Fresno Sheriff's Deputies Could be Cut

Reported by: Kathryn Herr

Email: kherr@cbsfresno.com

Published: 6/13 11:21 pm
See the full story posted on CBS47.tv

Dozens of Sheriff’s deputies could be laid off in Fresno County.

The possible cuts were laid out Monday morning as Fresno County started hearings on the budget for the new fiscal year. And the cuts could impact public safety. 

“Now we’re at the point where we’re having to lay off sworn personnel, deputy sheriffs, if our budget continues to be cut,” said Fresno Sheriff Margaret Mims. 

Mims says she has made drastic cuts to her department in the last four years, as the economy has worsened. So far, the layoffs have not included deputies who patrol the streets. 

“We have looked everywhere, we really have. And that’s why we laid off other personnel before we got to this point,” Mims said. 

But the Sheriff says she needs eight million dollars more from the County or she will have to lay off 64 deputies. If those deputies are cut, it will take longer to respond to calls for help. And fewer crimes will be investigated. 

“Their services are vital to the safety of this community,” said Frances Morrison, who has lived in the Fig Garden neighborhood of Fresno for nearly 20 years. The county island is patrolled by sheriff’s deputies.

“If it wasn't for what the Sheriff's Department does in my neighborhood, this neighborhood would be a ghetto,” said Morrison.

County supervisors have just started their hearings on the budget. It’s up to them to find that eight million dollars for the Sheriff’s Department to save the jobs of deputies.

“I think we all agree we're not going to lay off any deputy sheriff's,” said County Supervisor Henry Perea.

Last year at this time, no one believed the Sheriff would close a floor of the jail to balance the budget. But she did. Nearly two dozen correctional officers were laid off and thousands of inmates released early.