Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2023-2024 • Agency Response
Response to: Sheriff’s Office Oversight

F-coro Humboldt County Sheriff's Office William F. Honsal, Sheriff/coroner Main Station Civil/courts*

Published: August 01, 2024 8 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13, F23, F24

Findings and Recommendations 19 findings

F1
The Humboldt County Animal Shelter manual is comprehensive, clear, and defines roles and tasks for staff and volunteers. The manual makes it easier for staff and volunteers to understand their job duties. Response: Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Humboldt County Sheriff repair the roof. The repair is to be completed by October 31, 2024. The recommendation has yet to be implemented. Although the Sheriff's Office is responsible for the activities within the facility, County Public Works is responsible for maintenance and repairs. The Sheriffs' Office is not responsible for setting priorities for other county departments, including those responsible for ensuring repairs are completed in a timely manner. We have been working diligently to help facilitate the repairs, in so far as seeking public donations to help cover the costs. The Board of Supervisors directed the Office of the Sheriff to utilize a donation to the Animal Shelter to repair the roof. As we continue to work with Public Works and Building Maintenance to ensure these repairs are completed our conflicting priorities continue to be a hurdle which we have to navigate. As of this date, we do not have a timeline to get this project started.
F2
The number of euthanasia's in 1998 of over 4,000 animals was reduced to 78 cats and dogs in 2021. This reduction saves money, reduces stress, and is appreciated by the public. Response: Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The Humboldt County Sheriff repair or replace inoperable outside parking, exterior, and visitation lights. This is to be completed by October 31, 2024. Humbould County Sher fif's Office Desnative to Grand Jury Reon tie Clistury, and Contest uns 5 The recommendation has not yet been implemented A project request has been submitted to Public Works for the damaged and broken lighting at the Animal Shelter. Public Works has removed the poles that have fallen or were in danger of falling. Funding has not been identified to fix the lighting. The other light poles in the area will also need to be fixed due to the same structural deficiencies. The County needs to come up with a plan to fund and fix the lighting at the Animal Shelter. The Sheriff's Office has not been provided a deferred maintenance budget for upkeep on the Shelter Building or repairs to the facility
F3
The Humboldt County Animal Shelter roof has been leaking for several years, causing damage to the building. The leaking roof could result in further damage. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Outdoor parking lot entry lights are dysfunctional or absent. This lack of lighting leads to safety concerns for staff and clients. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Outdoor yard area lighting is dysfunctional or absent. This lack of lighting may lead to fewer evening adoptions. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The Humboldt County Correctional Facility roof leaks. This leaking results in more maintenance and upkeep and could negatively impact living and working conditions for inmates and staff, as well as incur additional expenses to the County. (R6) Response: Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
The Humboldt County Sheriff install a secure fence with a locked gate around the drainage pond by no later than July 30, 2025. This recommendation will not be implemented. The fencing being described is 3-4-foot-tall wiring that is fastened to secured T-bar • posts. There is no opening other than an area that can be opened should access to that area be needed. We do not see that drainage area to be a hazard.
F15
The wall-mounted parallel bar exercise equipment at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility needs repair. The torn padded section provides a location to hide contraband and may limit some exercise options. Response: Agree
Related Recommendations (1)
R15
The Humboldt County Sheriff ensure that a minimum of six filled Sheriff's Deputy positions are assigned to the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program Farm by December 31, 2024. This recommendation will not be implemented. This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable given the • current county budget restraints. Currently the Correctional Deputies working for the Sheriff's Office have been on mandatory overtime for over 5 years. Unfortunately, due to required staffing levels and positions we have been required to leave unfunded by the approved budget we will not be able to staff more positions for the Sheriff Work Alternative Program. This program was one that was proposed last budget cycle to be cut, but we were able to make some adjustments to lessen the cost of the program to keep it going. Humboldt Courty Shell tris Ottoe Reshunse to Gran Fully Report HiClust Hill and Confestions
F16
When attending deaths where other people are also present, the Coroner's Office staff is accompanied by volunteer clergy, who counsel and console traumatized people. This counselling may assist survivors of the deceased during a difficult time. High soluti County Sheriff's Office Reshinise to Grant Jury Report - Cristort, and Criclecticis 3 Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Student interns and community volunteers contribute many hours to the Coroner's Office, allowing paid staff to focus on other necessary duties. This results in interns obtaining valuable clinical experience, and Humboldt County paying less money from its budget for the coroner's office. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Humboldt County Coroner-Public Administrator does not have a Policy and Procedures Manual for the coroner portion of the job that clearly defines job duties, relying instead on on-the-job training practices. These practices can lead to different interpretations of duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F19
In the autopsy room, there is one bare plywood counter partially covered with contact paper and another with plastic laminate. This can result in contamination of evidence and unsanitary working conditions. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F20
All Humboldt County Coroner-Public Administrators use one shared code to enter the locked evidence and property storage area, leaving no way to track and identify who has entered these areas. This use of only one shared code can lead to questions about a clear chain of custody, potentially compromising investigations. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F21
In one evidence room the Grand Jury observed a bare wall with exposed electrical wires and components. These exposed electrical components are at risk of damage and may pose a danger to stored property and human safety. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F22
The Humboldt County Coroner's Office does not have a central computerized data system listing personal property. This could lead to a lack of accountability for lost or misplaced property. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F25
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program grounds are orderly and generally well-maintained with minimal inmate supervision needed. This results in a good work environment where skills learned by inmates can translate into life skills including farming and construction. Humbouldt Co. Int. Sheriff's Office Respinse tia Grandillury Report - Clist. Namu Corrections 4 Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F26
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program produces meat and vegetables for jail meals thus reducing food costs for the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F27
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program's Farm invites volunteers to assist. This helps save money and allows the facility to be accepted by neighborhood residents. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding
F28
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program has a drainage pond several feet below the walking area with minimal fencing between the two. Without adequate fencing to secure this drainage pond, a visitor, officer, or inmate could fall into the pond Response: Disagree
No recommendations for this finding
F29
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program is short-staffed, requiring overtime for deputies. There are times when only one deputy is on duty. This can cause exhaustion and stress. Response: Agree
No recommendations for this finding

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.