Sacramento County Archives

Op-ed | Enlarge the Jail? Sacramento County’s Misstep

By Mark DempseyAugust 12, 2026

Sacramento County is scheduled to convene a public listening session on August 27 concerning its “Jail System Master Planning.” The initiative has drawn criticism from author Mark Dempsey, who argues the county’s framework disproportionately emphasizes carceral expansion while overlooking more cost-effective social services and crime prevention alternatives. Dempsey contends this approach neglects systemic issues, such as the detention of unconvicted individuals due to bail inability, advocating for solutions like supervised release and community-based programs.

Op-ed | California Is Rebuilding Its Mental Health Safety Net. Families Like Mine Are Holding It Together in the Meantime

By Anita Brazil-PaitaJuly 12, 2026

Sacramento County’s Full Service Partnership (FSP) system is undergoing a redesign, coinciding with a loss of funding for Capital Stars Community Services, a provider within the system. This development has impacted service delivery for clients, including a family whose son has a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and has resulted in a county-wide pause on FSP-level transfers during the transition.

Sacramento Grand Jury: Late-Night Jail Releases Still Pose Safety Risks

By Shreya VermaJune 26, 2026

A Sacramento County Grand Jury report indicated a reduction in late-night releases from the Sacramento Main Jail since prior investigations, though it underscored the continued necessity for reforms to enhance the protection of individuals exiting custody and improve public safety.

Sacramento County Vote Highlights Progress and Persistent Obstacles in California’s Housing Push

By David M. GreenwaldJune 20, 2026

Sacramento County supervisors unanimously approved the Upper Westside Plan, a 9,300-home development west of Natomas, a decision that reflects California’s evolving approach to housing production despite considerable environmental opposition and local community resistance.

Op-ed | The Supervisor Rodriguez Conundrum

By Mark DempseyJune 13, 2026

Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez recently voiced concerns regarding the County’s budget deficit, contending that underfunding for law enforcement and correctional infrastructure jeopardizes public safety. This assertion is made as data indicates incarceration costs are seven times higher than medical treatment for addiction, and police solve less than 15% of reported crimes.

Sacramento Homeless Population Surges 13% Amid Looming Service Cuts

By Bradley AguinadaMay 15, 2026

A federally mandated Point-in-Time count indicated Sacramento County’s homeless population rose by 13% compared to 2024, reaching 7,458 individuals. The report, released by Sacramento Steps Forward, highlighted these figures amid the City of Sacramento’s expanded shelter capacity and ongoing deliberations regarding potential budget cuts to homelessness services.

A Letter to Sacramento County Supervisors about Homelessness

By Mark Dempsey March 19, 2026

The US needs to take a U-turn in its management of homelessness and addiction, as the number one cause of homelessness is poverty, not mental illness or addiction, and the US and the Philippines are the only countries that require cash bail.

Court Watch: Judge Denies Disability Claim, Sentences Woman to 67 Days for Missed Service

By William TrevorFebruary 9, 2026

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge sentenced an accused woman to 67 days in county jail for failing to complete court-ordered community service, despite her claims that she was turned away from service sites due to a documented disability.

Jail, Jail, Jail, Jail, Jail

By Mark Dempsey February 8, 2026

The County is sponsoring “listening” sessions about the County Jail, but no alternatives to jailing are offered, which validates Boss Tweed’s political wisdom and perpetuates the cycle of expensive and ineffective incarceration rates.

Op-ed | Local Public Policy Heartlessness

By Mark Dempsey December 8, 2025

Sacramento County Supervisor Rodriguez has been criticized for her lack of compassion towards the homeless, as she has supported the destruction of their shelters and has not offered any alternative housing solutions.

Governor’s Veto Leaves Public Defenders Vulnerable to Political Influence

By Sophia PorayouwOctober 15, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 485, which would have provided job protections for chief public defenders, drawing disappointment from the California Public Defenders Association.

California Braces for ‘Devastating’ Expected Cuts to Federal Homeless Housing Funds

By Marisa KendallOctober 7, 2025

The Trump administration is expected to cut federal funding for permanent housing, which could reverse recent progress made in solving California’s homelessness problem and result in thousands of vulnerable residents being evicted from their subsidized housing.

SACOG: Sacramento Region Sees Highest Housing Production in Two Decades, Exceeding Near-Term Target

By David M. GreenwaldAugust 26, 2025

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) announced that the region built 12,500 homes in 2024, marking the highest housing production year since 2005 and a 60 percent increase compared to just five years ago.

Supreme Court Upholds Death Penalty for Elk Grove Shooter Aaron Dunn, Rejecting Appeals

By Jamie KoJuly 26, 2025

The California Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and death sentence of Aaron Norman Dunn, who was found guilty of killing two people and attempting to kill five others during a 2006 mass shooting in Elk Grove.

Sacramento Sheriff’s Office Denies Role in Immigration Enforcement Actions

By Yanik LlamasJuly 20, 2025

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it did not participate in recent immigration enforcement operations in the area, despite receiving 911 calls related to such operations.

California Counties May Face $1 Billion in Costs Due to Proposed Medicaid Cuts

By Maya FarshoukhJuly 2, 2025

The proposed federal Medicaid cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” could force California counties to bear an additional $1 billion in costs to maintain behavioral health services, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands without access to mental health and substance use treatment.

Sacramento Grand Jury Highlights Failures in Domestic Violence Program

By Vanguard Court Watch InternsJuly 1, 2025

The Sacramento County Grand Jury released its final quarterly report for 2024-2025, highlighting issues with the Batterer’s Treatment Program, Proposition 28 funding, financial abuse of the elderly, and financial mismanagement in the City of Isleton, and recommending steps to address these problems.

New Bill Proposes Regional Agency to Address Sacramento’s Housing, Homelessness Issues

By Vanguard AdministratorJune 27, 2025

Senator Angelique Ashby has introduced Senate Bill 802, which would establish a new regional agency to coordinate housing and homelessness programs across Sacramento County, in an effort to address the region’s persistent housing and homelessness crisis.

Opinion: The Trump Administration Is Manufacturing a New Homelessness Crisis in California

By David M. GreenwaldJune 13, 2025

The Trump administration is actively undermining the Emergency Housing Voucher program, which helps thousands of vulnerable Californians secure housing, in order to push them back onto the streets, and is also using bureaucratic means to punish organizations that serve marginalized communities.

Sacramento County’s Response to Elder Financial Abuse Faces Scrutiny

By Sophie WentzellJune 7, 2025

Sacramento County is experiencing a rise in elder financial abuse, with nearly 4,000 cases confirmed between 2019 and 2024, yet only 123 cases were referred to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, and the Grand Jury recommends hiring additional specialized social workers and increased funding to address the issue.

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