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. Im a 25 year veteran, I am the highest ranking Latina in the sheriffs office, Sanchez said. Members of the office work throughout Alameda County in multiple offices and substations, serving about 150,000 residents in unincorporated areas in the Tri-Valley, San Leandro, Hayward, and Castro Valley. Learn More Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff 2022 Donate Aherns endorsements include former Gov. You can also donate with a check. He told The Oaklandside that it wasnt the role of the Board of Supervisors to defund the police and that the voters would ultimately decide who they wanted to run the sheriffs office. Stay informed on important crime news. 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 . For the first time since taking office 18 years ago, Sheriff Gregory Ahern is facing challenges in his re-election bid. "The reality is the sheriff's approach to law enforcement needs to change. Most inmates in Alameda County jail go to prisons in California when discharged from Alameda County jails. I am taking a big step of faith by entering this race that typically is uncontested. Ive worked a variety of assignments. Sanchez will be sworn in at the end of Aherns fourth term, sometime in January. 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. 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. The advocates who want to have this oversight are the same people who previously said dont spend any money on the sheriffs office, it should be used for social causes. Civilian oversight, he said, would cost $1 million a year. Sanchez, a Hayward native and lifelong . Sanchez says her candidacy will focus on rehabilitation and job training for incarcerated people, racial justice in law enforcement, holding the sheriffs office accountable and connecting with people. Yesenia will be an open, accessible. Paid for by Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff 2022 | FPPC# 1438269, Yesenia Sanchez for Alameda County Sheriff 2022. 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. 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. Ahern said hes brought in $160 million in revenue through contracts to provide deputies for law enforcement services in the city of Dublin, at the Oakland airport, and on AC Transit buses and property, and by charging the U.S. pic.twitter.com/PQN9heqsOf. Livermore Vine (Contributed photos). On Tuesday evening, Yesenia Sanchez was still absorbing her stunning victory in the Alameda Countys sheriffs election. Jeremy Walsh, a Benicia native and American University alum, joined Embarcadero Media in November 2013. ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA Yesenia Sanchez, a 24-year veteran of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, has launched a bid to replace Sheriff-Coroner Greg Ahern. (Alameda County Sheriff's Office) "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. Former Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, who endorsed Ahern, is by no means a criminal justice reform advocate, but even he was not surprised by the election outcome. As commander of the jail, she oversees the largest sector of the sheriffs office. "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.". Contributed photos. 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. We amplify community voices, share information resources, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. Her stated top priorities include rehabilitation and job training for incarcerated people, racial justice in law enforcement, holding the sheriffs office accountable, and improving relationships with the community. The Livermore Vine will be your new source of vital news and information. And what does the county sheriff do, anyway? 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. Sanchez said she would also look to engage the community to improve crime prevention and safety efforts by the sheriff's office. He has a fair share of critics in Oakland and Berkeley. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Thank you. Yesenia Sanchez, challenger. Outspent by Ahern by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, Sanchezs campaign turned to volunteers in the final weeks before election day. 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. Ahern has endorsements from sheriffs all over California, along with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., former Gov. The sheriff has drawn criticism over his decision to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents access to Santa Rita Jail in order to detain and deport undocumented detainees and was also criticized for using the controversial blue line flag in some of his campaign mailers. The only way to do that is to remove who is driving that culture.. The campaign targeted areas traditionally viewed as Ahern strongholds. The Sheriff's Office has a current budget of approximately $600 million and has over 1600 authorized positions, including in excess of 1000 sworn personnel. "Looking to unseat the sheriff from within, Sanchez has worked for the sheriff's office since 1997 and has elevated to become commander of the Detention and Corrections Division in 2020.Among her key campaign visions, Sanchez lists out rehabilitation of and job training for the jail population, racial justice in law enforcement, community engagement and accountability. She currently is a division commander overseeing and managing Santa Rita Jail. Until now. She also appears to have picked up votes in San Leandro, Hayward, Dublin, Alameda, and southern Alameda County, which helped propel her over the 50% threshold to clinch the primary. ""Provided by Terry Wiley campaign; Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle; Provided by Seth. JoAnn Walker, challenger. In early 2021, it appeared that Ahern was going to call it quits. Her remarkable finish sends the 16-year sheriff, Ahern, into retirement and propels a political newcomer into the position of leading the East Bays largest law enforcement agency. 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. She worked three jobs at a used car dealership, the Oakland airport, and McDonalds. Sign up for our. Home & Real Estate Voter Guide for California Midterm Elections 2022. 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. In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess the following critical attributes: All rights reserved. Community Calendar I represent the change Alameda County needs. Gavin Newsom for cameras to aid in quick response and investigations into freeway shootings. 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 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Soon came another deputy sheriff, Capt. 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. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. "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. Ahern defended his use of the controversial flag and wrote in an email that the thin blue line can be found on the pant leg of sheriff deputy uniforms and represents brave men and women who protect and serve., I have been told that our uniform is offensive, our gear that we wear is offensive, the vehicles we drive are offensive. A&E 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. "I am committed to leading the Alameda County Sheriff's Office with the utmost integrity, serving the community equitably and inclusively, and making sure the Agency ensures safety in the community by investing in it," she added, on her campaign website. