(Photo courtesy of the L.A. Times)
“Further distancing herself from the practices of her indicted predecessor, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens said she wouldn’t use a team of deputies to protect her — or even a driver to chauffeur her to public appearances,” according to the L.A. Times.
I remember how disgraced former Sheriff Mike Carona used to travel in a black SUV, with a driver, and with another SUV alongside, full of his goons. What a waste of tax money that was! What a refreshing change to have a Sheriff who says she doesn’t need the goons. She will be packing a Glock and driving her own car. I’m impressed!
Consider that the guy who was overlooked when Hutchens got the job, SAPD Chief Paul Walters, would likely have continued the Carona caravan tradition.
Of course there is nothing Hutchens can do to impress the folks at the O.C. Register. While Steven Greenhut did give her kudos for ending the Carona security detail, he also said, in a recent Orange Punch post, that she has not accomplished anything.
I am more than happy to be patient while Hutchens continues to review the disaster that Carona made of his department. I am certain that she will put together an excellent plan to fix the department in due course. It is easier to destroy than to fix, so we should not expect any quick miracles. Hutchens has shown us that she is tough and committed to not blowing tax money. I think we will all be happy with the way she goes about fixing her department.
Consider that many if not all of the elected hacks who backed Carona have yet to apologize for continuing to support him even after the OC Weekly and the L.A. Times revealed the extent of his corruption, way before he was indicted. If anything the folks at the O.C. Register ought to apologize. Their reporters and editors and columnists were far too cushy with Carona. Remember that he would only talk to their reporters? Newspapers should not cover up for politicians! It is their job to stick it to them, not to get cozy with them.
I suspect that all the media in town will keep a close eye on Hutchens. She won’t get away with the crap that Carona got away with. And that is the way it ought to be. But ripping her because she has not yet put together her plan to fix her department is a bit much. Give her some time to figure out exactly how much damage Carona did. That is just common sense.
Don’t presidents usually get 100 days before people start assessing/deriding their accomplishments (or lack thereof)? Sheriff Hutchens hasn’t even been in office a month! I also think she will be impressive, and I agree with you, Art. People have to be reasonable in giving her at least a year to ameliorate the morass that took many years to create.
Yeah, read this in the Times…yesterday.
When I come to a conclusion about Sandi (or any other person in office), it will be based on tests of leadership, ethics and courage. Thus far, I have seen nothing to judge either way.
As for 100 days, sometimes it doesn’t take that long. So far, so good for Sandi, but there’s been no test. Given the serious nature of problems in OCSD, tests are certain to come. I didn’t support her as a candidate, but I’m open-minded about her performance.
Bring back Carona! I have my thousand bucks saved up and I want the badge and title of being a cop!
😉
Are I agree with alot of what you say concerning the new Sheriff and feel she will do a great job. But your wrong when you say Walters would have had bodyguards like Carona. If I remember correctly he told the Bos this was a waste of taxpayers and he didn’t need them.The best thin is Hutchens is a Sheriff with integerity and honor and not a Sellout like Anderson who only wanted to sellout rank&File just to please the BOS.Thank goodness they were smart enough not to vote for him.
Paul walters does in fact have a (paid officer)driver but apparently with its low crime rate Santa Ana doesnt need that money going to having an officer on the street. Protect that gas guzzling SUV and Walters not SA!
I’m just curious here… how exactly is the Sheriff’s Dept a “disaster”. Is OC unsafe to live in now? Is there crime at every corner like in LA? Wake up people. Corona might of done some “unethical” things (won’t know for sure until his trial) but the department was ran right. There were some problems here and there but like all other organization… problems will pop up and you fix it.
FYI… crime rates have DROPPED within the past 10 years. OC is nicer and safer to live in. Sandra is still too new for me to judge but she just brought in a few of her buddies from LA. I just hope OC does not turn into LA. We are very different and DO NOT NEED LAPD/LASD in OC.
Have you ever wondered… Sandra and her buddies worked in LA… why don’t they live in LA? Why do they all live in OC? OC must be a pretty nice and safe place to live… which means the OCSD helped make it safer and nicer to live in!