League of SanFo Consular Corps Visits SanFo City District Attorney’s Office

The League of San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC), led by President Mariza S. Bensurto, Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr., heads of other Consulates in San Francisco and LSFCC members, with District Attorney for San Francisco County and City George Gascon. (San Francisco PCG photo)

SAN FRANCISCO 13 December 2018 – The League of San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC) called on District Attorney (DA) for San Francisco City and County George Gascon and learned more about the office’s thrusts and priorities, including its focus on implementing restorative justice.

Led by its President Mariza S. Bensurto, wife of Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., the LSFCC delegation was given a tour of the DA’s office. They were able to meet the DA’s key officers and know about some of the innovative ways that the DA has employed to protect victims of crimes and rehabilitate offenders and reconcile them with the society.

DA Gascon, who was elected in 2011, has used out-of-the box mechanisms to implement restorative justice, such as dialogues, community services, anger management. His leadership also uses the jury system and has created specialized collaborative courts, such as drug court, veterans court, young adults court, and neighborhood court, among others.

Aside from involving key community leaders in DA’s processes, especially in the rehabilitation process of offenders, and facilitating them to make peace with their victims, the DA’s office provides support and assistance to victims and their families after a crime is reported, during criminal prosecution, and after handing down a verdict.

The DA’s Office has continued to cooperate with foreign consulates in San Francisco. It has standing Memoranda of Understanding with several Consulates, including those of Mexico and the Philippines.

It has worked on expanding preventive measures to avoid crimes and scams that prey on both San Franciscans and foreigners, and also provides training to Consulates to empower them to address the concerns of victims of crimes seeking justice and assistance. END

District Attorney for San Francisco County and City George Gascon introduces his office’s mandate to the League of San Francisco Consular Corps. (San Francisco PCG photo)

Pink, the facility dog of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, joins in the briefing. (San Francisco PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/.