Sheriff reports uptick in calls but lower detention intakes; jail records one COVID-positive detainee
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Summary
Sheriff Cantrell told the committee patrol calls rose about 10% year-over-year while detention intakes were slightly down; he reported one COVID-positive female in custody with eight exposures who were isolated, and provided current population counts, including 396 pretrial detainees.
Sheriff Cantrell briefed the committee on public-safety and detention trends and answered members' questions about inmate counts and health protocols.
"Our calls for service for our enforcement section are up a little bit and we've seen about a 10% growth year over year," Cantrell said, describing an increase in patrol activity in 2025 compared with 2024. He also reported detention intakes were down slightly overall but noted that during the Christmas-to-New-Year interval the department transferred 25 additional people to prison.
In response to Justice Koger's questions about COVID in the jail, the sheriff said, "We have 1 case of, 1 COVID positive female and, but 8 exposures." He explained the eight people exposed had been isolated.
The sheriff provided operational counts in response to committee questions: he said there were 126 females in custody at the time reported, 82 federal detainees (four of whom were immigration cases), and 396 pretrial detainees. The sheriff also said 142 people were sleeping on the floor the previous night (135 males and 7 females), reflecting capacity strain.
Committee members thanked the sheriff for the update. No committee action was taken on the report; the sheriff said he would be available to answer additional operational questions as needed.