Ahern also points to his support of re-entry programs to reduce incarceration and recidivism, including expanding vocational training opportunities for inmates. Your generous donation will help power Yesenias grassroots campaign and be used towards hiring campaign staff, events, printing campaign literature and signage, field operations, digital advertising, and more. Pair of progressive women take on sheriff, DA JoAnn Walker and Pamela Price announced their joint bid today unseat the incumbent Alameda County district attorney and sheriff, saying they. Whoever is elected to the seat will be making history - all four candidates are Black, and Alameda County has never had a Black district attorney. The only way to do that is to remove who is driving that culture.. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become assistant deputy sheriff in 2006 and the following year he was elected the 22nd sheriff of Alameda County, according to a statement from Livermore Indivisible announcing the upcoming forum, which describes each candidate's background. The sheriff has faced backlash over his cooperation with federal immigration agents, the controversial Urban Shield training program, which critics said focused more on the militarization of police and tactics viewed as oppressive to communities of color instead of a focus on disaster preparedness, and problems at Santa Rita Jail, which were highlighted in a federal civil rights investigation over the treatment of detainees with mental health issues, and two class-action suits. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. He said the majority of constituents in unincorporated areas where the sheriffs office patrols had not complained about Aherns effectiveness. I have faith that voters in Alameda County are ready for a change in how our community is policed.". "The Alameda County Sheriffs Department is charged with a complex balance of responsibility interwoven into the fabric of our communities' daily lives," she said, adding: "It is not lost on me how momentous it is that I -- a Black woman -- have taken on the charge to fix and reform how law enforcement services are delivered in Alameda County. Ahern said his office already undergoes accreditation and reviews by the federal and state Department of Justice, the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury, the California Board of State and Community Corrections, and is subject to reviews by the state Attorney General. Sanchez said the jail should be the primary focus of the sheriffs office. In campaign literature, Ahern was pictured wearing a thin blue line flag on his polo shirt and he used the symbol on his campaign logo. Check out our new newsletter, the Playbook. That information is withheld for as long as possible, she said. Top candidate wins seat. "I will work to repair and build trust with marginalized communities, including immigrant and undocumented communities, to ensure they are provided with equitable services regardless of citizenship status. She fell into a civilian technician job in the sheriffs department, and later a sworn position because she needed more stable employment. If you missed it, you can watch the forum on YouTube here. Alameda County sheriff's deputy Devin Williams Jr., 24, of Stockton, is the suspect in the killing of a married couple inside a Dublin home. Updated: Mon, May 23, 2022, 2:02 pm "The fundamental basis of my platform is: Accountability. The six Leagues of Women Voters of Alameda County: Alameda, Berkeley Albany Emeryville, Eden Area, Fremont Newark Union City, Oakland, and Piedmont are hosting this virtual candidate forum Greg knows this strategy reduces crime, provides opportunities, and ultimately keeps our communities safer. It is uncomfortable. Yesenia Sanchez, voters decided in Tuesday's primary elections. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We have listed them in alphabetical order. Yesenia Sanchez has a long career in law enforcement and is hoping to unseat incumbent sheriff Greg Ahern. "The reality is the sheriff's approach to law enforcement needs to change. "Compare that to the other candidates, and I think (voters) would see that I'd be the best choice to be sheriff for the next four years. Sanchez joined the sheriffs office as a technician in 1997 and rose up the ranks. Sign up for our. Shes worked at the now-defunct North County Jail both as a technician and lieutenant, on patrol assignments, and as a captain in support services. She also wants to prioritize hiring more women by expanding how and where the sheriffs office holds recruiting events. I had to make use of every minute.. If elected, she would request independent investigations of in-custody deaths at Santa Rita Jail. "Establishing a community-centered culture that aligns with 21st-century policing practices and values" will be key toward achieving those goals, according to Walker, who did not respond to the Weekly's request for an interview.She calls on her range of assignments while with the SFPD on topics such as terrorism, community relations, field training, peer support counseling, academy instruction, hate crimes, tactical communications, and