Sheriff at Carmichael Chamber Luncheon: Department is Stable

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office is a relatively stable department that is reaching out to the greater community, following two years of actual and possible layoffs, Sheriff Scott Jones said today at a luncheon held by the .

"Our strength is not where we were before 2008," Jones told chamber members and guests at the . "But we do have relative stability."

Jones was elected sheriff in a November runoff election, and inherited a department battered by layoffs and budget cuts. But the department is on an upward swing propelled by a $21 million federal grant. He , a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Today, Jones looked back on the past two years for the sheriff's office, starting with 2009 when then-Sheriff John McGinness oversaw the loss of about 450 positions, including vacant positions, deputies and reserve officers.

Programs including the SWAT team and K-9 unit were eliminated and critical functions including investigations were cut in half.

In 2010, the $21 million grant and union concessions saved about 170 layoffs. The department also won a federal grant that allowed for the restoration of 50 officer positions.

Still, there remains no community policing program, comprehensive gang task force or prostitution sting unit, among other cut programs.

"We have the same problems but not the same access to solutions," Jones said.

That has led him to seek more regional approaches to law enforcement, such as a proposed joint 911 command call center shared with surrounding cities.

"The financially dire times we find ourselves in have led to some great opportunities," Jones said.

The sheriff said he has aimed to reach out more to the community, including faith-based and business outreach groups.

He said he has also looked to control the prison population by reviewing alternative sentencing, such as home detention and a work release program.

"No one likes change and cops hate it the most," Jones said.

He started his remarks by mentioning his ties to Carmichael. All four of his children were born at the Mercy San Juan hospital and Jones based his sheriff campaign headquarters in the community.

"Carmichael needs a strong business community," he said.

The chamber meeting saw new members Brandon and Rosalinda Aceves of Mexican restaurant, Laura Hart of and residential member Ron Cassidy.

The next chamber mixer is April 13 at First Bank and the next luncheon is April 26 at the Cypress Avenue church with Hardy Acree, director of airports for the Sacramento County Airport System as the guest speaker.