San Bernardino District Attorney Jason Anderson Defends Measure L and Calls for a Raise

A Response to Recent Criticism of Measure L

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson recently published a commentary defending Measure L, a proposed measure that would secure consistent public safety funding and adjust the salaries of the county’s district attorney and sheriff. Responding to recent editorials opposing Measure L, Anderson expressed his disappointment at what he described as a lack of objectivity and transparency from the Southern California News Group, asserting that their coverage did not include his perspective on the measure.

Securing Public Safety Funding

Measure L, Anderson explains, aims to ensure stable public safety resources by preventing the Board of Supervisors from easily reducing funding for law enforcement. This would provide the DA and Sheriff’s departments with long-term financial support, independent of the political landscape. Anderson argues that this is essential for maintaining public safety, as San Bernardino County faces similar criminal justice challenges as neighboring counties, such as Los Angeles and Orange.

The Pay Disparity: DA Salary vs. Public Defender and Other Counties

Anderson also addresses salary concerns raised in opposition to Measure L. Citing data, he argues that his current salary of $272,000 is significantly lower than that of his counterparts in similar large California counties, who earn approximately $80,000 more. Additionally, he points out that the county’s Public Defender earns $332,000, despite managing only 60%-70% of the criminal cases in the county, while the District Attorney’s office handles all cases.

“Your readers should have been informed,” Anderson says, “that while I fully support the Public Defender’s pay, our office’s responsibilities justify parity.” Anderson also highlights how inflation has eroded his role’s salary value by $80,000 since 2011, further emphasizing the need for fair compensation.

A Defense of Law Enforcement in the Graziano Case

In his article, Anderson criticized the editorial board for using a tragic incident involving 15-year-old Savannah Graziano to question the sheriff’s performance. He defended Sheriff Shannon Dicus’s handling of the situation, firmly placing responsibility on Graziano’s father for the tragic outcome. Citing Roosevelt’s famous “man in the arena” speech, Anderson applauds the sheriff’s efforts and reminds readers of the complexities faced by law enforcement officials on the ground.

Anderson’s Track Record and Fiscal Responsibility

Reflecting on his tenure, Anderson emphasized his commitment to fiscal responsibility, stating that his office has consistently returned $3 to $4 million from its budget to the county’s general fund each year. He notes that these savings, totaling $18-$24 million over six years, underscore his office’s effective management and highlight why he believes a pay raise is warranted.

Advocating for Fairness and Measure L

In closing, Anderson reaffirms his support for Measure L, which he believes will provide necessary financial stability and fair compensation for those in public safety roles. He expresses his regret over the lack of dialogue before the recent editorial’s publication and encourages voters to consider the full implications of Measure L as they approach the polls.