crisis support and suicide prevention. Your donation makes this and all our other local reporting possible. In 2013, she became a lieutenant at North County Jail, a captain in 2015, and a division commander in 2020. The candidates for county sheriff-coroner are (from left) incumbent Greg Ahern and challengers Yesenia Sanchez and JoAnn Walker. Learn More Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff 2022 Donate It's notable that Walker is still a rank-and-file officer without management experience and has her hat in the ring for a department of more than . Issues at the jail haven't kept the sheriff from garnering support. It is not lost on me how momentous it is that Ia Black womanhave taken on the charge to fix and reform how law enforcement services are delivered in Alameda County, she said on her website. Alameda County. Your donation makes this and all our other local reporting possible. Marin - Municipal Special Vacancy (City of Mill Valley) Marin - Municipal Special Vacancy (Novato Unified School District) De La Fuente told The Oaklandside that Ahern kept a quiet presence, even with his department under fire about deaths at the jail and his other public controversies. Ahern out-fundraised and outspent Sanchez on political advertising, and he had high-profile endorsements, including from former Governor Jerry Brown and East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell. As a police officer, she has worked in various capacities including as an academy instructor, terrorism liaison officer, and community relations liaison. Special Pubs Racial Justice in Law Enforcement. Sheriff Ahern is also the director of emergency serviceslike in the event of a major earthquakefor a region that covers the Bay Area and a large swath of Northern California. Experience -- or whether a change of leadership perspective is needed -- has emerged among the key themes of the campaign so far, along with public safety, racial justice reform, reducing recidivism and transparency. We saw this cycle in particular up and down the state that party endorsements for candidates on both sides was really decisive. In Alameda County, she has volunteered as a suicide prevention crisis counselor in Alameda County and works as an adjunct professor in the kinesiology department at Cal State East Bay. 00:06:32. Alameda County Sheriff's Commander Yesenia Sanchez (pictured at left) and San Francisco police Officer JoAnn Walker (pictured at right) are running against Sheriff Gregory Ahern in the June 7 primary election. The Chronicle's endorsement in the Alameda County district attorney race. Having the full force of the East Bays democratic political machine, its volunteers, and its money certainly gave her a boost. Become a member today. Your support is powering our newsroom! Or | 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government | | Get tickets to Culture Makers, {{#label}}{{label}}: {{/label}}{{message}}. Those endorsements also gave voters a sense of who Sanchez, a political unknown, is and what policies she might implement, Ross said. 228,954 votes. "As a 26-year law enforcement veteran, my career has given me keen insight into strategies that work, versus strategies that look good on paper.". Yesenia Sanchez and JoAnn Walker are challenging incumbent Gregory Ahern to oversee the countys largest law enforcement agency. Even Aherns supporters viewed him as vulnerable. There is a loss in revenue if you ask me. You can also donate with a check. Also running for Alameda County Sheriff is JoAnn Walker, a 26-year San Francisco police officer who has won support from a handful of council members in Oakland, Fremont and San Leandro.. JoAnn Walker, challenger. If you have the party endorsement, you have that brand, you are running under that brand. Thank you for supporting The Oaklandside and being a part of our community. In Alameda County, Ahern has had a strong support base in the Tri-Valley and southern parts of the county and within the sheriffs administration. We need more community input and engagement, and transparency and accountability need to be priorities," Sanchez, a Livermore resident, told the Weekly. Reform. Kyoko Takayama 19 subscribers Livermore Indivisible ( https://livermoreindivisible.org) presented the forum featuring the three candidates for Alameda County Sheriff - Gregory Ahern, Yesenia. JoAnn Walker, First Black Woman Candidate for Alameda County Sheriff In 2022, for the first time since 1986, Alameda County will have a choice of who to elect to be the Sheriff. As commander of the jail, she oversees the largest sector of the sheriffs office. She also wants to review the screening and background process for hiring new deputies and make changes to the questions asked during oral boards, with an emphasis on a community policing model and focus on implicit and explicit bias. Becoming the sheriff of one of Californias largest counties wasnt something she ever imagined earlier in life. At two early forums, audience members showed great interest in the candidates' opinion of Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern, and whether they would advocate, for example, using the board's . We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. The internal affairs unit should be autonomous. Running against her boss was not an easy decision, she said, and one she came to after talking it over with her family and hearing from younger deputies who are waiting for a change., We need to remove this us vs. them mentality, Sanchez said. A graduate of Patterson High School in the rural Central Valley town of Patterson, at age 19 Sanchez moved back to Hayward where she had spent her childhood. Bakersfield, California - City council. The sheriff has the authority to issue or deny concealed-carry permits that allow citizens to carry firearms. The sheriff also has the power to form a committee to determine the cause and manner of death in deaths caused by police officers or while in police custody. Its been a roller coaster, she said. (Contributed photo), The incumbent's campaign website describes his mission as to "protect the public, build strong relationships with the community, and prevent people from turning to crime through prevention, enforcement, programs, and service. Because I was an unknown person, I had to make every event. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. - A total of 47 Alameda County Sheriff's deputies were told on Friday that they were relieved of their law enforcement duties because they received unsatisfactory results on their. I respect law enforcement, I respect our uniform, and I wear my uniform with a tie to show respect to our profession. With introspection, hard work and cooperation, we can make the needed changes at the Alameda County Sheriffs Department," she states on her campaign website. It performs orders of the court, such as serving eviction notices. The Dublin facility will be under court monitoring for three years. Theres already oversight, he said. The sheriff oversees an office with far-reaching and wide-ranging responsibilities, while managing a massive budget and the East Bays largest law enforcement agency. When potential misconduct cases arise involving members of the sheriffs office, the sheriff has the final say on discipline recommended during internal affairs investigations. Due to budget constraints, Ahern said hes looked elsewhere to ensure the office avoids layoffsstaffing accounts for about 70% of the budget. This coverage extends to every office on the ballot for residents of these cities, including local trial court judges. The other challenger is Walker, a longtime county resident whose law enforcement experience has been across the Bay as an officer with the San Francisco Police Department. Before last Tuesdays election, a runoff in the November general election between Ahern and Sanchez or San Francisco police Officer JoAnn Walker, the third candidate in the race, would have been viewed as a win for the challengers. Veteran law enforcement officer running to unseat longtime Alameda County sheriff By KTVU staff Published February 23, 2021 Updated 8:34AM Santa Rita Jail KTVU FOX 2 Captain running for Alameda. And if you carry that brand, it tells people a lot about who you are, Ross said. I am taking a big step of faith by entering this race that typically is uncontested. Many of these comments are from those that do not respect law enforcement, Ahern said. Follow PleasantonWeekly.com and the Pleasanton Weekly on Twitter @pleasantonnews, Facebook and on Instagram @pleasantonweekly for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more. Were journalists for Oakland. The same information is going to be given to the community.. The strategy seems to have worked. Walker acknowledges she lacks the administrative experience of her opponents but said as a longtime law enforcement officer in San Francisco she knows what it takes to build trust with residents and change the culture within an office. Nonpartisan primary for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner Yesenia Sanchez won election outright against incumbent Gregory Ahern and Joann Walker in the primary for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner on June 7, 2022. ""Provided by Terry Wiley campaign; Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle; Provided by Seth. She first worked as a technician in North County Jail in Oakland, then spent eight years as a deputy on patrol, at the jail, and as an investigator before becoming a sergeant. The way the June 7 primary election works: if none of the candidates receives 50% or more of the vote, a runoff between the top two vote-getters will be held during the November general election. Thank you for supporting The Oaklandside and being a part of our community. Too much emphasis has been placed on staffing contract serviceslike at the airport and AC Transit patrolat the expense of staffing Santa Rita Jail. We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. This candidate profile is based on statements Walker has made at candidate forums and on her campaign website. With Yesenia Sanchez's declared victory in the Alameda County sheriff's race, the Bay Area now appears to poised to see two Latinas at the top of county law enforcement agencies. By Wednesday night she reached 52.8% in