For Immediate Release Contact: Ted Wolter
May 24, 2010 Office 916-874-5491

MACGLASHAN RELEASES STATEMENT ON PROPOSED $37 MILLION REDUCTION TO THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

Supervisor MacGlashan released the following statement regarding the proposal to eliminate $37 million in Sheriff’s Department services:

“I am deeply concerned that the proposed reduction of over $37 million to the Sheriff's Department could decimate patrol services for the unincorporated area of the County and lead to the release of thousands of County inmates. Cuts of this magnitude are unimaginable, and their impacts frightening to unincorporated area residents – including me.

“I am urging residents of the District I represent - the communities of Antelope, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Gold River, and Orangevale - to attend the Board of Supervisors' hearing that begins at 9:30AM on Monday, June 14 in the Board of Supervisors chambers at 700 H Street in Sacramento. After an overview of the entire budget from County staff, Sheriff John McGinness will make a presentation on the potential consequences of the proposed cuts to his department. Following this presentation, public testimony will be taken on the proposed Sheriff’s Department budget.

“Please make your voices heard to all Board members. I believe law enforcement to be the most basic and essential service of local government, and that it must be funded before any other County service. The local economy will never turn around if the County fails its obligation to protect the safety, property, and peace of mind for the community's hard working citizens.

“I would like to commend the County Executive and his staff for having reduced the initial cut from $58 million to the currently-proposed $37 million. However, the current proposal still places the safety of the communities I represent at risk. I will fight to restore additional funding to the Sheriff’s Department by identifying other cuts in the County’s bureaucracy. I am asking my constituents to assist me in this effort by expressing their concerns about the current proposal directly to all five members of the Board of Supervisors during public session.”