Supes unanimously move for new trauma center, against sheriff

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to create a trauma recovery center for survivors of violent crimes and other traumatic events.

The proposal also recommends providing immediate trauma-related services to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employees and their families recovering from a mass shooting on May 26, when an employee gunned down nine of his co-workers before turning the gun on himself.

County staff will come back with recommendations for a center at the Sept. 14 board meeting, according to a news release Tuesday from county officials.

If approved, Santa Clara County would follow similar efforts in Contra Costa County, which opened three trauma centers July 1 catering to the needs of people who have suffered from physical violence, human trafficking and other forms of abuse.

Supervisors were also asked during Tuesday’s meeting to adopt a resolution declaring no confidence in Sheriff Laurie Smith, which they did unanimously. The six-term incumbent sheriff has been mired in criticism of jail mismanagement and excessive force, and allegations of bribery within her office. Smith has refused to cooperate with a criminal grand jury investigation into the bribery accusations.

The no-confidence resolution does not give supervisors power to remove Smith but it was an historic and unified public statement.  

District 5 Supervisor Joe Simitian said:

“There is a parade of horribles that has been marching, marching, marching. And we have to call it out and say, put an end to this.”  

---

Nik Wojcik of SFBay contributed to this report.