On Thursday, August 24, a repeat offender shot three San Antonio police officers while they were attempting to arrest him on multiple felony warrants. The most concerning aspect of the shooting is that the suspect was out on two bonds for almost a year despite committing more crimes, being re-arrested, and wanted on three different warrants. https://www.ksat.
This is the second time in four weeks that a repeat offender has attacked police officers and endangered the public. On Wednesday, another repeat offender was arrested on six felony charges, including theft of a vehicle for $150,000-$300,000, evading arrest, aggravated assault of a public servant, felon possessing a firearm, and more. The suspect also rammed his stolen vehicle into a police car, injuring an officer as he attempted to escape. https://www.ksat.com/
Citizens are asking why these dangerous people aren't in jail and why weren’t their bonds increased.
On Friday, August 25, twenty hours after the shooting, Bexar County First Assistant District Attorney Christian Henricksen told reporters in a Zoom conference that they couldn't keep the shooter, Jesse Garcia, in jail. He said the Bexar County D.A. Joe Gonzales shared the community's frustration. The truth is otherwise.
Henricksen fielded questions because D.A. Gonzales was unavailable to handle the press conference. He explained that the current cash bond system is frustrating because judges set the bonds, and their office has minimal authority to remand people without bond. Henricksen also said D.A. prosecutors can make bond recommendations at hearings and present evidence to request higher bonds than usual for a particular offense.
However, what is curious is that this system, which Henricksen and Gonzales criticize as the main problem, has existed under past District Attorneys. There has never been as much crime and violence, particularly by repeat offenders, as there is now.
Henrickson’s criticism of “the system” and cash bonds seems to align with the liberal/leftist arguments to abolish cash bail payments for jail release for people who have been arrested and are waiting for their case to be heard. Liberal justice reform advocates claim cash bail has a disproportionately negative impact on poor people of color because those who can't come up with the money stay in jail for weeks or longer or even accept plea deals to get out.
However, Bexar County and San Antonio residents should know that the Texas Organizing Project, a leftist group, has met with the D.A. office and has bonded out hundreds of inmates from the Bexar County jail. While TOP claims these inmates are “low-level offenders who are poor and should not have to sit in jail awaiting trial because they pose no real threat,” some are repeat offenders who have committed serious crimes.
Law-abiding citizens in San Antonio and Bexar County should beware if liberals and Democrats push for no-cash bond and bail. California was the first state to eliminate its cash bail system, and repeat offender crime is rampant. When criminals fear no punishment, they don’t fear breaking the law.
Since the George Floyd incident and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, progressives and Democrats have pushed for social justice and racial equity. Reduced bonds and lower bail are progressive goals to help bring equity to poor people and minorities in the name of social justice.
However, justice should be based on behavior, not race or income. If a person is poor and a minority, they should not get a pass to avoid punishment and continue committing crimes.
Criminals are not afraid of the police because of liberal “justice reform” practices by the elected judges and magistrates. This liberal post-George Floyd approach to fighting crime has resulted in a national crime wave, and San Antonio is no exception.
Sadly, local liberal politicians are more concerned about the civil rights of criminals than the public’s safety. However, if a criminal will shoot a police officer, they won't hesitate to shoot a civilian.
Citizens must demand more substantial and immediate punishment for repeat offenders. The police must be supported and allowed to do their jobs. The soft-on-crime, anti-police policies and attitudes of the SA Council and County Commissioners must be challenged and changed.
This incident directly results from the soft-on-crime local judicial system and the anti-law enforcement policies that hinder police work.
What good does it do for police officers to arrest criminals if they are not punished? Punishment is a crime deterrent, and if there is no punishment, there is no fear of breaking laws.
The citizens of San Antonio and Bexar County must demand the District Attorney and the local judges protect them from repeat offenders. If they excuse and tolerate minor crimes, we will have bigger and worse crimes...like we do now.