Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office


701 Ocean Street, Room 200
 Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Dear District Attorney Rosell, Superior Court Judges,

This November, the citizens of California sent you a clear mandate through the ballot box. Proposition 36, which increases penalties for certain crimes, passed with overwhelming support, securing a 69% majority statewide. Every one of California’s 58 counties, including Santa Cruz, voted in favor of this bill, signaling the public’s desire for a tougher stance on crime.

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern with your handling of criminal cases in Santa Cruz County. For the past several years, we believe you and your colleagues in the District Attorney's Office have failed to uphold the public's wishes and have, in effect, allowed a dangerous cycle of crime to persist. This lack of effective action has resulted in a revolving door of criminals entering and leaving the county jail, to the detriment of our entire county.

We are tired of constantly dealing with theft—our bikes, tools, mail, and personal belongings taken from our cars and homes. We are exhausted by the chaos in our parks, levees and open spaces, some of which have become open-air drug markets, littered with trash. We feel that the quality of life in Santa Cruz is steadily declining, making it increasingly difficult for families, especially children, to enjoy the very spaces that make this county special. We are tired of our watersheds being used as a toilet and landfill. 

As residents and taxpayers, we are also frustrated by the growing strain on locally owned businesses. It has become harder to operate a business in this county, especially with the ongoing thefts and lack of accountability for repeat offenders. We believe your office’s leniency towards habitual criminals has not only undermined public safety but also disrespected the dedicated law enforcement officers who are doing their best to protect the community.

Santa Cruz is a compassionate place, yet we feel the current approach to crime and criminal justice has failed. The endless cycle of catch and release is wasting taxpayer dollars and creating a dangerous environment for everyone—from law enforcement to front-line service workers, to residents, who simply want to feel safe. It is no longer enough to focus on leniency and rehabilitation for those with substance use disorders without holding individuals accountable for their actions.

We are particularly concerned about the growing crisis of fentanyl addiction. In 2023 alone, over 133 lives were lost to fentanyl overdoses in this county. Many of these individuals passed through the doors of your courtrooms, yet you failed to provide the necessary support and intervention that could have saved countless lives. Compassion for those struggling with addiction is essential, but it must be coupled with effective, long-term treatment options, not just the premature release of individuals back onto the streets where they are left to overdose.

We are also growing increasingly concerned about the influx of individuals from outside the area who come to Santa Cruz because of its reputation for being lenient on crime. This has only exacerbated the issues in our parks, streets, and neighborhoods. The presence of violent criminals and repeat offenders in our community is making Santa Cruz a more dangerous place, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable populations.

We the undersigned are tired of watching this dangerous cycle continue. If you fail to take immediate and decisive action to address these concerns, we will be left with no choice but to explore a recall effort, which we are confident would receive overwhelming support. The public’s patience is running out.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to listen to the mandate of California voters and make meaningful changes to your approach. We demand that you enforce the provisions of Proposition 36, ensure stronger penalties for repeat offenders, and prioritize effective treatment for those suffering from substance use disorders. We implore you to make Santa Cruz a safer, more secure place for everyone who calls this community home.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]


[Your Signature, if submitting by mail]


[Your Contact Information]

[List of Undersigned Names/Signatures]