| All donations are tax-deductible. The Sheriff's Office provides a high level of proactive police services to residents, schools, and the businesses within our jurisdiction with a strong emphasis on community service. She was the first female County Sheriff in the history of the state. Last . Santa Clara County Sheriff candidates weigh in on plans for jail reform "CCW licenses should not be given in exchange for campaign donations. She has spent months fending off attacks from the Board of Supervisors, which voted no confidence in her leadership. CBS. There has been a changing of the guard at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office West Valley Division. Palo Alto police chief enters race for Santa Clara County sheriff, Santa Clara County sergeant steps into sheriffs race, Second challenger joins race for Santa Clara County sheriff, Former opponent challenges embattled Santa Clara County sheriff, https://nationallibertyalliance.org/files/sheriffmemo/Power%20and%20Authority%20of%20The%20County%20Sheriff.pdf, Helen Chapman fights to save San Joses open space, Bejarano: Why I quit my East San Jose school board, Out of work: Beloved San Jose reverend faces uphill climb, Silicon Valley students stranded by shuttered schools, San Jose legislator wants to raise foster age. After submitting 7 CCW license applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated the first half of that amount to the Santa Clara County. The state attorney general is investigating possible civil rights violations in the jail system, and Smith is fighting a political corruption accusation brought by a civil grand jury that claims she granted concealed firearm licenses to political supporters. Saturday and Sunday through Closed. I worked with S. Allen at Elmwood (I am nurse). Were changing the face of journalism by providing an innovative model for delivering reliable, truthful news to the nations 10th largest city. Rosen said the office has been cleared of any conflict by the state Office of the Attorney General, which will represent the DAs office in the motion hearing. Nagayes major endorsement is from the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, and she says she has strong support among deputies and residents. Allen has received endorsements fromReverend Jeff Moore, former president of the Silicon Valley NAACP, and several retired sheriff employees. Donors accounted for fewer than 4% of all CCW applicants over that time period, but constituted about 35% of those awarded permits, according to the records. This is my favorite place to work. Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen said he wants to apply his experience working in the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to fix some of the long-time issues in Santa Clara Countys office. That is the County Sheriffs ultimate job duty. Election 2022: The race for Santa Clara County sheriff (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Captain James Jensen is photographed outside of the Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. Jensen was arraigned on conspiracy and bribery charges involving concealed weapon permits in Santa Clara County. The I-Team also reached out to Reggie Cooks, a public affairs officer for the sheriff's department, and he has not responded at the time this story was reported. Captain James Jensen, attorney Christopher Schumb, attorney Harpaul Nahal, and business owner Michael Nichols are accused of conspiring with the CEO and a middle manager of AS Solution, Inc., an international security company, to offer a $90,000 bribe to obtain concealed firearms permits (CCW licenses) for the company's executive protection agents. Christian West, AS Solutions CEO at the time of the alleged scheme, was charged separately on two felony conspiracy counts. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office named Valenzuela the new commander of the West Valley Patrol Division last month. Sheriff Bio - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara When I got my prints taken here, it was my third fingerprinting in probably ten months, as all my jobs involve(d) either working with minors or with school districts that serve minors. Urena will oversee a division that serves the communities of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Altos Hills and unincorporated areas of the county, bringing 14 years of experience into the role. The race is between two candidates: Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen. Urena has a wealth of patrol experience, he told the five-member city council. Capt. Closed on Santa Clara County holidays. Live Bay Area weather updates: Massive trees fall onto homes in Santa A Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain, a gun parts manufacturer, and two local lawyers - one a prominent political backer - have been indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and. In addition to bribery, the indictment accuses Jensen of conspiring with AS Solution employees to put false information in their CCW license applications. The Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group), SAN JOSE, CA - AUGUST 31: Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen