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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
Nevada County Superior Court Office of the Jury Commissioner
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 4 findings
F1
Page 100
- Although the Stall' is attempting to remedy some of the identificd sal'Cty and security issues. there arc still ddiciencies in the security camcra syslCm that needs immediate attention b) the AOC. Agree. Fi.3 NCSO could be active in assisting the Statl in their request for camera upgrades because the cameras are a first-line observation of potential harm, Disagree. The COllit \\mild certainly \\elcome any help the NCSO might offer tu enhance the Court's camera system. Ilowc\er. this system is the COlllt's responsibility and rely on the Judicial \\l' COllncil fl.,!' 1i.lI1ding to expand! enhance the system.
F2
Page 93
Safety improvements identified by the county and AOC have not been approved and/or funded by the AOe. Partially agree. Several improvement requests havc been approved and funded by the AOe. These include tinting or exterior windows, installing obstacles to preve nt running a vehicle into sensitive areas ol'the building and installation of bullet resistant windows. There are other requests awaiting approval and funding, howe ver, they are still in the approval process.
F3
Page 93
Proposed safety improvement would enhance the safety of the public and COUlt and county employees . Ag ree. FiA The 80S and the Court have not provided leadership in urging the AOC to release the neceSS<lry funds to improve the safety at the Joseph Center. Ui sag ree. The Court has made seve ral attempts to gain approval of our requests for safety improvcments at the Joseph Center. We regularly follow up on these requests and provide additional information as necessary to establish an appropriate priority for funding. The plain fact is that funding across the State is too little to meet all security needs in all courthouses. The Grand Jury's assumpt ion that this is a shortfall in leadership on the part of the 80S and COLilt completely lacks foundation. Recommendations R. l The Nevada County Board of Supervisors, the Nevada County Sheriffs Office, the Administrati ve Office of the COLlItS and the Nevada County Superior Court should take all the measures necesSAry to move forwArd with a formal agreement which provides the recommended S8fety improvements immediately to ensure the safety of the public and employees. Partially implemented. The Court has taken all appropriate steps to secure funding for the identif'ied security improvements. The recommendation that this effort should be pushed forward at all cost clearly fails to consider the statewide limitations on funding and competing priorities - not the least of which is simply providing sufficient staffing of court operations to prov ide basic access to justice foral!. R. The Nevada County Board of Supervisors, the Nevada Coun ty Sheriffs Office, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Nevada County Superior Court staff' should prioritize funciing requ ests to implement the recommended safety improvements. Partially implemented. We have prioritized our security requests and submitted them to the State for consideration 8nd funding. The State considers requests from all jurisdictions and establishes statewide priorities. We do not control that process.
F4
Page 98
This issue has been on the forefront for several years without resolution. The safety of the public, the Courthouse employees and NCSO staff remains at risk. Partially Disagree The issue has not been fully resolved, yet, due to past experience, we do not feel an imminent threat of serious injury to the public, courthouse employees, and/or county employees exists. We have had an excellent record with our transport of prisoners from transportation units to the Courthouse in Nevada City. We are committed to mitigating risk at every opportunity within the County's existing resources. Inmates are transported from the transportation unit to the Courthouse in customary restraints, including leg shackles and waist shackles. Officer safety practices are primary in maintaining a safe environment while transporting prisoners; although security cameras may provide additional security.
Recommendations 4
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R1Page 94The safety of county and court employees and the public is compromised by a lack of security cameras in some areas of the Courthouse. Partially Disagree Due to past experience, we do not feel an imminent threat of serious injury to the public, courthouse employees, andlor county employees exists. We have had an excellent record with our transport of prisoners from transportation units to the Courthouse in Nevada City. We are committed to mitigating risk at every opportunity within the County's existing resources. Inmates are transported from the transportation unit to the Courthouse in customary restraints, including leg shackles and waist shackles. Officer safety practices are primary in maintaining a safe environment while transporting prisoners; although security cameras may provide additional security.
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R2Page 101The Nevada County Board of Supervisors, Nevada County Sheriff's Oflice, Adm inistrat ive Omces of the Court and Nevada County Superior Court staff need to prioritize funding requests and obtain the funding from the AOC to implement the safety improvements. Not implementcd. funding for the Judicial Branch and our coul1 is very limited and expenditures must be prioritized according to greatest need. While we agree that this system is important to the overall security of our coul1 buildings. we cannot say with certainty that the proposed system enhancement should be made the highest priority for funding statewide \Ve rely on the .I uelic ial COline i I to make that assessment and allocate fund i ng accord ingly.
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R3Page 94The Nevada Cou nty Board of Supervisors, the Nevada County Sheriffs Office, the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Nevada County Superior COUlt staff should coordinate effolts to follovv through with the request for funding, the illlplementation orthe safety improvements and ensure the required work is completed. Partially implemented. We do currently coordinate our effolts in this area and will continue to do so. Ensuring these improvements are completed is outside of our control and subject to approval and funding by the State. Respectfully submitted , a/{N/~ ;j})JJd-~ Candace S. HeidelberO'cr G. Se8n Metroi<a Presiding Judge e Court Executive Officer 2 NEVADA COUNTY HOLDING FACILITY NEVADA COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN NEVADA CITY
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R4Page 94This issue has been on the forefront for several years without resolution. The safety of the public, the Courthouse employees and NCSO staff remains at risk. Partially Disagree The issue has not been fully resolved, yet, due to past experience, we do not feel an imminent threat of serious injury to the public, courthouse employees, and/or county employees exists. We have had an excellent record with our transport of prisoners from transportation units to the Courthouse in Nevada City. We are committed to mitigating risk at every opportunity within the County's existing resources. Inmates are transported from the transportation unit to the Courthouse in customary restraints, including leg shackles and waist shackles. Officer safety practices are primary in maintaining a safe environment while transporting prisoners; although security cameras may provide additional security. RECOMMENDATIONS:
No Responses Found 3
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Nevada County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Nevada County Sheriff
Elected County Office