Commissioners Approve 93 Cent Jail Tax for November 3rd Election
A 93 cent five year local option tax for the county jail was passed along to voters this November by the Board of County Commissioners during the Wednesday night Business Session. The 93 cents would fund 185 beds initially and could support juvenile justice. The former local option tax guaranteed 14 beds for juvenile offenders. Commissioner Richardson asserted expanded costs have reached a level where the 93 cents would provide funds for the jail only. Likely about $3 million short which is what the juvenile beds would costs. The general fund will be able to support juvenile justice for a couple of years. Commissioner Martin asserted the Board would find a way to fund the Juvenile Justice System.
The resolution passed unanimously.
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JoCo Sheriff Says Surveillance Cameras Turned off, Contract Cancelled
Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel has announced the surveillance cameras contracted through FLOCK, have been turned off and the contract with that company has been cancelled.Sheriff Daniel, in a press release dated August 12th, stated that as a result of significant public feedback, the automated license plate readers are no longer active in rural Josephine County and the contract with FLOCK has ended. While the company's equipment remains in the field the cameras are no longer operational. Some of the equipment has been vandalized meaning the Sheriff's office will have to pay for that equipment. A contract for 10 cameras was entered into to increase the ability to identify/locate stolen vehicles, wanted or missing subjects associated with a specific vehicle and in general enhance the ability to investigate crimes. While the technology has been beneficial in solving crime and overall public safety, it is clear much of Josephine County is not ready or willing to accept the use of the technology. There has been a great deal of public concern over this technology and its potential infringement of Constitutional 4th Amendment rights.Sheriff Daniel wrote in the release that the Sheriff's office works for the public and they are listening to you. The FLOCK equipment remains in the field and it is unknown when the company will remove it.
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Authorities Capture Anthony Teal After Negotiations-UPDATED
Authorities capture Anthony Teal Tuesday after a manhunt had been in progress since July 30th. According to a Grants Pass Police Press Release, early Tuesday it was suspected Teal had been in the Cloverlawn area. Later in the afternoon, a resident near Cloverlawn reported someone was likely in his RV. Josephine County Sheriff’s deputies cautiously made contact with the RV and discovered Teal had barricaded himself in the RV’s bathroom. Deputies immediately attempted to negotiate with Teal to surrender. After a prolonged period with no signs Teal would voluntarily exit, chemical agents were introduced into the RV. Negotiations continued. Teal was taken into custody without further incident. The Grants Pass Major Crimes Unit is conducting a further investigation. He is currently being held in the Josephine County Jail facing 12 different charges including Menacing, Robbery I, unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon, strangulation, and assault IV. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond.
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