Sheriff Mike Fisher spoke to Loyalton City Council April 16th on law enforcement and animal control within the City limits. The County doesn’t have a dedicated animal control officer and County code is for the public health officer director to delegate to the sheriff as it has 23 years. With no County kennel, the County contracts with Truckee Animal Shelter and the City has a separate contract with Truckee Animal Shelter. The fee to house or surrender is $282 to $290 per animal or $15/day for rabies observation. Cats are $100 less to bring in. There was talk of changing the agreement for Truckee to deal directly with citizens who would go directly to the shelter and the fee would go to the City with no attempt to find the owner and could cost the City or County. Truckee has agreed to hold off.
There have been a total 421 calls for service within the City from March 19, 2023 to March 19, 2024: 228 criminal in nature; 112 medical paged fire dept; 35 additional non emergency; 25 civil service; 5 fire calls and 16 others. Of those there have been 10 arrests with 4 additional probation. Sierra County foots the bill for incarceration and currently, it costs $136 per day per inmate; $9,000 for 14 arrests with a current budget of $300,000. AB109 allows some funding for certain felonies.
There have been 5 coroner cases within City limits in that time. With no pathologist, the County contracts with Placer County costing $500-1,500 in pathologist fees depending on what level of investigation and travel time.
Base pay for a deputy entry level is $86,000/year which rises with time and promotions. The City receives $100,000/year for law enforcement given to the sheriff and pays an additional $12,000. Currently there are nine deputies spread over 1,000 miles; two are out on medical with two open positions. Two hires are in last week of training. The last four deputies have all been local and know what it’s like living here. They’ve hired retired Sgt. Dwight Cline out of Plumas County who came full/time at the Loyalton substation. They don’t run 24-coverage but are on call on both sides of the county.
Mike told of 9-1-1 issues tracked down and update on all computers.
On wildlife, Mike called lions or bears public safety. He felt Fish & Wildlife should come and deal with them and wardens’ hands are tied unless there’s a threat. He said his department would respond if people are in peril. There is a Fish & Wildlife Council in the County and he stated area locals could voice concerns.
Sierra County Fish and Wildlife Commission meets 4th Tuesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. (except December). Call for location (530) 994-3376
