Shelice wrote on May 9, 2008 3:43 PM:
" I love how we cut education costs for needs like this one. "
Bobb wrote on May 9, 2008 5:00 PM:
" I just looked at a pie chart of the Calif. Sate Budget. K-12= 31% Higher Education= 10.3% for a total of 41.3% of the total State Budget. This does not count Local and Federal funds earmarked for Education. Corrections and Prisons receive 7.3% of the Budget. This does not include Local funds spent on Law Enforcement or Incarceration. With almost one half of the State Budget going to Education it would seem that we would not need all of the Prisons if the Educational System was working. It may be time to audit the Educational System or return control the the local level. More money does not mean a better system. What should we do, give 80% to Education and hope it works? "
Jarred wrote on May 9, 2008 7:18 PM:
" Maybe if our kids were better educated, we wouldn't need to spend 30 million dollars on prisons. Here's to taking care of the symptom, not the cause. "
Mr. Giggles wrote on May 9, 2008 10:28 PM:
" I wonder if this will included a new home for the deputies. After all they have been in the same building since the 60's. I find this whole thing kind of funny. The inmates have a new home with the new jail but the deputies are still in the same old building attatched to the old jail. Go figure, after all you are just a number. "
Mr. Giggles wrote on May 9, 2008 11:16 PM:
" I wonder if this will include a new home for the deputies. After all they have been in the same building since the 1960's. I find this whole thing kind of funny. The inmates have a new home with the new jail but the deputies are still in the same old building attatched to the old jail. Go figure, after all you are just a number. "
W.O.W. wrote on May 10, 2008 12:36 AM:
" This is insane......
We spend more in Kings County on law enforcement (jails) than we do on humanatarian uses. What's wrong with his picture?? "
billy bob wrote on May 11, 2008 5:06 AM:
" Kings County spends more on Welfair than it does in law enforcement and fire protection combined. so the humanatarian uses are just fine right now, they might be even too much at this point.
just a thought
"
ALEJANDRO wrote on May 11, 2008 7:02 PM:
" The opportunity for adequate and timely incarceration does indeed fulfill a humanitarian purpose.
It protects the law-abiding citizens from being preyed upon by those inclined to do so.
See: humanitarian! "
Jack wrote on May 12, 2008 10:23 AM:
" It's not that the educational system is failing. When 14 year-olds have babies (or even younger), they are not equipped to raise them very well, so by the time the babies are 14, they're doing the same wrong things the parents did. Someone always ends up in prison, then there is an absent parent, and not enough money to live comfortably. The schools can't keep kids from misbehaving; that should start at home. But when home life is shattered, that perpetual cycle of crime, drugs, poverty, babies, etc. continues. Positive role models can really help. Not the entire extended family having been in prison. "
JRC wrote on May 12, 2008 2:52 PM:
" If 14 year olds are having babies, then someone *needs* to be in jail. "
W.O.W. wrote on May 12, 2008 3:03 PM:
" Billy Bob & Alejandro:
I stand corrected. However, it seems "outa whack" to me to be spending this much money on jails!! "
Mr. Wango wrote on May 12, 2008 5:35 PM:
" I see a lot of the blogs are complaining about the cost of the jail. Yes all the building codes or should I say restrictions raise the price of construction. A tent city like in Arizona makes for a fun story, but isn't going to happen.
A bigger jail will be good for this community in the long run. Simple fact when our career criminals are in jail they aren't out stealing or commiting violent crimes in the community. It will save money and give the legal system a chance to work again.
Everyone wants justice as long as it doesn't effect or cost them. Like freedom there is a price for justice. "
Huh wrote on May 12, 2008 11:08 PM:
" A new kitchen? Didn't they just build a new jail? Does it or does it not have a new kitchen?
Wondering... "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 2:58 AM:
" Mr. Wango, Billy Bob, Bobb and my friend Alejandro - by the way everyone thought this guy was crazy when he took over he was just reelected as Sheriff with 84% of the vote for his third term. Hanford hasn't given anyone 84% of the vote since Marcie Bufford was in grade school.
Think those pink undies, shirts, pants tennis shoes look rather fashionable on the criminals in Arizona? Sure picks them out of a crowd of civilian types and law enforcement types.
