Jail officials on bed closures: 'They know we don't have the capacity'
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EUGENE, Ore. - Less than an hour after the Lane County Jail released dozens of inmates Thursday morning, one man found himself back behind bars.
Recidivists like that one exemplify the public safety implications behind the bed closures.
The county jail continues to shrink and it didn't take long for one of those ex-inmates to get into back into trouble.
"I feel good ... feels good to be free." said former Lane County Jail inmate Ronald Swartz.
Swartz is one of 32 inmates released when the Lane County Jail closed as many jail beds on Thursday.
The cuts were made in the federal money from the U.S. Marshals office that funds the rented beds.
Eugene Police identified him as 33-year-old Christopher Franklin Weaver.
Frustrated authorities like Captain Greg Fox said that the offenders know what's going on.
"So they know that they can commit certain crimes and suffer very little penalty, so it's not a secret." said Fox, Commander at the Lane County Jail.
A rundown sheet on the inmates shows in one example, Inmate #5 (no name listed) was convicted for possession of heroin, hit and run and criminal mischief.
The inmate got a 60 day sentence but served only 2 days in the county jail.
Captain Fox says it just makes it harder to enforce the law.
"The District Attorney is not even prosecuting certain crimes now because they know
we don't have the capacity to hang on to them." Fox said.
Even some of the inmates let out on Thursday said they are nervous about the big release.
"I saw a couple of people that I'm not friends with that I would prefer to be in prison." said former inmate Adam Hyland.
"I think if there's probable cause to detain someone there's probable cause to keep them in jail." Ronald Swartz opined.
The Lane County Jail is down to 205 beds, with only 135 of those reserved for local offenders.
Jail Lieutenant Larry Brown told me that 4 of the 32 inmates released were being held on serious Measure 11 crimes.
Those included assault and use of a child in display of sex acts.
Start buy firing Mayor Kitty P. and use her paycheck may not be enough money but it's a start=)
Maybe if the county wasn't so busy spending millions on housing subsidies for illegals they would be able to fund the jail.Â
More police state propoganda...They want more money, pay up or else.
@FrankCastle Crackhead says wha? Frankie=)
Why is it that law enforcement, public safety, and schools get cut first...the answer...leverage.
Some of you guys need to check your facts a little closer. The money spent for the new police station was City of Eugene money for the Eugene Police. The Lane County Jail is run by the Lane County Sheriff's Office, which has nothing to do with money held by the City of Eugene. And likewise the City of Eugene has nothing to do with the operation of the County Jail.Â
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The operation of the County Jail, the other duties the Sheriff is responsible for, and the DA's authority and duties are all spelled out very clearly in the Oregon Constitution (State law). It is similar (if not the same) in most States in the Country (specifically all the western states are set up this way, some east coast and southern states are slightly different. For instance, the Sheriff (the elected County Sheriff, no mention of city officials who are generally appointed not voted in) is mandated by State law to provide and run the County Jail, maintain the peace and diginity of the county (rural police patrol), staff and run a civil enforcement section (civil paper service ie. divorce papers, subpoenas, restraining orders, etc...), and operate a search and rescue (SAR) program. All of these items are mandated by State law, but not funded by the State (unfunded mandates if you will). The DA has juristdiction and is required to charge/prosecute crimes (misdomeanor and felony), has juristiction over all deaths within their county (the medical examiner's office, however the actual patholigist is provided by the State). Only a County Jail can hold a pre-trial felon (you know the crimes that get all the attention; burglary, car theft, robberies, serious assaults, sex crimes, etc...), and only the County DA's Office can prosecute felonies. Much to Commissioner Liken's displeasure, municipal lock ups ("city jails") and municipal courts (city courts) have no legal authority to handle felony cases, per the State Constitution. So this is not a City of Eugene or a City of Springfield issue, this is a County wide problem that effects everyone who lives in Lane County (from Florence to McKenzie Bridge, from Coburg to Cottage Grove).Â