is photographed outside of the San Jose Hall of Justice on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group). Instead, the application would be filed away and forgotten. I am the only candidate who has addressed these issues for 30 years, Allen said. After submitting seven concealed weapon permit applications to Jensen at a meeting, AS Solution manager Martin Nielsen donated $45,000 -- half of the agreed amount -- to the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance, an independent expenditure committee supporting Sheriff Smith. Jonsen said the county should offer more skill-based programs in the jails for inmates so they can find employment upon release. Allen was firm, fair and integrity was not an issue. Smith has not filed papers for reelection or said publicly whether she intends to run. Rich Urena, who will head the Sheriff's. She has been working for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers since 2015. That was the first step in a conspiracy to "help AS Solution, Inc. manager Martin Nielsen procure hard-to-obtain CCW licenses for his company's executive protection agents," according to the indictment. The testimonies confirm an earlier report from this news organization that found CCW permits were most frequently granted to high-profile applicants, and that the most common condition for approvals was a reference or order from Smith or one of her top commanders. In response to a list of questions, Colton referred San Jos Spotlight to aquestionnaireshe filled out for a recent sheriff candidate forum. We are a bit troubled by the words overwhelmingly and unanimously (and others) when it comes to any voting. In the 20 years that Neil Valenzuela has worked for the Sheriffs Office, he keeps coming back to Saratoga. Im the only candidate who has called out the bad behavior and served all the major functions in the Sheriffs Office.. A former manager for a security company who implicated a Santa Clara County Sheriff's captain and others in an alleged bribery scheme to trade political donations supporting the sheriff in exchange for concealed-carry weapons has testified in the civil corruption trial . "If you made a campaign donation and if Captain Jensen knew you to be a VIP, then you got special treatment and you got a CCW license," Rosen said. Prosecutors allege that Nielsen and West were connected to Jensen by Schumb, Nahal and Nichols to get $90,000 split between the Santa Clara County Public Safety Alliance whose assistant treasurer was Schumb, a veteran South Bay litigator and the Sheriffs Advisory Board. A sheriff's captain was among four people indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges as part of an election campaign scandal tied to Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, the District Attorney's Office said Friday. Between 2014 and 2019, only about 150 permits were issued or renewed in Santa Clara County. we have been without one, https://www.kevinjensen4sheriff.com/endorsements. Between 2014 and 2018, 749 Santa Clara County residents applied for a new CCW permit, according to records provided by the sheriffs department. An inquiry from the Metro Silicon Valley weekly about executive security licensing and an extremely large campaign donation -- which was reported in public filings -- spurred the DA to start an investigation shortly after the general election in 2018. Rick Sung as commander of the patrol division. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Information - Office of the Sheriff - County of Santa Clara A California sheriff was suspended after she had inmates at a jail in Santa Clara county make her a BBQ for a break space used by corrections staff, a report said Tuesday. Former Santa Clara County sheriff's captain throws hat in - KRON4 As a lieutenant, Le was the first female president of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Peace Officers Association, and steered the union's endorsement to Sheriff Laurie Smith this past election. ", According to the indictment, the alleged criminal activity began in April 2018 with a text from Nichols to attorney Harpaul Nahal, saying, "I need you to meet my buddy that runs the Facebook Executive protection team, followed by: its a potential $50K. After Smith won that race, she promoted Le to captain. As the new captain assigned to the West Valley patrol division, Im committed to the legacy weve built here in the city of Cupertino, he said. Reverend Jeff Moore, the head of the NAACP Silicon Valley Chapter had a CCW permit, but it was never renewed for reasons unknown. Its not clear if Colton qualifies for sheriff. The non-donor approval rate plummets even further for applicants who most would consider average citizens. Among the 40 non-donors to be granted concealed gun permits between 2014 and 2018 are three sitting judges, two current members of the San Jose Sharks hockey team, at least one employee of the sheriffs office, and five people who appear to be Santa Clara County reserve deputies. All of these people do not feel safe, and they feel threatened, Nagaye told San Jos Spotlight. When I had asked him in one of those early conversations I got, like I dont remember the words it was, basically, Dont ask.'