Sheriff: jail population rising, marine patrol ended after 30% funding cut

Sheriff reported a rise in calls and jail population and told the Spokane Board of Commissioners on July 15 that he has ended the county's marine patrol agreement after the Marine Board reduced funding by about 30%.

The sheriff told commissioners the office handled about 1,448 calls over the last two months, including 438 traffic stops, roughly 103 physical arrests and 37 crashes. "Over the last 3 months on patrol, we've been a little short staffed and, you know, we are full staff now," the sheriff said, adding that deputies and jail staff have been under heavy workload while new personnel complete training.

The sheriff said the jail population has risen in recent weeks. "Two months ago, we were averaging 110 to 115 inmates... In the last 2 months or so, we've seen a pretty good uptick. We're averaging 145 or so in the jail," the sheriff said, noting higher counts make inmate housing and separation more difficult. He said the district…