COMING UP NEXT ON HEADLINE HUMBOLDT, A LOCAL COUPLE RECENTLY TRANSPLANTED TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY TELLS THE DAILYMAIL.COM THAT THEY ARE BEING SQUEEZED BY COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH DUE TO CANNABIS CODE VIOLATIONS DONE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THEIR PROPERTY.

AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

ALSO, HUMBOLDT COUNTY GRAND JURY FOREMAN RICHARD BERGSTRESSER JOINS US TO DISCUSS RECENT GRAND JURY REPORTS, INCLUDING A CALL FOR MORE CITIZEN OVERSIGHT OF THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

COMING UP NOW ON HEADLINE HUMBOLDT.

FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, THIS IS HEADLINE HUMBOLDT.

I'M JAMES FAULK.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

A GOVERNMENT FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE IS THE IDEA, RIGHT?

IT'S ENCODED IN ALL OF OUR FOUNDING DOCUMENTS, AND FORMS THE BACKBONE OF THIS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.

EVEN AS THE PUBLIC HAS RECENTLY GROWN INCREASINGLY DISILLUSIONED WITH THE DIVISION AND PROTRACTED PROCESSES THAT MAKE UP OUR LARGELY DYSFUNCTIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MANY PEOPLE INVEST THEIR INTEREST, TIME AND ATTENTION INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, TRYING THEIR BEST TO KEEP GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE AND WORKING EFFICIENTLY.

THIS IS THE ROLE AND PROCESS OF CALIFORNIA'S CIVIL GRAND JURY SYSTEM ALLOWING FOR NORMAL, CIVIC-MINDED RESIDENTS TO INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SMART AND EFFECT USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AND DOLLARS.

IT CAN BE A CONTENTIOUS PROCESS.

BUT THOSE IN GOVERNMENT ARE AWARE OF ITS IMPORTANCE, AND GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS EVERY YEAR, RECEIVING THESE REPORTS AND ADDRESSING THEIR CRITIQUES.

YES, THEY GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS.

YET OVER THE TWO DECADES I'VE SPENT IN THIS BUSINESS, TOO MUCH OF THE GRAND JURORS HARD WORK IS OFTEN GLIBLY RECEIVED, WITH A SHRUG OF THE SHOULDERS AND BANAL EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY THINGS ARE THE WAY THEY ARE.

I UNDERSTAND PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE BUSY, AND OFTEN DO THEIR VERY BEST TO STRETCH TIGHT GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETS AS FAR AS THEY CAN GO.

BUT THE DIFFICULTY OF THEIR JOBS AND THE LACK OF RESOURCES DOES NOT MEAN THAT THESE OFTEN LENGTHY AND DEFINITIVE ANALYSES CAN BE IGNORED OR SHELVED.

THE CIVIL GRAND JURY SYSTEM REPRESENTS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING MECHANISMS IN GOVERNMENT WHERE THE PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY ENGAGE WITH AND HOLD OUR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY BEHAVE.

IN A FEW MOMENTS, WE'LL SPEAK WITH HUMBOLDT COUNTY GRAND JURY FOREMAN RICHARD BERGSTRESSER TO DISCUSS RECENT REPORTS ISSUED BY THE GRAND JURY, AS WELL AS THE PROCESS INVOLVED AND HOW INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE.

BUT FIRST, THE NEWS.

DAILYMAIL.COM, AN ONLINE BRITISH TABLOID READ BY MILLIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, IS REPORTING ON A HUMBOLDT COUNTY PROBLEM IS ALLEGEDLY LEAVING SOME PRIVATE CITIZENS IN THE LURCH FOR OFFENSES THEY DIDN'T COMMIT.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, CORRINE AND DOUG THOMAS MOVED TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY FROM THE LOS ANGELES AREA AFTER THE 2018 WOOLSEY FIRE LEFT THEIR PREVIOUS HOME IN ASHES AND THEIR LIVES DESTROYED.

