By Jim Desmond, SD County Supervisor

What’s happening in California right now should alarm every parent, every senior, and every family who just wants to feel safe in their own community.

Violent criminals — including murderers, sexual predators, gang members, and repeat offenders — are being released from jail back into our neighborhoods, not because charges were dropped, but because state leaders refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

This is not abstract. These are real cases.

One individual, Carmelo Corado Hurtado, was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery and was still released back into the community. Another, Hector Grijalba-Sernas, was arrested for lewd acts involving a child under the age of 14 and was released after authorities refused to honor a detainer. Victor Hernandez-Jiron, arrested for attempted murder and violent domestic abuse, was also released instead of being transferred to federal custody.

Let’s be clear: This is not about immigration status.This is about crime and public safety.

When someone is arrested for murder, sexual assault, or violent abuse, common sense says they should not be released back onto our streets — period. Yet current “sanctuary” policies force law enforcement to ignore detainers even when individuals have long criminal histories and pose an obvious danger.

The results are predictable — and dangerous:

Violent offenders released directly into communities

Repeat crimes that could have been prevented

Victims left wondering why warning signs were ignored

This isn’t compassion. It’s negligence.

No policy should ever require law enforcement to release known violent criminals back into the same neighborhoods they’ve already harmed. Protecting the public should come before politics — every time.

We can enforce the law and treat people humanely. We can support legal immigration and remove dangerous criminals.
Those ideas are not in conflict — they’re common sense.

Californians deserve leaders who put public safety first. Our communities should not be forced to absorb the consequences of policies that make crime easier and accountability optional.

San Diego County District 5 Supervisor Jim Desmond