Shortage of deputies in San Benito County

A shortage of law enforcement officers in San Benito County has the sheriff concerned about public safety. San Benito County is about 1,400 square miles and within the area there are only two deputies patrolling seven different towns. From Aromas to Bitterwater, Sheriff Darren Thompson said residents rarely even see deputies.

“It can be dangerous for the community members. They are relying on us
to keep them safe, and if something were to happen to us who knows
what would happen to them,” said Thompson.

Thompson said the department has been dealing with low staffing levels since 2009, when the entire county made cuts across the board. Five years ago the Sheriff’s Office had 24 deputies, now they have 12.

“These desperate measures were taken during very desperate times. These
were temporary measures that have really lasted too long,” said Thompson.

Thompson said it costs the county around $125,000 to hire and train a new deputy. But he said it’s a price the county needs to pay for safety.

San Benito County Supervisor Anthony Botelho agrees.

“We understand it’s a safety issue not only for our residents
but for the people who are performing the job,” said Botelho. “It is a top
priority for the board of supervisors to resolve this.”

Botelho said county supervisors in January are expected to talk about how to provide more money for law enforcement.

In the meantime, the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office is working to bring in more law enforcement. Two new deputies are in training and Sheriff Thompson hopes to have them out on the streets by next year.