SANTA BARBARA JAIL OPERATONS

When an inmate is brought in to any Santa Barbara facility, he or she is searched, checked medically, put in a holding cell while going through the booking process and then given a wristband that contains their personal information.

A special unit of trained personnel interviews and places inmates in general population or protective custody along with classifying them for housing.  Behavior, membership in a particular gang and the crime committed all factor into this decision. The inmates are given blue or orange jumpsuits to wear and they are always under constant surveillance from camera systems, control rooms and staff.

Santa Barbara County also regulates its jail staff of 200 for their own safety by having them stop at each door, saying a code number and waiting for surveillance room personnel to identify them on camera. Lethal weapons are not allowed in the jails.  Instead, staffers use tasers, pepper spray and handcuffs.

Although most of the hard core criminals are not premitted to talk to each other, they have found ways to do so, mostly by using sign language.

JAIL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS

The county jails offer a variety of services aimed at rehabilitating inmates so they don’t return.  Job training, educational and counseling programs (like family and drug counseling) are available through the Inmate Services Unit.  Inmates are also given the opportunity to work and earn money in the jails’ laundry facilities, print and metal shops.   Other jobs include working in a bicycle rebuilding program, tailoring, culinary arts, landscaping and cleaning law enforcement facilities like the Isla Vista Foot Patrol substation.

The Homeless Inmate Discharge Planning Program helps indigent inmates get permanent housing once they’re released from jail.  Another community outreach coordinator works with volunteers and faith-based groups to get newly released inmates transportation and transitional housing.  Still another group, United Through Reading, tackles family issues and teaches inmates how to relate to their children in more positive ways.  Prisoners record themselves reading books and then send them to their kids, who write letters back.

Finally, the Sheriff’s Drug Program gives incarcerated participants who want sobriety the opportunity to live separately from other inmates.  In fact, the Santa Barbara Sheriff Department substance abuse treatment program is one of a kind. The residential treatment program started in 1996 with 12 participants. Now, there are over 140 enrollees who live in two housing units in the Main Jail and the medium security facility. Interestingly, the program is paid for by inmates, not tax-payers via a percentage of collect outgoing phone calls and revenues from the commissary. Inmates in the treatment program are required to undergo counseling, complete assignements and participate in group meetings. Many people who complete this program continue to seek treatment in outside groups when they leave jail, becoming both success stories in their communities and unlikely returns.

OVERCROWDING AND RECIDIVISM

Like jails throughout California and the rest of the country, during the last 15 years, court-mandated caps on inmate numbers and service programs have changed the way the Santa Barbara County jail system is run.  The caps are based on the number of beds available and the annual operating cost of the jails. It costs $26,000 to house an inmate each year – nearly $36 million total – and studies show that more than 70 percent of those jailed will go on commit more crimes and be jailed here, once again.

Santa Barbara’s Medium Security Jail has not yet gone over its capacity limit, although it constantly struggles to keep its numbers down.  Placing more guards at this jail, redistributing inmates and creating programs to fight recidivism like the substance abuse program has helped.  This facility, having a capacity of 300 men and 100 women, can also house more than just low-level misdemeanor inmates, giving the county the option to send more prisoners their way.  Pre-trial, sentenced and working inmates here have also get more privileges than their longer term Main Jail counterparts. Yard time, game rooms and libraries are more lax, promoting more of a sense of trust and responsibility.

The county also uses electronic monitoring, behavior earned early release and citations to keep inmate numbers down.  If the total prison population rises above the cap and no one can be released on his or her own recognizance a sentenced inmate will be released early.  Good behavior and willingness to work factor into the decision of who merits an early release.  Violent criminals are not eligible. The county has the difficult position of deciding at what point financial cut offs must be made and there is no telling what impact Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new law on early release will have on Santa Barbara.

Source: Noozhawk 

Published: 02/23/2010

PRESS RELEASE 

CONTACT:
Tonya Rynerson, Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2010 (Los Angeles, CA) – Throughout the world, people and organizations are reaching to help the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12. One Los Angeles bail bonds company is responding. The small team of bondsmen at Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds has personally collected 42 pairs of shoes to assist Soles4Souls in their efforts to bring a small measure of relief to the people of Haiti.

“When tragedy strikes, especially earthquake, people of California want to help in a way that touches the individuals involved,” says Greg Rynerson, bail bondsman and company owner. “With Soles4Souls, we knew our efforts we would reach families on the front line of the disaster.” 

Soles4Souls CEO Wayne Elsey first collected shoes to send to people in need after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia where 250,000 pairs of shoes were provided. After Hurricane Katrina, Elsey collected a million pairs of shoes to assist victims. Souls4Souls was subsequently created as a non-profit as a simple way “change the world one pair at a time.”

Shoes and monetary donations are continually accepted by the organization. For more information, log onto their website at www.soles4souls.com.

ABOUT GREG RYNERSON BAIL BONDS – Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds specializes in professional bail bond services 24/7/365 for all of California.  The Los Angeles based, family owned and operated business is run by owners Greg & Tonya Rynerson.  Further information is available at www.888BailBond.com.

###

CONTACTS:
Tonya Rynerson, Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22, 2010 (Los Angeles, CA) – Greg and Tonya Rynerson, owners of Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, have been invited to be the featured guests on “Jeff & Virginia in the Morning” on KSGVRadio.com on January 28 at 10am. This dynamic husband and wife team have a long, interesting history in the bail industry and are often called upon as experts in their field.

