Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: February 19, 2018 at 4:28 pm | Updated: February 19, 2018 at 7:10 pm
The union representing Riverside County sheriff’s deputies has given at least $554,000 in direct and in-kind contributions to one of three candidates in the 2018 sheriff’s race, campaign finance records show.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
February 10, 2018 at 9:00 am
A consulting firm getting more than $40 million from Riverside County to make county government more efficient used a misleading measure to claim it improved response times at the Sheriff’s Hemet station, sheriff’s officials said in a wide-ranging critique of the firm’s efforts.
By Jeff Horseman / Staff Writer
Published: June 20, 2016
Updated: June 21, 2016 – 6:59 a.m.
In recent years, Riverside County supervisors have given the sheriff’s and district attorney’s offices extra money on top of the millions they get to protect the public, even as other departments went without new county funding.
Published: Feb. 10, 2016 – 3:48 p.m.
Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione this week called out Sheriff Stan Sniff, saying the sheriff’s office has been less than forthcoming with information for an ongoing review of public safety spending.
To read article by Jeff Horseman in The Press-Enterprise, click here.
Published: Aug. 14, 2015 – Updated: 8:52 p.m.
The union representing Riverside County sheriff’s deputies has pulled its support from Sheriff Stan Sniff and accused him of a dictatorial approach that shunned union input on the deployment of body-mounted cameras and other matters.
To read article by Jeff Horseman in The Press-Enterprise, click here.
Saturday, May 31, 2014 – 08:00 p.m.
Well it didn’t take long for the dust-up over the unauthorized use of Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff’s name on San Bernmardino County Sheriff John McMahon’s campaign literature to gain traction.
Saturday, May 31, 2014 – 06:30 p.m.
The value of political endorsements is somewhat limited to say the least.
But another fake endorsement fiasco is building for appointed San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon.
Published: May 25, 2014 6:58 p.m.
Law enforcement leaders across Riverside County, including Sheriff Stan Sniff, have withdrawn their endorsements for District Attorney Paul Zellerbach in the wake of Indio police recommending six criminal charges be filed against Zellerbach in a campaign-sign tampering case.
To column by Jeff Horseman in the Press-Enterprise, click here.
May 08, 2014; 12:31 PM
Two members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are in the June 3 election to head the office – incumbent Sheriff Stan Sniff and Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Bianco.
The men differ on law-enforcement styles. Bianco said he is looking for ways to put more deputies on patrol, and said more effective policing might reduce the need for additional jail space in the county. Sniff said Bianco’s ideas disregard the balance the department needs to serve its several missions.
To read story by Richard K. De Atley in The Press Enterprise, click here.
May 05, 2014; 05:19 PM
The projected budget shortfall for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has dropped by $10 million, and officials want to use $10 million from a contingency fund to further shrink the gap.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 – 11:00 a.m.
Here’s the latest numbers from campaign finance disclosure reports filed in Riverside County this week.
March 10, 2014; 03:12 PM
There will be contested races for every Inland county supervisorial seat up for election in the June 3 primary, candidate filings show.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
January 6, 2014 by Brian Rokos
Riverside County over the weekend rolled out its much-anticipated and long-delayed public safety radio system that officials say will stretch the signal’s reach and streamline communication between agencies during major emergencies.
To read story by Brian Rokos in The Press-Enterprise, click here.
November 04, 2013; 04:00 PM
Raises guaranteed to Riverside County law enforcement are a major driver in a projected $39 million shortfall in the sheriff’s budget, county officials say.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press-Enterprise, click here.
October 25, 2013; 04:43 PM
Riverside County’s master plan to add thousands of jail beds to stop the early release of inmates faces a setback unless state officials move faster on a project to expand the Indio jail, county officials warn.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Published: 01 September 2012 – 05:46 PM
Raising California police officers’ retirement age could lead to more middle-aged, infirm cops on patrol duty, said Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff and law enforcement advocacy groups.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press-Enterprise, click here.
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com
Published: 28 July 2012 06:04 PM
Raises for top-level prosecutors and senior sheriff’s department staff are needed so managers don’t earn less than the people they supervise, according to Sheriff Stan Sniff and District Attorney Paul Zellerbach.
They’re backing proposals before the county Board of Supervisors to raise non-union managers’ pay so there’s a wider salary gap between them and their subordinates. The board will consider the raises at their Tuesday, July 31, meeting, which starts at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at the County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon St. in Riverside.
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 20 July 2012 07:26 PM
It’s been a grim couple of weeks for San Bernardino as city officials decided to declare a fiscal emergency and file for bankruptcy due to a cash-flow crisis and budget deficit. Still, even amid serious discussions, the council found a few moments to debate 19th Century military history at its July 10 meeting.
