I recently heard several people talk about alternatives to the traditional criminal justice system. Some have spoken specifically about Community Courts and increasing the caseload of the existing courts. Then I figured that maybe some people do not know about these very legitimate alternatives to what can sometimes be an under-responsive criminal justice system. So I have gathered some information (mostly from the district attorney’s office) and have included some personal experience.

Many San Francisco neighborhoods are impacted by a high volume of low-level, quality-of-life offenses that deteriorate neighborhood conditions and frustrate residents. To empower residents and hold offenders accountable, the D.A.’s office facilitates the Community Courts program in all 10 police districts. In the Northern District, we have two courts: one at 1001 Polk Street and the other at 1050 McAllister Street. Both meet monthly to hear misdemeanor cases. Community Courts is a collaboration between city departments, neighborhood residents and merchant associations to hold “court” in the community and compel adult offenders charged with misdemeanors to restore the impacted neighborhood. Residents comprise a panel of “judges” that hear the cases and come up with appropriate sentences for each offender, such as community service, graffiti removal, and other creative means to give back to the community the offender has adversely affected. Community Courts can also order offenders to pay restitution to victims who have suffered monetary losses or property damage.

As you know, we have a new district attorney, George Gascon, and his vision is for “Community Courts 2.0,” to be called the Neighborhood Courts Program. Again, volunteer court adjudicators will hear cases in neighborhood court and decide the best way to resolve them. The Neighborhood Court hearings will be held weekly and will offer a greater level of participation for adjudicators. The caseloads will be increased and will be heard in a timelier manner, sometimes within days of the incident. An assistant district attorney will be detailed to the district police station and will review the incident immediately. If appropriate, the alleged offender will be referred to the Neighborhood Court soon after the incident. There the community stakeholders will meet weekly to hear cases and mete out directives. Using restorative justice principles, mediation, and other problem-solving methods, neighborhood adjudicators will use their neighborhood wisdom to solve their community problems.

There are two pilot neighborhoods for the Neighborhood Courts: the Bayview and the Mission. Currently they are looking for volunteers to staff these programs, so if you are interested, please contact Jackson Gee at [email protected] or 415-575-6328.

Finally, there has been a rash of small-business burglaries in the Marina area. A suspect is gaining access to the backyards, probably through a tradesman’s door, jumping fences and breaking into the rear of businesses. If you haven’t already, please consider sensor lighting in the rear of your property. You can contact S.F. SAFE (or 415-553-1984) for a commercial security survey to offer tips in making your business more criminal-proof – someone will actually walk through your business with you. And finally, call us (911 or 415-553-0123) if you see someone in your or a neighbor’s backyard who does not belong there.

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