USING THE INSURANCE PAY-OUT FROM THAT DISASTER, THE COUPLE ULTIMATELY BOUGHT A NEW HOME IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY, AMID REDWOOD FORESTS, TO ENTER A NEW PHASE IN THEIR LIVES WITH THE HOUSE AND PROPERTY OF THEIR DREAMS.

ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE, OLSON, 64, FACES FINES OF MORE THAN $7 MILLION BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THEIR PROPERTY COMMITTED VARIOUS CODE VIOLATIONS WHILE GROWING CANNABIS.

THAT IS, BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE GREW WEED ON THE PROPERTY BEFORE SHE BOUGHT IT.

THE REPORT CITES OTHER VICTIMS, AS WELL, INCLUDING BLU GRAHAM, WHO WAS REPORTEDLY FINED AROUND $900,000 FOR GROWING WEED IN GREENHOUSES THAT HE CLAIMS WERE ACTUALLY VEGETABLES GROWN FOR HIS RESTAURANT.

THESE CLAIMS AND OTHERS ARE MADE IN A LAWSUIT RECENTLY FILED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE.

ATTORNEY JARED MCCLAIN REPORTEDLY TOLD DAILYMAIL.COM THAT HE BELIEVES OFFICIALS WERE 'LASHING OUT' IN AN ATTEMPT TO FINALLY REALIZE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS THAT WERE EXPECTED TO COME WITH CANNABIS LEGALIZATION, BUT WHICH HAVE LARGELY SO FAR FAILED TO MATERIALIZE.

ACCORDING TO MCCLAIN, THE COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HOMEOWNERS LIKE CORRINE, DOUG AND RHONDA HAVE NEVER GROWN CANNABIS, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FEES.

WE'LL CONTINUE FOLLOWING THIS STORY AS IT DEVELOPS, AND ARE REACHING OUT TO COUNTY OFFICIALS TO GET THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY.

JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS HUMBOLDT COUNTY GRAND JURY FOREMAN RICHARD BERGSTRESSER TO I THINK THIS IS THE THIRD TIME ON THE SHOW.

HE'S A GREAT TALKER.

>> AND THE RECENT REPORTS ISSUED IN THAT VEIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING RICHARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU GUYS RECENTLY RELEASED A BEVY OF REPORTS IN RECENT DAYS AND THESE ARE LENGTHY AND DETAILED REPORTS.

LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT WHAT THE GRAND JURY IS FOR PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW AND HOW YOU GUYS GO ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.

>> THE GRAND JURY IS ACTUALLY AS CONSTITUTED HERE IN CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA WHERE IT IS 19 CITIZENS LOCAL CITIZENS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME FOR A YEAR AND SPEND 30, 40 HOURS A HOURS A WEEK.

REVIEWING DOCUMENTS, TOURING FACILITIES, AND REALLY TRYING TO DIG INTO SOME ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT LOCALLY.

THOSE ISSUES COME TO US VIA COMPLAINT.

AND SOMETIMES JUST THINGS THAT ARE PROMINENT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE FEEL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED >> SO PEOPLE WHO'RE SERVE ON THE BOARD ONLY GET PAID FOR A NOMINAL AMOUNT.

>> $20 FOR SEVEN HOURS.

>> YOU ARE A FORMER POLICE OFFICER >> SO YOU'RE BRINGING SOME INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIENCE MAYBE THAT THE JURY MAY HAVE LACKED IN OTHER TIMES AND YOU'VE BEEN WORKING TO GIVE THEM THAT EXPERTISE.

ONE OF THE STRENGTHS YOU HAVE 19 PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND THEY BRING ALL OF THEIR EXPERIENCE.

SO TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE ALONG IN THE BAY SICKEDS HOW TO LOOK AT THINGS IN NEUTRAL YET AGREE HEN SUBL WAY.

>> YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR GOING ON TWO YEARS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ABOUT A BUNCH OF GAD FLIES.