unofficial results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. What I tell people in my inner circle is the same information I am going to give to people who are not in my inner circle. FILE ART - Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern makes opening remarks to kick off the first day of Urban Shield at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Ca., on Fri. September 8, 2017. Advertising Info March 7. We do not make any money on contracts, we lose money because the jail budget is funding the people who are not reporting to work, Sanchez told us. Express The purpose of the oral board interview is to assess a candidate's work experience, communication and interpersonal skills, ability to problem solve and motivational fit for a peace . Sanchez is no outsider. In an interview with The Oaklandside last week, Mariano Contreras, an Oakland resident and member of the Latino Taskforce said that over the past few months Sanchez emerged with a platform offering reformist goals, compared to Aherns conservative law-and-order messaging. I think the sheriff was caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Santa Rita Jail and I have a lot of sympathy for what he had to go through there. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Sanchez will be sworn in as the first woman and person of color elected Sheriff in Alameda County. A donation to The Oaklandside goes beyond the newsroom. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2012 where he covered a variety of beats, most recently as a senior breaking news reporter. But she faced great odds tilted in Aherns favor. He said he has been a fiscally responsible sheriff and creative revenue generator given the constraints on the sheriffs office budget. 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. I grew up in the ranks and Ive treated people the same way, no matter where I was assigned. View Post (On June 7, if one candidate gets more than 50% . One of its primary tasks is operating Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, one of the largest county jails in the country. Mike Kusiak of Castro Valley led a group of six volunteers in his unincorporated town. Aherns critics view him as having views more conservative than Alameda Countys more liberal voters. Sponsored content All registered voters will be mailed a Vote by Mail Ballot for this election. Her supporters had been trying to recruit someone to run against Ahern for years, but no one stepped up, Sanchez said. In one of the most stunning political upsets in Alameda Countys recent political history, Sanchez defeated Sheriff Gregory Ahern in the June 7 primary. He was part of the East Bay Times staff honored with the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for coverage of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire. JoAnn Walker is a 26-year law enforcement veteran and she possesses all of the requisite credentials and experience to earn the trust of the electors to become the next sheriff of Alameda County. Incumbent Gregory Ahern -- who has held his seat at the helm of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) since 2007 -- and his challengers ACSO Division Commander Yesenia Sanchez and veteran San Francisco Police Department Officer JoAnn Walker participated in the two-hour discussion, each answering questions about their plans for the position He lists out a range of programs and initiatives on both the criminal investigation and detention sides of the operation, including new investigative units to combat street crimes, gang activity and DUIs, a cold case division for homicides and sexual assaults, crisis response such as wildfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ghost Ship fire, and starting a youth and family services bureau. Yesenia Sanchez has a long career in law enforcement and is. We need more community input and engagement, and transparency and accountability need to be priorities," Sanchez, a Livermore resident, told the Weekly.Re-entry support for county jail inmates is vital toward helping avert recidivism and reduce crime overall, according to Sanchez. On Sunday, January 9th, 2022, Indivisible Livermore hosted a forum of the three candidates in the 2022 Primary Election for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner. For years, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office hired candidates even after they were declared "Not Suited" in their psychological exams, according to the letter. Blogs "Sanchez said she would also look to engage the community to improve crime prevention and safety efforts by the sheriff's office. He was part of the East Bay Times staff honored with the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for coverage of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire. The sudden loss of nearly 50 sheriff's deputies comes after former Santa Rita Jail Deputy Devin Williams Jr. was arrested in connection to the murders of a Dublin couple. Although the candidates have a range of public endorsements, especially Ahern and Sanchez, with three names on the ballot and a 50%-plus-one majority required to win the four-year term