Message from District Attorney Thien Ho
Thank you for taking the time to view our April edition of the Justice Journal Newsletter. As I stated in the inaugural newsletter issue, Sacramento County is facing significant challenges that are a detriment to public safety. My guiding mission to address these challenges is “Semper Justitia,” which means “Always Just.” I have prioritized four main goals toward that mission: o increase public safety accountability; o address the underlying issues of the homeless crisis; o support and promote rehabilitation and equality; and o build trust and lasting relationships with all communities. |
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In this newsletter, we will share how our office is increasing public safety accountability by providing updates on significant court cases. We will also provide updates on immediate steps I have taken toward our additional goals – including the formal launch of the Community Relations Council and new partnerships to address the homelessness crisis. We will also highlight other ways we are working to inform and engage our community – including a recap of our social media outreach, a new DUI prevention podcast episode and a fentanyl awareness public service announcement.
I am excited to share the progress our office has made in the past three months. We will continue to provide updates on these and additional new initiatives, programs and partnerships. I hope you enjoy and share this second edition of the Justice Journal Newsletter with your family, friends and colleagues. - District Attorney Thien Ho
I am excited to share the progress our office has made in the past three months. We will continue to provide updates on these and additional new initiatives, programs and partnerships. I hope you enjoy and share this second edition of the Justice Journal Newsletter with your family, friends and colleagues. - District Attorney Thien Ho
IN THE COURTROOM
Significant Cases
Sample Coverage of No-Body Murder Conviction in Revenge Killing
Sample Coverage of No-Body Murder Conviction in Revenge Killing
Sample Coverage of Murder in DUI Crash on the American River Bike Path
Sample Coverage of Joint Prosecution of Murders in Sacramento/Yolo Counties
Sample Coverage of Conviction in Shooting Death of 9 Year Old at Mama Marks Park
Sample Coverage of Former High School Coach Sentenced for Sexual Assault
Sample Coverage of Sentencing in 3.2 Million EDD Fraud Case
IN THE COMMUNITY
Community Relations Council
The District Attorney's Office has formed a Community Relations Council (CRC), which brings together individuals from various cultural and economic areas across the county to address specific safety concerns affecting their communities.
The inaugural CRC meeting was held on March 22, 2023. At this time, the CRC has 11 Community Advisory Teams: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, Labor, LGBTQ+, Youth, Business, Faith Based, Neighborhood Engagement, Education, and Victim Rights. Each team consists of members that meet regularly to discuss issues they experience in the community.
Meet some of the CRC members!
The District Attorney's Office has formed a Community Relations Council (CRC), which brings together individuals from various cultural and economic areas across the county to address specific safety concerns affecting their communities.
The inaugural CRC meeting was held on March 22, 2023. At this time, the CRC has 11 Community Advisory Teams: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, Labor, LGBTQ+, Youth, Business, Faith Based, Neighborhood Engagement, Education, and Victim Rights. Each team consists of members that meet regularly to discuss issues they experience in the community.
Meet some of the CRC members!
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Addressing the Homelessness Crisis
My name is Deputy District Attorney Kevin Higgins and I am a Community Prosecutor for the Sacramento Downtown Core area. I work on issues that affect the downtown community and work closely with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership on public safety issues – including those involving individuals who have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Our office started the CORE (Chronic Offender Rehabilitation Effort) program to address the mental health and substance abuse issues that affect individuals who |
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are homeless and living on the streets. Through this program, we try to stop the revolving door of jail and treat underlying issues by offering housing placement and services instead of jail time.
In addition, a downtown facility run by WellSpace called the "CRIB" offers respite for those suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues. The CRIB offers a place where individuals living on the street can go on their own or through law enforcement to get immediate help and connections to long term services as well as housing.
In addition, a downtown facility run by WellSpace called the "CRIB" offers respite for those suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues. The CRIB offers a place where individuals living on the street can go on their own or through law enforcement to get immediate help and connections to long term services as well as housing.
SacDA Online
DA Thien Ho's April Social Media Recap
As we end the month of April, I want to share some of what our office has posted on social media this month to help raise awareness about important public safety issues. We started April by recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month – including sharing a video about the SAFE Center and how it helps child sex abuse victims. We also posted a video showing the playroom within our office's Child Abuse Unit for children who have been victims of abuse. You will see a brief video of the office's pinwheel planting ceremony, where members of our office planted pinwheels in our office front lawn. The pinwheels serve as a reminder of the work our office does on the behalf of children in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. |
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We also highlighted Youth Violence Prevention Week by sharing information on our social media about our youth prevention programs and our Juvenile Division.
We recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and supported National Denim Day to raise awareness and show solidarity with sexual assault survivors and victims.
As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we shared a video introducing "Arlo," our new victim/witness comfort dog. Later this morning, we will be holding our Outstanding Citizen Award Ceremony to honor victims and witnesses who demonstrated great courage and overcame significant challenges in order to participate in the criminal justice process. The ceremony will be livestreamed and available on our office YouTube channel.
To view these video posts and more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SacCountyDA) and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Justice Journal Podcast
The Justice Journal podcast engages the community in issues that impact public safety and shares how our office is ensuring justice in the courtroom and in the community, while achieving our mission of “Semper Justitia,” which means “Always Just.”
This podcast episode focuses on the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (or DUI and DUID) and the impact it has on victims and surviving family members. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or follow us on social media @SacCountyDA for alerts on new episodes. |
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Fentanyl Awareness Campaign
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office is currently conducting a countywide Fentanyl Awareness Campaign called “One Pill Can Kill Sac,” which includes:
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office is currently conducting a countywide Fentanyl Awareness Campaign called “One Pill Can Kill Sac,” which includes:
- Partnering with the Sacramento County Department of Health Services and Arrive Alive CA on the Future Focused Fentanyl Education and Awareness in Schools program
- Partnering with law enforcement, local elected and public officials, the County Public Health Services Department, medical professionals and surviving family members to hold fentanyl awareness community events
- Hosting a central website 1PillCanKillSac.com for fentanyl information and resources
- Running a multi-faceted Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign
District Attorney's Office
June -Citizens Academy Graduation (6/13) July -Criminal Justice Youth Shadow Day (7/14) -Crime Lab Youth Shadow Days (7/21 & 7/28) |
Community Calendar
May -Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month -Mental Health Awareness Month -National Fentanyl Awareness Day (5/9) -National Police Week (5/14-5/20) -Peace Officers Memorial Day (5/15) -National Missing Children's Day (5/25) June -National Safety Month -National Gun Violence Awareness Day (6/2) -World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (6/15) -Juneteenth (6/19) July -National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month -Day of International Criminal Justice (7/17) |
Resources
Law Enforcement: Citrus Heights Police - 916.727.5500 District Attorney's Office - 916.874.6218 Elk Grove Police - 916.478.8000 Folsom Police - 916.355.7230 Galt Police - 209.366.7000 Sacramento Police - 916.808.0800 Sheriff's Office - 916.874.5115 |
Community Organizations: Child Abuse Prevention Center - 916.244.1900 Another Choice - Another Chance - 916.388.9418 WEAVE - 916.920.2952 Crime Victims United - 530.885.9544 MADD - 877.623.3435 Song for Charlie 1PillCanKillSac.com |