Mary Knox for District Attorney

Please vote for Democrat Mary Knox for District Attorney on June 7.

This election is final – your only chance to elect a new district attorney.

You may be asking yourself – is the Republican Perspective really telling me to vote for a Democrat?

Yes! And here are the reasons: Contra Costa is facing a growing crime problem. During the current DAs tenure there have been multiple lootings in downtown Walnut Creek. A recent robbery at the CVS in the Rossmoor Shopping Center should really get our attention.

Note these increases in crime in Walnut Creek from 2020 to 2021: All violent crime: up 23% Arson: up 133% Aggravated assault: up 138% Strong arm robbery: up 133% Rape: up 67% Shoplifting: up 45% Residential Burglary: up 31% In June 2020, the current DA issued a policy entitled “Theft Offenses Committed During State of Emergency (PC 463),” telling prosecutors to consider this question when deciding on filing looting charges: “Was the theft committed for financial gain or personal need?” What message is this sending?

Knox will rebalance the DAs Office. She stands with victims of crime and always has. It is time to elect a new district attorney who will prioritize the safety of the community.

Knox has a lifetime of roots in Contra Costa County and has the knowledge and experience to lead the District Attorney’s Office. She has been a prosecutor in the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office for 37 years. In her role as a lead attorney, she has won high profile cases against some of the most notorious criminals in Contra Costa’s history.

Her extensive experience as a prosecutor has included these assignments: 

• Community Violence Reduction Unit supervisor, targeting gang homicide and gun violence 
• Juvenile Unit – Youth Justice Initiative Steering Committee 
• Homicide Unit supervisor 
• Gang-Homicide Unit 
• Sexual Assault Unit 
• Career Criminal Prosecution Unit 
• Major Narcotic Vendor Prosecution Unit 
• Elder Abuse Unit 
• Minimum Continuing Education (MCE) and New Prosecutor Training coordinator Knox utilizes her innovation skills and law enforcement collaborative expertise in major crime reduction programs: 1. Three-point plan to prevent smash and grab retail theft. On Nov. 29, 2021, Knox was the first Contra Costa County authority to release a comprehensive plan to address the epidemic of crime in Contra Costa.
• Convene a Bay Area-Wide law enforcement response to track and apprehend suspects.
• Prevent the use of freeways as crime corridors by deploying cameras.
• Disrupt the use of social media as a key enabler of looting.

2. Freeway Security Camera Network: Knox personally implemented this project to combat epidemic shootings and murders on Contra Costa freeways. She designed the network and obtained $3.5 million in funding from CalSTA for the installation of an integrated system of technology on the freeways to enhance transparent investigations and reduce violence. This program worked so well, replication by other counties may be in the works.

3. getVOCAL for Victims: Knox serves as president (2019 to present) of this non-profit victim advocacy organization providing pro bono legal representation to protect victims’ constitutional rights throughout the criminal prosecution process.

4. Pillars of Hope Advisory Board member: This organization supports victims of human trafficking by providing services, intervention and support for children who are being exploited in our community.

5. Community Violence Reduction/Gang Unit: Knox created and supervised this first of its kind prosecution unit designed to use the county-wide task force to target violent offenders and to remove guns and gang members from our community.

Her recognition and awards include: 

• “Narcotic Prosecutor of the Year” CNOA, Region 1, 2017 and 2018 
• Commendation for Service to the Community, Congressman George Miller, 2004 
• California “Narcotic Prosecutor of the Year” for the State of California, California Narcotics Officers Association, 2003 
• Resolution recognizing Meritorious Service, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, 2003.
• During her tenure in the DA’s Office, Knox has earned across-the-board respect of the criminal justice community. She has won the endorsement of the vast majority of the law enforcement community in the county and a number of others: 
• Contra Costa Sheriff David O. Livingston 
• John Moore, retired Pleasant Hill Police Chief 
• Mitchell Celaya III, Calistoga Police Chief 
• Police Officers’ Research Association of California (PORAC) 
• National Latino Police Officer Association – Contra Costa County NLPOA Advocacy Chapter 
• Central Coast Gang Investigators Association 
• Contra Costa District Attorney Investigators’ Association • Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, including deputies in Orinda, Lafayette, and Danville 
• Police Officers’ Associations: 
• Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, East Bay Regional Park District, El Cerrito, Hercules, Martinez, Oakley, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, BART Police.

Knox prioritizes public safety over politics. She has the proven track record to address and reduce crime and most importantly – restore safety to Contra Costa County.

Bill McConnell can be emailed at wam45@comcast.net .