris’ candidacy.

In 2007, Harris launched a citywide anti-truancy campaign focused on elementary school kids. After learning that nearly half of all of the chronically truant school kids in San Francisco were in elementary school, Harris sent letters to every parent in the district calling attention to the situation, held truancy mediation sessions with parents and began filing charges against parents who still failed to get their kids in school. The result: elementary schools improved their attendance rate the following year by an average of 20%, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, as "citywide efforts, including parental prosecution, appeared to be paying off."

Introducing "Ask Kamala"!

rsumner — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:19:34 -0800

Today, we are launching a weekly Twitter event called Ask Kamala!

Those following Kamala Harris on Twitter (twitter.com/KamalaHarris) are invited to tweet her a question, either by using @KamalaHarris or the hashtag #AskKamala. Then every week, we'll be posting Kamala's responses to a few questions on her Twitter page. Ask a question about her position on some of the important issues she'd face as California's next Attorney General, her background, or anything else you want to know. If your question isn't answered right away, feel free to ask again for the following week.

So let's get the questions rolling--visit twitter.com/KamalaHarris and ask away!

Note: If you don't have a Twitter account, you can sign up here.

SF launches anti-human trafficking coalition

rsumner — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:25:05 -0800

City agencies and nonprofits have joined forces to fight human trafficking in San Francisco, launching Monday a coalition to raise awareness of the issue, develop policy to fight it and support its survivors.

Several factors combine to make San Francisco a hub of human trafficking, Mayor Gavin Newsom said. The city is a gateway for immigrants, a tourist destination and a place known for tolerance—all characteristics that feed and camouflage the problem.

"These women are forced to do what they are doing," Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, said of women found working in brothels disguised as massage parlors. "When you talk to them, they're frightened, they don't speak English well. Sometimes they are not even sure which city they are in."

Human trafficking involves forcing victims into prostitution or other exploitative labor for little or no pay, often keeping them isolated, confiscating travel documents or threatening them with violence.

The San Francisco Coalition Against Human Trafficking will allow city officials and community organizations to step up law enforcement and develop culturally competent outreach to victims.

Newsom and District Attorney Kamala Harris have been strong proponents of anti-trafficking measures. With law enforcement support, 36 massage parlors which were fronts for prostitution have been shut in the last three years, Newsom said.

Yee said he would be introducing a bill allowing seizure of property and assets of those found guilty of trafficking. Harris called for passage of a bill which would make it easier to prosecute child trafficking cases.

San Francisco's effort was reinforced Monday by the announcement of a $2.7 million grant from the California Emergency Management Agency to fight trafficking on the state level. The funds would create two new regional task forces and help support the six already in operation over the next three years.

The agency estimates California is among the top states for human trafficking.

VIDEO: Interview with KQED

rsumner — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:37:53 -0800

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris joins KQED to discuss solutions to crime, proposed in her new book, "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safe."

Watch the video here.

No felon should have body armor

bleubitz — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:24:42 -0800

A California appeals court on Dec. 17 struck down our state's ban on violent felons possessing body armor. The court said that law was too confusing for the average violent felon to follow. Specifically, defendant Ethan Saleem, on parole for manslaughter and wearing a 10-pound bulletproof vest, couldn't be expected to know whether his particular brand of body armor was illegal or not.

Let's be very clear: The only reason a violent felon would need body armor is if he or she expects to get shot or intends to shoot someone else. This court has stripped peace officers of a vital, and frankly basic, protection from violent felons like Saleem. Such protection was why the law was enacted in the first place.

In 1994, protected by full body armor, Victor Boutwell, a heavily armed carjacking suspect, killed San Francisco police Officer James Guelff and wounded another officer in a horrific gunbattle that lasted 32 minutes. Boutwell's full body armor allowed him to fend off 120 armed police officers before ultimately being killed by a San Francisco police sniper.

Less than three years later, in North Hollywood, two bank robbers clothed themselves from head to toe in homemade body armor and engaged in an infamous hourlong gunbattle with 350 members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The police officers' bullets literally bounced off the armored gunmen, and 11 LAPD officers and at least seven civilians were wounded in the shootout.

Following these two terrible tragedies, the Legislature passed the James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1998, a prohibition on violent felons possessing body armor. Sadly, in just a few keystrokes, the courts have undone a basic protection provided to police for 11 years.

Unfortunately, the streets of California have not gotten any friendlier for police officers since 1998. At a November summit of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local police agencies, 50 percent of 166 police departments surveyed reported an increase in criminals using large-caliber handguns. Local police across the nation also reported that 37 percent have seen an increase in the use of assault weapons.

It is absolutely imperative that we undo this court's misguided decision and restore this important public policy. But we shouldn't stop there. There is exactly one type of body armor any felon should be able to own: none.

The recently struck-down law prohibited only certain violent felons from owning body armor. Drug dealers, people convicted of domestic violence and other felons were still free to own body armor. Felons can't own guns, and they can't own ammunition. They certainly shouldn't be able to shield themselves with body armor.

Since 1973, there have been nearly 3,000 incidents where police officers' lives were saved as a direct result of wearing body armor. Body armor serves one legitimate purpose: to protect the individuals who risk their lives to protect the public.

The law enforcement community banded together to call on the state attorney general's office to appeal this dangerous decision and, on Dec. 29, California Attorney General Jerry Brown said the state will take the case to the state Supreme Court. Now we need the courts and our leaders in Sacramento to show the same mettle.

The high court must overturn this lower-court ruling, and lawmakers must put forward legislation that not only clarifies but also strengthens the law. The ban on body armor should apply to all felons, not just violent felons. There should be no doubt that the safety of the men and women who patrol our streets comes above that of convicted felons.

Kamala D. Harris is the district attorney and George Gascón is the police chief of San Francisco.

Safety Tips for Holiday Travelers and Visitors

bleubitz — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:09:39 -0800

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- This is the time of the year where police normally see a higher rate of identity theft, and San Francisco officials are providing some safety tips for travelers.

"What we know during the holidays in particular is that we see that people are more vulnerable and so for that reason, there's a spike," said San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.

The holiday season is a time when people are more vulnerable because they are making more purchases and generally out more.

Harris said if you are planning to be away for the holidays, you should secure your mail.

"Arranging that the mail will be held by the post office and or at the very least, making sure that your mailbox is capable of being locked and will remain locked while you're away," said Harris.

And if you become a victim of identity theft, San Francisco Police Chief George Gascon said you have to report the crime.

"Start contacting all those institutions that you're dealing with where someone using your identity could actually impact your credit rating, could start getting into your bank account, into your credit account," Gascon said.

One tip: xerox the front and back of your ID and credit card for safekeeping.

KCBS’ Margie Shafer Reports

Announcing the Launch of myKamala 1.0!

rsumner — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:05:03 -0800

Today, we have officially launched myKamala.org to give our activists and supporters a place to organize and collaborate.

Spread the word about an event, share pictures and videos with fellow supporters, join an action group for Kamala, or form a new group focused on the issues that matter most to you.

Join in today at myKamala.org!

Secretary Norman Mineta Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

bleubitz — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:22:17 -0800

Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, who represented San Jose in Congress for over twenty years and served in the Cabinets of both Democratic and Republican presidents, today announced that he is supporting San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

The need for political leadership that is at once visionary and practical, courageous and steady, innovative and experienced is crucial,” said Secretary Mineta, whose statement of support can be viewed in its entirety below. “I urge that voters of all philosophies, of various ideological stripes, partisan affiliation, and ethnic backgrounds pay careful attention to Kamala Harris’ record of accomplishment and her dedication to the pursuit of both order and justice. For those reasons, and others, I am happy and honored to lend my support to Kamala Harris in her campaign to become the state’s next Attorney General.”

“I am grateful to have earned the support of Secretary Mineta, an accomplished leader in our state and nation who has committed his life to public service,” said Harris. “I look forward to having Secretary Mineta by my side in this campaign.”

Norman Mineta served in Congress for over twenty years and in the Cabinets of President Bill Clinton as Secretary of Commerce and President George W. Bush as Secretary of Transportation. For almost thirty years, Mineta represented San Jose, California, first on the City Council, then as Mayor, and then from 1975 to 1995 as a Member of Congress.

Among his numerous accomplishments, Secretary Mineta received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, awarded for significant pubilc service of enduring value to aviation in the United States. While in Congress, he was the co-founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Chair of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission in 1999. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

For more information on Harris, please visit www.KamalaHarris.org.

###

Statement by the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta

Endorsing Kamala Harris for Attorney General of California

December 10, 2009

California stands at a critical crossroads as we head toward the 2010 statewide elections. Perhaps not in my lifetime have the stakes been higher than they are today. The need for political leadership that is at once visionary and practical, courageous and steady, innovative and experienced is crucial. For those reasons, and others, I am happy and honored to lend my support to Kamala Harris in her campaign to become the state’s next Attorney General.

Kamala’s life story, which will become familiar to Californians over the course of the next several months, is an inspiration to us all – particularly to those of us in the Asian American community who share Kamala’s heritage, whose own parents came to this country in order to seek opportunity and gain a better life:

§ In December 2003, Kamala Harris was elected as the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco's history, and as the first African American woman in California to hold the office. She was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term in November 2007. She has been a tough and capable prosecutor for over twenty years.

§ Kamala was born in Oakland, California and raised with her sister Maya in the East Bay by their mother Dr. Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer specialist. After attending public schools, her strong commitment to justice and public service led her to Howard University, America’s oldest historically black university, and then to the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

§ Kamala has spent her entire professional life in the trenches as a courtroom prosecutor. Her first job was in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, where she specialized in prosecuting child sexual assault cases. As a Deputy District Attorney she also prosecuted cases for homicide and robbery. She worked at that office from 1990 to 1998 before going on to serve in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

§ In 1998, Kamala Harris was named managing attorney of the Career Criminal Unit of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted three strikes cases and serial felony offenders. She then served as the head of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Division on Families and Children.

§ As San Francisco’s District Attorney, Kamala Harris has focused on fighting violent crime. She has increased conviction rates for serious and violent offenses, expanded services to victims of crime and their families, created new prosecution divisions focused on child assault, public integrity and environmental crimes.

I know Kamala Harris as a committed public servant, I know her wonderful and impressive family, and I know her as a friend. She is exactly the kind of person---and will be the kind of elected leader---that our state of California needs so desperately at this crucial time. I urge that voters of all philosophies, of various ideological stripes, partisan affiliation, and ethnic backgrounds pay careful attention to Kamala Harris’ record of accomplishment and her dedication to the pursuit of both order and justice. When they do I have total confidence that they will vote for Kamala Harris to be California’s next Attorney General.

VIDEO: Let's Get Smart On Crime

bleubitz — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:59:08 -0800

A discussion of Smart On Crime, and how we can achieve better results. Watch the video here.

You can watch more videos at the official campaign YouTube channel.

San Francisco D.A. put truants on the most-wanted list

rsumner — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:09:00 -0800

If elected California Attorney General next year, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris wants to make truancy in the public schools a very big deal.

Harris, a two-term D.A. and a front-runner in the Democratic primary for the state’s top law officer, helped engineer an impressive 23 percent drop in truancy among elementary students in the San Francisco School District in the past year. She’s taking aim now at the older kids and already showing some signs of success.

And, if voters bring her to Sacramento, she has designs on taking the truancy program statewide.

“What we simply did was put the bright, infrared light of public safety and law enforcement on the fact that these children are not in school,” Harris said in an interview with Cabinet Report. “There’s a very direct connection between the elementary school truant and the high school dropout and the victim of crime and the perpetrator of crime.”

Citing a recent study from the University of California, Santa Barbara, she noted the direct cost to state’s juvenile justice system from dropouts is $1.1 billion annually. She said the expense exceeds $20 billion a year when related costs from health care and social services are included – and that doesn’t count the cost to the state’s future workforce and the California economy.

“It is all of those costs,” she said. “None of which have anything to do solely with caring about a child. It has to do with thinking about how we can be more effective and efficient in a state that is on the verge of bankruptcy.”

The initiative in San Francisco started about four years ago when Harris ordered an analysis of the city’s homicide victims under the age of 25 years old. What she found was that 94 percent of them were high school dropouts.

When she contacted the school district looking for further insight she learned that nearly 10 percent of the student population was considered habitually truant and nearly half of them were from elementary schools.

The first step was simply to write letters to parents on the D.A.’s letterhead warning them that if children were not in school, the adults could be prosecuted. Later she helped set up one of the first Truancy Courts in California where a single judge has jurisdiction over not only the student and the parents but also the government bureaucracy to ensure no one falls through the cracks.