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I agree the City of Eugene has their priorities backward, as does much of Lane County. Those who claim there is huge waste in the Sheriff's Office budget, have not viewed the budget. Contact the Sheriff, he'll share the numbers with you, he's very open to contact. Sure there is waste, there is always going to be waste in a government budget, but the amount of "waste" in the Sheriff's budget is pretty small. Now, the County budget in its entirety may be a different story. The Sheriff is alotted a budget from the Commissioners anually, and must attempt to run the Sheriff's Office (the above described mandatory services) with that money. That money has been reduced yearly, and drastically reduced in recent years. So, what happens because all of the things listed above are mandatory services, they all get reduced.Â
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The Sheriff's patrol has been reduced to the level of obsurdity. There are between 4 and 6 deputies patroling in Lane County, from Florence to McKenzie Bridge, Coburg to Cottage Grove. There are between 90 and 100 thousand people living in unicorporated Lane County (outside the cities; Eugene, Springfield, Florence, Cottage Grove, Oakridge, Junction City, Coburg, Veneta, and Creswell). 7 deputies for that population, which is spread across a geographic area as big as east coast states. So that service has been all but eliminated essentially. Keep in mind that the City of Springfield is somewhere in the area of 50--60+ thousand people and they field no less than 6--8 officers a shift. The City of Eugene is around 150 thousand they often have upward of 18 patrol officers (or more) per shift. Meanwhile the people of Elmira, Mapleton, Dorina, etc. don't see a patrol car, let alone have their complaint calls answered because how do you split/spread 5 deputies out to all the areas. The State Police are also dwindling in numbers, so they aren't able to back fill or help out like they once did.
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Now the Jail has been reduced to an absurd level, in years past jail beds were spared while patrol was constantly reduced, but it has got to the point that the jail is now a ridiculously under funded as the Sheriff's Patrol. The SAR program is made up almost entirely of volunteers. And the Civil enforcement section is now down to 2 deputies, and I have no idea how far back logged they are. Also in years past the Sheriff has eliminated support staff (records officers, dispatchers, etc...) which only makes the work of the remaining staff that much more backlogged.Â
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So, things like the Interpretive Center mentioned comes from the County budget, which the Sheriff has nothing to do with. However, that doesn't make it any less irratating. I just paid my property taxes, I get it. I live in one of the cities, and my taxes are high. But, if you look at your anual property tax statement, look just how little of it goes to the County (If you live in a city). I know on mine, only about 1/2 goes to the county (ie. Jail, DA's, juv services, etc...) the rest goes to the city to pay a bunch of stuff that is not mandatory, but because at some point in the past we (generally not me, but the voters in general) voted it in that money is locked into to funding.Â
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Someone mentioned Sheriff Joe in Az. Do you know that annually he pays out in lawsuits and settlements more than the entire Lane County (entire county) budget. So sure, build a giant fenced in area with guard towers and lock up all the criminals. That will last exactly until the first law suit 100% bank rupts Lane County, then they'll all be let loose. There's no need for guard towers if you keep them locked up in their cells.... To imply the Lane County Jail is a cushy place that wastes money is not correct. Talk to some of these released criminals, I bet you'll hear that the Lane County Jail is one of the least desirable jails (if the person is actually held) around. They get far less "privileges" etc. in County Jails than they do in State Prisons, and generally less in the Lane County Jail, but sadly for the past several years the jail has not been able to hold criminals like they used to. Anything you might consider a "privilege" that criminals get in the Lane County Jail is not paid for with tax dollars. Newspapers, televisions, books, and phone contact is all paid for by the criminals. Either through revenue created when they purchase food items with their own money (or at least money put on their accounts), ie. news papers and TV's (no cable, just a few channels). Books are donated, and the phone services are paid for via the collect call system in place.
