Proposed Cuts May Close Two Sheriff SubStations

The Humboldt county sheriff’s organization has produced a radio advertisement to voice their concerns about proposed budget cuts that have the potential to close two sheriff’s substations.
“If these cuts go through, it's definitely going to have an impact on the public safety as well as the deputies.” Said Steven Quenell, President of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Organization.
The Humboldt county sheriff’s organization isn’t happy about proposed cuts to its department, and has taken to the airwaves to let it be known in a radio ad. It appears the county isn’t happy about the cuts either, but says budget woes have forced their hand…
“The impacts are significant and the range of options is so small and so painful that every last budget unit is scrutinized.” Said Humboldt county supervisor jimmy smith
The proposed cuts would mean a reduction in nineteen deputies, which might also lead to the closure of two sheriff’s substations, one of those in Garberville, and that doesn’t sit right with smith…
“The situation that we face, that we could lose some substations, that would be beyond regrettable, it would be unacceptable.”
Smith says the state’s budget deficit is what’s pushing the cuts,
But the sheriff’s organization says the possible closure of the substations would have a big effect on response times.
“If you have deputies able to respond from those substations and handle calls, those emergency calls, their response time is going to be a lot faster.” Said Quenell.
The sheriff’s organization contends that previous budget cuts have already trimmed the department to the bare bones, and further cuts may compromise safety.“Unfortunately those deputies that have to go out there and work theseshifts, depending on what type of call it is, they may or may not have adequate backup.” Said Quenell
Aware of the cuts, the county is looking at different options to save money.
“How can we increase fuel efficiency in our fleet, how can we,rightdown to the lightbulbs, save dollars, so we can have those emergency services.” Said Smith