If we’re going to try to blame the SLO County sheriff for a death in our jail, then why not blame mayors and city council members for the deaths of homeless people at our creek that they can’t help … and we could blame the president for war-related deaths of our men and women.
The difference? The sheriff cried out for help—but we weren’t listening. Let’s be adults and place the blame where it belongs—squarely on our own shoulders. We didn’t back him. And no man is an island.
Perhaps if we’d spent the $14 million on mental health needs in the jail instead of a new animal shelter next door, I wouldn’t be typing this note.
Becky Jorgeson
Santa Margarita
This article appears in Best of SLO County 2018.
I believe there are solutions to individual acts in violation of local law short of jail for those with serious medical issues of any kind. Arresting officers can and should seek solutions other than arrest and incarceration for every offense small and large.
Some offenders can and should be left in the care of family, not sent to jail.