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@Reality Have you ever gone to the Sheriff's call log and wondered why they send so much time on traffic control inside city limits? I have. The first time I went was when the people in the Florence area were having their house shot at and could get a response because the Deputies were on other calls. The only calls at that time were traffic stops. Then the people got the Tribal Police to help make an arrest and they still wouldn't go out and make an arrest. I see them all over town and yet when I have gone to rural areas I see State Troopers and never once a Sheriffs car, maybe I have bad timing. I just know in other States the Sheriffs will not pull you over unless you are doing something serious or going real fast but in this state it's about ticket dollars as far as I can tell.
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I would love it if they would list the type of offenders they left in along with who they let out. I notice they never give that info. I understand they need more money but I also have gone to the county budget page and asked one year why they had 2 million in their fleet budget while they were letting people out and couldn't get an answer. If you can't answer a simple question I asked you lost me.
oops couldn't get a reponse
@Reality Thanks for the police state bootlicker perspective....
@FrankCastle Crackhead says what? Frankie
@Reality I would like to see facts about the pay outs to lawsuits in Arizona? I would like to know why there always has to be some waste? Reality is this, all the Government is run by money from the people. The last time I checked City, County, and State are all governments and therefore all supported by the people. The people have to divide their hard worked for earnings amongst all these Governments. So there is a relationship, they are interconnected, and they all have to bring themselves into line with the very people that make it possible for them to even exist.
Then plug 'Maricopa County Sheriff's Office controversies' into wikipedia.
Time for a Civics lesson for the uneducated / uninformed on this website. Municipal budgets (Eugene, Springfield, Junction City, etc...) are independent of the budget associated with Lane County (and the jail). Each agency has it's own bucket of money. Each "County", per statute, is mandated to provide a jail to house FELONY offenders. Springfield has it's own municipal jail; however municipal jails can ONLY house MISDEMEANOR offenders----as such, we ALL rely on the County facility to house THE WORST OF OUR OFFENDERS....The Felons. Jails require staffing and resources.....those two items require funding. Funding requires tax payers willing to sacrifice a few dollars a year in exchange for services. When tax payers refuse to pay for 'said' services, the County then must adjust and scramble to recover those dollars to fulfill other budgetary requirements. This requires sacrifice. It seems wisdom, common sense, and practicality have escaped this county and have all been replaced by those complaining of a problem, but not offering a solution. Those same complainers also demand customer service and public safety commensurate with a County that is supported, well-funded, and appropriately-staffed. You're asking for a Product you're not willing to pay for. (Almost like going to an Oregon State football game and expecting to see the Oregon Ducks show up on offense)
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The inability to understand this paradox is concerning....makes me think the people of Lane County lack the wisdom, judgment, and discernment to help this County survive. We are faced with a CRISIS. It is true, the County has "rang the bell" too often as it relates to the budget; however, take it from someone who has served on the front lines, we are hurriedly heading down a dangerous road when it comes to public safety services. We are among the Nation's worst when it comes to public safety per 1000 citizens. It is absolutely embarrassing. Sex offenders being released with "ankle bracelets" is not the kind of Lane County I prefer to live in---Any parents care to chime in here?. Seems there are plenty around this county who can live with that kind of risk. Pretty sad.
@Common Sense Ok Common sense, you tell me where the money comes from? You tell me how the different Government agencies are not interconnected when they all exist by virtue of money from the public. You tell me why Government employees as a whole have better salaries and benefits, and retirements that the very people that pay for them? There is definitely some wisdom lacking here, but it is not from the hard working everyday citizen that is struggling to support the enormous load that the Government has placed on them. You should be ashamed telling these folks they need to be educated. Who needs to be educated???
 @souptonuts Clearly, *you* need to educate yourself. Stop asking people to do it for you.
@Andy Anderson I completed my schooling at a time when schools taught and did not indoctrinate. When did you complete school?
