WHERE IS THE FACILITY’S “MANPOWER SHORTAGE” COMING FROM?
Last week reporter Tim Flach The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper ran a big story on budget problems at the Lexington County, S.C. detention center – which until recently was named for former sheriff James Metts (who is currently doing a year of hard time at a federal prison in North Carolina).
According to Flach’s report, Lexington County was going to have to start charging municipalities a fee (perhaps as much as $25 per day) to incarcerate the individuals they arrested.
Why? An alleged manpower shortage created by dwindling state revenue.
Specifically, a sheriff’s office spokesperson told Flach as many as “60 new guards” would be needed in the coming years.
Really?
We’re told there’s an interesting twist to this story …
According to sources familiar with the situation, in recent months more than sixty jail employees “have quit over low wages, promises of a big raise that they didn’t get and poor work conditions.”
Is this where the “manpower shortage” is really coming from?
Hmmmm …
Whatever caused the issue, it’s reportedly having an impact on the ability of sheriff Jay Koon‘s agency to perform its public safety duties.
“This exodus has caused the new sheriff to pull road deputies off regular patrol to work in the jail,” one source told us.
This has led to fewer officers on the road, longer response times and lower morale among officers, we’re told.
Not good …
Lexington County is struggling to rebuild its public image following the exposure of the so-called “Lexington Ring,” a cabal of crooked cops and corrupt politicians who were accused of running all manner of rackets in the county. Given the limited accountability in that case, it’s safe to say the county’s margin for error is limited moving forward.
As we’ve consistently stated, law enforcement is a core function of government – and we aggressively support its full funding. That includes modern jails that are well-equipped and staffed at proper levels with trained, well-compensated professionals.
Unfortunately, because local governments in South Carolina blow so much money on non-core functions, they often find themselves having to assess new fees to cover the things they should be subsidizing with recurring money out of existing budgets.
Any way you cut it, it’s a mess … with both rank-and-file law enforcement (and the people they are charged with protecting) suffering as a result.
UPDATE: We’ve spoken with an independent source who tells us the jail is “down 40” employees. And while deputies are being pulled in to supplement jail staff, we’re informed they are coming in on their “off days for overtime pay.”
36 comments
Why not charge the incarcerated criminals the $25 per day? Just add it on the bail bond.
Because that amounts to double-dipping of taxpayer dollars. How old are you? This is high school civics. Wait. Did you go to school in SC? That might explain not knowing how government works.
Your an idiot
It’s “you’re” and that pretty much answered my question!
Also, go back to where u came from if SC is so dumb.
LOL Are you by chance, Trump Supporters? People so brain dead they actually sign contracts saying they will never say anything bad about him. Forever. For Life.
After working for free. You can’t make this stuff up!
http://www.dailydot.com/politics/donald-trump-volunteer-contract-nda-non-disparagement-clause/
Don’t u wish u knew who? Go back up North u dumb liberal!!!
Am a split ticket voter silly dullard.
Neither party has the full answer.
But GOP is holding up progress in Congress.
The last time the Tea Party dullards closed down the government they cost us 24 billion.
No one in the Senate can abide Cruz.
But by all means, go ahead and demonstrate the universal truth of the South.
“Can’t. Fix. Stupid.”
Can’t fix Yankee assholes either!!!!!
You write like you have lots of spittle coming out of your mouth.
And it clings to the Cheetos.
Oh….I’m very pretty and have a hot husband my guess is you are a ugly loser!!
I also come from a good ol southern family with money and land….let me guess u live in a NEIGHBORHOOD or an apartment.
That means a double-wide, right?
No it means huge colonial brick house. Try again!
Sure. I believe everything you say.
The simple fact of the matter is, you think like trash, write like trash (whereas should you check my comments you will never Ever find me stooping to your level) and A-R-E trash,
Cheeto breath.
Is your last name Melton or Mergo?
Oh EmmieKate! Back with a new name? Guess so since this is a Brand, Spanking new account with Exactly ONE comment.
Trash and stupid. It just never ends!
Never heard of her….just don’t like to see mean people getting away with things. Like Melton and Mergo…love to take jabs at females.
Right.
Poor, dumb EmmieKate.
You are a riot. A total hypocrite of course, but still, a riot. This is just too easy, you poor, stick-dumb moron.
Guess you didn’t figure on me screen shooting all your F-bombs, and other foul language and insults. Now run along.
Your lameness is growing boring.
Your mean and hateful….I feel sorry for u…it’s easter I hope u find Jesus. Will be praying for that.
Sorry, Emmie Kate! Hope u return.
Sure. Reality check. Having read your prior comments….it’s clear your trashy mouth would attract trash.
Nope….and u would be surprised who I really am.
I also NEVER eat Cheetos….only organic or gluten-free foods..
ASSHOLE!!!!
Fuck u asshole!!!!!!
I agree with that!
Sounds like the “pay the public employees that actually work as little as possible so you can pay the ones that don’t as much as possible” way of running government is having its expected outcome.
This was tricky Niki’s choice and hand pick for sheriff. The only thing she didn’t check into was his experience or better yet lack of experience in budgets and management skills. Her track history hasn’t been the best when it comes to putting individuals in charge of agencies. Lets see how he fairs during this issue. I hope the lack of officers on the street doesn’t result in injury or death of anyone.
I wish someone decent would run against him.
Wouldn’t matter. The fools would do what they did a year or so ago and vote for someone with many of the same connections and ties as Jimmy had. Katrina and Nikki, both known for their utterly retarded endorsements, would endorse him again.
Cut the new sheriff some slack. Rehabilitating a large government agency that has been on autopilot for decades is hard work. It will take him 5 years to get where he needs to be-or longer.
“..Unfortunately, because local governments in South Carolina blow so much money on non-core functions..”
Running a jail efficiently will not buy a guarantee of a lot of votes on election day, but pissing taxpayer’s money away on paying for these “non core functions” and the accompanying bribes will keep you in office till retirement day.
And let’s face it, most voters had much rather have their asses planted on the living room couch watching “Dancing with the Stars” or some other inane bullshit, than be down at a local government budget meeting.
Ummmm…Kemosbe…Tonto remember how Metts hired equally corrupt blacks to keep the county prison sheltering illegals…uh…running “well”
Now the union thugs are getting restless…Leon has been bailed out…video poker’s still thriving…and enforcement management is shot to… !!!
You could cut back on the police fore if you could get them out of the coffee and donut shops, Nothing but a bunch of goof offs. W hen you need them you can’t get them.
Lexington Co. Is still full of crooks…the higher ups and county council give their selves raises while everyone suffers and treated like dogs…I know I worked for an asshole Judge in Lexington.
Cheeto breath huh but not stooping to someone’s level. You sound like an upstanding citizen. And the corruption still is on going in this county from county council all the way to the county seat holders. Doing favors for family and buddies to keep the county in there control