Not only did new District Attorney John Savrnoch get the $500,000 he was asking from the county supervisors, but he was also all but kissed on both cheeks for what they described as his refreshingly open and collaborative approach. The money is to hire a data analytics consultant to determine whether county prosecutors were filing stiffer charges and securing tougher sentences against people of color.
Several supervisors — not to mention Public Defender Tracy Macuga — expressed doubt about the consultant to be hired. George D’Angelo of Sicuro Data Analytics earned a PhD in economics from UCSB and frequently testifies as an expert witness on behalf of law enforcement. Public Defender Macuga testified it was “a pleasure” to be able to endorse Savrnoch’s request, although she still expressed misgivings about D’Angelo. By contrast, Macuga lead the fight against the funding — and D’Angelo — when Savrnoch’s predecessor, Joyce Dudley, brought the matter before the board early last December, causing the matter to be postponed. Dudley and Macuga famously did not see eye to eye. This Tuesday’s optics offered a stark contrast and a promise of smoother working relations.
Supervisor Steve Lavagnino congratulated Savrnoch, saying he “crushed a home run” at his first at-bat in front of the supervisors. He praised Savrnoch for setting the right tone and for “building camaraderie” among other members of the criminal justice community. Supervisor Bob Nelson, a self-described “data nerd,” expressed relief at Savrnoch’s cooperative approach, noting that “other elected officials have not been so cooperative.”