As the largest county in the United States, San Bernardino County is diversely rich with people of all ethnicities who reside, work, and play here due to the climate and togetherness we enjoy.
Time and time again, the people of San Bernardino County have demonstrated their resilience, as we saw in the San Bernardino Terrorist Attack, and most recently, during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Every member of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is aware of the killing of George Floyd, during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earlier this week. Our staff is not only aware of it, but they are deeply disturbed and concerned at watching a member of Minneapolis’s community die on the streets of that city, at the hands of a police officer.
Watch District Attorney Jason Anderson and Supervisor Curt Hagman’s message.
We Believe In Equal Justice For All
It is only appropriate and respectful to the people of that community, and the entire country for that matter, that our office does not render an outright opinion on what should or should not happen in that case.
We ask that every member of our community here in San Bernardino County put themselves in the position that if the district attorney was charging you with a crime, that you would want our office to look at all evidence, listen to all statements, watch all videos, and do a thorough job of looking at every fact before deciding which charges are appropriate to file in your case.
“As a district attorney, I am well aware of the injustices that have been made against the African-American males in this country, on a historical basis. I do not condone this treatment both personally, and I will not tolerate it as the lead prosecutor in San Bernardino County,” said Jason Anderson.
“There are members of our community, of all races, who are aware that I respect, listen, and take into account their opinions and concerns when it comes to serving justice in this county. “
“What I personally see happening around the country is troubling. Our ears are always open to listening to concerns any group has in terms of disparaging treatment that they perceive.” – Jason Anderson
Community Relationships Began Before 2020
“I have chosen to refrain from politicizing these relationships as I feel my character and actions speak for themselves. I also made a campaign promise 18 months ago to build relationships with various ethnic communities for the very purpose we are experiencing today; it does no good to try and build relationships during critical times. They must be cultivated and developed before issues arise, which I have done in San Bernardino County.”
Our office is completely open and willing to discuss the issues our country is facing, in hopes of easing people’s fears, instilling confidence in our office, and forming lasting relationships in partnership to create the safest and community in America.
Violence Is Not The Answer
Please make the right decisions that will make America take notice of how our community is discussing and handling these issues. Rioting, looting, and violence are not the answers. Some would like others to believe that committing harmful acts is the only way to get the criminal justice system and the government to take notice of their concerns.
Nothing could be farther from the truth as far as this county is concerned. We hear your concerns, as they are our concerns as well. We will continue to strive every day to make sure we meet your expectations in terms of pursuing justice for victims and respecting the constitutional rights of everyone.
About George Floyd
George Floyd died after being arrested by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota earlier in the week of May 26th, 2020. A video was shared on social media showing Floyd laying face down on the pavement, with a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s body for an extended period of time, while Floyd told the officers he could not breathe.