OR ANY AXES TO GRIND.

>> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT COME IN THE DOOR WITH A COUPLE OF THE PERSONAL AGENDAS.

THAT GOES AWAY PRETTY QUICKLY.

IT WOULD BE AN IMPROPER USE OF OUR AUTHORITY TO DO THAT KIND OF THING.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE 12 FAEM TO AGREE TO DO ANYTHING.

>> IN ALL COUNTIES EXCEPT A REALLY TINY AND L.A.

WHICH HAS SMALLER AND LARGER RESPECTIVELY >> WE HAVE THREE REPORTS ISSUED THIS YEAR: WE MAY HAVE YOU BACK.

WE'LL STA START WITH THE ANNUAL TOUR OF THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY CUSTODY FACILITIES.

AND EVERY TIME YOU GO ON STPAELED TRIP AND YOU AND THAT'S THE STATUTORY MINIMUM THAT WE HAVE TO THE EAGLE RIVER CONSERVATION PRISON CAMP AND THEN CUSTODIAL SPECIFICALLY THE JAIL.

TRADITIONALLY WE'VE EXPLORED A LOT OF THINGS.

SHERIFF'S FARM, THE CORONER'S OFFICE.

AND BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT TRADITIONALLY WE'VE REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THAT CONTINUITY.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PEOPLE ARE WORKING HARD AND BUT THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THE STAFFING AND THE QUALITY.

THAT'S NOT A REVELATION.

WHAT IS NICE TO SEE IS THE FOLKS WHO'RE IN PLACE MOST OF THEM ARE OVERWORKED.

A LOT OF THEM WORD YOU KING OVER TIME.

THEY KNOW WHY THEY'RE THERE.

EXACTLY THEY'RE VERY PLEASANT TO INTERACT IN THE WAY THEY DO THEIR JOBS.

THAT'S REALLY HEARTENING, AND THEY'RE WORKING HARD.

THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES.

>> ONE OF THINGS IN YOUR REPORT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE GRAND JURY REPORT THAT HAVEN'T NECESSARILY BEEN FOLLOWED THROUGH ON.

AND THOSE PROBLEMS MAY BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE EARLIER RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> THE ONE ROOF AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER.

THAT WAS BROUGHT UP LAST YEAR.

THE RESPONSE WAS WE'RE ON IT TO PARAPHRASE.

IS THERES MONEY ON IT.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHY IT HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD.

A WORK REQUISITION WAS PUT IN SOME TIME AGO I THINK 2022.

THE PROBLEM WITH EVERY RAINSTORM MAKES IT WORSE.

THAT'S REALLY THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ITEM WE IDENTIFIED THIS YEAR.

TRADITIONALLY THAT SEM PER AND THE WOOD STREET CAMPUS IS IN BAD SHAPE.

>> IT NEEDS A NEW BUILDING >> EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.

NOBODY REALLY DISAGREES WITH IT.

LET'S DEAL WITH SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN AFFECT TOMORROW OR NEXT WEEK OR NEXT MONTH.

>> SO IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I MISSED THERE YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION.

>> NO.

EXCEPT THAT EVEN THE FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT GREAT SHAPE ARE BEING MAINTAINED VERY WELL.

THAT'S ANOTHER CREDIT TO THE EMPLOYEES.

>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MENTION.

THAT'S ANOTHER FACET.

THEY'RE NOT ALL CRITICAL.

A LOT OF THE TIMES YOU'RE HIGHLIGHTING GOOD MORALE OR GOOD PERFORMANCE AND IT'S BASICALLY JUST LIKE A CITIZEN'S OVERVIEW WHICH I THINK IS FANTASTIC WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL DISAFFECTED BY THEIR GOVERNMENTS.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM ARE CRITICAL.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE BR STCOMPWHRVENLT THERE'S NO ONE NAMED OR POINTED TO IN ANY OF THESE AS SAYING YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

THIS ONE CAME TO ME AS A SURPRISE.

