Local leaders condemn misguided “catch-and-release” policies for criminals

SCC Supervisor candidate Johnny Khamis and SJ Mayor candidate Matt Mahan share the City’s concerns about uninhibited pre-trial releases, which are likely correlated with SJ’s drastically worsening crime landscape (as outlined in Mayor Liccardo and Councilmembers Carrasco and Mahan’s recent memorandum). Exclusive comments for Opp Now on public safety consequences of catch-and-release procedures.

Johnny Khamis, Santa Clara County Supervisor candidate:

The failures in our county and state's judicial system have made us all less safe. If we cannot keep repeat and violent offenders off our street, how can we raise our families and succeed with our businesses? We can't keep doing the same things and expecting different results.

Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor candidate:

A cohort of clearly dangerous individuals is being released again and again by the County and reoffending with little consequence. Every day, San Joseans are paying the price. Last year, violent crime in San Jose increased 10.5%, and we are on track to see a similar increase again this year.

A system that does not hold those who commit crimes accountable for their actions is not just bad for our residents; it is also damaging to those in the criminal justice system. Because it is exactly the possibility of consequences that law enforcement, the courts, and our society can use as leverage to direct people to get the help they need. It's time to demand basic accountability and simple common sense from the County.

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This article is part of an exclusive Opp Now series.

• In the first article, national criminal justice organizations echo the City’s concerns that catch-and-release policing encourages crime.

• The second article features commentary from SJPD Sergeant Christian Camarillo on California’s disastrous zero bail legislation.

• In the third article, SCC Supervisor candidate Johnny Khamis and SJ Mayor candidate Matt Mahan emphasize the importance of ditching catch-and-release procedures.

• Then, Opp Now breaks down a Merc article privileging jailbreak supporters for the fourth series installment.

• Finally, in the fifth article, Asian Industry B2B president Marc Ang rebuts pro-jailbreak San Joseans’ rhetoric.

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