Beds Cost Money, Money Means Voters.

San Joaquin County, like many others, has a critical shortage of jail bed space. Relatively minor offenders serve a small portion of their sentence, some serve virtually none. The jail is operating under a population cap. When that cap is reached, people are kicked out. Some of them are pre-trial, some are people serving a sentence. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this sad state of affairs is having a serious negative effect on the crime rate in San Joaquin County. Criminals are often busted or one thing or another during time when they should be locked up but were kicked out for lack of a bed.

San Joaquin County could have a much larger jail in 4 years, it the tax payers have deep enough pockets to pay for it, and the political will to do so.

The taxpayers turned down a tax increase in 1989 to pay for a larger jail. The current jail opened in 1992 and, from the day it first opened, was kicking out prisoners due to overcrowding.

The county Board of Supervisors is hopeful. This year they let a contract for architectural services and construction management. Funding is the issue.

San Joaquin County has a sales tax that varies from 8.75 to 9.25 percent, depending on exactly where in the county you are. The closer it gets to 10 percent, the more public resistance there is. A parcel tax is being considered, which would tack $222 on each parcel of land within the county. They are also considering formation of a community facilities district, which would have the same effect as a parcel tax though the tax would be larger or smaller depending on the size or use of the parcel.

It's hard to ask the taxpayers for more money during the current economic situation. It is also hard to put up with repeat criminals who know that they are unlikely to actually serve much jail time even if they are convicted except for the most serious crimes.

We will pay up front, or we will pay later. The choice is ours.

Clicking on the title will link to an article in todays Stockton RECORD on this subject.