PITTSBURG — In an effort to deliver justice nearer to the folks, East County residents now have entry to an array of providers supplied by the Contra Costa County District Lawyer’s Workplace with the opening of a brand new location in Pittsburg.
District Lawyer Diana Becton stated the thought of opening the totally geared up workplace on Railroad Avenue was “simple but powerful.”
“It strengthens collaboration with our local law enforcement partners, it improves our efficiency, our casework and court operations, and it will allow us to respond to the needs of victims and families in real time right here,” Becton stated on the grand opening of the workplace on Monday. “It also sends a message that East County matters, and the people who live and work here deserve accessible and responsive justice.”
Beforehand, people looking for authorized assist would want to journey to places of work in Richmond and Martinez. Becton stated her workplace has been working with Contra Costa County over the previous two years to arrange a Pittsburg location, which may have about 30 folks on employees.
“We will have attorneys, we will have our filers, which is really important because it gives greater access to our law enforcement partners so they don’t have to drive into Martinez for most things, they could come here to meet those who are going to be filing their cases,” stated Becton.
There will even be sufferer advocates on web site.
The District Lawyer’s Workplace additionally companions with the Household Justice Middle in Antioch to assist households affected by home violence, sexual assault, youngster abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.
Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston stated residents have lengthy needed to journey vital distances to entry providers.
“Access to justice should not depend on geography,” stated Scales-Preston.
She stated East County is without doubt one of the “largest and fastest” rising areas within the area.
“With that growth comes complex issues, whether that’s public safety, housing pressures, or just new community expectations,” stated Scales-Preston. “The opening of this office shows that the county government is keeping pace, investigating infrastructure that meets the moment and supports our residents where they are.”
Scales-Preston emphasised that public security extends past prosecution. It additionally consists of prevention, early intervention, and belief.
“This office will help strengthen that with relationships with survivors and victims who deserve care and dignity, collaborations with our school, our service providers, and nonprofits, and early engagement that will help prevent issues before they escalate into a crisis,” stated Scales-Preston.
Pittsburg Mayor Dionne Adams stated in addition to a useful resource for residents, the brand new workplace reinforces town’s function as a regional hub for public providers.
“It provides greater access to information, victim support, and legal services,” stated Adams. “It helps ensure that our community members know where to turn when they need support and assistance.”
Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese stated the native presence strengthens coordination, improves communication, and enhances well timed evaluation and submitting of circumstances.
“These efficiencies support stronger investigations, better case outcomes, and a justice process that is both fair and effective,” stated Albanese. “When police and district attorneys’ offices work side by side, we are better positioned to ensure professionalism at every step.”
Gigi Crowder, the chief director of the Contra Costa chapter of the Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness, stated the brand new location will make it simpler for relations and people dwelling with psychological sickness to entry assist with out touring to Martinez.