Team Effort on Jails

The Times calls for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to assume control of the jails currently operated by the sheriff (“Time Is Ripe for Supervisors to Assume Control of Jails,” Feb. 18). Nowhere, however, does The Times indicate how such a move would solve the horrendous problems associated with our local detention system. The Times, which also publishes editions in Los Angeles and Orange counties, suggests this transfer of responsibility only in San Diego. Apparently jails operated by the sheriffs of the other Southern California counties seem to be very acceptable.

The principal area of concern appears to be accountability. We should not forget that the elected sheriff is accountable to the very people that the elected members of the Board of Supervisors are responsible to--the people. Accountability of elected officials is the cornerstone of a democratic governmental system.

As for the board’s continuous concern for financial accountability of the sheriff, let us not forget that no one has ever asserted that the local jail system is funded as it should be. Isn’t it somewhat incongruent to demand financial accountability on the part of the sheriff while at the same time claiming there is insufficient money available to provide even an adequate level of security staff?

If county sheriffs can operate jails in the vast majority of other California counties, surely, with proper funding and support, the sheriff of San Diego County can do likewise.

Rather than spend valuable time, effort and public money creating a new Department of Corrections, the board, county staff and the sheriff should be working in concert to solve our problems. The Board of Supervisors may well be able to utilize the political power of the sheriff as an ally in its fight for the redistribution of tax revenues to this county. It is far better to take on Sacramento with a single focus and a unified front than a fragmented, quarrelsome team that won’t walk on the same field together.

A county Department of Corrections holds no promise to solve existing problems. A well focused team effort on the part of all county elected officials is the promise of the future.

JACK DROWN

San Diego

Jack Drown is an assistant sheriff and a candidate for sheriff.