Santa Clara County DA warns of 'dire consequences' due to budget shortfall
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County is facing a budget deficit, and federal funding cuts are making it worse.
"Budget cuts to the district attorney's office are going to have tangible, negative and dire consequences for the public safety of every Santa Clara County resident," said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen spoke candidly during a news conference Tuesday.
The longtime South Bay DA laying out potential scenarios that could happen if funding to his office is cut from the county budget.
Scenarios that include fewer prosecutions in domestic violence and sexual assault cases, as well as limited ability to seek non-trial options in other cases.
"Will people get hurt? Will they be killed? Will criminals go free? I don't know," said Rosen.
Officials say these funding cuts are the result of an annual $1 billion reduction in money from the federal government.
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A loss that's created a huge blow to Santa Clara County's budget.
The county's board of supervisors has taken steps to try and close the financial gap - including slashing 365 vacant jobs.
Otto Lee is the board's president.
"This is unprecedented. The federal government, state government, local government for many, many decades have always been working together," said Lee.
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Supervisor Lee says the recently passed Measure A will also help overall, providing money for health care in the county.
Although its projected revenue is not nearly enough.
"That's only covering one-third of the loss we'll be suffering," said Lee.
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Despite the county's deficit, Rosen cautioned against firing staff within his office.
Warning the costs would simply be too high.
"Public safety costs money. Justice is expensive. Money is finite. There is less money, and so there will be less justice. Please listen carefully, there will be less safety," said Rosen.