Efforts were also coordinated with the San Francisco schools and Superintendent Carlos Garcia, whom Harris gives much credit in making the program successful.

Keith Choy, coordinator of the district’s Stay in School program, said Harris was instrumental in helping bring together existing city services to confront the problem.

“We’re really pleased,” he said. “We didn’t think the district by itself could really take on the whole problem. We didn’t have the teams, we didn’t have the social workers and support staff. And with all the budget cuts we couldn’t go out and run in the streets and do the follow up.”

He said there was an epiphany when school officials, the health department and human services all realized they were working on the same kids. “We found that because of privacy laws and other things we wouldn’t normally talk to each other,” he said.

“Kamala’s efforts have really helped us put together a longer term plan,” he explained. “Let’s get to the kids earlier, let’s give the families more support and give us some time to begin working on the older kids.”

Harris has only prosecuted about 20 cases so far but the threat of the courts has been very effective.

What can schools expect if she’s elected AG?

Districts would likely be encouraged if not facilitated to take a closer look at their truancy problems. Better recordkeeping and coordination with social service providers would be a starting point but she said she would mostly use the office’s bully-pulpit to make sure the public understands the connection between truants and public safety.

“As someone who has personally prosecuted murders and career criminals that I care about children issues because I can see who that six-year-old is going to become in about ten years,” she said. “Yes, we have to have a system that reacts after a crime has occurred, but we also have to be effective about preventing crime before it occurs and one of the best indicators is elementary school truancy.”

Muni stabbing suspect to be charged with 4 attacks

bleubitz — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:16:41 -0800

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco authorities arrested the man described as a "serial stabber" -- responsible for four random attacks.

Police arrested 30-year-old Bobby Brown on Tuesday at 31st and Judah Street in the Sunset District. They say surveillance video from the Muni train, where he attacked a woman on Monday, helped police catch him.

See video by clicking here:

"We are ending tonight this defendant's reign of terror," said San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris. "We are going to sleep safer tonight as a community because of the work that has been done."

Harris says Brown was a serial attacker who stabbed four innocent people. All four victims were either walking on the street or riding Muni.

"We don't know why he did what he did, but frankly, we don't necessarily have to prove in a court of law why he did what he did," said Harris.

Police say 11-year-old Hatim Mansouri was the first victim. Hatim was stabbed in the liver and stomach while riding the 49-Mission bus on September 1, 2009. Then on November 14, police say Brown stabbed a 25-year-old woman as she crossed the street at 10 a.m. at Sutter and Jones.

"The suspect approached the woman, asked for change, the woman refused, and the suspect, as the woman crossed the street, ran up behind her and stabbed her in the back," said San Francisco police Cmdr. John Loftus.

On November 26, police say Brown attacked a 26-year-old woman while she was walking near City Hall, at Golden Gate and Leavenworth, with her three children.

Then Monday, police say he stabbed 24-year-old Rachel Haynes-Brown on the J-Church metro line.

"He stabbed me twice in the side right here," said Haynes-Brown.

Police say the suspect used a corkscrew in Rachel's attack. She says he physical wounds are healing, but it will take longer to heal her emotional wounds.

"It's really traumatizing, you know, to be walking down the street and be anxious about everybody walking behind me you know," said Haynes-Brown.

Police are also looking into two other cases of random stabbings in the city and they're asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect.

Brown is facing between 72 years to life in prison if he is convicted for these attacks.

Kamala Harris, the 'Female Barack Obama,' Answers Her Critics

bleubitz — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:04:32 -0800

San Francisco's D.A. Talks With ABC News About Her Run for Attorney General of California

Down-ballot candidates for state office typically struggle for attention. But San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate for attorney general of California who attended Tuesday's State Dinner at the White House, has become the subject of national attention.

The Harris breakthrough came earlier this year when PBS' Gwen Ifill went on the "Late Show with David Letterman" to discuss her new book on a rising generation of black leaders and noted that San Francisco's D.A. has been compared to the president of the United States.

"She's brilliant, she's smart. They call her the female Barack Obama," Ifill told Letterman.

Extensive media coverage followed, including a recent appearance on NBC's "Today" to discuss her new book, "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer."Watch it HERE.

Harris, whose mother is from India and whose father is from Jamaica, is in a crowded field vying to become the Democratic candidate. If she is elected, she would be California's first African-American and first woman to hold the post of attorney general.

If she succeeds in her bid to be California's top law enforcement officer, pundits have speculated that the warm and engaging Harris, who campaigned for Obama in Iowa, could run to be governor or senator, and, perhaps, even president one day.

But before any of that can happen, Harris is facing questions about Back on Track, a rehabilitation program she started in San Francisco.

Back on Track was created to help young adults who are arrested once for selling drugs. The program's purpose is to keep participants from falling back into a life of crime.

"We give them a choice," Harris has written. "They can go through a tough, year-long program that will require them to get educated, stay employed, be responsible parents, drug test, and transition to a crime-free life, or they can go to jail."

Back On Track participants plead guilty to their crime, and their sentence is deferred while they appear before a judge every two weeks for about a year. They must obtain a high-school-equivalency diploma and hold down a steady job. Fathers need to remain in good standing on their child-support payments, and everyone has to take parenting classes.

For those who meet all of these requirements, the felony charge is cleared from their records. Those who do not meet the terms of the program are automatically referred to the general criminal court and are sentenced.

Back on Track has demonstrated positive results: It has reduced the re-offense rate among participants to 10 percent in a population in which the average re-offense rate is 54 percent.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, recently signed a bill sponsored by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, a Democrat, that puts Back on Track in the penal code as a model for what the state can and should be doing to reduce recidivism.

The program has also received notice outside of California: It has been replicated in Atlanta and the National District Attorney's Association selected Back on Track as a model re-entry program.

If elected attorney general, Harris wants to encourage district attorneys throughout California to implement their own version of Back on Track in each of the state's 58 counties.

The problem for Harris, however, is that when the program started, it trained illegal immigrants for jobs they couldn't legally hold.

Harris first learned that illegal immigrants were training for jobs in Back on Track when Alexander Izaguirre, a program participant, was arrested last year for allegedly assaulting Amanda Kiefer in the Pacific Heights section of San Francisco.

Kiefer, who was walking to a restaurant with a friend when the alleged purse-snatching and attempted SUV rundown occurred, had her skull fractured as a result of the incident.

Earlier this year, Kiefer told the Los Angeles Times: "If they've committed crimes and they're not citizens, then why are they here? Why haven't they been deported?"

When Harris sat down with ABC News on Tuesday in the lobby of Washington's St. Regis Hotel to discuss her run for attorney general, she was asked to respond to the deportation question posed by Kiefer.

"Innovation by its very nature and definition means that you are doing something different from how it has been done before," Harris said. "And necessarily, then, there is some assumption of risk, because doing something differently than it's been done means invariably, even with the best of intentions, we'll find a glitch. There will be something that becomes obvious in hindsight that was a flaw in the design and then you fix it.

"In that case, the Izaguirre case, that became a very obvious flaw in the design of Back on Track," Harris said. "I imagined many scenarios, didn't figure that one out until we realized that this was a flaw and we fixed it."

Asked to identify the flaw, Harris said, "The flaw was that we hadn't imagined that there would be undocumented immigrants in the program. So we didn't set up a system for checking them."

Asked if her office was relying on the participating employers to check immigration status, Harris said: "Frankly, it was something that was just not -- we imagined many scenarios from the parenting needs of these individuals to the need they have and the responsibility they have to pay taxes to housing.

"We vetted out violent offenders. We vetted out offenders who had any kind of prior conviction," she said. "We imagined many different scenarios. But frankly, I think a lot of public policy -- be it good or not -- is framed out of what should be. And public policy is not necessarily designed to cover the abuses.

"The abuses we'll take care of, if that makes sense," she said. "So what happened is that we learned that there was an abuse of this initiative by someone who was not entitled to benefit from it and we fixed that."

Harris said the program has now built monitors into the system to check legal status. Participants are now asked for "everything from Social Security cards to whatever it is that they can produce" to show that they are in the United States legally.

"No one who is an undocumented immigrant should benefit from this program," Harris said. "This initiative is designed to make sure that the participant will gain legal employment and the undocumented immigrant may not obtain legal employment in our country."

Apart from the question of whether illegal immigrants are allowed to participate in the Back on Track program, Harris was asked what happens in San Francisco if someone who is charged with a crime is not legally in the United States.

"The law is that a custodial entity has a responsibility to check for immigration status, so [that means] the police department, for example, the sheriff's department. The district attorney's office is not a custodial agency," she said.

Beyond facing questions about why the program was not initially screening participants for legal status, Harris is also being asked by state Sen. Tom Harman, the lone Republican in the race for attorney general, to explain why the program is being directed to drug sellers as opposed to mere users.

"This is not intended to focus on the user at all. That's not the design. There's another program for the user, that's called Drug Court," Harris said.

Harris is also being criticized by Harman for expunging the criminal records of participants who successfully make it through the program.

"I'm not going to respond to him directly," Harris said. "But I will tell you ... my slogan of being 'smart on crime' is born out of the idea that we have to stop suggesting that there are only two categories that you're in when you advocate for criminal justice policy: Either you're 'soft on crime' or you're 'tough on crime.' That's a very simplistic analysis.

"Instead, I think we should ask: Are we being 'smart on crime,' which means being tough, to be sure, on serious and violent crime, but also being tough on the underlying causes of crime," she said. "For certain kinds of crimes, it is smarter to divert that person permanently out of the criminal justice system than to allow them to continue to cycle through."

At the conclusion of the interview, Harris indicated that she intends to continue pushing for reform of the criminal justice system despite the attendant political risks.

"One impediment to meaningful criminal justice reform is that the nightmare for any one of us as a career prosecutor is that we'll make a decision today about an offender that is not throwing the book at them and then tomorrow that offender will go out and commit a heinous crime," Harris said. "[T]his can be politically a deterrent for other elected leaders to take on innovation, because there is a political risk that's associated with that. And the political risk is that some knucklehead will go out and commit a heinous crime."

ABC News' Brittany Crockett contributed to this report.

San Francisco D.A. Kamala Harris Talks To Kimberly Marteau About Her New Book Smart On Crime

bleubitz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:52:26 -0800

Q: You dedicated Smart on Crime to your mother, Shyamala G. Harris, calling her "the toughest, smartest and most loving person I have ever known." She died this year. Tell me about your relationship and why she inspired you.

My mother was and will always remain my greatest hero. She was a woman who gave herself to my sister and me unconditionally, and was the most inspiring and courageous person in my life. She was active in the Civil Rights Movement, where she met my father. My mother was also the consummate professional, a world-renowned breast cancer researcher and teacher whose work took her to universities all around the world. Despite her 5-foot stature, she had a commanding presence and a sharp wit, a keen sense of humor and endless depth of knowledge.

Q: What does it mean to be "smart on crime?" Are we not being smart now? Why and how does your book address this idea?

This book is predicated on one main premise, which is that all Americans have the right to live in safe communities. Having spent nearly two decades as a courtroom prosecutor, I know that it simply is not enough to just talk tough about crime. I want us to be what I call "smart on crime." That means in order to make our communities safer, we have to take a strategic approach to changing the status quo -- because our current system is failing all of us.
In the book, I first address some of the myths and outdated approaches that I believe are failing. In the second half of the book, I outline the ways in which I believe we can chart a new course for tackling these long-standing problems. My hope is that this book helps to elevate the discussion of how we as a state and nation approach the criminal justice system. I believe it is absolutely possible for us to create a future with safer streets, lower re-offense rates, and a better-educated workforce.

Q: In the book, you talk about how important it is to look at the criminal justice system through economic eyes. In a time of extremely limited public resources, how do we justify allocating those resources to anything other than investigating crimes and prosecuting criminals, especially violent crimes?

Getting smart on crime does not mean reducing sentences or punishments for crimes. It does mean using the time and resources we now spend on offenders more productively to reduce their odds of re-offending. Remember, for decades we have spent billions of dollars on ineffective solutions that have not improved public safety. I believe that especially in these tough economic times, it is critical that we evaluate the cost of action versus the cost of inaction. I strongly believe that for serious and violent criminals, we must absolutely hold them accountable for their crimes and send them to prison. But as I discuss in the book, we must take a smarter approach when it comes to combating nonviolent crime. And it is also essential that when we look at investing in innovative ways to fight crime before it occurs, we must weigh the short-term costs of action versus the long-term costs of inaction.

