An Oakley-based group that wants voters to recall Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton has begun publicizing its campaign near her hometown, erecting large signs around Richmond.
If the recall gets enough valid signatures (it needs more than 72,500) to be placed onto a county election ballot and is passed by voters, it would be the third recall of a Bay Area district attorney.
According to the recall group’s Facebook page, “police officers, city council members and mayors ” have signed petitions, though it’s unclear whether they’ve yet held any signature drives in west Contra Costa County. (Becton lives in El Sobrante, according to news reports.) The deadline to submit signatures is Sept. 25.
Late last month Becton launched her response to the recall effort via her Diana Becton for District Attorney Facebook page, where she posted a list of her accomplishments and said, “As your District Attorney, I’m committed to protecting public safety and pursuing justice without fear or favor. That means holding everyone accountable — violent offenders, corrupt politicians, exploitative corporations, unethical polluters and anyone who abuses their power.
“But now, special interests want to roll back our progress with a wasteful, misguided recall. They are weaponizing fear, distorting facts and exploiting victims — not to serve our community, but to push their own agenda.”
Tell Richmondside what you think.
What you think about the proposed recall, which says that Becton has failed to adequately prosecute violent criminals. Do you plan to sign the petition to put the issue on the ballot? Why or why not? If the measure ends up on upcoming ballot, tell us how you’ll vote and why. Comments can be posted on this story or emailed to hello@richmondside.org. And let us know if you’d be willing to talk to a reporter for a future story.
Her wins, Becton said, include:
- Established a Major Crimes Task Force to crack down on violent offenders, gang crime and organized retail theft;
- Launched a Human Trafficking Unit to combat modern-day slavery and protect victims of exploitation;
- My Cold Case Unit is at the forefront of solving unsolved homicides by combining forensic science with traditional investigative methods;
- Expanded our Victim Advocate Team, increasing services and resources for victims of violent crime, particularly in underserved communities; and
- Championed initiatives that keep youth on the right path and stop crime before it happens.
“We cannot afford to go backward,” Becton wrote. “This recall isn’t about public safety, it’s the final cry of a broken system and its failed policies that made all our communities less safe. What’s worse, this recall will cost taxpayers an estimated $8.5 million — money that should be spent on public safety, not political games.”