. This all took place in 2018, while Sheriff Laurie Smith, who had the authority to grant the CCW licenses, was in a race for reelection, both in the primary and general elections. Capt. She would combat this by setting up a retention program. Capt. Nate Gartrell covers crime and corruption in Contra Costa County. West Valley Detectives. He cited a internal solutions group he helped create inPalo Alto to address issues like morale and promotions. He replaces Capt. Santa Clara County Sheriffs Captain James Jensen among 4 people indicted by grand jury yesterday according to DA Jeff Jensen @nbcbayarea. Santa Clara County Sheriff Sgt. We believe that working with the community, together we achieve great things and Im hoping to carry on that tradition and continue to provide the city of Cupertino with the best law enforcement services that we can.. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. "Our concern is not whether the Sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a press release. "It's a sad day for the Sheriff's department," said retired Undersheriff John Hirokawa, who was defeated in a runoff by Sheriff Smith in the election that year and wonders what role the money played. California sheriff suspended after inmates make her a BBQ grill The second half of the payment was forestalled by the DA investigation. She is a San Jose State University alumna and enjoys hiking and camping in her spare time. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2014. Jensen, 58, retired in 2013. No other candidate mentioned the Constitution. Santa Clara County sheriff-elect Bob Jonsen will take office early after Board of Supervisors vote Jonsen, who was elected sheriff with 50.81% of the vote in November, will become the. Whats next for the former Frys HQ in San Jose? California law requires candidates for county sheriff to have experience as certified law enforcement officers. Thankfully, SJS usually gives the names of those who voted against a proposal. The Deputy Sheriffs Association of Santa Clara County is throwing its support behind retired sheriff Capt. Jonsen said he has experience overseeing crime reduction from his time as a coordinator of the Antelope Valley crime fighting initiative run by the LA Sheriffs Department. All rights reserved, Santa Clara County Sheriff's Campaign Scandal Widens, Donors to Sheriff's Political Campaigns Far More Likely to Get Concealed Gun Permits, Los Gatos Mom Accused of Hosting Alcohol-Fueled Teen Parties Attacked in Jail, Hospitalized, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, Another Bay Area Storm This Weekend: Rain and Snow Forecast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); San Jos residents deserve a trusted source for unbiased, independent political news. Sheriff Robert Jonsen Sheriff's Office Facebook Page Sheriff's Office Twitter Feed Sheriff's Office Instagram Feed Contact Us 55 West Younger Avenue San Jose, CA 95110-1721 Phone: (408) 808-4400 Toll Free: (800) 211-2220 Fax: (408) 294-2467 Email: so.website@shf.sccgov.org She is now on paid administrative leave. The sheriff's race: What they'd do if elected | News | Palo Alto Online Here are the five candidates running for sheriff in alphabetical order. she can't talk freely, then she needs to step down," Hirokawa said. ALL RIGHT K J!!!!! Isnt that what Sheriff Laurie Smith had/has been saying? I feel the right person for the job is not the smoothest talking person that sounded good. Saratoga hosts LAW-tes and Coffee with a Cop events to keep the community engaged with the Sheriffs Office, Valenzuela said. Monday through Friday through 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. "We will follow the evidence where it leads. I just want to do it within reason, getting mental health help we need on the front end, and also providing for those people who have to be in the jails.. Emergency Contact Information . As a detective he was assigned to the West Valley division, he was also one of our tactical flight observers up in our sheriffs helicopter, a field training officer and recruit training officer at the academy.. From there, he was promoted to lieutenant and came back to Saratoga as the assistant commander of the West Valley Patrol Division. I will let people know this department is going to be run based on performance and rewards for performance.. Allen, 51, has mostly worked in the jail system. Local News | He touts his experience working as a correctional officer at Elmwood Correctional Facility, starting in the mid-1980s. 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That is what we are doing here.. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! I was at the sheriff forum and only one candidate said she would uphold the US Constitution. "My concern is not whether the sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," said Rosen. Allen also wants to address the homophobia and racial inequitieshe sees in the office. "My concern is not whether the sheriff grants many or few CCW licenses, but whether they are being granted or denied for the wrong reasons," Rosen said. In addition Robert Johnson has done his best to avoid transparency. But the approval rate skyrockets for the 28 applicants who either gave campaign cash to Sheriff Laurie Smith directly or where a family member or employer donated. The county has a similar program, but Jonsen wants to expand it to meet greater demand. I think its important to know the men and women who have this difficult job in difficult times are this much behind a candidate, Jensen told San Jos Spotlight. A sheriff's captain was among four people indicted by a grand jury on felony bribery and conspiracy charges as part of an election campaign scandal tied to Santa Clara County Sheriff. Nagaye opposes the creation of a new jail, although she does support the creation of a new mental health facility to better meet the needs of mentally ill inmates. Political action committees for the Deputy Sheriffs Association and the Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Jensens campaign when he ran against Smith in 2014. Photo courtesy of Kevin Jensen. Stromgren recalled a conversation he had with Nielsen: I told him on a couple of occasions I didnt feel comfortable. Local News | He wants to prioritize building morale in the office, which he said has been low for many years, and to rebuild relationships with the San Jose Police Departmenthe claims Smith neglected. West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Los Gatos: Hundreds still without power as Black Road repair project finishes early, West Valley: Rich Urena is new captain of sheriff offices West Valley division. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. NBC Bay Area called or emailed each of the four defendants in the case Friday, but so far, only Jensen's attorney has responded. Robert was a member of the Bay Area News Group reporting team awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting for East Bay Times coverage of the fatal "Ghost Ship" fire. The side of a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office vehicle is pictured in this file photo. Provides investigative services for all of the North/West Santa Clara County unincorporated areas and the contract cities of Saratoga, Cupertino, and Los Altos Hills. Among the charges he faces, Jensen, along with AS Solution program manager Jack Stromgren, is accused of instructing AS Solution security employees to falsify their home addresses or employer to meet in-county residency requirements for the sheriffs CCW permits. Kinda like if you are applying for a cook job and you are not aware that preparing meals is the basic part of your job then what is the point of continuing the job interview? Jonsen, 59, spent the last four years working as police chief in Palo Alto. Jonsen said he also values transparency in law enforcement. Moreover, he doesnt have the authority to grant permits nor did he receive anything for processing them. So he is also a liar. Last year, the Board of Supervisors voted no confidence in Smith and demanded state and federal investigations into her office after several high-profile cases involving mentally ill inmates who suffered injuries, including one that resulted in the county paying a $10 million settlement. Before that, he was chief of police in Menlo Park for five years. Whether applicants received a permit depended on which group they belonged to. Valenzuela said Saratogas spike in residential burglaries is on his radar. He is my choice. County Sheriff's Captain, Prominent Lawyer - County of Santa Clara The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters told San Jos Spotlight Colton is a registered voter in the county, and submitted a signed declaration swearing she meets the requirements of the position. He said after Friday's news, Sheriff Smith needs to go. Were partnering with you the readers to make it happen. Hirokawa said Jensen's quick rise to captain after Smith's re-election raised eyebrows in the office at the time. She previously worked as a reporter for PhillyVoice in Philadelphia and freelanced for The Seattle Times and The Whiskey Wash. She grew up in Sacramento, California, and graduated with a BA degree from the University of Oregon where she majored in journalism and minored in political science. Rosen noted that any average member of the public applying for a CCW license in accordance with the instructions on the Sheriff's Office website would not have their application reviewed. End of an era: San Jose antique shops could disappear, Robes, candles and chants: South Bay official in hot water over religious ceremony, Proposed tax law threatens billions in San Jose funding. "I think as an elected official, she needs to come forward and tell the It is extremely painful to have his integrity questioned after spending years dedicated to serving the people of Santa Clara County. Shes concerned about declining morale in the office,notingstaffing levels are lowwhich means many employees work mandatory overtime, separating them from their families. As of January, he has raised $72,398. Jensen has also received endorsements from retired county supervisor Blanca Alvarado, Gilroy Mayor Marie Blankley, Milpitas Mayor Rich Tran and former sheriff Robert Winter.
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