To Mr. Giggles - don't you just meet and assemble for duty in the Sheriff's Office, what do you need new digs for that, you meet get your direction hop in your cars and are gone the rest of your shift, aren't you? I thought the meeting place was parked facing the opposite direction of a Hanford Police squad car that is what I see most days and nights. Comparing notes on the criminals I suppose. Don't be angry at me you are the one driving a billboard of course it will draw attention. That's what I always use to tell my guys when they griped about the 800#'s. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 3:04 AM:
" But that's o.k. you can park next to a Hanford P.D. car and talk, as long as you are doing that, I'm not getting pulled over cause one of my license plate lights is out. So go ahead on and chat as long as you want. I remember when they use to have a valid reason to pull a car over not just a minor safety infraction and then it was usually just a quick warning you got it fixed and that was that, didn't even get a fix it ticket or nothing. But that's back when men were steel and the ships were wooden, I guess. Long long ago.
That's back before smog laws, noise pollution, when you could actually put a normal license plate on your truck it didn't have to have commercial plates and pay the extra fees. Of course then you could only carry a shovel in the back and that was it and it had to be visible. So I guess I will call it a wash and move on to another blog.
"
To watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 12:58 PM:
" Welcome to 2008...Where have you been? Times have changed and so has this society and policing.
Watchdog I have pulled more dope, guns, pals, etc off vehicles with minor traffic violations then anything else...Your philosophy is is wrong and so are you.
Also what you did 20-30 years ago is obsolete, obviously you haven't noticed but let me fill you in....Kings County and scciety has changed completely....I agree you should move on to another blog....
One last thing, it is impossible to take you seriously when you say things like our deputies don't need/deserve a new facility. I will never understand how some cannot/will not embrace support for the ones who keep them safe.
"
To Mr. Wango wrote on May 13, 2008 2:52 PM:
" While I understand that new facilities are needed, I wonder if we might have been better off leaving the branch jail open and building a new juvenile facility. $45,000,000 to expand a facility to house 170 inmates seems a bit much. As a nation with the most people incarcerated in the world and one of the highest crime rates, are we sure more cells are what we need to spend our money on? "
Mr. Wango wrote on May 13, 2008 3:56 PM:
" I'll keep this short. The branch was built much like our homes with wood and stucco. It was designed for low security inmates doing time for lets say DUI. You wouldn't want to put drive by shooter types in this building and expect them not to kick the walls in and flee the area.
People need to decide what is it worth it have a safe community. To Watchdog, your bitter about a lot of things maybe you need a hug. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:52 PM:
" In response to Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 12:58 PM First of all could be the fact that I fought a war in 1970 off the Gulf of Tonkin on a ship that was first commissioned in 1945. Do you really think that a newer facility would help you catch more bad guys, sounds like you want to lay up in the crib all day and do nothing. That is the problem with the department today, you can't catch anyone unless a citizen calls in and almost catches the criminal in the act.
When Officers started riding in air conditioned vehicles with radios, cell phones and lap tops this community went to hell in a hand basket. So don't tell me how rough you have it. My cousin was both a city police man and a highway patrolman in this area and caught more bad guys than all the cops combined today and it wasn't through minor traffic stops it was through good Police work. He was rearended three times by drunk drivers and ended up on a disability because he took his job seriously and didn't cry everytime things didn't go his way. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 4:58 PM:
" In response to Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 12:58 PM You repeatedly display a dislike for your superior officers and complain, complain, complain more than Barney Fife did in Mayberry. You act jealous about the new jail, if you feel like that go work there maybe it will do something for your ego. I went to school with most of the former Sergeants on the Sheriff Office and they didn't make Sgt. by sniveling on the blogs of the Hanford Sentinel. If you don't want to fight crime then get out of the business, no one twisted your arm to become a law inforcement officer, did they. Did you suffer from delusions and thought it was gonna be a piece of cake ride in an air conditioned car all the time? Those experienced Officers you talk about leaving they aren't going to other Departments they are going to other jobs where they can pay Social Security and retire with benefits along with their county retirement. A benefit I understand you have the option to pay into now while you are young. So get your stories straight if you want creditability. "
Watchdog wrote on May 13, 2008 5:57 PM:
" Mr. Wango - thanks for the offer but I don't need a hug, my wife does that much better than any of you good ol' boys could. But it's nice to know you offer them to each other from time to time. That does show a certain amount of compassion on your parts.
