Guidelines

I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following :








Tuesday, August 8, 2017

We Have to Be Smart With our Jail Spending....

I am a Republican.

I am a fiscal Conservative.

I want violent offenders locked up and kept incarcerated!

........But we are spending way too much money on our Jail and this is killing our ability to fund needed infrastructure repairs and public safety.

We need to work together on this problem, we need to work collaboratively (as County Commissioners that own the Jail) with Judges, Prosecutors, Law Enforcement, Public Defenders, and our Jail staff.  Can we lower the jail population safely and save our taxpayers $ Millions?  I think we need to.....

                                      This video is a well produced, 4 minute video that captures
                                       the essence of this issue...


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Since I have been watching the budget process and learning more about the reality of costs involved,(etc) I have had a similar epiphany about the "lock em up" mentality. Comm Bergosh, I think you are doing a fantastic job and I thank you. The fact your brother is a judge is a plus. I believe you genuinely are trying to learn and do a good job as our public servant. I see a good heart through your eyes.

Anonymous said...

I think there should be alternatives to drug incarceration since these are not necessarily violent crimes. There should be mandatory rehab that is long-term, and perhaps consequences if rehab isn't attended to. Perhaps that would lower the incarceration rates...not sure the reason why folks are incarcerated here locally, but something to look into.

Anonymous said...

It would help if I watched the video. I see some of the the reasons why some are locked up, and I agree.