The people of Lane County need to start playing hardball with this jail issue. We need someone like Joe Arpaio from Arizona to run this jail with guard towers and tents on a plot of land in the country. Sell the current jail and let them build condos. Start open bidding on all Lane county services from janitorial to fleet upkeep, park maintanance etc. Ask all county workers to take a 10% pay reduction plus their retirement plan should reflect what a local retirement plan is, which isn't much. I think people in general are tired of being pushed , its time the county gets this right or they need to start firing people and rehiring with no benefits at all and believe me there are thousands of people who need a job!
 @Ron "On December 15, 2011 the Justice Department released its finding that the Sheriff's department repeatedly arrested Latinos illegally, abused them in the county jails and failed to investigate hundreds of sexual assaults. The Department of Homeland Security, reacting to the Justice Department report, revoked Maricopa County jail officers' authority to detain people on immigration charges.[4] The Justice Department report found that the Sheriff's office carried out a blatant pattern of discrimination against Latinos and held a "systematic disregard" for the Constitution.[5] The Department's racial profiling expert found the sheriff's office to be the most egregious case of profiling ever seen in the U.S.[6]"
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That's what you want for Lane County?
Folks, you're being manipulated here and the KVAL is part of it. Â Look at the picture above. Â That large, open door where the inmates are streaming out is only used for vehicles. Â It's the salley port exit. Â The door where releases are released is the orangish door just over the shoulder of the man with the green jacket. Â This was just a big production to bring fear to the community. Â
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Waste is the real issue at the jail and with the Sheriff's Office. Â
@oregonhusker Well said.
Ok, what is wrong with Eugene? They cater to the homeless and won't fund the jail???? Â Someone's head is screwed on backwards...
you know about the first time a home owner takes defending his/her home from these predators, the D.A. will go after the home owner with a vengence.Â
This city has priority problems 10X more than it`s budget problems. They need worry more about citizen safety and less about image before someone who gets released on a get out of jail free card kills a citizen or rapes a child or robs someone (Oh yeah, that happened today less than 1 hour after he got out)and the people lose total confidence in it`s leaders and fires the whole bunch. I agree with "AH Shucks" Lock and Load. Take care of yourself. Obviously the city isn`t interested in doing it for us
I lost confidence in our leaders along time ago.
Better Head to Jerry's or Coastal Farm and Garden you jail folks. Â Buy some fencing and barbed wire and put these jokers in containment instead of playing politics with taxpayers money. Since there is no one to force the jailers hand we just let them out, when one of them kills someone from the South Hills the voters will come around. Way to go. This is not a game at Autzen sheriffs dept.
Lock and Load
How many beds could they keep open with the $1 million dollars the county is spending on the ridiculous "interpretive center" down on the Siuslaw? Don't blather at me about how the money comes from different sources - it all comes from ONE source - my purse - and the purses and wallets of every other working individual.
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When I see inutterably stupid spending like that for the interpretive center, it galls me when the elected leaders have the audacity to come and ask me for more claiming they need it to keep the jail beds open.
@OregonOrator I agree with you, but be careful there are those who will tell you, you need to be educated, you simply can't comprehend the problem. Too bad that they are the ones that can't comprehend, all they know is "talking points", someone has to do their thinking for them.
...or the $16 Million + they spent on their new police station.
 @Libertarian Revolution Eugene PD's new police station (and the $$ used to renovate it) have ZERO to do with Lane County's public safety budget (jail / patrol deputies / etc...). Educate yourselves please. It's embarrassing how ignorant, uninformed and naive the citizens of this county have been for the past two decades. The moment your house gets burglarized, or your car gets broken into, or you're confronted by a drunk while walking through downtown, or a sex offender gets released and impacts your family / friends will *hopefully* be the moment you realize there's some value associated with investing in public safety resources. Until then, continue to complain about police response times, lack of punishment for violent offenders, lack of training for first responders, and the revolving door policy at the jail----you people ("No voters") are getting what you paid for. Do yourselves a favor and schedule a ride-along with a local police agency....Guaranteed to open your eyes.Â
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@Common Sense @souptonuts Your absolutely correct we are in different times and I will be the first to admit it. You deal with way more druggies than I had to deal with, but alcohol was and is a problem, and that hasn't changed, wife beaters hasn't changed, heartaches and family fights haven't changed, many things are the same. We did not get overtime, we did not get comp time, we got two weeks vacation a year max, with no extra days off unless it was a shift rollover. We didn't have cell phones, just motorola two channel radios that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. Times were tough then, just different. I still respect officers of the law for the job they have to do, but you and they chose that job and no matter how tough it gets, you do the job or leave it. We didn't head for the barn when the bell rung, if we were investigating something we stayed with it until it was done, sometimes 10,12,14 and more hours without compensation. No body paid all the costs of a retirement system for us. Yes 6 shot, 6" Smith and Wessons, a lot of grit, determination and pride. One thing hasn't changed, little thanks. Be safe, use good patrol technique and above all be fair, consistant and just, and truthful.
