Category: Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes

Grand Jury Finds Security Flaws in Orange County Jails 

June 21, 2021
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The Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) has released a 34-page report highlighting various security flaws in the California county’s jails, including escape risks for inmates and trafficking of contraband. The Theo Lacy Facility, in the City of Orange, was identified in the report for needing a security wall between the jail facility and a nearby vacant animal shelter. “The lack of a…

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Orange County Sheriff Calls for Continuation of Qualified Immunity 

May 12, 2021
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Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes is speaking out against recent congressional reform initiatives that involve eliminating qualified immunity, a law that grants government officials immunity from civil lawsuits as long as they were taking proper actions within the course of their duties. “Peace officers make critical split-second decisions at the most difficult moments,” Barnes said in a May 11 statement posted to Twitter. “Qualified…

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Bill Decriminalizing Psychedelic Drugs Draws Criticism from Orange County’s Top Cop

April 15, 2021
California PoliticsDrugsOrange County Sheriff Don Barnespsychedelic drugsRegional-Local NewsSen. Josh NewmanSen. Scott WienerSouthern CaliforniaUSWar on Drugs
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Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes is speaking out against a proposed bill that would legalize the possession and personal use of certain psychedelic drugs. Senate Bill 519 (SB519), authored by Sen. Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco), passed the California Senate Health Committee April 14 with a vote of 6-1. It will now head to the Senate…

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Revamped Sheriff Training Involves More Real-World Dynamics

March 30, 2021
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) has revamped its qualifications course as it seeks to help deputies gain more real-world experience. “We wanted our training to be more current and contemporary by putting in place variables that people may come in contact with while they’re dealing with the public,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “So, all these variables…

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Sheriff’s Department to Resume Limited Visiting in Orange County Jails

March 26, 2021
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The Orange County Sheriff’ Department (OCSD) March 26 will begin allowing public visits at its jails, on a limited basis, for the first time in a year. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said earlier this week that the protocols he implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the jails have been successful, allowing…

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Orange County Sheriff Reveals New Strategy to Tackle Homelessness 

March 24, 2021
community serviceshomelesshomelessnessjail visitsjailsOrange CountyOrange County Sheriff Don BarnesRegional-Local NewsSouthern CaliforniaUS
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is shifting the way it interacts with the homeless through dozens of liaison officers trained to work with the demographic. “This is necessary because when we’re dealing with the homeless, we’ve realized that many of these people are experiencing mental illness, and also substance use disorder,” Sheriff Don Barnes…

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Orange County Judge Says He’s Satisfied with Sheriff’s COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

February 16, 2021
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More than two months after ordering Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes to reduce its prison population by half, a judge says he’s “satisfied” with his COVID-19 mitigation efforts. However, the ongoing lawsuit is not over. “Just to be clear in what I’m saying today: This does not moot the lawsuit or moot the issues, but what it does…

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