Sonoma County Sheriff

posted on SoCo Sheriff Dept FB

Sonoma Sheriff
2 hrs ·

May 28, 2020
Letter to Sonoma County Residents,

I am writing to you as your elected Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner. Over the last few weeks, I have heard from many people expressing concern with the perceived overreach of the Sonoma County Public Health Orders and their inconsistencies with our neighboring counties and Governor Newsom’s Public Health orders. I have consistently heard the message that Sonoma County’s Public Health Orders are far more restrictive than the Governor’s Order’s despite the fact that our COVID-19 infection rate is low compared to other counties. With over 23,000 tests conducted, Sonoma County has seen a declining rate of positive tests, from 3% three weeks ago to 2.2% today. As a community we have experienced 4 deaths; I do not want to minimize this fact as any loss of life is tragic and sad.

The first Public Health Order and subsequent Public Health Orders have placed significant restrictions on our freedoms we were not accustomed to in a free society. Most people complied with the Health Orders because they believed, as did I, that the Health Orders were the best solution to the unknown and potentially dangerous situation we were facing with COVID-19.

Over the last 10 weeks we have learned a lot and made significant progress. The curve has been flattened; hospitals were not overrun with patients; we have dramatically increased testing which verified the infection rate in Sonoma County is under control and decreasing. Yet we continue to see successive Public Health Orders that contain inconsistent restrictions on business and personal activities without explanation. Based on what we have learned, now is the time to move to a risk-based system and move beyond blanket orders that are crushing our community. Simple universal measures can be taken to protect the vulnerable among us and to slow the spread of COVID-19 within Sonoma County. Understanding your risk of infection and consulting with your doctor or health care provider on what prevention measures are best for you is a personal responsibility each of us must take.

Over the last several weeks, I have asked for more information and transparency from our Public Health Department and our Public Health Officer to explain why, with such a low infection rate, we have not moved to a less restrictive, risk based system. I firmly believe the public must be kept informed so we can develop effective public policy and our elected officials can make informed, evidence based decisions, balancing risk against the catastrophic impacts of the Shelter in Place order on our community. Unfortunately, the Public Health Department and the Public Health Officer have ignored my requests and the requests of the media to provide desperately needed information. This lack of transparency and lack of engagement is incredibly disappointing at a time when all levels of government should be working together.

As your elected Sheriff, I can no longer in good conscience continue to enforce Sonoma County Public Health Orders, without explanation, that criminalize otherwise lawful business and personal behavior. Effective June 1, 2020 I am directing all Sheriff’s Office staff to discontinue the enforcement of the Sonoma County Public Health Orders issued by the Sonoma County Public Health Department and the Public Health Officer. Reports of violations, when brought to our attention, will be evaluated against the California State guidelines on a case-by-case basis. Where appropriate, the Sheriff’s Office will use public interactions as an opportunity to educate people on how to mitigate the risk and spread of the COVID-19 infection. Pursuant to this shift in policy, I am directing the Sheriff’s Office Detention Division to refuse the booking arrest of individuals whose sole booking charge is for a violation of the Sonoma County Public Health Order. It is important to understand my decision does not affect enforcement policy or enforcement decisions by other law enforcement or regulatory agencies in Sonoma County; it applies to Sheriff’s Office operations in the jurisdictions we serve.

As an organization, the Sheriff’s Office has rapidly adapted with new operating procedures and protective measures to meet the health needs of the public, our employees and their families. The Sheriff’s Office staff will continue to utilize PPE (personal protective equipment) and other protective measures aligned with California State guidelines. Our detention division has worked tirelessly to prevent COVID-19 from infiltrating our jail, keeping our inmates safe and healthy. Those in law enforcement have educated themselves on these complex and ever changing Sonoma County Public Health Orders. They have exhibited compassion and discretion while interacting with members of the public, assisting those who are unsure or confused on what they can or cannot do under the Sonoma County Public Health Orders. As always, our team of over 650 men and women has impressed me with their commitment and dedication to helping the people of Sonoma County through difficult situations. As your Sheriff, I have been incredibly proud of their efforts and I hope you are too.

