San Francisco shares fault in Steinle shooting

Garcia Zarate, a homeless illegal, had been deported five times for illegal re-entry into the U.S. when he shot and killed Kate Steinle. Prior to the shooting of Ms. Steinle, he had completed a prison term for these illegal re-entries into the U.S.

Mr. Zarate was also being held on a 20-year-old marijuana charge that was dropped by the District Attorney’s office of San Francisco. Federal officials requested that Mr. Zarate be held for 48 hours for deportation. The sheriff’s department of San Francisco released Zarate despite the request.

Here’s the caveat: If San Francisco is a sanctuary city, then it should take responsibility for its actions. The editorial in The Bee Tuesday said Mr. Zarate was released without any support services. So whose fault is that? If San Francisco is going to be a “sanctuary city,” shouldn’t San Francisco be responsible for those that are here illegally when they are “again” released?

Seems to me that San Francisco wants to be a sanctuary city, but is unwilling to give the needed support services. Now that’s called “lip service.”

This story was originally published October 25, 2017 at 4:04 PM with the headline "San Francisco shares fault in Steinle shooting."