IE Voice Staff
The Inland Equity Partnership is reaching out to residents of Riverside County to raise awareness of a pending action by controversial County Sheriff, Chad Bianco.
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, Bianco will appear before the Riverside County Board of Supervisor and seek permission to apply for more than $3.3 million dollars in funding from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF).
According to the Inland Equity Partnership, the funding, intended to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus has “no restrictions” on the ability of the Sheriff’s Department to redirect the funding to hire more deputies, buy non-medical policing equipment, and pay for overtime.
Throughout the pandemic Bianco has been an aggressive, outspoken opponent to nearly every effort aimed at containing the virus. On numerous occasions he has loudly and repeatedly refused to commit any resources to enforcing coronavirus pandemic restrictions, has failed to provide basic pandemic protections for the incarcerated in his custody.
Although requests to speak and/or provide written comments to an item on the Board of Suprvisor’s agenda must be submitted 24 hours in advance of a meeting, Riverside County residents are encouraged to view the meeting live here beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26 and view the proceedings.
The Inland Equity Partnership is a justice coalition of community groups, organizing and advocating for policies which reduce poverty. Its primary focus is on local and state budget advocacy and the identification of revenue solutions. It is also organizing to build power and leadership among low-income and people of color in communities by strengthening their voice and collective power to advocate for the policies that affect their lives the most through grassroots organizing, convening partners, and providing community education.