Board Rejects Gates’ Drug Training Plan

The Board of Supervisors today unanimously rejected Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Brad Gates’ plan to build a narcotics enforcement training center at Rancho del Rio, voting instead to sell the South County property, seized in a 1985 drug raid.

Board members cited the training center’s uncertain funding and the escalating budget of the Sheriff’s Department as their main reasons in voting to sell the 213-acre ranch.

“The board is at a crossroads today,” Supervisors Chairman Don R. Roth said. “We are in a poor fiscal condition in this county.”

Roth offered a list of items as evidence of “skyrocketing costs in the criminal justice system”: the Sheriff’s Department’s $4.67-million budget deficit, covered today when the board approved a midyear supplemental budget package; an upcoming expansion of patrols in South County that could cost $3.6 million; projected staff costs at Theo Lacy Jail of $6.8 million, once the expansion there is complete; and uncovered annual debt service costs of $300,000 for a planned forensic science building.

“I wish the $4.6 million we approve today (to make up the current deficit) would be enough to meet the sheriff’s needs,” Roth said. “Sadly, that will not be true.”

Other supervisors echoed Roth’s concerns.

“I don’t think there is any question this would be a welcome addition if everything fell into place,” Supervisor Roger R. Stanton said of the training center proposal. “I don’t think we can fill all the gaps with our very small pocket.”

Gates, who compared his proposal for a training facility for “domestic soldiers” to President Bush’s preparations to invade Panama, said he was disappointed by the vote.

“I’m sure every narcotics officer on the street feels the same way,” Gates said after the meeting.

“It’s just a sad day that we can’t offer the kind of training they need. . . . I just hope we don’t see things happen down the road that could have been avoided if the decision had been different.”