 @souptonuts 12 extra rounds of ammo and a sap? You worked in different times (revolvers and saps). I've used a night stick one time in my career---to fish the cell phone out from under the car....and every cop knows pepper spray only works on cops. While I appreciate your service, it's a different job nowadays--and we face different problems. I'm sure you had frustrations while you were on the job. This is a significant frustration of local law enforcement TODAY, as it has been for a couple of years now. We just want a fighting chance...
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It would simply be nice to have a resource (jail) to house someone who has just kicked the sh** out of their wife, sexually abused a child, or put the public at significant risk by stealing a vehicle and leading a 15 minute high speed / reckless pursuit. The situation, as it stands currently, does not provide any sort of deterrent for criminals in this County. That is a FACT. If you doubt it---stand outside the north side of the sally port at the Lane County Jail and ask someone who just spent 3 hours in jail for identity theft and forging a couple thousand dollars worth of checks after they burglarized a house while the homeowner was at work. Check out Springfield's misdemeanor crime statistics from 2007 versus 2011 and see how accountability and reliable and certain punishment affects the recidivists in that city.Â
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The series of unsuccessful public safety ballot measures (at the County level) is the issue here. City, State, and County budgets are not just one big bucket of money that people can dip into and arbitrarily dedicate to a certain department's budget. That's why we have tax measures--so the money becomes a dedicated resource. It would be nice if our government allowed funds to flow that way, but the fact is they simply do not.
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I personally have friends who complain about capacity based releases, poor response times in the County jurisdiction, and the property crime rate...I always ask them how they vote on public safety tax measures. Interestingly enough---each one of them always tell me they vote NO. Weird. I just tell them, "You're getting what you paid for..." And they inevitably nod their heads and subsequently vote NO on the next tax measure.Â
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 @Common Sense You are not convincing anyone that because our taxes are divided up amongst departments that we should not have a complaint about how the money is spent, when all I see is government excess. Spending should be cut across the board in my opinion. We are basically living in a police state, where the legal system has become a parasitic entity operating independent of the public interests. It has gone from protecting individuals' rights and their property to rent seeking and violating civil liberties, with many abuses being codified into law for that exact purpose.
@Common Sense @Libertarian Revolution Would you stop with the education thing. The people commenting on this issure aren't uneducated, they are hard working citizens who have had it with lavish government salaries and benefits. Please also stop using the word "Invest", we all know that is just a code word for more Taxes. I used to be a police officer, had a gun, 12 extra rounds of ammo, handcuffs,and a sap that I couldn't sit on because it put my leg to sleep in the car. I saw an officer the other day that had a taser, a gun, probably 50 rounds of ammo, a night stick, jack boots, flack vest, pepper spray, two radios, hand cuffs, and that is just what I could see. He appeared to be over weight, or maybe it was all the extra stuff he had on. I don't know how he would wrestle with someone with all that on. We didn't have "backup" most of the time, no radios past Walterville on the McKenzie. Gee I wonder how all us uneducated folks managed to stay alive.
 @Libertarian Revolution The new station has "spa like" facilities. the police are hanging out in a country club and we're letting prisoners out of jail.Â