What exactly is it that really bothers you, not enough money, you don't like Sheriff Jordan or any of his appointed Supervisors, is it the undersheriff perhaps? You aren't real clear other than to cry to the public like that is gonna do some good. At least my posts contain subject matter and offered solutions they aren't just rants on anti Sheriff Jordan Seminars. You can disguise it all you want but the true colors shine through every time. Did you not get enough days off at the holidays, is that you again under an assumed name? "
mother wrote on May 13, 2008 7:02 PM:
" this is what im talking about we spend more money in jails.we should be spending it in our children in trasportation so we need to get rid of ksta.and hire someone else. "
Blue Falcon wrote on May 14, 2008 1:53 AM:
" Prison/Jails vs. Education... I look at it more like, PRISON/JAILs vs HOME. Don't all problems start at home first? If we address them at home and ensure our children have a safe, healthy environment at home, education will then come naturally... as long as I as a parent am involved in my child's education and participate with school functions... jail (should) never be an issue.
Obviously there is always a bad apple here and there. No matter how much involved I am, my child could end up in jail... But to blame the education system on the "jail" problems is wrong.
We need to point the fingers at ourselves first.
Obviously today there are a lot of single parents. And these single parents have a very difficult time ensuring their children have a safe and healthy home environment because they are working long hours to provide this... the "County of Kings" should think about starting more youth programs and incorporating positive mentors in the lives of our youth; I for one would be more then happy to step up and offer positive mentorship for our children; but one person cannot do it alone. "
Bobb wrote on May 14, 2008 11:52 AM:
" To Blue Falcon- I am not blaming anyone, but merely pointing out that Education receives almost half of the State Budget and Corrections receives 7.3% in respose to Shelice. Go to Calif. State Budget and see for yourself. People claiming to be in the "know" are always claiming that prisons receive more money than Education, so I checked it out myself. I do beleive that the MANDATED Federal and State programs are what hurts education. A friend of mine was on a local School Board for many years, (not in Kings Co.) and told me that MANDATED Programs consisted of 90+% of their budget. That left very little for DISCRECTIONARY programs that the District wanted to implement. LOCAL CONTROL--what works in Laton or Riverdale doesn't necessarily work in Hanford or Lemoore. "
gaucho mom wrote on May 14, 2008 1:16 PM:
" Count on our local leaders to invite every unwanted industry in the state to our area--prisons, ethanol plants, toxic dumps and now this nice "re-entry facility" where all the unwanted ex-cons can be dumped so they can start their new lives, here in Kings County. I'm sure Orange County didn't compete for those funds because of the strings attached. We don't care, we just want the money. "
Watchdog wrote on May 14, 2008 1:48 PM:
" To Bobb and Blue Falcon - you both have valid points, but I don't think throwing money at anything is the solution to a problem. I think better management of those monies and complete and correct useage of the very talented people in place to perform those various jobs is the key. I have a very good friend who is in corrections in Kansas they make do quite well on a salary of $12 an hour, however their cost of living is significantly cheaper because they aren't spending millions of dollars to silence trains. The Educational System operates on much smaller budget and she feels her kids are getting a better education in Kansas than they got in California. So money isn't the answer to everything. I personally think we were all fooled when we were told how much money the lottery would bring to the schools. I think the lottery should be penalized. All they have done is open another branch of government to collect taxes. Point in fact look who runs the lottery still today? Privatize it and make it pay the school system the way it was presented. "
Watchdog wrote on May 14, 2008 1:55 PM:
" To Bobb and Blue Falcon - furthermore losen some of those federal restrictions and give local municipalities more freedom to address their special needs based on their partifular circumstances and area of the state they are located. But at the same time I thin k a curriculum for training teachers must be located here within the state not in New York. There has to be a school district somewhere that has a track record established that can be duplicated throughout the state while still maintainging the flexibility I spoke of earlier. There have got to be success stories within our own state boundaries to learn and teach the rest of us how to teach our children. No child left behind has continued to promote children beyond their abilities and caused them to fail instead of succeed. Not all people learn and mature on the same level and shouldn't be categorized and herded as if a bunch of cattle being led to slaughter, that is not how we effectively teach our youth. Not all of them are scholars so I think more emphasis needs to be placed on trade schools. Isn't that still teaching? "