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. With help from county Democratic party leaders, volunteers fanned out throughout the county, hitting farmers markets and knocking on doors from Albany to Fremont. Yesenia Sanchez wants to train inmates, rehabilitate, etc., etc. Michael Carroll, a captain in the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, started a campaign and ended it within a month. Sanchez said the jail should be the primary focus of the sheriffs office. 63% of Oaklanders are unhappy with city government, placed the jail under federal court supervision, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Sanchez, a Hayward native, has risen through the sheriffs office ranks since becoming a deputy in 1997 at age 19. Accountability, reform, and communityARCis the basis of her platform, she has said. The agency's Chief Executive Officer is Sheriff / Coroner Yesenia L. Sanchez, who is assisted in the operation of the agency by Undersheriff Richard T. Lucia, Assistant Sheriffs Emmanuel . PUBLISHED: May 10, 2022 at 5:30 a.m. | UPDATED: May 10, 2022 at 5:39 a.m. Yesenia Sanchez is running for Alameda County Sheriff/Coroner. With introspection, hard work and cooperation, we can make the needed changes at the Alameda County Sheriffs Department," she states on her campaign website. David DeBolt reported on City Hall and policing for The Oaklandside. 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. 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. The Alameda County Sheriff's Office is a full-service law enforcement agency accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for its law enforcement services, its Regional Training Center, and its Dispatch Unit; the American Correctional Association (ACA) for its Detentions and Corrections Division; the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors . Help sustain the local news you depend on. Racial Justice in Law Enforcement. "The reality is the sheriff's approach to law enforcement needs to change. (On June 7, if one candidate gets more than 50% . I think it is time for a new person to come in.. Those are kind of issues that affect the Latinos, those of us who are really concerned with law enforcement accountability.. Sanchez credited campaign consultant Doug Linney and local leaders such as Kathy Neal in helping her secure endorsements and reach voters who until recently had never heard of her. If elected probably would not submit to interviews, this in itself indicates lack of transparency. We amplify community voices, share the power of real information, and investigate systems, not just symptoms. 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. As sheriff, Walker said she would have an open-door policy. On Sunday, January 9th, 2022, Indivisible Livermore hosted a forum of the three candidates in the 2022 Primary Election for Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner. 271, a bill that aimed to dramatically lower the eligibility requirements so that any registered voter could run. Community. An Alameda County native, Ahern was hired as a deputy sheriff for the ACSO in 1980. "It's very clear that I have the qualifications and experience needed to continue on as sheriff," Ahern told the Weekly in a recent interview. 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. Unlike the Oakland police chief, who is hired by the mayor and can be fired without cause by the mayor and a majority of the civilian police commission, the Alameda County sheriff is elected, giving them more independence and power and making it difficult to remove them from the office without an election. 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 . March 7. When potential misconduct cases arise involving members of the sheriffs office, the sheriff has the final say on discipline recommended during internal affairs investigations. Looking for more Livermore stories? Don't miss out on the discussion! Reform. 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. 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, sheriff's office Division Commander Yesenia Sanchez and San Francisco Police Department Officer JoAnn Walker.The Alameda County Sheriff's Office impacts many aspects of law enforcement and criminal justice in the Tri-Valley and across the rest of the county, including policing in the unincorporated communities as well as select cities via contract such as Dublin, custodial oversight of detained defendants at county facilities like Santa Rita Jail, bailiff duties at the courthouses, coroner responses and investigations after deaths in the county, and regional support in emergencies and other cases.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.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. It takes a deputy or police officer to contest a sheriff, someone who also lives in the county, and that often means an underling, fringe candidate, or no one at all. 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. The Chronicle's endorsement in the Alameda County district attorney race. Sanchez declared victory in an interview with The Oaklandside on Tuesday evening after most ballots had been counted. While many in law enforcement see it as a symbol of solidarity among first responders, the phrase thin blue line was also popularized by William Parker, Los Angeles police chief in the 1950s who was openly racist. For . Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. 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. Please try again later. He was not really involved in talks with the community and the county. She said she had not yet spoken to Ahern but will see the sheriff in an executive team meeting on Friday. It is uncomfortable. Sign up for The Oaklandsides free daily newsletter. Terry Wiley 46.8%. The bill failed. Ive worked almost every division so I definitely know where to start on the improvements and I can hit the ground running.. Alameda County Sheriff Coroner Gregory J. Ahern speaks as first responders are honored during an Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Ahern, a 42-year veteran of the sheriffs office, was first hired in 1980 and promoted to sergeant in 1986. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2012 where he covered a variety of beats, most recently as a senior breaking news reporter. "Ahern, who rose through the ranks of the sheriff's office since being hired as a deputy-sheriff in 1980, including a long stint with Dublin Police Services under the city-county contract, has been the county's sheriff since January 2007 after winning election in 2006.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. For the position of sheriff, challenger Yesenia Sanchez leads at 46.80% ahead of her boss, incumbent Sheriff Greg Ahern at 36.40% in second place, as the results stood at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Greg Ahern, incumbent. "This includes appropriate responses to mental health incidents, crisis intervention training and a focus on de-escalation," Sanchez said. Indivisible East Bay, The Independent, Livermore Vine, and Pleasanton Weekly all co-sponsored the forum. 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