Echoing a phrase used by one public speaker, Councilman Fred Shorett suggested that this could be a “Waterloo opportunity” allowing the city to get its financial house in order.
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com
Published: 19 June 2012 09:17 PM
After months of sometimes rocky talks with organized labor, Riverside County supervisors moved to reduce county pensions for new employees despite concerns from the sheriff, who wanted more time to consider how those changes would affect his ability to recruit and retain deputies.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, June 19, voted 4-0 with John Benoit absent to submit an amendment to the county’s contract with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System. The amendment allows for reduced pension benefits for newly hired employees and deputies.
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com
Published: 04 June 2012 07:16 PM
Riverside County’s sheriff and one of the county’s largest unions have joined other critics — including most county supervisors — in attacking a plan to raise elected leaders’ pay amid ongoing layoffs.
BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com
Published: 29 March 2012 07:18 PM
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff asked county supervisors Thursday for more money in next fiscal year’s budget so he can hire deputies to patrol unincorporated areas, where he said crime is rising.
The ratio of deputies assigned to areas outside of cities has dropped from 1.2 deputies per 1,000 residents in 2009 and 2010 to 0.90 per 1,000 today.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 06 January 2012 06:30 PM
Riverside County jails have reached their inmate capacity because of the state prison realignment program, and officials said that 57 inmates will have to be released between Friday evening and today.
The county has 3,906 jail beds and is under a federal court order not to add any more unless it builds additional housing for inmates.
RICHARD K. De ATLEY
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 12 November 2011 09:04 PM
After one month, the state’s decision to put counties in charge of some nonserious offenders has caused a spike in Riverside County’s already dense jail population, putting it on course to reach capacity in January, officials report.
BY DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITER
dgang@pe.com
Published: 24 October 2011 08:12 PM
Jail space remains one of the most critical issues facing Riverside County as it begins supervising and housing low-level offenders, local officials said Monday.
10:48 PM PDT on Monday, June 13, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors agreed Monday to a budget plan proposed by Sheriff Stan Sniff that officials described as risky but said would avoid any layoffs to his department.
10:01 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 8, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County’s top executive has recommended a spending plan for next year that includes $55 million in cuts, resulting in additional layoffs and reductions in core county services.
10:23 PM PDT on Thursday, May 26, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff outlined a budget proposal this week that he said reduces a $60 million budget gap in his department to $17 million and would eliminate the need for large-scale layoffs.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 20, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County declared in impasse Friday in its contract talks with the Riverside Sheriff’s Association.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 17, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
The war of words escalated Tuesday between Riverside County supervisors and the union representing sheriff’s deputies.
10:30 PM PDT on Friday, May 13, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff announced plans Friday to issue up to 800 layoff notices in order to balance his department’s budget for next year.
11:21 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 3, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to put on hold a proposed regional jail in Whitewater that would have cost $300 million to build.
12:28 AM PDT on Monday, May 2, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors Tuesday are expected to halt their efforts to build a regional detention center in Whitewater and instead focus on expanding existing jails.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors Marion Ashley and John Benoit announced Wednesday that they will seek to halt planning for a regional jail in rural Whitewater.
The move marks a reversal for supervisors and comes amid growing community opposition to the jail.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, April 4, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County’s top executive recommended Monday that supervisors hold the line on spending, including for the sheriff’s and fire departments.
10:33 PM PDT on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside Board of Supervisors meet about county budgets
Published: 3/29/2011 07:18 PM
Riverside County’s four public-safety departments painted a bleak picture Tuesday of their finances, saying they face significant budget shortfalls for next fiscal year.
Sniff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, March 28, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Budget cuts have put Riverside County’s inmate medical care out of compliance with state law, exposing the county to potential lawsuits or court oversight, Sheriff Stan Sniff said.
11:46 PM PST on Saturday, March 12, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI, RICHARD BROOKS and CASSIE MACDUFF
The Press-Enterprise
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department training scandal — called the first of its type in California — is prompting officials in both Inland counties to consider tightening their procedures for verifying training-class attendance.
09:46 PM PST on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors Tuesday rejected a money-saving plan to impose a hiring freeze in the Sheriff’s Department and consider reducing patrols in unincorporated areas.
The recommendations, included in a mid-year budget report, were aimed at helping the department overcome a $10 million budget gap by June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. The deficit is part of an overall $31.3 million shortfall facing the county.
10:36 PM PST on Sunday, January 30, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County’s top executive is calling for a hiring freeze and possible patrol cutbacks to help the Sheriff’s Department overcome a $13.5 million budget shortfall.
A report before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday outlines the financial picture for the department and all of county government halfway through the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.