Q: Can you please explain the "crime pyramid" and what it reveals about the weaknesses in crime prevention? Why are our harsh sentences not deterring some kinds of crimes?

I have found that the "crime pyramid" is an effective way to visualize the totality of crimes committed in our society, and an effective way to communicate about how we can best fight crime -- because as you know "crime" is not monolithic. Visualizing this pyramid, at the top are the very worst crimes: murder, rape, violent assaults, crimes that so rightly command our attention. While these crimes are so horrific and threatening, they form the very top of the pyramid because they constitute the minority of crimes. Did you know that only one fourth of all offenders sentenced to prison are violent offenders?

One of the main reasons we haven't been able to effectively prevent nonviolent crime is that we have been using only the tools best suited to combating the offenders at the top of the pyramid. For several decades, the passage of tough laws and long sentences has created an illusion in the public's mind that public safety is best served when we treat all offenders pretty much the same way: arrest, convict, imprison, parole, and hope they learn their lesson. But the numbers paint the true story, which is that most nonviolent offenders are learning the wrong lesson, and in many cases, they are becoming more hardened criminals during their imprisonment.

Q: In Smart on Crime, you take aim at several myths about crime, including that the only thing the criminal justice system and education have in common is that they both need reform. Why do you believe that fighting truancy might be the most significant step we can take in crime prevention?

I believe that a child going without an education is a crime. As San Francisco District Attorney, I have seen firsthand what too frequently happens to habitually and chronically truant school kids: young lives are lost to street violence or prison at an appalling rate, our state loses more resources and our communities are less safe. A recent report from UC Santa Barbara concluded that high school dropouts account for a disproportionate amount of juvenile crime, crimes that cost the state of California $1.1 billion every year. Add in social and medical costs, lost income taxes, and associated economic losses, and the report estimates that dropouts cost the state more than $24 billion per year.

The warning bells keep on ringing. In California, two-thirds of prison inmates are high school dropouts. I believe that this is one of those critical issues where we can either pay attention now, or pay the price later.

Q: You are very proud of "Back on Track," a re-entry program that you started out of the San Francisco DA's office in 2005. How does it fit into your Smart on Crime ideas?

The old approach to fighting crime is well-known. Police and prosecutors are deluged with low-level drug cases, and the public spends billions on prisons to house these offenders. And, every year, prisons release hundreds of thousands of these offenders back into our communities. They have no plan, no skills, nowhere to go, and they pick up right where they left off. Within three years of release, 70 percent of California prisoners will re-offend and return to prison.

That is why in 2005, I created an initiative called Back On Track. Back on Track is a reentry program designed for nonviolent, first-time drug offenders. These are young people who are mostly in their early 20's, have no prior criminal records and were caught for low-level drug offenses. None of their cases involves gangs, guns, or weapons.

We give them a choice: they can go through a tough, year-long program that will require them to get educated, stay employed, be responsible parents, drug test, and transition to a crime-free life, or they can go to jail. Those who choose Back On Track plead guilty to their crime, and their sentence is deferred while they appear before a judge every two weeks for about a year. They must obtain a high-school-equivalency diploma and hold down a steady job. Fathers need to remain in good standing on their child-support payments, and everyone has to take parenting classes. For people who hit all of these milestones, the felony charge is going to be cleared from their records.

The results speak for the wisdom of investing in reentry programs. For this population, the recidivism (or re-offense rate) is typically 50 percent or higher. Four years into this initiative, recidivism has been less than 10 percent among Back On Track participants. And the program costs only $5,000 per person, compared to over $35,000 a year for county jail. That saves our city roughly $1 million per year in jail costs alone. When you add in the total expense of criminal prosecutions to taxpayers, including court costs, public defenders, state prison, and probation, the savings are closer to $2 million. And we cannot even begin to quantify the value of these individuals' future productivity, taxes and child support payments, or the brightened prospects for their families.

That is why both Governor Schwarzenegger and the US Department of Justice have recognized Back on Track as a model for both our state and nation.

DA Kamala Harris is "Smart on Crime"

bleubitz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:41:53 -0800

In case you haven’t heard yet, San Francisco’s District Attorney Kamala Harris is in the race to be California’s next Attorney General. She was the first female DA in the City, the first African American. She’s been called the “female Obama”, and cited by the New York Times as one of 17 women nationwide who would likely be the first woman to serve as President of the United States. But speculation aside, Harris has had to deal with tough issues here in San Francisco – issues such as gang violence, and the city’s shifting sanctuary policy. Harris’ opposition to the death penalty, among other stances, like her nonviolent offender rehab program “Back on Track”, has led to some critics calling her “soft on crime”. She says, she isn’t soft on crime. She’s smart on crime. And that’s also the title of her new book. So will her San Francisco approach work for the state? KALW’s Hana Baba sat down with Kamala Harris.

San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

bleubitz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:48:53 -0800

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón, a thirty year law enforcement veteran who has also served as Assistant Chief of the LAPD and Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona, today announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris for California Attorney General.

“While I’ve long admired Kamala Harris’ record of innovation and success, since my appointment as Police Chief in San Francisco I’ve come to know the District Attorney as a steadfast and effective partner in our efforts to fight crime here in our city,” said Chief Gascón. “I believe that Kamala Harris’ ‘smart on crime’ approach, with its proven track record in San Francisco, is what California needs to get tough and smart on crime.”

“Chief Gascón is recognized as a national leader in the law enforcement community, and I’m honored to have earned his support for my candidacy,” said Harris. “He has been a terrific partner here in San Francisco, and when I am Attorney General I will continue to work with the Chief to fight gangs, get assault weapons off our streets, go after financial criminals, and to make our criminal justice system work better.”

Police Chief George Gascón took lead of the San Francisco Police Department in August 7, 2009. Prior to his move to San Francisco, California, Chief Gascón was the Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department in Arizona for three years. Chief Gascón proudly served the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for more than 28 years. In his final assignment before joining the Mesa Police Department, Gascón served as LAPD's Assistant Police Chief and Director over the Office of Operations.

Chief Gascón joins law enforcement leaders around California in backing Harris’ candidacy, including former Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey, East Palo Alto Police Chief Ron Davis, Half Moon Bay Police Chief Don O’Keefe, and Officers for Justice POA.

For more information on Harris, please visit www.KamalaHarris.org.

Finding the Path Back on Track

bleubitz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:25:04 -0800

Einstein's definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. By that measure, our current approach to criminal justice may need a shrink--and a new way of doing business.

The old approach to fighting crime is well-known. Police and prosecutors are deluged with low-level drug cases, and the public spends billions on prisons to house these offenders. And, every year, prisons release hundreds of thousands of these offenders back into our communities. They're sent back with a bus ticket and a little cash in hand--and that's about it. They have no plan, no skills, nowhere to go, and no other changed circumstances. They pick up right where they left off; within three years of release, seven out of ten California prisoners will re-offend and return to prison.

After decades of this sad cycle, our prisons are swollen beyond capacity and our budgets maxed. Across the country, leaders are acknowledging that we've been missing a crucial opportunity all along. Perhaps the most crucial step in the criminal justice process is the most often ignored--what happens after the conviction and prison sentence, when the prisoner comes home.

We've learned that low-level drug offenders are far less likely to re-offend if they transition into the community with basic skills and a plan for staying crime-free. That crucial transition from crime to the community--called "reentry" in criminal justice-speak--is what we've taken advantage of in San Francisco, where I serve as the elected District Attorney.

In 2005, I created an initiative called Back On Track. It's a reentry program designed for nonviolent, first-time drug offenders. These are young people who we'd call college kids under different circumstances--mostly in their early 20's, they have no prior criminal records and were caught for low-level drug offenses. None of their cases involves gangs, guns, or weapons. But they've all arrived at the program via squad car and are facing a first felony conviction.

We give them a choice: they can go through a tough, year-long program that will require them to get educated, stay employed, be responsible parents, drug test, and transition to a crime-free life, or they can go to jail. My prosecutors tell me that many defendants have heard the stories about the program and choose jail instead; jail's easier, they say. Here's why: Those who choose Back On Track plead guilty to their crime, and their sentence is deferred while they appear before a judge every two weeks for about a year. They must obtain a high-school-equivalency diploma and hold down a steady job. Fathers need to remain in good standing on their child-support payments, and everyone has to take parenting classes. For people who hit all of these milestones, the felony charge is going to be cleared from their records.

The results speak for the wisdom of investing in reentry programs. For this population, the recidivism (or re-offense rate) is typically 50 percent or higher. Four years since the creation of this initiative, recidivism has been less than 10 percent among Back On Track graduates. And the program costs only $5,000 per person, compared to over $35,000 a year for county jail. That saves our city roughly $1 million per year in jail costs alone. When you add in the total expense of criminal prosecutions to taxpayers, including court costs, public defenders, state prison, and probation, the savings are closer to $2 million. And we cannot even begin to quantify the value of these individuals' future productivity, taxes and child support payments, or the brightened prospects for their families.

These are the kinds of results every community should demand from our system of justice. That's why California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass sponsored AB 750, the Back On Track Reentry Act of 2009, which established Back On Track as a model reentry program for California counties. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law earlier this month. The National District Attorney's Association and U.S. Department of Justice have selected Back on Track as a model re-entry program for prosecutors' offices across the country.

Similar programs across the nation--from Atlanta to Brooklyn to Oakland--are also having tremendous success. Newly elected Philadelphia DA Seth Williams, voted into office last week, included Back On Track in his campaign platform. This all goes to show that many leaders are casting aside the outdated thinking that has choked off innovation in criminal justice for too long. They're trying something new. Just as important as the result is the dialogue we're starting, which represents momentum and hope for a more rational, progressive and effective approach to making our communities safer across the nation.

Book 'em, Kamala -- S.F. District Attorney Harris adds author to list of credits

bleubitz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:37:08 -0800

Just in time for her campaign to become California's next attorney general, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris has released a book of strategies to reduce crime and save money doing it.

"Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer" seeks to debunk preconceived ideas about crime and introduces programs deemed successful in San Francisco since Harris was elected to be the city's top prosecutor in 2003.

"These are models that are easy to replicate around the country and adaptable to most any community," Harris said last week at a launch party for her book at Chronicle Books' South of Market offices. "These initiatives save us money so what is address what we all want in terms of increased public safety and do it in a way that also maximizes limited public resources."

A better return

The 45-year-old East Bay native, who began her career as a prosecutor for Alameda County nearly 20 years ago, started penning her ideas for the publishing house several years ago. In it, Harris says the United States deserves a better return on the $200 billion it spends on combating crime every year. With two-thirds of prison inmates likely to reoffend within two years of release, Harris points to a broken system that fails in rehabilitation and early intervention.

Among the strategies Harris outlines is the Back on Track program she started in San Francisco in 2005. The program allows first-time, nonviolent drug offenders to plead guilty in exchange for a deferred sentence on the condition that, under court monitoring, they complete job training, community service, educational and life-skill classes. In its four years, Back on Track has reduced recidivism among first-time, nonviolent offenders from 54 to 10 percent, saving $1 million a year in jail costs alone, Harris said.

Other programs target children and teens at risk of becoming criminals. Harris calls for clinical treatment for children victims and witnesses to crimes who have signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Without treatment, Harris says these children are more likely to commit crimes and drop out of school.

As San Francisco's district attorney, Harris has been partnering with the San Francisco Unified School District to curb truancy among children and teens. Teens who are habitual truants are more likely to end up in jail, Harris said, and 94 percent of the San Francisco homicide victims younger than 24 were high school dropouts. Last month, Harris' anti-truancy efforts were beefed up to include driver's license suspension and court monitoring for truant high school students and criminal prosecution for their parents.

The cost of truancy

"The direct costs for a child being truant and thereby being involved in juvenile crime is $1.1 billion a year in California, and estimates have it going in the double-digit billions a year when you talk about the associated costs in terms of social services and public health systems and things of that nature," Harris said. "So it's really a matter of all of us agreeing that, one, by definition, there is no such thing as a quick fix to a long-standing problem, but, two, it doesn't take very long to see the benefits.

"They may not be immediate, but they will occur in the not-so-distant future."

Perhaps what makes Harris' book different from others about fighting crime is its attempt to reach beyond the law enforcement community to cross sections of society. Learning institutions, businesses, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations are called upon to partner with law enforcement. It's clear that Harris believes that everyone should be joining the conversation and measuring what's yielding results and what isn't.

