Safe Online Shopping Tips
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan shares 5 important and easy tips to shop online safely, especially now that we are going into the holiday shopping season!
Tag Archive for: DA Summer Stephan
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 11-14-24
This week, DA Summer Stephan explains why ‘wildcatters’ (or “raiteros” in Spanish) are a problem near the U.S./Mexico border, and what officials are doing about it.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-31-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan talks about the importance of Red Ribbon Week and drug prevention programs in schools.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-17-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan discusses two recent cases where justice was served: The defendant in a deadly carjacking in Coronado was sentenced and a Pacific Beach rapist was denied parole.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-10-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan celebrates Red Ribbon Week and announces a new reward fund for hate crime tips.
DA Receives Red Ribbon Lifetime Achievement Award
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan was honored this week at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Red Ribbon Awards Luncheon with the Frank Goldsmith Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless work and dedication to keeping San Diego County safer and healthier through the prevention of crime, including education about harmful and often deadly, illicit substances.
“It is such an honor to receive this recognition, especially because it is awarded by an organization that honors the legacy of a hero, slain DEA Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena whose legacy created the largest national drug awareness campaign to save lives— Red Ribbon Week,” said DA Stephan. “This award is a testament to the relentless work of my DA Team, collaborating with our law enforcement and community partners on our shared goal of saving the lives of children and adults from illicit and deadly drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine. I’m honored to be in the company of the other awardees that serve our community. “
Some of DA Stephan’s specific efforts that were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, include the following:
- DA Stephan worked with the DEA to create the first of its kind, multi-agency, Overdose Response Team, known as Narcotics Task Force Team 10. This task force revolutionized how drug deaths were investigated and prosecuted in San Diego County and has served as a model for law enforcement and prosecution offices throughout the nation.
- While remaining committed to holding drug traffickers accountable through aggressive, ethical, and fair prosecution, DA Stephan has always recognized not only the value but the necessity of prevention efforts when it comes to substance use.
- DA Stephan spearheaded the creation of the San Diego Opioid Project, a data-driven, innovative, sustained public awareness campaign that generated more than 46 million impressions and 3.8 million social media engagements.
- Under DA Stephan’s leadership, the role of Community Partnership Prosecutor was created to interact directly with the public to learn about their specific concerns and needs, and provide workable solutions and education, including substance use and overdose prevention.
- Prosecutors in the DA’s Major Narcotics Division regularly speak to members of the community about the harms caused by illicit fentanyl and other harmful controlled substances.
- DA Stephan has partnered with experts from a variety of fields, including education, medicine, law enforcement, treatment, and prevention. Together with these partners, she has and continues to organize community events, personally addressing audiences of students, parents, teachers, congregations, and other community groups and members about the risks and harm caused by illicit substances. The presentations occur both online and in-person with one goal in mind – saving lives.
Other awardees at the Red Ribbon Luncheon included William Perno from SAY San Diego who received the Excellence in Prevention Advocacy Award, the Juvenile Drug Smuggling Prevention Program received the Outstanding Prevention Program Award, the Camp Pendleton Substance Assessment Counseling Center, Drug Demand Reduction Program received the Deb Nixon Education Award, San Diego Superior Court Judge Enrique Camarena, Jr. received the Justice System Community Excellence Award; Detective Nathan Parga from San Diego Police Department received the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Law Enforcement Award.
Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually October 23 to 31 by the Drug Enforcement Administration and communities across the country to highlight the importance of a drug-free life. Inspired by the tragic death of local DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, this week of remembrance has helped spread awareness of drug misuse prevention and serves as an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 10-03-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan focuses on Domestic Violence Awareness Month and resources available to victims.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 09-12-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan reveals the result of a school shooter’s parole hearing and discusses upcoming educational forums about a ballot proposition.
DA Weekly News Update with DA Summer Stephan 08-01-24
In this week’s DA News Update, DA Summer Stephan talks about an important community event to prevent human trafficking as well as her new role as the President of the National District Attorneys Association.