BUT THERE'S THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY GOVERNMENT BASICALLY LEASES AND OWNS SOME OF THE BUILDINGS THAT HOUSES ITS OFFICES.

IT SPENDS $500,000 ON LEASING BUILDINGS WHICH AMOUNTS TO $6 MILLION TO LEASE OFFICE SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND YOU WOULD THE MONEY BETTER SPENT BY OWNING THESE FACILITIES.

TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION WHAT SAY YOU?

>> I THINK IT'S TRUE OF ANY -- IF YOU WERE RENTING FOR A LONG TIME WHEREVER YOU LIVE YOU'RE GOING TO REACH THE POINT HAVING APPROACHED WOULD PAY OFF.

THAT'S GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS A 7-YEAR PERIOD WHERE THE WEIGHT TIPS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SCALE.

WE WERE A LITTLE SURPRISED AND I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS WE PURSUED THIS IS REALLY A BIG THING.

AGAIN THE COUNTY KNOWS THIS.

THE FOLKS IN PUBLIC WORKS, VERY HELPFUL.

THEY KNOW THIS.

THEY HAVE PLANS AND IDEA THEY WOULD LIKE TO IMPLEMENT.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO SO.

WE POINTED OUT SOME VERY GOOD THING.

IF ALL OF THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES IS IN CONSOLIDATED IN ONE BUILDING.

THE CONSOLIDATION IS A GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IDEA.

BEYOND THAT HAVING EVERYBODY UNDER ONE ROOF IS LIKELY MORE EFFICIENT.

AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET THE COUNTY TO SPEND MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE.

WHICH WE SUGGESTED A BOND ISSUE.

A 10 OR 20-YEAR BOND IS A LONG-TERM IF WE CAN CAN GET THESE BUILDINGS PURCHASED OR BUILT INN THERE'S GOING TO BE SAVINGS IN THE LONG WAY.

AND ARCATA.

DID THAT WITH THEIR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PENSION OBLIGATIONS.

THEY TOOK OUT A BOND AND NE KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO PAY.

THE COUNTY HAS THE TO DO THE ABILITY TO DO OR SIMILAR WITH A BOND TO PURCHASE THESE FACILITIES.

>> IT'S THAT YOU'RE ASKING COUNTY TO SPEND MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW WE'RE $12 MILLION IN THE HOLE YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

>> THAT SAID WE RECOMMEND SOME SMALL TICKET ITEMS.

>> AS WE GO THROUGH THESE DRY PERIODS IT PAYS TO LOOK AT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES THAT MAY MAKE US MORE FISCALLY.

AND INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH.

ON THE COMPUTER AND ALL OF THAT IN THE END YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE HAPPINESS IN THE HEART OF THE ELECTORATE AND YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE YOUR JOBS BETTER >> ON THE TUESDAY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THESE IDEAS CAME UP.

BUT IT'S GOOD TO SEE THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT PURCHASING VERSION LEASING AND CONSOLIDATION BEING DISCUSSED.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE'RE HERE TO PUT THOSE IDEAS INTO THE PUBLIC REFORM.

>> REAL QUICK.

IT'S HARD TO QUANTIFY.

YOU MENTIONED IT'S $6 MILLION IF WE OWNED THAT EVENTUALLY HOW MUCH WOULD THE AFTER 7 YEARS HOW WOULD -- >> I'M NOT A REAL ESTATE EXPERT BUT EVERY YEAR YOU'RE BUILDING BOOECT.

SO EVERY YEAR YOU HAVE MORE IN YOUR POCKET.

AFTER SEVEN YEARS THE GENERAL THINKING IS YOU ARE NOW PAYING YOURSELF STPOOT TO PAYING THE LANDLORD.

YEARS, 8, 9, 10 ARE YOU BUILDING EQUITY AND OWNING THE BUILDINGS.

YOU CAN DO THE IT AN ALTERATIONS YOU NEED TO.