"It is well within our reach to create a future with safer streets, lower rates of recidivism, and a stronger, better-educated workforce," Harris wrote. "It is a future that reverses the tragic waste of human potential that has become the hallmark of our prison system."

nonfiction

Title: "Smart on Crime: A Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer"

Author: Kamala D. Harris

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Price: $24.95; Pages: 205

booksignings: 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, #42, S.F., 415-835-1020; 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 415-927-0960; 11:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., S.F., 415-922-2049.

Video: Today Show: How America Can Get 'Smart on Crime'

bleubitz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:45:28 -0700

How can we successfully rehabilitate prisoners? Can law enforcement better use technology to solve crimes? In her new book “Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor’s Plan to Make Us Safe," San Francisco’s District Attorney Kamala Harris — who has been called “the female Barack Obama” — examines new, unconvential ideas on how our society can reform our broken criminal justice system.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Kamala Harris Looks to Achieve Another "First"

bleubitz — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:35:19 -0700

Time to get acquainted with one of the up-and-comers in the world of politics — an African-American woman, who has already been labeled the “female Barack Obama.” She, too, has a name that requires some practice on first reference: Kamala Harris.

Harris has already achieved some “firsts” in her career, including election as the first African American — and the first woman — to District Attorney in San Francisco. She’s planning a run for California Attorney General.

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

$1 Million Grant to Fund Mortgage and Investment Fraud Unit

bleubitz — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:38:00 -0700

For the first time, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office will have its first stand-alone mortgage and investment fraud unit.

The unit will be funded with a $1.06 million federal grant, which was announced by District Attorney Kamala Harris Tuesday as part of a regional effort to combat financial scams. The unit aims to protect desperate homeowners from mortgage and investment fraud, she said.

Harris and top prosecutors from San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties, as well as San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, called for federal oversight Wednesday.

The San Francisco district attorney’s office’s consumer protection unit has handled more than 450 complaints this year.

L.A. Police Chief William Bratton endorses Harris

bleubitz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:58:53 -0700

The Los Angeles police chief has endorsed San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris in her run for California attorney general. “As a career prosecutor with a proven track record of innovation and success, Kamala Harris knows what it takes to effectively fight crime and keep our streets safe,” said Bratton, who has headed the LAPD, the third largest police department in the U.S., since 2002.

Law Aims to Keep Witness Info off Web

bleubitz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:46:36 -0700

SAN FRANCISCO — Under a bill signed into law by the governor this week
and sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris,
prosecutors hope witnesses in the state's relocation program will be
harder to find through Internet searching.

Gang members have targeted witnesses through Internet search engines
even when witnesses weren't aware their personal information was
online, said Sen. Mark Leno, who authored SB 748 , which was signed
Sunday. The new law goes after people or agencies that disclose phone
numbers, addresses or other identifying information of protected
witnesses.

"In prosecuting violent criminals [Harris] needs witnesses, and that
is a very dangerous position for an individual to be in," Leno said.
"This bill really brings California statutes into the 21st century. We
know for a fact that gangs and other violent perpetrators are using
the Internet to bring down those who participate in our Witness
Relocation and Assistance Program."

The impetus behind the bill was preventive, DA's office spokeswoman Erica Derryck said. "This is an example of our office recognizing the way in which technology is used," she said.

The state witness protection program had about 500 active cases as of September, according to Leno's office.

There are about 90 people currently protected in the program that the San Francisco DA's office administers. Since it began in 1998, two witnesses in that program have been killed, the DA's office confirmed. The office noted, however, that both had returned to the city without alerting authorities.

"Every resource we have as a law enforcement community should be brought to bear in supporting and safeguarding witnesses and victims who come forward to aid in the prosecution of dangerous criminals," Harris said in a news release. "That means making sure that the law stays current with the technology criminals are using to keep witnesses in fear and out of court."

The new law makes it a misdemeanor to post information to the Internet that discloses the location of witnesses or their family members if the intent is to injure them or incite violence, with a greater fine and more jail time if witnesses or their family members suffer bodily harm.

The bill also allows witnesses to submit opt-out forms to Internet search engine providers to keep their identifying information out of public databases. Businesses and agencies are required to take down identifying information about a witness within two days of receiving such an opt-out form, or face a $5,000 civil fine.

The governor also gave the nod to another piece of Harris-sponsored legislation — Assembly Speaker Karen Bass' bill that authorizes re-entry programs aimed at curbing recidivism among nonviolent drug offenders.

That bill was supported by the California Narcotic Officers' Association and the California Police Chiefs Association, according to the DA's office.

District Attorney program is now statewide example

bleubitz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:41:00 -0700

A San Francisco program started by District Attorney Kamala Harris is now an official example for California counties to emulate.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 750, the Back on Track Reentry Act . The bill, authored by Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass and sponsored by Harris, encourages counties to use the San Francisco model.

The program, created by Harris four years ago, is meant to reduce recidivism among nonviolent drug offenders by enrolling them in a job-training or educational program.

So far, fewer than 10 percent of Back on Track graduates have re-offended compared to a 54 percent statewide average recidivism rate for the same population of offenders, according to the district attorney’s office. Back on Track also costs about $5,000 annually per participant, compared to $35,000 to $50,000 for jail or prison.

Of course, Back on Track hasn’t gone entirely without controversy. Harris faced tough questions after an illegal immigrant, Alexander Izaguirre, was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault in July 2008 while still enrolled in the program.

Truancy Costs Us All

bleubitz — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:10:47 -0700

When Michael was in kindergarten, he missed more than 80 days of school. He was not ill and no one from Michael's family ever called to say why he was not attending school.

When I was elected district attorney, I learned that 5,500 students in San Francisco were habitually truant and - shockingly - 44 percent of the truant students were in elementary school. That is when I partnered with the San Francisco Unified School District to combat school truancy. At the time, many asked why the city's chief prosecutor was concerned with the problem of school attendance. The answer was simple, and as our partnership now enters its fourth year, the reason remains the same: a child going without an education is tantamount to a crime.

Despite his young age, Michael's truancy makes him far more likely to be arrested or fall victim to a crime later in life. In San Francisco, over 94 percent of all homicide victims under the age of 25 are high school dropouts. Statewide, two-thirds of prison inmates are high school dropouts.

Combatting truancy is a smart approach to crime prevention. Every fall I send out letters to parents of all SFUSD students informing them that truancy is against the law. During the school year, prosecutors from my office hold mediations with parents and truant students to reinforce this message and urge them to get help to improve their children's attendance. In most cases, attendance improves.

When it does not, my office prosecutes parents in a specialized truancy court we created that combines close court monitoring with tailored family services. To date, I have prosecuted 20 parents of young children for truancy. The penalty for truancy is a fine of up to $2,500 or up to a year of jail.

Our groundbreaking strategy has worked. After Michael's parents did not respond to repeated pleas from the school district to get him in class, my investigators served his parents with criminal complaints. His parents appeared in court and agreed to work to get needed services and get Michael back in school. Michael missed only three days the following school year. He got extra attention from teachers to get on track and one parent has even become a school volunteer.

The majority of parents who have been brought to truancy court have dramatically improved their children's attendance. In the last year alone, truancy among elementary school students declined on average by 20 percent. In this new school year, my office will work closely with school district staff to expand our strategy to include older truant students.

Preventing truancy protects precious public resources in the midst of California's worst economic crisis. The crimes dropouts commit cost the state $1.1 billion per year, according to the UC Santa Barbara California Dropout Research Project. Adding in the social and medical costs, and wage taxes and associated economic losses, the report estimates that dropouts cost the state more than $24 billion a year. As the elected district attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, I see what happens on the back end of school failures: young lives are being lost to street violence or prison time at an appalling rate. While we must invest in effective law enforcement, we must also take seriously the task of keeping our kids in school. Children like Michael will either get their education in the streets or in the school. The fabric of our community, and the future of our economy, depend on our ability to ensure that learning happens in the classroom.

Kamala Harris is the district attorney of San Francisco.

Saving Public Resources and Protecting Our Most Important Resource: Children

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:50:28 -0700

Education, public safety, and the economy: three vastly complex issue areas that time and again are proven to be inextricably linked.

By doing what it takes to keep kids in school in every corner of our state, we can save literally billions of dollars in public resources and greatly improve public safety.

Most of us in law enforcement have known this for many years. As San Francisco's District Attorney, I see the direct impact of what happens when kids don't stay in school; young lives are lost to street violence or prison at an appalling rate, our state loses more resources and our communities are less safe.

The wake-up calls keep sounding. The California Dropout Research Project at UC Santa Barbara just published a devastating report exposing the impact of high school dropouts on California's economy. The report concludes that high school dropouts account for a disproportionate amount of juvenile crime. By contrast, graduating from high school results in a 17% reduction in violent crime and a decrease of approximately 10% in property and drug-related crimes. The juvenile crimes committed by dropouts cost California $1.1 billion per year. Add in social and medical costs, lost income taxes and associated economic losses, and the report estimates that dropouts cost the state more than $24 billion per year.

To close the horrendous budget deficit this year, California lawmakers reduced the public school system budget by $4.3 billion. Failing to educate our children and lower dropout rates is a recipe for disaster, and the price will be paid by communities and individuals victimized by crime. The direct connection between education, crime and victimization is clear. Harvard sociologist Bruce Western and Becky Pettit found that the cumulative risk of death or imprisonment by age 30-34 nearly triples for men who do not finish high school. Fourteen percent of white men and a staggering 62% of black men who don't finish high school are dead or in prison by the age of 30-34.

What can be done? Plenty.

First, dropout prevention has to start early. The problem should be red-flagged when children first become habitual truants. Nationwide, 75% of all truant children will eventually drop out of school. In San Francisco, we found that 10% of all students are chronic truants and 40%, or more than 2,000 of those truant students, are in elementary school.

That's right. Elementary school.

So we targeted that problem and partnered with the San Francisco Unified School District to combat school truancy.

At the time, many people asked why the city's chief prosecutor was worried about the problem of school attendance. My answer was simple, and as our partnership now enters its fourth year, the reason remains the same: a child going without an education is a crime and it leads to more dangerous crimes. My job is to protect the public and combating truancy is a smart approach to crime prevention. We can either pay attention now, or pay the price later.

So every fall I send out letters to parents across San Francisco letting them know that truancy is against the law and that I will enforce that law. During the school year, prosecutors from my office hold mediations with parents and truant students at schools across the city to reinforce this message and urge them to get help to improve their children's attendance. We asked business and faith leaders to engage with the city's schools to provide mentors and resources. We opened a stay-in-school hotline and coordinated support services for families needing help. In most cases, attendance improves. But when it does not, my office prosecutes parents in a specialized Truancy Court we created that combines supervision and services for those families. To date, I have only had to prosecute 20 parents of young children for truancy.

Our groundbreaking strategy has worked. The majority of parents who have been brought to Truancy Court have dramatically improved their children's attendance in school. But the effects of the strategy ripple far beyond these families. In the last year alone, truancy among elementary school students dropped by an average of 20%. In this new school year, my office will work closely with school district staff to expand our strategy to include high school age chronically truant students.

We have the tools that can start solving this problem. But first, we have got to commit to a bipartisan agenda that is smart on crime. The lesson for those of us in law enforcement is that we have to embrace our responsibility for crime prevention and engage in the serious business of helping to build healthier communities.

Preventing truancy does more than protect public safety. It protects precious public resources in the midst of California's worst economic crisis in history. If ever there were a time to reassess how our state spends public resources, the time is unquestionably now.

Let's start a serious dialogue about our collective responsibility to change the odds for children and youth. I urge you to contact your local District Attorney, school board and other elected officials about this problem. And please let me know what else I might have left out, how else we can work to solve this problem. Kids will either get an education in school or in the streets. The fabric of our community, and the future of our economy, depends on our ability to ensure that education happens in class.

Harris is the author of Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer.

City beefs up efforts at truancy prevention

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:46:30 -0700

Cracking down on the parents of truant students is adding up to better attendance.
What began as a modest effort in 2006 in which the District Attorney’s Office would take part in mediations involving the school district and parents has grown into a war on school absenteeism with a full-time prosecutor who has taken 20 parents to court.

And though prosecuting parents of chronically truant students has improved the attendance of San Francisco school children across the board, improvements are still needed to be made for older students, District Attorney Kamala Harris said.

