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San Jacinto County approves partition and study of climate control to secure sheriff evidence storage
Summary
After sheriff's staff warned of humidity damage to evidence and records, commissioners voted unanimously to build an 8‑foot wood partition with chain‑link topping at the Cochran Road building and requested proposals for climate control and long‑term solutions.
San Jacinto County commissioners voted unanimously to partition a county-owned building on Cochran Road to create a secure, climate‑controlled area for sheriff's evidence, records and investigative operations.
Lieutenant Flamingo Rial of the sheriff's office told the court the facility currently houses thousands of pieces of evidence and sexual offender registration records and that excessive heat and humidity have “ruined most of those boxes” now in storage. Rial said the space is used for forensics processing, DNA collection, latent fingerprint work and other investigative tasks and urged improved climate control and restricted access to preserve chain of custody.
Commissioners debated interim and long‑term fixes, weighing a simple partition or chain‑link separation against insulating and conditioning the entire room. One commissioner estimated a basic wood partition could cost roughly $2,000 while a more complete build‑out with decking or a top could approach $25,000. Staff and the sheriff's office emphasized that the separated area must prevent unauthorized access so evidence can be produced in court with an intact chain of custody.
After discussion, Commissioner Matun moved and Commissioner Donnelly seconded a motion to build a 2x6 wood wall roughly 8 feet tall with chain‑link extension to the ceiling to separate the sheriff's secure space from general storage. The motion passed unanimously. Court directions asked staff to solicit multiple proposals — including estimates for an insulated, air‑conditioned portion and a lower‑cost partition option — and return with cost figures for the court to consider before approving additional work.
The court recorded the partition vote as a procedural first step; commissioners said a follow‑up agenda item would present formal proposals, any required procurement documents and potential funding sources. The sheriff's office stressed that climate control and access restrictions would remain a priority when staff return with bids and budgets.