outright in the June 7 election, it's a possibility the sheriff's seat could be decided in a November runoff in the end. Jerry Brown. Los Angeles - City of Inglewood Runoff. Become a Member Contact Us "This includes appropriate responses to mental health incidents, crisis intervention training and a focus on de-escalation," Sanchez said. He estimates they knocked on 1,200 doors, having one-on-one conversations with voters. The Oaklandside reached out multiple times to Walkers campaign for an interview. Her parents had lost their home to foreclosure and she was couch surfing at relatives homes and helping to support her family. Meet the candidates running for Alameda County Sheriff City Hall & Policing Meet the candidates running for Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez and JoAnn Walker are challenging incumbent Gregory Ahern to oversee the county's largest law enforcement agency. He spent 12 years working for daily newspapers in the Bay Area, including on the Peninsula and Solano County. Accountability. Obituaries, Send News Tips Candidates Election Information Information for Past, Current, and Future Elections Select an Election June 29, 2021 - 18th Assembly District Special Primary Election DISCLAIMER: Information on this list is current as of the date it was posted. Can Oakland become a filmmaking hub? The voter registration deadline is 15 days before the election, and early voting begins May 9. pic.twitter.com/PQN9heqsOf. We worked sometime together at Dublin police services, so shes just somebody who I admired since day one with the sheriffs office.. If you value what you get from The Oaklandside, please join us with a tax-deductible donation today so we can continue doing the local reporting that matters to you. I represent the change Alameda County needs. If Stacey and other progressive activists in Oakland get their way, there could be even more candidates running in November 2022. Soon came another deputy sheriff, Capt. He was not really involved in talks with the community and the county. Sanchez spent the past few weekends pounding the pavement in unincorporated areas that the sheriffs office patrols. Sanchez is hoping to unseat incumbent Sheriff Greg Ahern who was elected in 2006. Indivisible East Bay, The Independent, Livermore Vine, and Pleasanton Weekly all co-sponsored the forum. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2012 where he covered a variety of beats, most recently as a senior breaking news reporter. Alameda County sheriff's Commander Yesenia Sanchez is the county's new sheriff. Please try again later. If a deputy working one of those assignments goes out on injury or another type of leave, deputies from the jail are used to backfill those positions. Sheriff commanders, who run search-and-rescue and dive teams, the crime lab, the gun range, and a regional training center, where current officers train, all work under the sheriff. Final Filing Date: March 27, 2023. . Thank you. Despite emails sent over the past week to her campaign account, her campaign treasurer listed on campaign disclosure forms, and a message sent through Twitter, the Walker campaign did not respond. As sheriff, Sanchez wants to review the offices contracts to build in language so that deputies are not pulled away from the jail to fill positions elsewhere. Thirty of the deputies who failed. OAKLAND -- Longtime incumbent Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern is headed to a November runoff against sheriff's Cmdr. An audit of hires since 2016 revealed 47 Alameda County Sheriff's Office deputies were hired illegally despite having failed their psychological evaluations. The lawsuit settlement followed a highly critical report by the U.S. Justice Department which found that Alameda Countys mental health care system is unconstitutional and that Santa Rita Jail is overcrowded, understaffed, and endangers detainees. Were journalists for Oakland. It is mathematically impossible for this not to be an outright win. She has worked for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office for 24 years, since she was 19. I am showing my respect for their sacrifice, and a reminder to their family, friends and other law enforcement that those are not forgotten.. Some political observers viewed that moment as breaking the ice. During his time at BANG, DeBolt covered Oakland City Hall, the Raiders stadium saga and the As search for a new ballpark, as well as the Oakland Police Department and police reform efforts. "Establishing a community-centered culture that aligns with 21st-century policing practices and values" will be key toward achieving those goals, according to Walker, who did not respond to the Weekly's request for an interview. Virtually all correctional budgets went to staff that operated traditional prisons, jails and reform schools. Voters have the rare opportunity to decide a competitive race for Alameda County sheriff-coroner as incumbent Greg Ahern is being challenged by two candidates . Withdrawn or disqualified candidates Peter Yuan Liu (Nonpartisan) Superintendent of Schools Nonpartisan primary election
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