The infractions carry a $100 fine, and if the truancy continues, prosecutors can pursue misdemeanor charges of neglecting a child’s education, charges that could land a parent in county jail for up to a year with a fine up to $2,500.

Harris, who is running for California attorney general in 2010, said Friday that the Department of Child Protective Services would also dedicate a caseworker to monitor truant students, adding another level of punitive action to the table, though Harris and schools Superintendent Carlos Garcia said punishment isn’t the goal of the program.

“The goal is not to have the child taken away from the parents,” Harris said. “If we don’t educate these kids in the classroom, they’re going to be educated in the streets, and we don’t want that.”

School district numbers that relate to habitually truant students, those with 10 to 19 unexcused absences, and chronic truants, those with 20 or more absences, show there have been marked improvements.

In the 2007-08 school year, there were 2,105 chronic and habitually truant elementary school children. In 2008-09, that number decreased about 17.3 percent to 1,740, according to the latest San Francisco Unified School District numbers.

Upper grades did not see as much of an improvement. There was a 5.3 percent decrease in habitually and chronic middle school students and a 4.6 percent decrease for high school students.

Harris has been bringing in parents of high school students to the District Attorney’s Office to help boost the numbers for older schoolchildren.

Garcia also pledged to improve the district’s tracking system to provide real-time truancy information through a system called Data Director.

The number of students skipping school in San Francisco has long been above statewide averages, and costs the already cash-strapped district more than $5 million in state funding every year. One absence costs the San Francisco Unified School District about $42, according to district data.

Truancy crackdown swings to S.F. parents, teens

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:13:04 -0700

San Francisco school and city officials will beef up the fight against truancy by expanding intervention and criminal prosecution at the high school level to parents and teenagers, District Attorney Kamala Harris announced Friday.

Previous efforts have focused on the elementary and middle schools, where families play a greater role in a child's attendance. Now it's time to target teenagers, Harris said.

For the worst offenders, that could mean charging high school students with truancy, a violation that carries a possible sentence of community service, suspension of a driver's license or court monitoring. For their parents, punishment can mean a $2,500 fine and up to one year in jail, Harris said.

In San Francisco, 94 percent of the city's homicide victims under age 25 were high school dropouts, Harris said.

The truancy effort "has everything to do with public safety and public resources," she said. "It's a crime we're prepared to prosecute."

This is the fourth year of the district attorney's effort to target the city's truants. Last year, nearly 4,800 of the San Francisco school district's 55,000 students were considered either habitually truant with 10 to 19 unexcused absences or chronically truant with 20 or more. That's down from 5,400 students the year before.

City and district efforts have included a better school attendance tracking system, phone calls and meetings with families, and legal action - with a focus on the elementary grades, where families play a greater role in a child's attendance.
Similar actions will now be taken with high school truants, Harris said.

In addition, Child Protective Services will add a full-time social worker to work with parents in truancy cases, even if the families have had no previous contact with the agency.

Also, for the third year in a row, Harris sent a letter to every district family at the start of the school year warning of the possibility of prosecution for truancy. School attendance is compulsory in California from ages 6 to 18.

In the last two years, Harris has prosecuted 20 truancy cases, the last resort in addressing a child's chronic absences.

"We nag (parents) to death," school Superintendent Carlos Garcia said. "But the bottom line is, what do we do when they refuse to send them to school?"

Garcia said a new software program at every school allows principals to see in real time the students who aren't in class and those racking up unexcused absences. A pending online system will allow parents constant access to their child's school records to check attendance and performance.

"If we don't educate these kids in the classroom, they're going to be educated in the streets," Harris said.

Officers for Justice Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:27:39 -0700

Peace Officers Association comprised of predominantly African American SF cops joins law enforcement leaders across the state backing Harris

Officers for Justice, which since 1968 has represented a diverse association of San Francisco police officers, today announced its endorsement of Kamala Harris for Attorney General.

“As a career prosecutor, Kamala Harris knows what it takes to effectively fight crime and keep our streets safe,” said Julian Hill, president of Officers for Justice, which since 1971 has been a member of the National Black Police Association. “District Attorney Harris has worked shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement throughout her career, so she understands the challenges police officers face and I know she will be a champion for cops who walk the beat.”

Officers for Justice joins California law enforcement leaders such as San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey, and East Palo Alto Police Chief Ron Davis in supporting Harris’ campaign for Attorney General.

Kamala Harris, Cali's Next Top Cop?

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:14:52 -0700

She’s brilliant, she’s ambitious, she’s tough and she’s unlike anything you’ll see on Law & Order. They call Kamala Harris the ‘female Barack Obama’ and lately a lot of people from Oprah Winfrey to President Barack Obama are singing the praises of the woman who wants to be California’s next attorney general.

With a 90 percent conviction rate super star prosecutor Kamala Harris made history in 2003 when she was elected California’s first African-American female district attorney.

“Law enforcement has such a direct impact on the most vulnerable members of our society and I wanted to be at the table when the decisions are made that affect them,” says Harris.

Kamala Harris is mixed race, thus her current position gives her three firsts — she is the first female District Attorney to be elected in San Francisco; the first African American elected as District Attorney in California; and the first Indian American elected to the position in the United States.

If she has her way in 2010, she would be breaking even more glass ceilings.

She would be the state’s first female Attorney General and the first, in decades, who started out in the trenches as a courtroom prosecutor. She was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term in November 2007.

Harris was born in Oakland, California, her parents both professors were active in the Civil Rights Movement and instilled in Kamala a strong commitment to justice and public service.

That commitment led Kamala to Howard University, one America’s oldest Black universities and then to Hastings College of the Law. She was raised with her sister Maya in Berkeley by their mother Dr.

Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer specialist.

DA Harris believes it is her duty to nurture the next generation of young women who dream of following in her footsteps.

“My mother who was a very strong influence in my life always said ‘Kamala you may be the first to do many things but make sure you’re not the last’.”

Harris is a strong advocate of identifying and implementing strategies for reducing gang violence and victimization. Two weeks ago, the Democrat, a long time friend of President Obama and a very early supporter of his presidential campaign got a boost in her bid for California’s top cop.

Harris was picked for a star role at the National Conference on Gang Violence Prevention and Crime Control, where she discussed her “Back on Track” low level drug offender re-entry initiative and anti truancy work.

She was part of a select group of mayors, district attorneys including San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris and San Bernardino County District Attorney A. Michael Ramos, academics, criminal justice experts and violence prevention experts – including U.S.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Obama Administration drug czar Gil Kerikowske.

“Many cities in California are facing vicious and growing gang activity, and across the nation communities are being held hostage by gang-related violence. I’m honored to be a part of the national strategy to combat this serious issue,” she said.

“She lights up a room the way then little-known Barack Obama did when he gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.”

That’s Jose Medina, delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and co-founder of Obama Riverside, the formidable grassroots organization that helped propel Mr. Obama to the White House. Kamala, Medina says is among a new crop of young, Democratic professionals – ‘bright, fair, and tough as nails’. Though Harris has generated controversy and made a few formidable enemies in law enforcement circles, she has remained firm in her opposition to the death penalty and is unafraid to stand down the likes of those involved in sexual exploitation of children, corrupt cops and parents whose children are truants.

“I’m especially proud of creating a child assault unit dedicated to prosecuting those kinds of cases because I can see the impact it has on children, families and society in general,” said Harris.

Harris also has boundless ambition, as a candidate for state Attorney General in 2010, she hopes to bring her “smart on crime” approach—which has resulted in a marked increase in homicide clearance rates in San Francisco to one of California’s most important and visible offices.

“I’ve spent my entire professional life in the trenches as a courtroom prosecutor. And I can tell you from the frontlines, we need tough new ideas for strengthening our criminal justice system in California. As Attorney General, I will fight for all Californians – from distressed homeowners to families whose neighborhoods are under siege. With the cooperation of state, federal and local officials we can fight street gangs, go after subprime lenders and others responsible for the financial crisis.

We can fundamentally reform our prison system,” said Harris.

She would replace Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, the former Oakland mayor and California governor, who is expected to run for governor in 2010.

“It takes a lot of guts to stand up for what you think is right in the political world, especially when faced with high-level pressure,” said Medina.

Spring 2010, Medina and Obama Riverside co- founder Linnie Frank Bailey hope to bring the Harris excitement to Riverside believing people need to be reminded that there are many more shining stars like Barack Obama out there.

Harris at the White House

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:14:01 -0700

The San Francisco Chronicle's politics blog notes that the city's district attorney, Kamala Harris, is at the White House today talking about combating gang violence.

Harris a figure to watch nationally, I think — is running for state attorney general, and they report:

We heard from Harris last night as she prepared for her gig today — and she said she's excited about helping shine a light on a problem that affects urban communities across California and the nation.

"Many cities in California are facing vicious and growing gang activity, and across the nation communities are held hostage by gang-related violence," she told us via e-mail. "I'm honored to be working with the White House and with leaders from all over the country to take on this serious issue of combating gangs and the violence and chaos they create."

Couldn't hurt for someone who wants to be California's top cop, either.

SF DA Kamala Harris at White House today -- asked to talk gang violence prevention

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:46:49 -0700

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris' bid for state Attorney General got a big boost today with a plum assignment from the Obama Administration. She's in Washington D.C. Monday with a special invite to talk up the success of her youth and gang violence prevention programs at the White House.

Democrat Harris, a longtime friend of President Obama and a very early supporter of his presidential campaign, was picked for a star role at today's National Conference on Gang Violence Prevention and Crime Control, where she'll be discussing her "Back on Track" re-entry initiative and anti-truancy work.

The SF DA is part of a group of 90 invitees who include law enforcement professionals, local government officials, academics, criminal justice experts and violence prevention experts -- including Attorney General Eric Holder and Obama Administration drug czar Gil Kerlikowske. We hear that the only other invited biggies from California are San Bernardino mayor Pat Morris and Fresno Sheriff Margaret Mims.

The White House says the conference will "showcase promising community-driven anti-crime initiatives from across the country,'' and "serve as a forum for communities to share best practices with one another'' as well as to communicate lessons learned about the best ways to "disrupt gang violence and criminal activity.''
Another goal: to explore the role of the federal government in gang violence prevention and crime control partnerships.

We heard from Harris last night as she prepared for her gig today -- and she said she's excited about helping shine a light on a problem that affects urban communities across California and the nation.

"Many cities in California are facing vicious and growing gang activity, and across the nation communities are held hostage by gang-related violence,'' she told us via e-mail. "I'm honored to be working with the White House and with leaders from all over the country to take on this serious issue of combating gangs and the violence and chaos they create."

Couldn't hurt for someone who wants to be California's top cop, either.

DA Harris and Senator Alquist Champion New Statewide ID Theft Law

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:06:35 -0700

Measure Signed into Law Allows for Multi-Jurisdictional ID Theft Prosecution

SAN FRANCISCO - District Attorney Kamala D. Harris announced today the signing of Senate Bill 226 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday, August 6, 2009.

SB 226 provides that in cases where a defendant or defendants have committed identity theft against multiple victims in multiple counties, prosecutors would have the authority to try allthe

cases in one county. It also allows the jury to be presented with the facts of all the crimes committed by a particular defendant or group of defendants. The bill was introduced by State Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara) and sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris.

“California simply cannot afford to allow roving identity thieves to escape accountability, nor can our state incur the cost of repeatedly prosecuting ID thieves in multiple jurisdictions for the same underlying offense,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “SB 226 is both cost-efficient and better for public safety.”

Throughout California, identity thieves are increasingly engaged in sophisticated and complex schemes involving multiple victims in numerous counties. This allows offenders to escape prosecution because prosecutors can only pursue the crimes committed by identity thieves who go from county to county when those crimes involve only one victim or all of the victims are in one county. That means victims in other counties whose identities are stolen by the same scheme may never get restitution from the offender and often never see the thief brought to justice. Even if other counties wish to prosecute the same criminal scheme, the cost to the state’s criminal justice system and to each county in order to prosecute each case separately is enormous.

“Right now, we require that identity thieves be prosecuted in each county where an offense took place, even though the series of thefts were committed by the same person or group,” said Senator Elaine Alquist. “This is time consuming and costly for counties. By allowing prosecutors to consolidate these crimes, we save counties millions of dollars by ending unnecessary and duplicative prosecution. Even better, we more effectively put these identity thieves behind bars for the crimes they commit against innocent victims.”