Watchdog wrote on May 14, 2008 1:59 PM:
" To Bobb and Blue Falcon - furthermore losen some of those federal restrictions and give local municipalities more freedom to address their special needs based on their partifular circumstances and area of the state they are located. But at the same time I thin k a curriculum for training teachers must be located here within the state not in New York. There has to be a school district somewhere that has a track record established that can be duplicated throughout the state while still maintainging the flexibility I spoke of earlier. There have got to be success stories within our own state boundaries to learn and teach the rest of us how to teach our children. No child left behind has continued to promote children pushed beyond their abilities and caused them to fail instead of succeed. Not all people learn and mature on the same level and shouldn't be categorized and herded as if a bunch of cattle being led to slaughter, that is not how we effectively teach our youth. Not all of them are scholars so I think more emphasis needs to be placed on trade schools. "
Bobb wrote on May 14, 2008 5:08 PM:
" Watchdog- Many years ago Educational taxes stayed in the local community. Then they started Unification and making larger districts. The guise behind this was to save money. Of course then they needed a larger buearacracy to manage it. the Federal Deopartment of Education does not educate one student. Our tax dollars going there are a waste as it just mandates programs to the State Department of Education, which mandates progams to the County Department of Education. A lot of Management and we can't afford teachers. Guess I am just getting old, but it seems to me we need to get the control of our Schools back to the LOCAL level. "
Mr. Giggles wrote on May 14, 2008 7:27 PM:
" Dear watchdog what blogs are you reading? No one mentioned Jordan, supervisors he has promoted or deputies that have left. We merely would like a new office that we can be proud of. There is much more to our office than assembling prior to our shift. Citizens come here to be finger printed. We bring victims and suspects here to be interviewed. Some victims are children. Citizen ride-a-longs come here as well. Some of these ride-a-longs are applicants with the Sheriff's Office. Wouldn't it be nice to have a new facility to attract new employees? Our detective and Ag divisions are housed here. We also eat here, write reports and look up information. It is a home away from home and it is almost 50 years old. I think any normal person would like an upgrade. Remember this; just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't make it right. "
Watchdog wrote on May 15, 2008 1:18 AM:
" Bobb - I am in agreement with most of what you say. But what I am referring to is didn't you somewhere along the line in school see a teacher or teachers that really excelled in their positions. They had something about them that instantly grabbed your attention and made you want to listen and those usually were those that approaced education from an enjoyment point of view rather than cut and dried class curriculum. Those are the one's we need to copy, they are the one's who grab you by the ear twist it and before you know it, you've learned a thing or two from them. They are the one's that regardless of a persons learning level it was much improved before the end of the school year, that's the one's that need to be copied and utilized in education. Those thinkers who can reach outside the box and bring sound ideas to the classroom. Those are the one's that should be leading the team of educators to a sound victory over all the negatives and walls thrown up politically or by bill, law or directive. You know they are there. "
Watchdog wrote on May 15, 2008 1:36 AM:
" I remember when Jail use to be a deterrent to crime, not another motel with three guaranteed squares and a bunk with blankets, pillows and all the ammenities of a first rate hotel. The Federal Laws which are promalgated and then never totally funded, but forced onto the state is what's wrong with our Jail/Prison system. The Federal Government comes up with freedoms and rights for people but fails to fund the support of these wonderful ideas to the detrimant of local and state governments. The prisoners are entitled to benefits the working stiff in the general public can't even afford to provide for their own families. That is totally in error and should be corrected, who deserves medical more the children growing up or the inmates committing the crime? That should be a no brainer and our thinking should be reversed on all these crimminals rights to television for crying out loud. The right to have cable in a prison, who are we kidding with all this, that isn't a deterrent, that is an invitation to come on back and lay around the day room and watch television all day. "
Boyce Duprey wrote on May 15, 2008 2:13 AM:
" gaucho mom : how right you are. Forget the money for a moment and consider the "re-entry" aspect. Not talking about the space shuttle here.
