Law Enforcement Service within the City Of Willows

Willows, CA – The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office has provided law enforcement services to the City of Willows since 2017 under a contract for services. This contract expired on June 30, 2023. Following several months of negotiations, the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Willows have been unable to come to an agreement on the 2023 contract for services.

Due to increased costs to provide services and increased caseload within the City of Willows jurisdiction, the total cost of the contract has increased. The City of Willows jurisdiction accounts for approximately 50% of our total law enforcement caseload. This increase in costs and caseload must be accounted for in the contract renewal. Per government code 51350, the County must contract for actual costs for services provided and cannot provide services at a discounted or lower rate than actuals. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office will not sacrifice officer safety by agreeing to staffing levels below the minimum required.

The Sheriff’s Office has continued to meet with City Management to discuss this issue and has provided documentation for the increased costs as well as the required increase in staffing to meet the law enforcement needs of Willows. The Sheriff’s Office has also presented alternative solutions to the City of Willows including a transition plan for the restart of City provided law enforcement services. This transition plan would come with phased law enforcement coverage by the Sheriff’s Office until the City Police Department could be reinstated.

Currently, there is no contract for law enforcement services in effect for the City of Willows. The Sheriff’s Office continues to provide law enforcement services within the city limits, however, has been unable to bill for the services provided since July 1, 2023. Currently the costs incurred exceed $600,000.

If the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Willows are unable to come to an agreement by October 16, 2023, contracted Law Enforcement services, including animal control, will end in the City of Willows. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide dispatching services and respond only to felonies in progress.

The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to finding a solution that ensures the safety of the residents of Willows as well as the safety of our deputies. For additional information regarding this matter, including the letters to the City of Willows dated September 1, 22, and 25, 2023, can be accessed below this article on the website in a PDF attachment .

Citizens with questions regarding law enforcement services in the City of Willows should contact the City of Willows at 530-934-7041 or in person at City Hall 201 N Lassen St. Willows, CA.

For general information, contact the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 934-6441, visit our website: www.countyofglenn.net/sheriff or access us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/glenncountysheriff

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