On Jan. 5, 55 people filled the community room of the Ocean Park Library to learn about a letter sent to the Pacific County Commissioners asking them to rescind their decision regarding the removal of the county jail from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and replacing it with a county-supervised corrections facility.

The letter points out that the county appears to have violated several Open Public Meeting Act provisions as well as its own hiring policy in their rush to make the jail change before 2024 ended. It asks that they rescind their decision on or before the next commissioner meeting of January 14, 2025 for the reasons stated.

The Ocean Park meeting was standing room only. Sheriff Daniel Garcia spoke to the crowd and answered many questions about the transition and the impact of the change to his office. New Undersheriff Michael Parker was also present and a surprise attendee was state Rep. Jim Walsh.

Walsh spoke about bills either being fought against or brought forth in order to protect law enforcement in the state. Sheriff Garcia mentioned that it was Walsh who helped bring forth an over $400,000 grant used for jail improvements. They spoke of other projects they are discussing for the future, but it was clear that Walsh was there in overall support of the sheriff and all county sheriff offices in the state.

The letter had also been presented at a meeting held in Raymond on Jan. 4, at which there were an estimated 50 attendees. From just these two gatherings, 94 county residents signed in support of the call to rescind the jail decision. The signatures were from all areas of the county, north, east and south.

DIANE L. GRUBER, BONNIE COZBY and TOM DOWNER