LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero confirmed Wednesday that he is analyzing options of replacing Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) transportation staff with a private security company.
LCSO Finance Manager Mary Beth Strong explained via email that “The Sheriff”s Office is always looking for ways to save taxpayer money. One aspect we are analyzing is out-of-county transports to locations such as RCCC and San Quentin. We are looking at whether contracting out this service would save money and allow these officers to remain in the facility to assist in operations.”
According to Strong, there are currently seven LCSO correctional officers assigned to transportation.
A vehicle reportedly belonging to a representative of Black Talon Security (est. 2008) of Napa was observed at the Hill Road Correctional Facility. A phone call placed by Record-Bee staff confirmed the company was there, but did not say in what capacity.
Rivero said Wednesday night that he has never heard of, nor had any contact with, Black Talon, and because the analysis is in the preliminary stages there is no bidding process taking place. He said that if the company was out there, “they were probably just checking it out. Anybody can do that.”
Strong said LCSO is “in the process of identifying these companies. It is unknown at this time if any are located within Lake County.”
She said that “If an analysis leads to the issuance of an RFP (request for proposal) and there are vendors in Lake County, they would most certainly be encouraged to bid, as both the S.O. and county utilize local vendors whenever possible.”
Strong wrote that the move to explore this option is not based on a model from another county.