SB 226 amends Penal Code § 786(b)(1,) related to jurisdiction in identity theft cases, to allow prosecutors to bundle all of the individual identity theft instances of one scheme together in one prosecution. This bill allows the case to follow the thief and not be prosecuted in a piecemeal fashion. Prosecutors will now be able to effectively protect every similarly situated victim whose information has been stolen and assets have been pillaged by roving identity thieves, regardless of the victims’ counties of residence.

“By signing this bill, we send a message to all potential identity thieves throughout the state of California that you will no longer be able to hide from the law,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “We will find you, we will stop you, and we will send you away."

Smart on Crime: More Safety at Less Cost

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:53:25 -0700

When the California State Legislature reconvenes Monday, dealing with the corrections crisis will no doubt be on the top of everyone's "to do" list. The Governor signed a budget requiring a $1.2 billion reduction in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget, and a panel of three federal judges recently ordered a cap on the state prison population that could result in the release of more than 40,000 inmates. If ever there was a time to think outside the box and break with the approaches of the past, the time is now. We have to do something different.

Over the last thirty years, California's prison population has soared. In 1980, California had a prison population of about 24,000 in a state of 24 million. Today we have an inmate population of 172,000 out of 36 million people. This means that since 1980, our population has grown by 50% while our prison population has grown 617%.

Today, the majority of those inmates are not first-time offenders. Each year, approximately 70 percent of those released from California prisons commit another offense, resulting in the highest recidivism rate in the nation. These repeat offenses are preventable crimes that claim more victims and harm communities' quality of life. It costs on average more than $10,000 to prosecute just one felony case, and about $47,000 per year to house each inmate in prison. Every time an inmate is released and commits a new crime, local and state jurisdictions pay those costs over and over again. Most importantly, individuals and communities pay the highest price when they are re-victimized by crime. To keep our communities safe and use public money wisely, we must insist that people coming out of the criminal justice system become productive citizens and stay out.

In San Francisco, I have developed a smart on crime approach: we must be tough on serious and violent offenders while we get just as tough on the root causes of crime. In my office, we have raised felony conviction rates and sent more violent offenders to state prison, at the same time we have launched innovative, cost effective approaches to reduce recidivism and break the cycles of crime.

Four years ago my office pioneered a model reentry initiative called "Back on Track" to reduce recidivism among nonviolent offenders. Back on Track combines accountability with opportunity to ensure that first-time nonviolent drug offenders are held accountable, stop committing crime and become self-sufficient. In Back on Track, offenders plead guilty and commit to strict court supervision as they complete an intensive personal responsibility program. They get trained for a job, go back to school, get current with child support, enroll in parenting classes, and become positive contributors in their communities. The program encompasses swift sanctions for making bad choices and clear incentives for good ones. As a result, less than 10 percent of Back on Track graduates have re-offended compared to a 54 percent recidivism rate statewide for a comparable population of offenders. We have achieved this success at a fraction of the cost of traditional corrections approaches. Back on Track costs about $5,000 annually per participant, compared to between $35,000 and $47,000 for a year in jail or prison.

To graduate, Back on Track participants must be employed or in school. The program has been selected as a national model by the National District Attorney's Association and at least two jurisdictions have replicated the initiative. We are proving that preventing recidivism is both doable and cost-effective.

This is just one example of what can be done to improve public safety and break the cycle of crime. Being smart on crime requires changing our thinking. Albert Einstein once said, "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." The State of California is at an economic crossroads that demands new approaches. With a genuine investment in breaking cycles of crime, we can improve public safety at the same time that we save precious public resources. That is smart on crime.

Kamala Harris raises $1.2 million during first six months of 2009, more than any other Democratic or Republican Attorney General

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:27:51 -0700

Since launching campaign for AG last November, Harris has raised more than $1.3 million from 2,400 donors

SAN FRANCISCO – The Kamala Harris for Attorney General campaign raised $1,204,606 during the first six months of 2009, bringing her campaign’s total to over $1.3 million raised from more than 2,400 donors. Harris’ fundraising total exceeds her nearest competitors by more than $200,000, and does not include any funds transferred from other accounts. More than $500,000 of Harris’ total was raised online.

The fundraising totals, as reported on the California Secretary of State’s website, are as follows:

Kamala Harris                                 $ 1,204,606
Alberto Torrico                               $ 991,844
Rocky Delgadillo                           $ 935,624  
Ted Lieu                                         $ 495,940  
Pedro Nava                                     $ 227,358  
Chris Kelly    $ 62,232

The two Republicans currently with Attorney General committees reported the following totals:

Tom Harman $ 429,067
Chuck Poochigian $ 0

The Sacramento Bee reported last month about how the Harris campaign turned “buzz into bucks”:

Kamala Harris set off her campaign for attorney general last year with a certain up-and-comer buzz in Democratic Party circles. Barack Obama summoned Harris as his stand-in at the state Democratic convention…But what Harris didn't have was money. At the end of last year, the San Francisco District Attorney had but $117,000 in her attorney general's campaign account…

…[W]ith Team Harris announcing that she raked in $1.2 million in donations since January 1st, Harris appears to have significantly outstripped [her opponents] in the race for cash since the first of the year.”

The Harris campaign has more than $750,000 cash on hand.

UFW Co-Founder Dolores Huerta Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:03:52 -0700

SAN FRANCISCO – Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and one of the nation’s leading voices for working men and women, today announced her support for San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.

“Throughout her career Kamala Harris has been a tireless advocate for children and families whose neighborhoods are under siege,” said Huerta. “Her innovative approach to keeping kids in school has achieved remarkable results in San Francisco, and her overall ‘smart on crime’ record has made our streets safer. I believe that as a career prosecutor, Kamala Harris is best suited to take on the unique challenges of public safety when she is Attorney General.”

“I am honored to have the support of Dolores Huerta, a true California hero and a woman who is an inspiration for so many of us,” said Harris. “I look forward to standing side by side with Dolores throughout this campaign and when I am Attorney General.”

This work is paying off – the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has more than doubled its trial conviction rate for gun felonies to 90 percent. Under her leadership, the office has sent 70 percent more serious and violent offenders to State Prison. According to the State of California Department of Justice, the office’s overall felony conviction rate is at its highest point in 14 years. And her anti-truancy initiative helped to increase elementary school attendance by 23%, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

50 politicos to watch

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:09:29 -0700

ONES TO WATCH OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY

Kamala Harris

Even in California, a state with a deep and diverse bench of Democratic talent, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris stands out.

A two-term prosecutor whose innovative approach to law enforcement has made her a rising star in progressive politics, she is both the state’s first female African-American district attorney and the nation’s first Indian-American district attorney.

On Harris’s watch, felony conviction rates hit a 14-year high and elementary school truancy fell 23 percent after she began prosecuting the parents of chronically truant children.

“I call it the ‘smart on crime’ approach,” Harris told POLITICO. “We’ve got to be efficient, swift and certain after it occurs, but we also have to do what we can to prevent crime before it occurs.”

Harris has drawn fire from San Francisco police, who accuse her office of inflating conviction rates and bringing too few cases to trial. And in 2004, Harris, who opposes the death penalty, angered many by refusing to seek execution for the killer of a city police officer.

But that hasn’t stopped Harris from establishing herself as the front-runner in California’s 2010 race for attorney general.

Attorney general candidate Harris turns buzz into bucks

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:19:51 -0700

Kamala Harris set off her campaign for attorney general last year with a certain up-and-comer buzz in Democratic Party circles.

Barack Obama summoned Harris as his stand-in at the state Democratic convention. She made his California campaign pitch to delegates to counter a fellow named Bill Clinton, who was there raising the roof on behalf of candidate Hillary Clinton.

But what Harris didn't have was money. At the end of last year, the San Francisco District Attorney had but $117,000 in her attorney general's campaign account. That was well short of the $700,000 and $650,000, respectively, that Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, and Assembly Majority leader Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, had hoarded in legislative accounts for potential A.G. runs.

Neither Torrico nor Lieu has released his latest fundraising totals, but Harris appears to have significantly outstripped them in the race for cash since the first of the year.

Today team Harris announced she has raked in $1.2 million in donations between the start of the year and the June 30 quarterly filing deadline.

Harris got the maximum $6,500 donation from fellow Obama campaign alum Kevin Johnson, who happens to be the mayor of Sacramento, and also took in the max from Esprit Clothing co-founder Susie Tompkins Buell, the former presidential fundraising rainmaker for Hillary Clinton.

Harris is also drawing key support from the entertainment community, including donations from Oscar-winner actor Sean Pean of "Milk," television star Eric Dane of "Grey's Anatomy," Warner Brothers executive producer Charles Lorre, former Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing and Jo Schuman, producer of the musical revue, "Beach Blanket Babylon." of "

Torrico, meanwhile, is drawing strong support from Indian tribes and police and firefighter unions. Since January, he received $6,500 each from the Viejas tribal government, the Lytton Rancheria and the Paskenta Band of Nomaki Indians, plus $6,500 each from the San Jose Police Officers PAC, the Deputy Sheriffs Association of Alameda County and Fremont Professional Firefighters PAC, as well as $5,800 from the California Professional Firefighters Association.

Lieu has taken in max donations from the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians and the Asian Americans for Good Government PAC. He is also drawing significant contributions from health industry interests, including the Emergency Medical PAC of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Anthem Blue Cross and Central Health MSO Inc.

Former Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, who raised $5 million in an unsuccessful primary run against Jerry Brown in 2006, also hasn't released fundraising totals for the 2010 race. But state records show Delgadillo took in $373,000 in contributions of $5,000 or more since January, including $6,500 each from the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Paskenta tribe and a max donation from homebuilder Eli Broad.

DA Harris Continues Crack Down On Mortgage Scams

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:18:48 -0700

DA HARRIS CONTINUES CRACK DOWN ON MORTGAGE SCAMS

Joins City Leaders to Introduce Legislation to Regulate Loan Modification Consultants

District Attorney Kamala D. Harris and Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting have initiated legislation being introduced today by Supervisors David Campos and Sophie Maxwell to put an end to loan modification scams in San Francisco.

The Board of Supervisors ordinance would require a written contract outlining proposed services, prohibit loan modification consultants from collecting a fee before helping a homeowner obtain a favorable loan modification, and provide for enforcement with criminal penalties and a private cause of action for aggrieved homeowners.

“By introducing this measure San Francisco is showing leadership to stop a growing problem that is plaguing families across our City and throughout our state,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris.

“Recently we have seen an unprecedented number of San Francisco residents struggling to make their mortgage payments,” said Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting. “We need to make sure these homeowners are protected from unscrupulous mortgage consultants who prey on them and leave them worse off,” he said. Between 2006 and 2008, Ting’s office recorded a 121 percent increase in the number of Notices of Defaults in San Francisco. The number of foreclosures increased even more dramatically by 723 percent during that same time period.

“Corrupt mortgage modification consultants are preying on desperate homeowners by falsely promising to help them modify the terms of their mortgages,” explained Supervisor David Campos. “We are working to avoid more San Francisco residents from becoming victims of these scams.”

The San Francisco legislation would require consultants to provide homeowners with a written contract describing the mortgage modification services to be provided before initiating those services. It would also mandate that the modified loan provide a tangible

benefit for the homeowner – either a monthly loan payment reduction of at least 20 percent for a minimum of five years, or a monthly payment for housing expenses that does not exceed 31 percent of the owner’s monthly gross income for a minimum of five years.

“This legislation is extremely important because it gives borrowers more information about their options,” said Supervisor Sophie Maxwell.

The Ordinance makes homeowners aware that they can obtain the same loan modification services free of charge from HUD-certified nonprofit organizations.

The initiation of this legislation is part of DA Harris’ ongoing effort to deal with the fallout of the current economic downturn plaguing families who are now in danger of losing their homes.

In April 2009 DA Harris launched a three-pronged initiative to combat the growing problem of mortgage and financial fraud. The strategy included public education and outreach, legislative advocacy and prosecution.

Partnering with Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, DA Harris has taken important information on free HUD-endorsed community organizations where consumers can get free counseling and assistance on how to save their homes from foreclosure.

In April and May of this year, Supervisors Sophie Maxwell and John Avalos joined DA Harris and Assessor-Recorder Ting at public education events held in Bayview Hunter Point and the Excelsior neighborhood where residents were given critical information on how to protect themselves from mortgage fraud scams and other financial crimes. The areas were selected because residents in the Bayview Hunters Point and Excelsior neighborhoods have been particularly hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. In fact, Bayview Hunters Point has the highest foreclosure rate in San Francisco.

