LA HABRA : Jail to House Suspects From Nearby Cities

In a move that is expected to generate about $50,000 a year, the City Council voted this week to house suspected criminals from Placentia and Brea in La Habra City Jail.

The overflow of prisoners from the two neighboring cities will be jailed here, at a one-time cost of $100 per person, beginning in August.

La Habra officials said the agreement alleviates overcrowding and saves Placentia and Brea money.

Currently, when the cities’ jails fill up, prisoners are transported to County Jail in Santa Ana, where it costs $158 to book each prisoner.

La Habra Police Capt. John Rees said that the city jail is a 20-bed facility and that only seven beds are occupied daily on average.

“We have the extra space,” he said. “We won’t always, though, and sometimes we’ll have to tell (Brea and Placentia) to take their prisoners to the County Jail. But our jail is cheaper and closer.”

Police expect that about 500 prisoners each year from North County cities will spend time in the La Habra jail.

The City Council on Thursday night voted 4 to 1 to approve the agreement to hold Brea’s and Placentia’s prisoners.

Councilman Juan M. Garcia opposed the plan, saying he was concerned about La Habra’s reputation.

“We’re getting into the business of harboring and holding potential criminals,” he said. “I just don’t want to be known as being the community that attracts that type of element.”

However, Councilman James Flora pointed out that the move will bring La Habra revenue to use for law enforcement services.

“We wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t going to bring revenue,” he said.

“It helps us with a need we have financially. But it also helps Brea and Placentia, so it’s a win-win-win situation.”