xr600 are you referring to the "American Criminal Liberties Union". They should cut county commissioners back to two maximum, one for the west side and one for the east side. Have all employees pay half their own retirement (PERS), cut vacation time back to 3 weeks maximum per year. There are other places to save also, and you gain enough to employ all the deputies needed.

Ricky, you can thank the ACLU for putting a cap on jail populations. The jail cannot exceed the cap placed on their inmate population. If they do they can be sued and the money will come from the taxpayers (I'm guessing you're not one of them). If it were up to the Sheriff and most of the citizens in Lane County (with the exceptions of the ultra-libs that enjoy burying their head in the sand and pretending that there isn't a problem) the Sheriff's office would cram inmates into the jail like sardines in a can. Alternative programs don't work if you don't have jail space to put the flunkies from those programs into. Probation only works for those that have a conscience. Jail is a joke anyways. Inmates get 3 meals a day, shelter and a bed. When they don't like how they're treated, they can sue the facility at the taxpayer's expense. The ACLU and the department of justice are taking the 8th ammendment out of context. I'm in the same boat as Sheriff Joe. If you don't like jail, don't come back. Remember: You can only be held in jail if you are charged with a crime.

Ricky, you can thank the ACLU for putting a cap on jail populations. The jail cannot exceed the cap placed on their inmate population. If they do they can be sued and the money will come from the taxpayers (I'm guessing you're not one of them). If it were up to the Sheriff and most of the citizens in Lane County (with the exceptions of the ultra-libs that enjoy burying their head in the sand and pretending that there isn't a problem) the Sheriff's office would cram inmates into the jail like sardines in a can. Alternative programs don't work if you don't have jail space to put the flunkies from those programs into. Probation only works for those that have a conscience. Jail is a joke anyways. Inmates get 3 meals a day, shelter and a bed. When they don't like how they're treated, they can sue the facility at the taxpayer's expense. The ACLU and the department of justice are taking the 8th ammendment out of context. I'm in the same boat as Sheriff Joe. If you don't like jail, don't come back. Remember: You can only be held in jail if you are charged with a crime.

Every person involved in the release of these criminals from the highest official, to the officer who opened the door and let them out should now be arrested and charged as an accomplice. Because they have taken an oath to “protect and serve” our community and instead facilitated these crimes, the penalty should be swift and severe, involve significant jail time, forfeiture of pensions and benefits and restitution to any innocents harmed by their purely political actions.

rgl1345 some people have limited funds. It is not a matter of whether they are cheap or dumb. What is dumb, in my opinion, is wishing getting robbed, mugged or raped on anyone. Why would you want anyone to suffer like that?

To the jerk who thinks we should hand money over to the sheriff's office - we pay taxes. Just because they don't know what a budget is we are supposed to give up our mochas to bail them out. However, you probably will get your wish. With all the criminals walking the streets I'm sure there will be plenty of robberies etc.

@ SiuslawWarrior. Actually, the military vehicles were loaned out to LCSO at no cost, to replace the use of the helicopter that is now grounded. The maintenance costs come out of drug-forfeitures and from the National Guard (meaning that LCSO doesn't pay for the maintenance either). See for source: http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/28269016-41/turner-sheriff-budget-deputies-deputy.html.csp Seems fairly fiscally sound to me for saving money.

This story isnt about crime in Lane county. Its about generating cash for the LCSO. The same agency that is testing very expensive military vehicles that were recently acquired. This is about spending priorities. How many inmates could be retained if the Sheriff didnt waste money turning up the PR? In the real world marketing and PR costs hit the budget hard. How about a citizen campaign to stop the LCSO wasting money and mispending on military equipment? How about a citizen oversight board to review the budget and priorities of the LCSO? Stop playing games Sheriff .. nobodys buying it.