YOU THEN HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEM.

YOU'RE PAYING FOR THAT JUST FILTERED THROUGH THE LANDLORD.

SO HAVING THESE BUILDING UNDER YOUR CONTROL IS AN EASIER WAY TO DO BUSINESS.

SOME PEOPLE IF YOU LEASE IT YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES ON SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES THEY ARE PAYING THE PROPERTIES TAXES.

>> ALLOF THE LEASED BUILDINGS ARE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES.

NINE OF THEM ARE THE LEASE AGREEMENT IS THAT THE COUNTY PAYS THE PROPERTY TAX IN ADDITION TO THE RENT.

NOW THAT PROBABLY BALANCES OUT.

JUST A DETAIL AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING THAT COST MORE MONEY.

YOU PINT OUT THAT DHHS WHICH IS ON THE BUILDING ON G STREET.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF BUILDING.

THAT'S THE PROFESSIONAL BUILDING.

>> THAT'S A HEFTY EXPENSE TO KEEP THAT UP AND GOING.

>> DID I MISS ANYTHING.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH IN THERE.

I THINK WE'VE KIND OF DEFINED IT >> ON THE SURFACE.

SO THIS IS THE MEATY IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CURRENT MOMENT IN HISTORY, AND ALSO THERE'S BEEN SOME REACTION IN THE LOCAL MEDIA.

BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE YOU GUYS THEY ESTABLISH A CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT PANEL BOARD AND THEN ESTABLISH THE POSITION OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT'S NECESSARY.

>> I SHOULD BE SCLAER WE'RE NOT ALLEGING THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DOING ANYTHING WRONG.

WHAT WE'RE SAYING PEOPLE NEED A CLEAR VIEW OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR GOVERNMENT.

NOTHING IS MORE PUBLIC THAN YOU HAVE TO THE RIGHT TO DEPRIVE SOMEBODY OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHY.

>> AGAIN I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ISN'T TELLING THEM THE RIGHT THING.

SO THEY NEED A TRANSPARENT VIEW.

WE'VE SEEN WITH THE EUREKA POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS WORKS.

>> THEY HAVE BOTH OF THESE.

THEY HAVE BOTH OF THESE A CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD AND BE CONTRACTING WITH A COMPANY DOWN SOUTH TO PROVIDE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SERVICES.

>> THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WILL BE SOMEBODY WITH EXPERTISE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO CAN HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF THE RECORDS INCLUDING PERSONNEL FILES TO DO A DOUBLE CHECK ON LOT OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS ISSUES AND THE HIGHER PROFILE ISSUES OUT THERE.

AND YOU'LL SEE EUREKA THEY'VE BROUGHT UP SOME THINGS WHERE THEY SAID THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CONTRADICT IN A PROGRESSIVE WAY WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS.

THE COST IS MINIMAL.

I THINK EUREKA IS PAYING 90 GRAND A YEAR.

WHICH IN THE BIG SCHEME IS NOT.

.

>> THE OVERSIGHT BOARD IS FREE.

>> BUT WHO WOULD MAKE HOW WOULD THAT PROCESS WORK.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE LIKE ANY OTHER BOARD OR BOARD THEY'D BE APPOINTED.

MAYBE IT'S ONE PER DISTRICT OR PLUS A FEW AT LARGE.

THAT'S FOR THE COUNTIES TO DECIDE.

IT SHOULD BE PEOPLE FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE.

>> NOW WE HAVE A RESPONSE THAT THE SHERIFF HANSEL GAVE IT TO THE NORTH COAST.

IF I'M ELECTED OFFICIAL IF I'M GOING TO BE OVERSIGHT.

ARE WE SINGLING OUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

TO CREATE ANOTHER BODY TO PROVIDE ADVISORY DECISION MAKING TO THE SHERIFF.

IS THAT REALLY NECESSARY.