*****

Wow ..interesting

Very interesting.
So does that mean SIP orders stay in effect from the Sonoma County officers wont enforce them?
I’m so conflicted because I want to go out but don’t want to hurt the locals nor risk injury/infection to anyone. 
It’s really too bad that the governing agencies can’t be on the same page. 

Amen to that. It's long past time for the media-driven hysteria to pass into the history books.

Glad to see some sheriffs are as frustrated as I am about all the misinformation or total lack of information being provided to the public.  Thank you Sheriff Essick.

sounds like its open

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10990755-181/sonoma-county-health-officer-declares?sba=AAS

More info on why the opening has been held up.

Also Sheriff said case by case basis, I probably wouldn't drive up from the bay area at the moment.

The Sheriff is one of 13 (I think) LE agencies in Sonoma County with arrest powers. Sonoma county parks as well as state parks both have LE with arrest powers. They are not controlled by the sheriff. The coast is unfortunately still closed.

And we are talking about a guy who had the sheriff helicopter show up to a private party at a winery to show off for lack of a better description. Where does the money in sonoma county come from? I’ll give you a hint it’s not a bunch of guys in kayaks who go fishing and then drive home. It’s wine. Who do you think really made the decision to not enforce the health order so that the winery’s could open without being punished? My guess would be money 

Glad to see some sheriffs are as frustrated as I am about all the misinformation or total lack of information being provided to the public.  Thank you Sheriff Essick.

About time!

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

Sheriff reverses course, do you trust him now ?

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10996255-181/sonoma-county-sheriff-reverses-course?fbclid=IwAR07fGiSDVjegiglQRNP92ipqHSFG15eBaNPI-mNB5VzetMyTNCszdc5fRM

Yea guys, if the government tells you to do something. You better do it. The government is always right and would never lie to us....

A couple of people in Gov, medical, media, and LE agencies are given unchecked authority they never had before and now they are going Crazy with it like the Stanford Prison Experiment😡

Sheriff reverses course, do you trust him now ?

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/10996255-181/sonoma-county-sheriff-reverses-course?fbclid=IwAR07fGiSDVjegiglQRNP92ipqHSFG15eBaNPI-mNB5VzetMyTNCszdc5fRM

I STANDED CORRECTED!  I should have learned during my career as a government employee.  Most departments are filled with arrogant two-faced tyrants who put their needs and ambitions before the public's needs.   

From the Sonoma Sheriff FB page
14 hrs ·

UPDATE 6pm: To clarify, the Sheriff’s position stands and we will not be enforcing the County Health Order starting June 1.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Statement from Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office

Earlier this morning Sheriff Mark Essick met with Board of Supervisors Chair Susan Gorin, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Director of Public Health Barbie Robinson, and Sonoma County Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase. They met virtually to discuss the enforcement of the Sonoma County Public Health Orders.

The meeting was positive and productive in addressing the Sheriff’s concerns about the lack of access to health information related to COVID-19 and lack of access to collaborative meetings occurring at the County level.

There was a commitment from all parties to increase communication and inclusion in regular collaborative meetings. The Health Department agreed to provide additional data about the effects of COVID-19 in our community. Director Robinson and Dr. Mase agreed to accept operational feedback from Sheriff Essick on future Health Orders and their impact on our community. All involved affirmed a strong commitment to the health and wellness of Sonoma County residents.

Sheriff Essick understands that during these challenging times a flexible response is necessary to adapt to the rapidly evolving situation presented by COVID-19. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to educate the community, while evaluating newly available data from our public health partners and collaborating with Public Health to determine enforcement priorities and protocols.

I wonder if these tyrants are watching all these people in these riots/protest not social distancing and not wearing masks?
As our cases go down here in Texas and we are running all around, almost, it isn't what we are doing, it is what the weather is doing getting hotter day by day. Viruses outside can't live too well when surfaces are over 140 and can't be touched without the human pull away response. Most viruses can't live in hot weather and go hide. If this one doesn't then maybe it was man made