Currently, the California State Legislature is considering several bills that would enhance penalties for mortgage fraud and regulate mortgage modification consultants. SB 239 (Pavely) seeks to amend the Penal Code to create a dedicated felony mortgage fraud statute, with enhanced punishment and greater investigatory tools for law enforcement. SB 94 (Calderon) prohibits consultants claiming to help consumers obtain a loan modification from receiving up-front payment for their services unless they are a licensed real estate broker.

“Our legislation goes further by stipulating that mortgage modifications must have a tangible benefit for the homeowner. It also incorporates stiff consequences for violating the law,” explained Supervisor Campos.

Mortgage modification consultants that violate the proposed San Francisco law would be subject to criminal penalties and a private cause of action by the homeowner.

“Educating the public on how to protect themselves from paying for services they can obtain elsewhere for free is only half the battle,” said District Attorney Kamala D. Harris. “We need to make sure that there are real penalties in place for opportunists who prey on homeowners in their darkest hours.”

Aspiring state attorney general Kamala Harris finds friends in L.A.

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:12:33 -0700

Hollywood's Democratic activists may still be uncertain about which way to jump in California's gubernatorial race, but many of the industry's heavy political hitters already are lining up behind San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris in her run for state attorney general.

On Tuesday evening, authors Lisa Jones Johnson and Jarone Johnson, along with actor-businessman Brent Bolthouse, director Brett Ratner, and Eric Dane ("Grey's Anatomy"), hosted a cocktail party to celebrate Harris' candidacy with a crowd of guests who paid as much as $5,000 to meet the young prosecutor at the Johnsons' elegant Los Angeles home. A little more than a week ago, Harris was the guest of honor at a luncheon hosted by former studio head and longtime Democratic stalwart Sherry Lansing. Guests, including Cheryl Saban,Elizabeth Wiatt and Judge Diane Wayne, listened to Harris speak -- and, afterward, several pulled out their datebooks to schedule fundraisers of their own.

Actually, the Hollywood buzz surrounding the 44-year-old Harris began even before she decided to run for AG. As an early Barack Obama supporter, she was one of the first on the campaign trail and was almost immediately recognized in the entertainment circles as a rising star.

By spring, she was a frequent visitor at the estates of Beverly Park and Brentwood, this time campaigning on behalf of her own candidacy. Everywhere she went, the crowds were wowed. She's articulate and beautiful, sort of like a political version of Halle Berry.

"If we learned one thing from Hollywood's early and active support of Barack Obama," says Harris' campaign manager, Brian Brokaw, "it's that the entertainment community has an eye for new leadership and innovative ideas. Kamala Harris' 'smart on crime' approach as district attorney has produced incredible results in San Francisco, resulting in the highest conviction rates in nearly 15 years while also striving to prevent crime before it happens.

"She is also a trailblazer as the first woman to serve as district attorney of San Francisco and the first African American D.A. in California. I believe her life story and vision for reforming California's criminal justice system resonates with not only Hollywood but also with Californians from all walks of life."

It's likely that Harris will face a crowded field during next year's primary. Other Democrats on record as possible contenders include former Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, Facebook executive Chris Kelly, and Assemblymen Ted Lieu, Pedro Nava and Alberto Torrico.

There could be support for these candidates in other parts of the state, but from La Brea to Malibu, Harris already has signed up an A-list roster of supporters, including Steven and Dayna Bochco (who hosted one of the earliest fundraisers), James Brooks, Laurie David, Antoine and Lela Fuqua (who've already hosted a fundraiser), Ron and Shelly Gillyard, Hill Harper (another early fundraiser), Norman Lear, Chuck Lorre (another early fundraiser host) Michael Lynton, J.J. Abrams and wife Katie (also money-raisers), Ron and Kelley Meyer, Holly Robinson Peete, Charles Rivkin, Andy Spahn, Dana M. Walden, LauraWasserman (who hosted a fundraiser of her own this week), Sean Penn, Clarence Avant, Reggie Hudlin and Lisa Ling.

Harris' appeal is similar in many ways to Obama's; she has a compelling life story and trails innovative ideas the way some women do perfume -- two qualities over which the industry swoons. Both her parents are immigrants -- her mother an Indo-American oncologist specializing in breast cancer and her father a Jamaican native who went on to teach economics at Stanford. Kamala (pronounced comma-la) grew up in the Bay Area's intellectual and social ferment, then went on to do her undergraduate work at the elite, historically black Howard University and to study law at Hastings.

A prosecutor since 1990, she first was elected district attorney of San Francisco by winning 56% of the vote in a runoff, despite her promise never to seek the death penalty, which she opposes on moral and philosophical grounds. Two years ago, she won reelection without opposition.

Recently, one of her signature crime prevention efforts became the subject of controversy after The Times reported that an undocumented immigrant enrolled in a rehabilitation program for nonviolent drug offenders had committed a felony while his participation allowed him to avoid deportation.

Her critics have labeled the program "catch and release," but Harris has replied that it was a mistake to let illegal immigrants into the project. She called it a "flaw in the design" that since has been corrected.

That sort of forthrightness in the face of criticism -- also reminiscent of Obama to many -- has made Harris particularly attractive to many of Hollywood's leading Democratic strategists and activists.

"She's smart, charismatic and an experienced prosecutor who has successfully balanced prosecution with prevention," said Spahn, who said he'll be doing significant fundraising on her behalf.

Producer Lawrence Bender enthused that "I think she has a great shot. She has a great following here."

Longtime Dem strategist Noah Mamet, who's seen more candidates than an Iowa caucus, was unequivocal: "She's great. I'm a big fan. The traditional Westside Democratic donors are taken by her. She's also personal friends with Obama, which doesn't hurt. He'll help her with the general election, I assume."

Extreme vigilance needed to combat loan scams

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:41:23 -0700

Across California, a new scam is cropping up.

It goes something like this: A homeowner falls behind on his mortgage and soon thereafter receives a letter from a company promising to help him get a modification of his mortgage. Over time, the homeowner ends up paying hefty fees of $3,000 to the company, and waits, having been instructed not to contact his lender and thinking his mortgage problems are being resolved.

In actuality, the company does nothing more than make a few phone calls to the lender – something the homeowner had already done himself. The mortgage falls further behind until one day the homeowner receives notice from the bank that his house is going into foreclosure. Instead of receiving desperately needed help, this distressed homeowner was defrauded out of his money and his home.

The "loss mitigation" company, it turns out, was never there to help. Instead, it is the same company that previously peddled subprime loans and simply found a new way to prey on people in need.

This scenario is all too common. Countless homeowners have been defrauded by this type of scheme since the start of the foreclosure crisis. Mortgage counselors at 40 agencies in California, representing thousands of distressed homeowners across the state, report fee-for-service scams are a rising problem among their clients, according to a recent survey by the California Reinvestment Coalition.

President Barack Obama's foreclosure prevention plan is striving to bring help to millions of distressed homeowners and moving their mortgages through the loan modification process. Instead of joining the president's goal of helping communities, these companies are engaged in a manipulative marketing ploy, dangling the prospect of relief in front of desperate borrowers.

The average fee these companies charge borrowers is $3,000 and some go as high as $9,500. All or most of these fees are charged up front, before any services have been rendered. And some companies even have the audacity to charge monthly fees.

Homeowners need to know: To access the federal foreclosure prevention plan and other assistance programs, borrowers do not have to pay anyone. Help is available for free. People who are struggling to make mortgage payments should not be asked to pay thousands of dollars for a service they can get for free.

There are nonprofit housing counseling agencies that have the expertise and the mission to serve the interests of California homeowners and can, free of charge, help homeowners determine how to negotiate loan modifications and take the steps necessary to avoid foreclosure.

A list of free housing counseling agencies can be found online at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/ hcs.cfm.

Unfortunately, the state's current regulatory system is woefully inadequate to keep up with the burgeoning market of for-profit companies springing up – many of them shifting gears from the subprime mortgage business.

Every level of government is now responding to address this massive problem. Obama recently signed sweeping legislation to crack down on mortgage fraud. So, too, the California attorney general announced new efforts to crack down on for-profit foreclosure-related schemes. The Legislature is also taking steps to address this crisis, crafting legislation to rein in predatory practices. As well, cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco are putting forward local ordinances to help protect distressed homeowners. We applaud these efforts.

At the same time, we must make every effort possible to go further to protect consumers. Homeowners urgently need access to accurate information and real assistance, and predators must be stopped.

Borrowers who have been victimized by these scam artists should have a private right of action so they can sue predatory companies for damages they have suffered. Criminal penalties for violators must be enhanced to deter these predatory practices.

And no one should be able to charge a fee to a distressed homeowner for merely placing a few phone calls to loan servicers. Consumers who purchase a product or service are entitled to expect a real benefit, and struggling homeowners should be no different.

Finally, any company that is permitted to engage in this business must be required to report data to regulators showing how many contracts it entered into to provide these services, what it charged, and what result it obtained for the homeowner. Only in this way can policymakers and the public be assured that we are doing all we can to prevent further displacement of working families, and further destabilization of our communities.

We must also do everything we can to hold perpetrators accountable. Local, state and federal law enforcement officials are taking notice of these growing crimes and joining together to fight back. We encourage continued collaboration and expanded action to crack down on fraudulent practices and send offenders to jail.

Defrauded homeowners deserve our protection and fraudulent business practices must be stopped.

Felony prosecutions skyrocket to a 14-year high

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:19:46 -0700

SAN FRANCISCO— Nearly three-quarters of those charged with felonies in The City last year were found guilty — San Francisco’s highest conviction rate in 14 years.

The rise in convictions for felonies — which include theft of more than $400 and murder — is the result of hard work during the past six years, according to District Attorney Kamala Harris.

“I think what we’re seeing now is the rewards of the groundwork we laid in the beginning, with more training programs in the office, making decisions based on merit and professionalism, and bringing resources and structure to the office,” said Harris, who is also running for state attorney general.

Harris, who is in her sixth year in office, has increased the conviction rate for felonies 20 percent from that of her predecessor, Terrence Hallinan.

The number of cases brought by police that result in prosecutions has also risen to 67 percent, the highest since 2001, according to California Department of Justice statistics.

Much of the improvement can be attributed to a focus on violent crime and its frequent catalyst, drug and gun violations, Harris said.

“There was some misperception that narcotics crime is victimless crime,” she said. “But if you talk to the people who live in the neighborhoods affected by it, they’ll tell you differently.”

Harris also points to state Justice Department statistics that nearly twice as many people were sentenced in 2008 to prison when compared to 2003.

However, statistics can be misleading, Public Defender Jeff Adachi said. For the past two years, the justice system has been dealing with a record number of homicide suspects since The City’s murder rate has hovered around a 10-year high.

“We’re dealing with much heavier cases now, so that’s going to increase the number of people going to state prison,” Adachi said.

He also pointed out that while convictions have risen, so have acquittals, though only a small percentage of prosecutions make it to jury trial.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who sits on the board’s Public Safety Committee, commended the District Attorney’s Office for improving its standards, but pointed out that attaining a successful conviction rate sometimes means choosing to drop charges in more complicated or lower-profile cases.

“There has to be some analysis on methodology on the cases they decide to prosecute compared to those not charged,” Mirkarimi said. “Many of the cases not charged represent a substantial number that are dismissed from the statistic.”

Harris agreed that there is still work to be done. And it will be tougher, she said, due to budget cuts. Since 2007, her office has lost 43 positions to budget cuts, including 14 attorney positions.

“We’ve done a good job, but there’s always room for improvement. I’d be the first to say that,” Harris said. “Honestly, I’d like to improve the attorney case ratio. My misdemeanor lawyers are handling 400 cases each.”

tbarak@sfexaminer.com

Prison sentences

Conviction rate for S.F. felonies:

2004: 50.3 percent

2005: 53.2 percent

2006: 65.5 percent

2007: 69.9 percent

2008: 70.7 percent

Source: California Department of Justice

Posted: June 3, 2009

Fighting truancy yields big dividends

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:50:47 -0700

Nearly three years into her battle against school truancy, District Attorney Kamala Harris has something to celebrate: There was a 23 percent drop in the number of elementary school truants at San Francisco schools this year. On the simplest level, that drop means more money for the city: The school district received an additional $372,862 in funds tied to attendance. Any additional money for education is something to be celebrated in these tough times. And on the grandest level, everyone in the city benefits when children go to school.