When 're-entry' happens is it open the doors and out you go? Lets see what Hanford has to offer? Or are the criminals being relocated to their home towns? "
The Oracle says... wrote on May 15, 2008 9:32 AM:
" ....I said they would never build a new office. It was originally in the plans for the new jail..Yeah right. I said they would "run out of money" and nix the new offices, then beg for more money. This is not a matter of comfort. The place is 40 0dd years old, built for that era. It does not even come close to satisfying requirements to just do the job. Secondly, it's a pig pen. Its embarassing..dirt in the corners, broken window in the Sgt's office boarded up, and lets not forget the USED carpeting...Thats right, USED carpeting. Oh yeah, sweat in the summer and freeze in the winter. Whne sweat runs down your arms in briefing and all management can do is run around with a thermometer, well.....you get it. But downstairs, well they got new carpeting every 2 yrs or so, and when their AC went out, they had a new unit in 1 day. Upstairs/OPS, they got "chilled water system." All the while people work in sweaters in the courts. Before anyone says no to a new building, go visit the place "
Watchdog wrote on May 15, 2008 3:52 PM:
" To Oracle perhaps one solution might be to utilize as I've said many times the old Wal~mart building for exactly that purpose. You could throw up a fence and have a place to park your county vehicles instead of many of them being parked here there and everywhere throughout the county? They have bays to move your maintenance people in, so they aren't out south of Hanford. It would be just as handy to the jail and other county offices. It could be sectioned off and whatever space wasn't utilized could be leased to city offices or businesses. There would be plenty of room for storage and all your various needs you speak of and have addressed in your complaints. Then the old jail and sheriff building could be brought down and something new put in it's place when times are better and there is more money in the budget. I would say you have the people with the skills within the city and county agencies to perform most of the work needed on that facility to convert it to whatever you wished it to be. "
Watchdog wrote on May 15, 2008 3:57 PM:
" To Oracle remember the County is still 15 million short of their projected budget to build the new jail! "
The Oracle says... wrote on May 15, 2008 8:00 PM:
" The reason they built the new jail, even though its houses essentially the same number of people as the old one, is that it was woefully out of date. Things broke, couldnt get parts, etc.. Well the Sheriffs office/Ops was built at the same time..Its the same building. Get a new office? Naw...The county had a fit when Marvin just built a sign for the front of the Sheriff's Office...saying "Sheriffs Office" LOL And you want a NEW building? No, they will just paint some more ceiling tiles every year, and get another departments used carpeting when they get rid of it for their new stuff. By the way....Where DID all of the collectibles go that were in the Ops lobby case during the "remodel" of the front office? Not all of them are downstairs now. And how about the historical patch collection of the department? Its been gone for awhile...maybe to Hawaii??? "
Bobb wrote on May 15, 2008 11:03 PM:
" Watchdog- GOOD idea, I forgot about the service bays at Walmart. That would be ideal for the serviceing of the patrol cars and it would be "in house".
They could also build tempporary booking cells in the building for short term use until the person can be booked and transported to the jail. The jail is so close they could almost be walked there. It would sure be nice to see the building put to good use, and it has plenty of parking which is in short supply at the present location. "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 12:36 AM:
" To Oracle - I didn't realize so much time was spent for Sheriff Deputies doing ride a longs in the County Office. I also agree that it isn't good recruitment practices to have a run down building to operate in that's for sure. The Hanford Police Department probably felt the same way until they got their new facility. As for the collectibles, I would think that would be traced back to the contractors or whoever removed them. I know the Hawaii comment has some signifigance but I don't get it? Would you care to elaborate on that comment? You know you and I see eye to eye quite often on a lot of issues. All I am saying is if the conditions of the building you are operating in are that bad then get it out to the BS and insist they do something about it. Oracle you are a smart guy, working environment can be brought up when a contract negotiation is being experienced. It's not all about money, you deserve a safe building to conduct business in. I've only been back in the building once since Career Day. "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 12:43 AM:
" Well how about it Board of Supervisors, I know this blog thing catches your ear from time to time. What say you about the conditions of the building the Sheriff Deputies operate out of and what can you do to improve those conditions? It isn't right to ask those who put their lives on the line everyday for us to work out of unsatisfactory conditions. The Board wouldn't put up with it and why should our Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Jordan if you want to address some of your morale problems, I would think this would be a good place to start, show some compassion and deliver a pleasant working environment to your Deputies. Board of Supervisors take over that Wal~mart structure and your building is half done, cubicals, carpeting and a clean environment would be good for all, I'm sure the Sheriff Department building is too old to refurbish and try to utilize much longer anyway. Perhaps you could ask for community support and some donations to refurbish the Wal~mart building, perhaps Home Depot, Orchard Supply Hardware and other businesses in town would be willing to make donations to make it happen? "
Watchdog wrote on May 16, 2008 4:41 PM:
" To Bobb - over and over again I have made this suggestion for either the city or county or even a combined effort but no one seems to be listening except you and Oracle. There is more than enough space for offices, records rooms, rooms to interview criminals as well as victims, the holding cells you mentioned, I am sure security could be maintained within that building. Wal~mart sold off all their supplies but I would think the County would have it's own tools and equipment. Who knows it might even open up an opportunity to do more work inhouse instead of hiring it out. You know most times that is always cheaper. Deputies could bring their cars in pick up a spare or if it is something minor catch up on paperwork in the adjacent office while waiting for the vehicle. Another consideration would be to remodel the garden area and use that for a body and paint shop or your holding cells. It just seems to make sense and good use of that building for a change. County employees would have ample parking and well lighted at night. "
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