Why Can’t Board Resolve Jail Issue?

* Re “Jail Expansion Plan Fails; Sheriff Has Had His Fill” (Sept. 6):

We were surprised to hear Board Chairman Chuck Smith’s reaction to the recent article on the proposed settlement agreement on the Musick Jail expansion. If Smith will not support the plan, he and others on the board who have concerns should notify the cities of Lake Forest and Irvine.

Jail overcrowding has been a major issue in this county for 20 years, and the county is under court order to correct it. We do not know what problems the board majority has with a plan that the sheriff himself has endorsed.

We don’t know why the board, if it has concerns, has failed to contact the parties involved to resolve the issue.

We don’t know why this board apparently seems to want to continue the costly litigation--or why Supervisor Cynthia P. Coad seems concerned that potential remote sites are close to homes when in fact they are miles away from any current or planned homes. By contrast, she is supporting a 7,500 bed maximum-security jail 700 feet from homes and schools in Lake Forest.

Compare the actions of an earlier board that when presented a compromise agreement to expand Theo Lacy jail, adopted the plan with hardly a question raised.

The people of Orange County are left to wonder why, this time, the board seems to be unable to resolve the issue and provide a comprehensive jail plan once and for all.

RICHARD T. DIXON

Mayor

City of Lake Forest