AS WELL AS THE HUMAN RIGHTS SCMITION AND THE GRAND JURY AS PROVIDERS OF THE OVERSIGHT THAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING >> HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT.

>> LET ME A DRESS THEM IN BACKWARDS ORDER.

WE ARE THERE TO LOOK AT SYSTEMIC ISSUES.

IN FACT, WE CANNOT LOOK AT CASE-BY-CASE.

THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLY IMPROPER FOR US TO LOOK AT AN INDIVIDUAL CASE.

>> HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

>> THEY DO WHAT THEY DO.

BUT THERE'S SIMILAR.

THEY DON'T HAVE A CASE-BY-CASE OVERSIGHT ROLE.

THIS IS NOT SECOND GUESSING THE SHERIFF.

THIS IS HELPING WE HOPE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEM.

THE REASON WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF AND NOT OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IS THE NATURE OF THE WORK THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DOES.

YOU CAN DEPRIVE SOMEBODY OF THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES.

YOU CAN COMMIT AN EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING WHICH MAY BE 100% LEGAL AND PROPER AND NECESSARY.

THAT'S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY.

AND THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WANT TO KNOW IT'S BEING DONE RIGHT.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CRITICAL RESPONSE TEAM AS WITH THE DA LEAD INVESTIGATOR THEY'RE ALL A UNIT.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT THE UNIT IS ALWAYS IN THE POCKET OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INN ALL SITUATIONS.

THEY'RE ALL LOCAL POLICE OFFICIALS.

NOW THE LEGAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM CAN COME IN AND DO WHAT IT WANTS TO DO.

ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS ESPECIALLY INVOLVING OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS IT SEEMS THAT WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO BUILD TRUST WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE DEPARTMENT.

>> D.O.J.

THEY HAVE TO COME.

ASIDE FROM THAT WHETHER THEY'RE REQUESTED OR WHETHER THEY THINK THERE'S SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE.

WE'RE IN A PRETTY INSULAR COUNTY.

THERE'S ONLY 135,000 PEOPLE HERE.

AND I MEAN YOU MENTIONED THAT THE EPD HAS HAD THIS IN PLACE FOR A WHILE.

WHAT'S YOUR SENSE HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT.

ARE THEY BEGRUDGING THAT.

>> EPD HAS HAD A LOT OF THE CHANGE OVER THE YEARS.

THEY USED TO HAVE A VERY BAD USE OF FORCE REPUTATION.

THEY SEEMED TO HAVE EMBRACED THIS OVERSIGHT.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT CRITICAL IT IS OPENING DOORS.

>> NOW ONE OF THE DOORS IS THE COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING MODEL AS WELL, AND HOW THAT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS HISTORIC MOMENT IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE CULTURE HOW WE VIEW POLICE AND THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD AND I KNOW THEY WEREN'T IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY BUT THEY HAPPENED AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO'RE QUESTIONING THE USE OF POLICING AUTHORITY TO DEPRIVE PEOPLE OF THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES.

AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S JUSTIFIED.

I THINK PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> IS THAT PLAYING INTO THIS >> IT CAN'T NOT.

BUT LET'S STEP AWAY FROM THE GEORGE FLOYD AND THE SPECIFIC THINGS.

AS A WHOLE COUNTY IS LOOKING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE CRITICALLY.

THEY WANT TO SEE MORE TRANSPARENCY.

I'M RETIRED HAVE A HISTORY NOT ALWAYS GREAT.

USUALLY OKAY.

PEOPLE HAVE MIXED FEELINGS.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO OPEN THE DOOR IT'S SUNSHINE.

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO IS GOING TO MAKE THAT RELATIONSHIP BETTER.

IT'S GOING TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY POLICING.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.

ONE OF THE THING ON PAPER THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS AUTHORITY OVER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AT LEAST IN SOME MATTERS.

>> IT'S IN TERMS OF BUDGET.

THE SHERIFF IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

HE DOES THINGS AS HE DOES FIT AS HE SHOULD DO.

