Comments about ‘Sheriff battles cuts to budget’

Criminals cost us money for enforcement and incarceration. It's about time we start charging them for the overhead or have them work it off in prison.

97 nonviolent - maybe they shouldn't have been in there to begin with???? What is wrong with probation - and if they were released today - why not a few months ago - the economy is not a huge sneak attack - why not release them 3 months ago?

how about cutting out state workers that have jobs that have been created over the years and not really needed?

As the people strugle to keep their jobs who do you think is going to revert to breaking the law once more to get by?

Taxpayer2
Why don't your company cut your job, it really not needed.

That is the dumbest comment yet on this board.
conttray to popular opinion, State workers do work hard.

How long have you waited recently at the DMV?

You "Tax Payers" always complain about us State workers and how "lazy" we are.

But then when you have to wait long period of time, you are the first to complain and take it out on the state employee.

we work hard, we try to make it easier for you to do your business with the state (for some of you the welfare system).

Sometimes our hands are tied because the legislature who lives in a glass bubble makes doing our job even harder.

Criminals do cost us money, but keep in mind that this is a county jail and that not everyone in the facility has been convicted of a crime.

Not only that, most counties actually do make money from the inmates with commissary funds and phone contracts. On top of that, how are you going to charge a meth head room and board. They don't have money the way it is.

People want to fight for laws to make their streets safe but that comes at a price. Asking our legislature to enact laws comes with the need to incarcerate people that break those laws. Our choices, our desire to keep our children safe, cost money.

Seems like the sheriffs department is looking into ways to make the county exempt them from the budget freeze. After all 1 in 32 American adults in jail isn't enough. And seriously, if people are not violent, use house arrest.

In tough times, cuts in spending are inevitable. Everybody has their own favorite program to protect but cutting law enforcement really is counterproductive to the turning of society. As the economy continues to sour and more people lose their jobs, does anyone really think that the "have nots" are going to let the "haves" keep their stuff any more than they do now? In another time and place, perhaps, but not anymore.

As crime rates increase, the need to protect the more socially responsible portion of the populace will increase as well. Telling police agencies to significantly step up their services while significantly cutting their resources is a formula that just will not work.

Remember, the purpose of opening Oxbow is for "Programs" for the inmates. The inmates in question are a lower classification (potential for violent behavior) of inmate and require less supervision (in theory). Oxbow is a jail, and should be used to house inmates to lessen the overcrowding of the main jail, not used for some fluffy programming that the social services staff of the County can use to feel good about themselves. Scrap this whole do good notion on programming (Social Engineering), and lock the criminals up. Make it a place they don't ever want to return too. Jails are expensive! We know that! We want the criminals locked up. Make the inmates work. There shouldn't be a weed anywhere in sight on jail property, a piece of litter, or a pebble out of place. If the Council doesn't fund the personnel, don't open it. Continue to release Class 'A' misdemeanors back into the community.

Joe Hatch is an embarrassment to the Demcratic Party. Here Sheriff, take the jail, but were going to cut your budget so you can't hire staff. Sounds like a great "Dilbert" cartoon.

Oh...Barf, your're an idiot.

It is ridiculous to suggest that just because someone was not convicted of a "violent" crime he or she should be out of jail. Try telling that to someone that had his identity stolen and spent years fixing the credit mess or someone who had her car stolen and was unable to get to work as a result. Most people would rather get punched than have their identity stolen.

They sure charge a lot for fines, how is there not enough money?

As a method of reform after about 3 days. You can put them in a substance abuse program for 3 - 6 months - but at $85 day - the jail becomes a very expensive treatment center.

"We are not putting dangerous people on the street"??? Sorry, but "nonviolent" or not, people with multiple DUI problems ARE DANGEROUS. I have no desire to drive on the same road as them and put myself at risk for a serious accident.

I have an idea: why don't we deport illegal immigrant criminals - both violent and nonviolent, anyone who demonstrates a lack of respect for our laws. That would be a good start at reform.

Well buddy maybe you should try and get rid of all your fancy police cars and tech gadgets! Its sad when we spend more money on police than education!

needs to look at some of the salaries at the top of his pay scale. Take the "wealth-builders" away from the top and it would go a long way to pay for his NECESSARY expenses!
Year after year the sheriff loses patrol responsibilities to the cities, yet year after year, he WANTS MORE money!

Dear "Jail does not work"

Have you seen the stats on substance abuse programs. The recidivism rate is sky high. You can throw all the money you want at it but it won't solve the problem. It's all about the friends you associate with.

The Jails to create jobs for ignorant people
They are jail guards
Do you know of anyone that is very bright who would actually want that job ????
I know some of these people and they are the dnmbest people I have met
Jail is all about sucking money out of the people

The Sheriff want more money to better protect his kingdom, but refuses to say the words that need saying. He's much more interested in being politically popular than doing the right thing. The overhead and bloat within his kingdom prevents truely effective enforcement on the street or in the Jail.
Fact is the only way to get more cops on the street or more beds in the jail is simple - TAX INCREASE. Which would YOU prefer.

Well well looks like you boys might have to sell some tazers!

RE: to The State Uses Let every one out of the jails? That sounds intelligent! Every thing is in place for a reason the Sheriff doesnt make the big bucks by any means. The gadgets that officers use are for their protection as well as ours & most work to serve & protect not all but most.