Blog — Court Reporter

News, Crime Laws, Action Items Guest User News, Crime Laws, Action Items Guest User

City Hall Must Let the Sheriff Do His Job

Supervisors want to speed up the previously scheduled closure of County Jail No. 4. But sheriff Paul Miyamoto has publicly said parts of the legislation are “irresponsible” and “a threat to public safety.” We support closing the dilapidated and seismically unfit jail. So does the sheriff. The problem with the proposed legislation is that it takes away the sheriff’s ability to add new beds to the remaining jails if he needs them for unforeseen circumstances. Click to read more details and send a letter to City Hall.

Read More
Crime Statistics, Crime Laws Guest User Crime Statistics, Crime Laws Guest User

Is the California Legislature Encouraging Crime?

It’s easy to get away with car burglary in San Francisco because of a loophole in state law. Car break-ins can’t be charged as felony theft unless it can be proven that the door was locked. Smart criminals simply unlock the door after smashing the window. No wonder San Francisco’s epidemic of auto burglary has resulted in so few convictions. Yet a bill to fix the loophole has failed twice in Sacramento. It defies explanation why California’s legislature would encourage crime.

Read More
Crime Laws Guest User Crime Laws Guest User

A Personal Case for Conservatorship Law

Stop Crime SF President Frank Noto shares the loss of his younger brother in an open letter to the Board of Supervisors. Frank urges supervisors to support the Housing Conservatorships Ordinance, which will establish conservatorships to help those suffering on the streets from the most severe forms of mental illness and addiction.

Read More
News, Crime Laws Guest User News, Crime Laws Guest User

Statement on San Francisco's Ban of Facial Recognition Technology

Instead of an outright ban, a moratorium would have been more appropriate. There are problems with facial recognition ID technology and it should not be used today. But the technology will improve and it could be a useful tool for public safety when used responsibly and with greater accuracy. We should keep the door open for that possibility. Especially when facial recognition technology can help locate missing children, people with dementia and fight sex trafficking.

Read More
Crime Laws, News Guest User Crime Laws, News Guest User

Close Loophole In Proposed "Stop Secret Surveillance" Law

Amending legislation is a messy process of horse-trading words. One of the amendments in San Francisco’s new video surveillance law is still missing a vital word. Police can receive private security video, but will they be able to use it to solve crimes? Words matter when we have the highest rate of property crime among the nation's largest cities.

Read More