Name: Coronavirus: Bay Area law enforcement agencies worry suspects released from jail pose safety threat
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Coronavirus: Bay Area law enforcement agencies worry suspects released from jail pose safety threat

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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateIn the week since California temporarily eliminated bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies, several law enforcement officials across the Bay Area have criticized the decision, saying it presents a public health risk on multiple fronts.The state’s judicial leaders approved the in an effort to reduce inmate populations amid the coronavirus pandemic, while also allowing pretrial proceedings to be conducted remotely. The rule, which took effect April 13, carries some exceptions that don’t qualify for zero cash bail, including domestic violence charges and certain violent felonies.The measures are expected to remain in effect until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency declared by Gov. Gavin Newsom.That window of time, however, could allow those accused of crimes to not only commit new crimes, but also potentially spread the virus if they don’t adhere to the region’s shelter-in-place orders, according to several Bay Area sheriff’s offices.“Our office opposes the zero bail, and these massive releases of criminals throughout the state will have repercussions for our communities yet to be realized,” said Sgt. Ray Kelly, of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “We can’t forget that behind each case is a crime victim.”Among the 27 inmates who have already been rearrested in Alameda County is Rocky Music, who is accused of carjacking a person during his walk Sunday from the Santa Rita Jail to the Dublin BART Station. Oakland police had arrested him about 12 hours earlier in a stolen car. Prosecutors filed charges Wednesday against Music, including carjacking.Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies arrested 26-year-old Daniel Avati-Lemos early Monday on suspicion of drug possession. Deputies arrested him again a little more than 24 hours later on suspicion of vehicle tampering, resisting arrest and a county parole hold.In Contra Costa County, a man who led San Ramon police on a car chase was detained but not booked. Brentwood police arrested a man carrying a machete, booked him into county jail and released him under the new order, said Jimmy Lee, a spokesman for the county Sheriff’s Office.The emergency measure to suspend cash bail comes on the heels of several Bay Area county jails taking proactive steps to reduce their inmate populations.Santa Rita Jail in Dublin saw its inmate population drop from 2,597 on March 1 to 1,773 on Tuesday, while Sonoma County Jail had 605 inmates as of this week — down from a daily average of 1,100.In San Francisco, officials pared the jail population from a daily average of 1,187 individuals in January to 737 as of Tuesday. The Sheriff’s Department, which oversees the jails, said the inmate counts represent a “historic low.”Sheriff Paul M. Miyamoto told The Chronicle that the elimination of bail raises concerns and presents challenges, but officials are trying to balance public health and public safety concerns.“We have to make sure we maintain that balance,” he said. “We are in it for the long haul.”Another issue has been finding housing for soon-to-be released inmates.“We don’t want to release someone who is going to become unsheltered and become part of the problems we face outside,” Miyamoto said, adding that the new order “accelerated” the process. “It takes away one of the tools that we have, which is time.”Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.Inmates also might not know if they’ve tested positive for the coronavirus after being released, Miyamoto said. Test results can take a day or two.Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston, who serves as president of the California State Sheriffs’ Association, said numerous sheriffs across the state are concerned about the “blanket” release of inmates. Not only does it “jeopardize public health,” he said, but it also risks the lives of inmates who are mentally ill or at risk of becoming homeless.More for youThe Judicial Council of California said in a statement that the emergency order does not establish a “blanket” release, as judges still have discretion to deny or raise bail if they deem a person presents a public safety risk.“The temporary rule was put in place as a way to balance public safety with public health, as jails are reporting COVID infections by jail staff and inmates,” officials said. “In many counties around the state, the courts, district attorneys, defense attorneys and law enforcement are coming together to lead during this unprecedented time and are able to effectively balance public health and public safety.”Sgt. Juan Valencia, of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, said it is too soon to assess the impact of the new order, but he pointed to the man his office arrested just a day after his release.“I think it’s too early to see the challenges, but this person went back out there and committed a crime within a 24-hour window — now exposing us,” Valencia said. “We don’t know who they’ve been in contact with.”Alejandro Serrano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: Twitter:Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateIn the week since California temporarily eliminated bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies, several law enforcement officials across the Bay Area have criticized the decision, saying it presents a public health risk on multiple fronts.The state’s judicial leaders approved the in an effort to reduce inmate populations amid the coronavirus pandemic, while also allowing pretrial proceedings to be conducted remotely. The rule, which took effect April 13, carries some exceptions that don’t qualify for zero cash bail, including...

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Alejandro Serrano

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Coronavirus: Bay Area law enforcement agencies worry suspects released from jail pose safety threat

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