Citizen Watchdogs GRAND JURY SERVES AS COMMUNITY’S VOICE
BY STEVEN M. GEVERCER
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ho watches over our local government? Our tax dollars are spent on education, law enforcement, utility districts, parks, libraries, health services and fire districts, just to name a few. If a citizen has information that calls into question the integrity or work of a public agency, who is empowered to investigate as a community watchdog? In Sacramento County, it’s the grand jury. I’ve been privileged to be part of California’s legal system for almost 40 years. This past year, I was honored take the role of judicial adviser to the Sacramento County grand jury. Let me explain its importance. Civil and criminal grand juries originated almost 1,000 years ago in England. By 1683, grand juries were established in some form in all 13 colonies. While times have changed, the need for oversight of local government has not. In Sacramento County, 19 people with diverse backgrounds are
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selected to serve one-year terms as grand jurors. Our grand jury reviews citizen complaints about local government, engages in independent inquiries and participates in criminal grand jury indictments. It is important work. Grand jury members are authorized to independently investigate the spectrum of county agencies, districts and any organization that relies on county government contracts and funding. For example, after a seven-month investigation, the grand jury recently issued a scathing report about the Del Paso Manor Water District. Concerns were identified ranging from water contamination to aging infrastructure to non-compliance with state water monitoring requirements. The report cited an ongoing lack of transparency by the water district’s board of directors to act on numerous recommended improvements made by its own consultants and other entities. The grand jury pointed out how failure to complete an estimated $35
million in repairs and upgrades may have disastrous results, including the potential failure of the entire water complex. Deanna Hanson, our current grand jury foreperson says, “Serving as a grand juror is a privilege and honor, as well as a wonderful learning experience. I was able to serve two terms and to work with very committed, intelligent individuals representing many areas of Sacramento County.” Any member of the public may anonymously report to the grand jury about wrongdoing or waste of public funds. The process is simple. Go to the website at saccourt.ca.gov/ grand-jury/grand-jury.aspx. You will find a confidential complaint form that you can complete and submit electronically. The grand jury will review the complaint and decide whether to investigate. “Community members are our eyes and ears,” Hanson says. “We rely on our residents to use the complaint process to report aspects of government that could be improved.”
When a grand jury report is issued, agencies are required to respond within 90 days. This process promotes transparency and accountability—a fundamental goal of the grand jury. We invite you to read past reports on our website. Just click on “Annual Reports.” If you have the time and want to make a difference, I encourage you to consider serving as a grand juror. Our grand jurors find satisfaction and pride in responsibly using their authority to help ensure local government properly serves the public. An online application form is available on the grand jury website. The Sacramento County grand jury works hard to serve you. I invite all civic-minded persons in Sacramento County to support its mission. Steven M. Gevercer is a Sacramento County Superior Court judge and judicial adviser to the grand jury. For information on the grand jury, visit saccourt.ca.gov/grand-jury/grand-jury. aspx. n