DA Summer Stephan Elected National DA Association President for Historic 75th Year
The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) has elected San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan as its president for the 2024-2025 term. Stephan was sworn in at NDAA’s annual Summer Summit in Boise, Idaho on Monday July 15, where she chose a platform of elevating victim voices through enhanced prosecution, protection and prevention strategies. With a professional legacy marked by a relentless commitment to justice, service to her community, and innovative crime-fighting strategies, Stephan’s inauguration promises a visionary and inclusive approach to the role.
Stephan’s distinguished career is marked by a passionate devotion to protecting the most vulnerable members of society. As NDAA president, Stephan aims to elevate the role of prosecutors in safeguarding the rights of crime victims and enhancing public safety across the United States.
“It is a tremendous honor to lead the NDAA and work alongside dedicated prosecutors nationwide,” said Stephan. “Together, we will continue to implement forward-thinking strategies that ensure justice, promote public trust, and protect our communities.”
Since becoming the elected District Attorney for San Diego County in 2018, Stephan has led one of the nation’s largest DA offices, with a professional staff of 1,000 employees, serving as the People’s prosecutor for over 3.3 million people. Under her leadership, the office has launched numerous initiatives that are viewed as justice models nationwide, including the creation of a countywide school threats protocol to stop those who might carry out mass shootings before they can act, and a Juvenile Diversion Initiative that actively interrupts the school to prison pipeline. Stephan created a Blueprint for Mental Health Reform by working collaboratively to address the intersection of mental health, homelessness and the criminal justice system. She led and funded countywide de-escalation training for every San Diego County police department to better protect the lives of community members and officers, and opened a state-of-the-art Family Justice Center. Stephan’s focus on protecting seniors led to a first of its kind Elder Justice Taskforce. Her office is laser focused on the prosecution of hate crimes and deadly fentanyl dealers. Stephan also formed a specialized team to effectively combat Organized Retail theft which is plaguing our nation.
Summer Stephan is recognized as a national leader in combatting human trafficking and sexual exploitation and has been named Angel of Anti Human Trafficking. She pioneered San Diego’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division and co-chairs the National Association of Women Judges Human Trafficking committee. Stephan is a fierce fighter for crime victims, personally trying many high-profile murder and rape cases and ensuring the testing of every rape kit in San Diego County. Her contributions to public service have earned her numerous accolades, including the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Meritorious Public Service in 2023, the highest public service award from the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2022, she was named one of The Best Five Prosecutors in America.
“Summer Stephan’s leadership and vision will undoubtedly guide NDAA to new heights,” said outgoing president Charlie Smith. “Her dedication to justice and innovative approach to prosecution make her an outstanding choice to lead our association.”
Before she was elected District Attorney, Stephan served as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego County for 28 years, trying over 100 jury trials, including complex homicides, sex crimes against children, and human trafficking cases. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
In addition to Stephan’s election, NDAA elected the following prosecutors to the 2024 – 2025 Slate of Officers:
President-Elect: Tim Cruz, District Attorney, Brockton, MA
Chairman of the Board: Charlie Smith, State’s Attorney, Frederick, MD
Secretary/Treasurer: Jennifer Webb-McRae, County Prosecutor, Bridgeton, NJ
Vice Presidents:
- Greg Banks, Prosecuting Attorney, Coupeville, WA
- Spencer Merriweather, District Attorney, Charlotte, NC
- Mark Dupree, District Attorney, Kansas City, KS
Directors-at-Large:
- Ivan Bates, State’s Attorney, Baltimore City, MD
- Kevin Barton, District Attorney, Hillsboro, OR
- Rich Gibson, State’s Attorney, Ellicott City, MD
- Lorrin Freeman, District Attorney, Raleigh, NC
- Michael Ferrarese, District Attorney, Norwich, NY