SO DOES THE TREASURE.

NOBODY IS MEDDLING IN THE TREASURE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I MISSED ANYTHING IMPORTANT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE I MISSED.

>> PROBABLY.

>> THERE'S A TON.

ITS COMPLEX.

>> I'VE KNOWN THE SHERIFF FOR 15 YEARS.

I RESPECT HIM PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY.

THIS IS NOT SUGGESTING HE OR HIS DEPARTMENT IS DOING ANYTHING WRONG.

WE'RE SUGGESTING AT THIS POINT IN TIME IN OUR SOCIETY THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.

HE MENTIONED RECALL AND ELECTIONS ARE THE WAY TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

IF THE INDIVIDUAL WHERE THEY WERE TREATED UN FAVORABLY THIS WOULD PROVIDE A NEW MECHANISM.

THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL THING ABOUT THE SHERIFF AND THIS IS ABOUT THE INSTITUTION AND THE PEOPLE IT SERVES.

BILLY IS DOING A GOOD JOB.

HE'S A GOOD GUY.

SO REALLY IT'S ABOUT INSTITUTION.

THAT'S IT FOR THE REPORT SO FAR.

WE HAVE THREE MINUTES LEFT, AND IF PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN SERVING.

LET'S FIRST IF PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE GRAND JURY HOW DO THEY GO ABOUT IT >> THEY CAN GO ONLINE.

DO A SEARCH FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

THERE WILL BE COMPLABT FORMS AS WELL AS ACCESS TO EVERY REPORT THAT'S BEEN RELEASED IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

>> DEPENDING ON -- >> EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN DEALT THAT THE AND DONE A REALLY GOOD OF REMEDIATING.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY.

>> I'M DONE.

SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE THERE.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO'RE CONSCIENTIOUS.

>> THE APPLICATION YOU FILL SOMETHING IN AND MAKE SURE THERE'S NOT DISQUALIFYING.

YOU'RE NOT.

YOU CAN BE PRESIDENT.

>> BUT YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

>> SORRY.

IT'S THE COURT THAT DECIDES.

AND THE DECIDES BY LITERALLY DRAWING FROM A HAT.

THIS CAN'T BE A FINGER ON THE SCALES FOR ANY OF THIS.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS ANYBODY.

ANYBODY WHO CARES AND COMMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK IN THE NEXT YEAR.

THE POWER COMES FROM EVERY WALK IN LIFE AND GIVING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

AS LONG AS YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON LOCALLY YOU'RE A GOOD GRAND JURY MEMBER.

>> LET'S SHOW THAT GRAPHIC UP REAL QUICK.

>> THERE ARE APPLICATIONS AND COMPLAINT FORMS IN THE DOOR.

WE DON'T HAVE IT STAFFED VERY OFTEN.

WE REALLY RECEIVE ANY SUPPORT.

BUT THOSE APPLICATIONS AND THOSE COMPLAINT FORMS ARE IN THE DOOR AND YOU CAN FILL ONE OUT AND MAIL IT OR SLIDE IT UNDER THE DOOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK RICHARD.

I THINK YOU'VE DONE GREAT WORK.

>> APPRECIATE YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK.

NEXT TIME, TUNE IN TO SEE KEET'S RECENT TOUR WITH THE MASSIVE WIND POWER FARM IN PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, TO GET A SENSE OF THE SCALE OF THESE MACHINES AND HOW THEY CAN HELP IN THE SEARCH FOR CLEANER SOURCES OF ENERGY.

ALSO, WE ATTENDED THE RECENT CONTACT IN THE DESERT IN INDIAN WELLS.

WE'LL HAVE A REPORT ON WHAT HAPPENED, AS WELL AS EXCERPTS FROM SEVERAL INTERVIEWS THAT CAN ULTIMATELY BE SEEN IN FULL ON OUR UAP-RELATED PODCAST, NEON GALACTIC.

STAY TUNED, STAY INFORMED.