The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff issued a response to an SF Chronicle columnist calling it an “attack piece” and calling it a “new low”.
The column by Otis Taylor Jr. accused the Sheriffs Department of “radio silence” after officials had requested to tour the West County Detention Facility in the City of Richmond.This is now the 7th column by Taylor Jr against the Sheriffs Department.
According to the Sheriffs Office, more than 20 elected officials and organizations have toured the West County Detention Facility after allegations were made by ICE detainees. They also said there are scheduled tours in June by ICE – Office of Detention Oversight and ICE Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Also second tours by Senator Kamala Harris and the Attorney General’s Office have been requested.
Here is what was written:
Column in the San Francisco Chronicle
Once again, columnist Otis Taylor of the SF Chronicle has done an attack piece on the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff. It is posted online and will be in print tomorrow.
In all, he has written at least seven columns attacking the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office in the past few months. This is mainly over allegations some female ICE detainees have made.
Each time, we have remained professional and cordial, responding when we could. Our department does not mind criticism; we ask to be treated fairly and objectively. This column is no where near that standard.
This latest column is a new low. Not only is it one-sided, unbalanced, and sorely lacking in details that were provided to him by the Sheriff’s Office, it is speculative and attacks Sheriff David Livingston and the Sheriff’s Office. The headline says, “Contra Costa Sheriff stonewalls officials who want to tour troubled jail.” FACT: At least 20 elected officials and organizations have toured West County Detention Facility since allegations were brought to our attention by some ICE detainees. Also a comprehensive investigation was launched. Mr. Taylor writes about the “lack of transparency.” Yet, 20 outside agencies and elected officials have visited the detention facility. More visits are in the works. Someone please tell us how we can more transparent than that. Also while clearance to the jail was revoked for one group because of violations, 20 advocacy groups continue to have access to the detention facility to serve the inmates and detainees.
To our Facebook followers, thank you for your understanding of our frustration and for taking the time to read this.
Here is the response we provided to Mr. Taylor ahead of his deadline.
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Since certain allegations from ICE detainees at the West County Detention Facility were brought to our attention in October, we have provided the opportunity for tours for various elected officials and groups. Accordingly, our Office also launched a comprehensive investigation into their claims. Since October, we have provided the following tours:
Congressman Michael Thompson
Senator Steve Glazer
Senator Nancy Skinner
Assemblymen Jim Frazier
Senator Kamala Harris (staff)
Senator Diane Feinstein (staff)
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Consulate General of Mexico
Consulate General of Guatemala
Board of State and Community Corrections (inspection)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (inspection)
Nakamoto Group Inspection (Immigration Related)
Attorney General’s Office
Senate Appropriations Committee
Contra Costa Civil Grand Jury
Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis
Prison Law Office
Leadership Council of Contra Costa
Immigrant’s Rights Group – Immigrant Reform Group
East Bay Interfaith Immigration Coalition
In addition, there are scheduled tours in June by ICE – Office of Detention Oversight and ICE Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Also second tours by Senator Kamala Harris and the Attorney General’s Office have been requested.
Our priority is continuing to accommodate organizations, including higher-level elected officials and their staff at this time. We will respond to Richmond Mayor Tom Butt’s request as time permits.
Regarding Assemblymember David Chiu’s letter, we will need to research that, but to say “radio silence,” is misleading and unfair. Currently there are over 20 different advocacy groups that continue to have regular access to inmates and detainees – their work inside WCDF providing support and resources has not been affected.
Information provided by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sherirf
10 comments
I support the sheriff. Getting very tired of Mr Taylor and a few others in the Chronicle. Cancellation today.
I continue to support our Sheriff. He is responding professionally and timely to the issue. The media’s thirst for drama must stop. If you read today’s papers you will find bias, misquotes, exaggerations, and most importantly hit pieces everywhere. The media has become a soap opera. It is sad that true journalism has sunk to a low of reporting gossip.
Who cares what this idiot thinks.
He should be reporting on his own house anyway. There is plenty to report. SF, as Trump would say, is a COMPLETE DISASTER.
Fake news from Otis Taylor, SF Chronicle. These left-wingers have declared war on all decent people.
People still read the SF Chronicle?
I used to read it and then used it to cover the bottom of my bird cage. However, the parrot definitely has high standards and did NOT want to use it for what it was intended. Smart bird!
Well sheriff, if you want to do better, you can issue CCW permits to people other than your buddies and people who donate to you. State law mandates that you issue to people who meet the good moral character standard, and show good cause. You automatically deny almost everyone, except campaign contributors and posse members.
I know this Sheriff and the power and vengeance he wages against those who question his authority and tactics. It is not what I want or expect from law enforcement or my elected officials.
Take California back from nut job politicos. We are sinking fast from ideology that does not make sense. Think about that when you vote.
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