When she launched the truancy campaign, Harris raised more than a few eyebrows with her approach. Working with Superintendent Carlos Garcia of the San Francisco Unified School District, her office was tenacious about pursuing the parents of habitual truants: They sent letters, placed phone calls, visited them at home, and, if all else failed, dragged them into court. "People complained that we were being punitive," Garcia said. "But what about the kid's right to an education?"

What about that kid's right to an education? And what about an even larger issue, public safety? Habitual truants tend to become high school dropouts. And it's been proved over and over again that high school dropouts are both the victims and perpetrators of crime to a degree that is so disproportionate it may as well be a cause-and-effect clause. According to a study from the California Dropout Research Project, San Francisco could see 315 fewer murders and aggravated assaults per year if it could halve the school dropout rate.

That report also notes that San Francisco could generate $108 million in economic benefits with that lower dropout rate, which suggests the other vital reason why public officials statewide need to be aggressively addressing this issue. California's budgetary crisis is only getting worse, and things are highly unlikely to improve over the next few years. Given that halving the state's dropout rate could generate $12 billion in economic benefits to the state, every legislator in Sacramento should be scrambling for ways to keep kids in school. It would sure beat spending the entire year fighting over the state budget.

The only question that remains is how San Francisco can improve on its success. A 23 percent drop rate is staggering, but it only includes elementary students. Middle-school truancy dropped only 4 percent this year. That number could indicate a decline - or a fluctuation.

And despite efforts, high school truancy increased by 2 percent. Clearly, it's one thing to get parents to understand that they must send their children to school, but it is a lot more complicated once children are old enough to skip school on their own.

"With noncompliant high school students, you have to prosecute them, not their parents," Harris said. "That sends shudders up everyone's spine."

Garcia said that part of the solution for older students is a school environment they feel comfortable in and instruction that engages them.

"We recognize that some of the parents aren't responsible enough to send the kids to school," Garcia said. "But we also have to look at ourselves. What part of this do we own? What can we do to make the experience more joyful for kids?"

Adding that it is a "complex" problem, Garcia said the reasons why students in these age groups fail to make it to school range from their parents' need for a babysitter to the disruptive effect of violence in their neighborhoods.

Every school is looking at new ways to engage the students more fully, Garcia said, whether it's seeking out curriculum that feels more relevant to their students or partnering with UCSF to provide post-traumatic stress disorder therapy for students and their families.

"As we've unpeeled this onion, we've learned that there are a lot of layers," Garcia said.

Reducing the truancy rates in middle school and, especially, high school are the next steps. Halving truancy rates for older students will be a more difficult and potentially more controversial task than dealing with elementary-school truancy. (For all the hoopla, Harris' office only prosecuted seven parents in three years.) It could take longer, and there will surely be setbacks as the school district searches for a formula that works.

Most important, if San Francisco can convince students that they live in a city that cares about their success, the rewards will be enormous. The city will save money and lives.

Pressuring parents helps S.F. slash truancy 23%

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:56:20 -0700

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco schools showed a 23 percent drop in the number of elementary schoolchildren skipping classes this year as citywide efforts, including parental prosecution, appeared to be paying off, district officials told The Chronicle on Monday.

The most recent numbers follow at least a three-year trend, with the number of the most serious elementary school truants cut in half since the 2005-06 school year.

The trend benefits not only the students who are attending class more regularly. It means more money for the district - $372,862 was tied to the increased attendance this school year alone.

Superintendent Carlos Garcia and District Attorney Kamala Harris were expected to tout the new numbers this morning at a news conference designed to highlight the success of a two-year effort to combat truancy.

At the end of April, when the statistics were last compiled, 1,330 elementary students were habitual or chronic truants this year, down from 1,730 last year, 2,517 two years ago and 2,856 three years back. About 24,500 elementary students attend San Francisco schools.

The data include habitually truant students who had 10 to 19 unexcused absences and chronic truants with 20 or more such absences.

In upper grades, numbers were more stagnant. Middle school truancy dropped about 4 percent this year to 448 chronic and habitual truants out of about 11,500 students, while at the high schools there was an uptick of 2 percent to 1,741 out of 19,000 students.

Recent citywide efforts have focused on the elementary grades, where families play a greater role in student attendance, district officials said.

Efforts have included better identification of habitual and chronic truants, meetings with families - and in at least seven cases taking parents to court.

This year, the district also referred 110 elementary school families to a district review board, up from 34 the year before. There, parents and guardians heard about the legal consequences of truancy, such as fines, and gained access to community services including parental support, mental health options and social workers.

School attendance is compulsory in California from ages 6 to 18 - something too many families don't know, Garcia said.

Yet some criticized the program as too punitive, Garcia said Monday.

"The whole purpose of the program wasn't to nail parents; it was to get them to send their children to school," he said. "If kids aren't in school, how can they receive an education?"

For two years, Harris has sent letters at the beginning of the fall semester to every family in the district warning them of the consequences of truancy.

She said she took on the issue after seeing data that showed 94 percent of the city's homicide victims under age 25 were high school dropouts.

"There is such an inextricable link in my mind between public safety and public education," she said.

She acknowledged the hard-line approach with parents was not particularly popular. But, she said, "If it takes me being the bad guy by highlighting the connection - by saying I'll prosecute parents for truancy - I'll do it."

Those prosecuted had children who missed 40 to 80 days out of the 180-day academic year, Harris said.

All had improved attendance after the legal intervention.

"The point was that maybe it was a bit controversial, but let's be as shocked as we are about a child not going to school as we are when a crime is committed," Harris said.

Drop in truancy

San Francisco public schools, in partnership with District Attorney Kamala Harris, focused on reducing truancy. The following represents a one-year drop of 23 percent overall in the number of kids skipping school.

Elementary and K-8 school reduction in habitual truancy*

2007-08	2008-09	Difference	Change
1,324 students	1,066 students	-258	19%

Elementary and K-8 school reduction in chronic truancy**

2007-08	2008-09	Difference	Change
406	264	-142	35%

* Habitual truancy occurs when a child accumulates 10 to 19 full days of unexcused absences from school.

** Chronic truancy constitutes more than 20 full days of unexcused absences.

Source: San Francisco Unified School District

Why It Is Critical That the African American Community Unite Behind Sonia Sotomayor

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:51:47 -0700

As I watched the announcement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the United States Supreme Court, I, like many Americans, was struck by the historic picture on my television screen. The nation's first African American president nominating the first Latina as a potential Supreme Court Justice.

Few things have made me prouder as an American than seeing our country put aside age-old prejudices and in choosing hope over fear, elect the first African American President. We elected Barack Obama not because of his race, but because he was the best person to lead our country.

Today we face a similar choice as the Senate considers President Obama's nomination of Judge Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.

Opponents of Judge Sotomayor, such as Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich and Ann Coulter, are calling her a "racist" for expressing view that we need judges with a diversity of life experiences.

There is something tragic in the transparent cynicism of this charge. Do they also intend to condemn Abraham Lincoln for the pride he took in his hardscrabble roots on the western frontier? This is America, where people of all races are rightly proud of accomplishments in the face of adversity.

As Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall said while celebrating the bicentennial of our constitution in 1987: "The men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787...could not have imagined, nor would they have accepted, that the document they were drafting would one day be construed by a Supreme Court to which had been appointed a woman and the descendant of an African slave."

Yet today a Latina Judge has been nominated by an African American president for the job of construing our constitution. As the president noted during his announcement of her appointment, there are few presidential decisions as important as the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice. Over the coming years the Supreme Court will likely rule on such critical issues as voting rights, gun control and the regulation of Wall Street.

I intend to make it my mission to galvanize my community in support of Judge Sotomayor's confirmation. And I will make the same case for Judge Sotomayor that I made for then-Senator Barack Obama. It is very simple: Judge Sotomayor is the best qualified American for this job.

Judge Sotomayor has all of the legal and life experience to be an excellent Supreme Court Justice. She grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx and was raised by a single mom who also found time to attend community college, work full-time and train to become a registered nurse.

Judge Sotomayor worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, where she prosecuted dozens of serious criminal cases. As a former prosecutor, Judge Sotomayor has the courtroom experience necessary to make rulings based on a working knowledge of our courts.

Judge Sotomayor has a history of bipartisanship and a wealth of experience on the bench. She has been appointed to judicial positions by both President George H. W. Bush and President Clinton. Serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, one of the most demanding in the nation, she has participated in more than 3000 panel decisions and authored 400 opinions on a multitude of complex issues. As the President noted, Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years.

I strongly believe that all Americans benefit when we have leaders who represent the broad diversity of the American experience. Too often, people have tried to create false divisions between the African-American and Latino communities.

Regardless of our differences, the truth is that we all share the same hopes and dreams. We should stand together against bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and fight for the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lifetime Television's Salute to Remarkable Women Salutes Kamala Harris

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:16:37 -0700

Lifetime Television's Salute to Remarkable Women salutes District Attorney Kamala Harris. Click here to view the full feature.

San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:22:17 -0700

Chief Lansdowne Praises Harris’ Experience as a Prosecutor, Commitment to Keeping Streets Safe

SAN FRANCISCO – Chief William Lansdowne, Chief of Police for the City of San Diego, today announced his support for San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General. In voicing his enthusiastic support, Chief Lansdowne praised Harris’ prosecutorial record and her commitment to protecting Californians.

“As a career courtroom prosecutor, Kamala Harris knows what it takes to effectively fight crime and keep our streets safe,” said Chief Lansdowne, who has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience. “She has worked shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement throughout her career as a prosecutor and as District Attorney, so she understands the challenges police departments face and I know she will be a champion for cops who walk the beat.”

“Chief Lansdowne is a highly respected leader in California’s law enforcement community, so I am honored to have earned his support,” said Harris. “As Attorney General, I will continue to work with law enforcement leaders around the state to shut the revolving door which is just recycling criminals in and out of our neighborhoods.”

Prior to arriving in San Diego in 2003, Chief Lansdowne served as Chief of Police for the cities of Richmond, California, and San Jose, California. He has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience. Chief Lansdowne has always demonstrated a strong commitment to the concept of neighborhood policing and community input. He believes in openness and being responsive to the needs and concerns of the community. The Chief insists that all employees act with professionalism and treat all citizens of San Diego with dignity and respect. He has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Jose. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has served on a variety of state and national boards, including the Major Cities Chiefs and the National Conference for Community and Justice.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson Endorses Kamala Harris for Attorney General

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:55:33 -0700

SAN FRANCISCO – Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the 12-year NBA veteran, successful businessman and education champion currently serving his first term in office, has announced his support for San Francisco District Attorney Kamala D. Harris’ candidacy for California Attorney General.

“The Democratic Party is making great progress. We have great momentum with President Barack Obama,” said Johnson, who first announced his endorsement of Harris at the California State Democratic Convention in Sacramento last weekend. “We’ve got to continue the momentum with a new change of leadership. We need the Democratic Party to embrace ideas, think outside of the box, be relevant for the 21^st century, and we need candidates like Kamala Harris.”

Click here to view Mayor Johnson’s endorsement of Harris.

“I am thrilled to have Mayor Johnson as part of our team in this campaign,” said Harris. “As Attorney General, I will work closely with mayors across California to crack down on street gangs, environmental polluters, and the corporate fraudsters responsible for our current financial crisis.”

In May of 2000, Kevin Johnson retired from the NBA after 12 seasons with the Phoenix Suns. He returned to his hometown of Sacramento, California to serve as the CEO of St. HOPE, a non-profit community development corporation he founded in 1989 designed to revitalize inner-city communities through public education, economic development, civic leadership and arts enrichment.

Mayor Kevin Johnson was elected in November 2008 for a four-year term. His focus as Mayor is to keep our streets safe, attract quality jobs to the city, and improve our schools. As Mayor, he is leading efforts to put more police on the streets, promote volunteerism, and raise the profile of Sacramento so that it can live up to its potential to become one of America's great cities.

Smart On Crime

chrisp — Sat, 05 May 2007 13:30:07 -0700

Since her election in 2003, Kamala Harris has proved herself to be a District Attorney who not only stands her ground, but breaks new ground in the fight to fix our system of criminal justice.

Her pledge is to move beyond the false choice of being "tough" or "soft" on crime. Kamala Harris is smart on crime...and it's working.

She's put more violent and serious felons in state prison, cracked down on gang and gun violence, and protected neighborhoods from drug dealers and quality of life crimes.

At the same time, she's safeguarded medical marijuana, reached out to keep youth away from violence, and pioneered innovative programs to help men and women released from jail get back on track.

Please take a few moments to see for yourself what Kamala has accomplished, and then get involved in her campaign for change.