“We’re protecting that population from potential exposure,” he said. “This is about being prepared, not scared.”
Since Feb. 28, inmate levels have dropped from 17,076 in custody to 16,459 — a reduction of more than 600. Villanueva said many of those people were freed because they had less than 30 days left on their sentence. He also said deputies have been instructed to cite and release people in select circumstances.
He stressed that no one in the jails has tested positive for coronavirus, although 35 inmates are under quarantine at various jail facilities — nine at the Correctional Treatment Center, 21 at the Men’s Central Jail and five at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
The sheriff’s department is also asking cities that contract its services to hold on to arrestees for up to 48 hours — right up until the point of arraignment — and to coordinate to find a suitable alternative if a suspect is exhibiting symptoms, Villanueva said.
People who are brought to the county jail are being heat-scanned.
Villanueva said he has directed deputies to cite and release “everyone they can,” adding anyone showing viral symptoms must receive medical clearance before they can be booked into a correctional facility.
“They’re doing their best,” he said, adding the average number of arrests have dropped from 300 to just 60 per day. “They’re doing a good job of triaging who needs to be arrested and not.”
The sheriff’s department has canceled vacations for staffers through April, issued new safety equipment and unfroze some funds, in order to make more sanitation items available.
Non-essential employees are being tasked with custody and patrol duties, as the county’s deputies step up patrols around shopping centers and distribution hubs — in a response to the concern about food shortages among the general population that has emptied grocery aisles across the Los Angeles County.
Despite the sweeping action, the department has a very small number of employees in self-quarantine and no large increase in sick calls.
However, station lobbies won’t be closing any time soon, he pledged.
“We want them to remain open for a variety of reasons,” he said, adding that visitation, and other services, will still be an option. “Just notify us ahead of time.”
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Alby says
By the way these pervert cops line up naked people as they process them in the jail system just like their forefathers were processed in the holocaust factories, im suprised they havent spread any disease back home to their pig families… And with a lower jail populalion, and higher sanitation standards, it’ll be much more difficult for these perverted pinko pigs to get their pornographic fix. Thank you covid. Now please eat their first borns.
Trumpist#1 says
Alby, don’t repress your feelings and be politically correct. Tell us what you really think!
Alby says
Lol. I think I just did.
Dr. de Virus says
Take your temperature, Alby. It sounds like you have a high fever.
Alby says
Really? Or is it the gosh darn flu?
Alby says
I’ll be politically however the fudge.
Tarzan says
What Alby? 100 monkeys at keyboards will eventually type the Encyclopedia Britannica but you can’t write a coherent 6 word sentence.
Trumpist#1 says
He can, he’s just too lazy.
Tarzan says
Alby is a guy? Who knew?
Alby says
Your mom knew
Tarzan says
You talk like a lady with raging hormonal influences, Alby.
PMS really is a hindrance to clear thinking.
Alby says
Aah, go roar in the jungle Jane.
Stinger says
@Alby: I admit that this may be a presumption on my part, but I get the distinct impression that you have ‘issues’ with law enforcement in general, irrespective of the current events unfolding.
Alby says
Accurate presusmption my dear watson. These cowards hide behind fascism and confuse their weapons for their privates. They are hypocrites with a power trip. They couldnt get respect anywhere else in life so they ran to an armed socialist orginization crying, “can i be as tough and respected as you all? My ego depends on it.” And they said “sure. We have an extra star of David for you to misrepresent as you wear it above your left nipple.” And then he/she said “finally, I can demand respect and get it way easier than before. I cant wait to tell my oriental family back home.” And then there is the lancaster police, a whole different texture and smell of fecal matter. A true shameful failure to the justice system. Palmdale and littlerock police are so far the only ones i can say deserve my respect. Most of the rest can climb out of their wazoo and get a life and a real job.