Shasta County Sheriff's Office aims for increased arrests and public safety efforts

Public safety took center stage at the Shasta County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting on March 24, 2025, as Sheriff discussed aggressive strategies to combat crime and improve community safety. The Sheriff emphasized the importance of increasing arrests and sending more felons to prison, rather than allowing them to reach plea deals that result in shorter sentences. "My goal is to make more arrests next year than we did this year," he stated, underscoring a commitment to tackling serious offenses alongside low-level crimes.

The Sheriff highlighted the need for a dual approach to crime prevention, addressing both felony filings and alternative custody programs. He noted that the challenges faced by law enforcement are not solely the responsibility of the district attorney or the courts but require a collaborative effort from all agencies involved. "We need to figure that out too," he said, calling for a united front in addressing public safety issues.

In a lighter moment, Supervisor Kaelstrom suggested providing the Sheriff with a notepad for better note-taking, referencing the Sheriff’s resourcefulness in writing on his hands during the meeting. This humorous exchange contrasted with the serious discussions about crime and safety.

The meeting concluded with a call for each agency to identify one actionable step they could take in the next six months to enhance public safety in Shasta County. The Sheriff’s proactive stance and focus on serious crime signal a determined effort to ensure community safety, despite the ongoing challenges within the justice system.