In Monterey County, expect fewer sheriff’s patrols

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is shifting resources from field operations to the county jail. Starting October 3, there will be 18 more deputies working at the facility. The jail is currently overpopulated, having anywhere between 900-950 inmates with a state mandated capacity of 825.

The Sheriff’s Office says shortages in jail staffing and overtime expenditures have forced its hand to realign resources and deploy them in different areas. Despite these changes, Undersheriff Galen Bohner says there will still be 24-hour coverage in all areas of the county.

“Everyone is going to be just as safe as they always have been,” said Undersheriff Galen Bohner. “The only reduction in any services anybody may see is low priority calls for service. It may take a lot longer to get a response from a deputy on the street but as far as emergency and priority calls, they will not see a reduction. A deputy will come and will respond.”

For example, a low priority call would be a vandalism where there aren’t any suspects or active leads. And if neighbors have a crime to report, they could have to do it online or visit their local substation during business hours.

Undersheriff Bohner says when the current administration took over, there was no active recruitment and there were shortages in many positions. They are currently hiring to fill the positions and say this change is temporary.