SBCGrandJury
Grand Jury Suggests Improved Conditions for Female Inmates at Santa Barbara County Jail
Making Better Choices There are two distinct populations in Santa Barbara County’s jails: male and female. The 2024-25 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury conducted an investigation into the living conditions for female inmates in local jails. Female inmates only make…
More Funding for Inspections of Street Food Vendors Needed, Reports Grand Jury
The number of unpermitted mobile food vendors operating in Santa Barbara County has grown dramatically over recent years. Many of them prepare their food in unsanitary conditions and lack temperature-controlled storage, and thus threaten public health. The 2024-25 Santa Barbara…
Grand Jury Finds Increased E-Bike Education and Enforcement Could Make Streets Safer
What Will It Take to Make Them Safe? Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, have become an increasing part of the everyday commute. This is especially true in the City of Santa Barbara, where city officials have redesigned city pathways to encourage…
Grand Jury Addresses Main Issues in Santa Barbara County South Coast Housing Crisis
The housing shortage in Santa Barbara County’s South Coast, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents, is reaching crisis levels. This growing concern is now a frequent topic at public hearings, advocacy meetings, and in news reports. The root of the…
County Grand Jury Examines Three Custody-Related Deaths at Local Jails
FATAL HEAD INJURY AT THE NORTHERN BRANCH JAIL A Custody-related Death Investigation An inmate, AAO, died at Marian Regional Medical Center 19 days after he fell from standing height and struck his head on the floor of Santa Barbara County’s…
County Grand Jury Finds Cannabis Tax Revenue Declines as Expenses Increase
The 2024-25 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury investigated the current Santa Barbara County cannabis tax revenue and cannabis tax expenditures and how they are reported. During its investigation, the Jury learned that Santa Barbara County’s tax revenues from the cannabis…
Grand Jury Praises Water Management in Santa Barbara County
Keep Up the Good Work Water availability has been a concern in the region of Santa Barbara County since the earliest settlements of the Chumash. The most recent drought, ending in 2023, refocused attention on the need to both conserve…
Are Low Vaccination Rates A Problem For Santa Barbara County?
Could an outbreak such as measles or polio occur in Santa Barbara County due to low vaccination levels? A new 2024-25 Santa Barbara County Grand Jury report examines this question and concludes public health data and records are currently inadequate…