“We are delighted to have been asked to join Jeff and Virginia,” says Greg Rynerson. “It’s always a pleasure to put a proper spotlight on the bail bonds industry in California. There are so many misrepresentations of bondsmen. Tonya and I are happy to talk about the realities.” 

KSGVRadio.com, known as “The Voice of the Valley,” features Jeff Dineen and wife Virginia weekday mornings. The pair spot light Glendora businesses and discuss new trends and hot topics from business to wellness, therapy to pets. Jeff also writes a column for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

ABOUT GREG RYNERSON BAIL BONDS – Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds specializes in professional bail bond services 24/7/365 for all of California.  The Los Angeles based, family owned and operated business originated in Santa Ana in 1971.  Further information is available at www.888BailBond.com.

###

San Mateo County Jail

By:  Greg A. Rynerson

Have you ever wondered how an inmate is booked into a jail?  As bail bondsmen, clients and others often want to know the inner workings of the jail. Here is an inside look at the process, a “what happens behind closed doors” if you will, at the San Mateo County Brendon P. Maguire Correctional Facility, named after the San Mateo County sheriff who helped found it. The MCF opened in 1994.  It is six stories tall and its top five floors are used to house inmates.  Its intake and administration areas are on the ground floor.

No less than 18,000 inmates are booked into Maguire each year. Most of those incarcerated here are either awaiting their trial or in the process of it.  Several more are also awaiting transportation to another agency if they have already been sentenced to do time in a state or county facility.

According to an official MCF mission statement this jail serves the community by assisting the courts, law enforcement agencies, and inmates and their families by offering a safe and secure environment. It also helps to ensure that defendants will appear in court and complete their jail sentences.

The Maguire Correctional Facility provides for its inmates’ medical, nutritional, hygienic, legal and spiritual needs.  They also have several services that are designed to give inmates an opportunity to improve their lives, both during and after their incarceration, in an attempt to reduce recidivism.

Jail Arrival

An arrestee’s incarceration begins when he is bused into the MCF’s Vehicle Sally Port, which looks like a huge gray underground parking garage.  This is the entry point in to the prison for arrestees escorted by police (it is also a transport and pick up point).  But in this parking structure there is no exit ramp.  The doors are electronically operated and security is maintained via a visual monitoring network that is linked to a Central Control Room.

The inmates are then taken, in handcuffs, to the pre-booking area to wait while their police paperwork is completed.  If they are suspected of being under the influence, they will be given breathalyzer and alcohol blood tests.  This process takes about 30 minutes.

Booking & Inmate Search

Next, in the Intake Section, the actual booking process begins. Their personal information is entered into a computer system and they are assigned a county ID number or, in the case of return visitors, their number is located.  During intake, they are also given a jail number and housing assignment, they undergo a medical interview, and have their personal property inventoried and sealed in a bag (more on all this, later on). The last steps in this process are getting a photo taken and being fingerprinted.

But first, it’s on to the Search Cell:  All of the inmates searched for both their own and staff safety, to make sure nobody is carrying any concealed weapons or contraband. There are two types of searches.  One is the simple pat down of hands over clothing.  The second is the strip search.  Contrary to what you see in the movies, the strip search requires a supervisor’s written approval and is mostly performed on parolees, self-surrenders and “weekenders”.

Mental & Medical Reviews

The Department of Correctional Health services gives every new Maguire inmate a medical interview to find out what medication, if any, they are taking and their physical condition.  They also receive a mental health interview to determine their state of mind, and whether or not they are a danger to themselves or others.  Physical and mental interviews also play a key role in helping to determine where they should be housed during their stay.

Inmate Identification & Classification

Mug shots are taken of each prisoner to document his appearance, as well as any distinguishing marks, scars or tattoos. These photos are printed up as “movement cards” that will accompany the inmate to his eventual housing.  Last, an ID wristband, much like the kind used in hospitals, is placed on his wrist.

Inmates are fingerprinted in another section, using state-of-the-art methods that don’t require ink.  The fingerprints are then scanned into a database in case they are needed for future reference.  Once this has been done, the inmates are placed in Holding Cells.  These cells are a temporary location, but they help keep the arrestees secure and separated during the booking process.  They are very much like waiting rooms, equipped with telephones and toilets.

Some of the more low risk arrestees, like those brought in on DUI charges, may be released on their “own recognizance,” known as “OR”.  This means that they could end up being freed on the promise that they will return to court, without having to pay bail.  The inmates are interviewed to determine if they qualify for OR, or need to be cited.  It is also a first evaluation of their classification status.

The MCF uses a specific Classification Method for several reasons:  to determine the inmate’s housing assignment; ensure his safety; and to give him a coded level of incarceration (sentenced or un-sentenced, security risk etc).  He is also classified by physical attributes like height and ethnicity.

If an inmate is to be imprisoned, he is sent to Dress In.  In this section, he learns where he will finally be housed.  All his personal clothing is taken, sorted and then put in Maguire’s secure Property Storage Unit.  There, it is hung in blue plastic bags on an “automated property bag retrieval system” which is much like the clothing conveyor belts found in dry cleaning stores.  The inmate is given an orange jumpsuit to wear so that he can be easily identified and, just like a rank and file military uniform, because it make him equal to every other inmate.

Housing Pods, ie Jail Cells

Inmates live in General Housing Pods, which are actually two stories tall.  They look like grim Spartan college dorm rooms in that they are small, two person cells surrounding a gray-carpeted day room.  There are 24 cells on each level and the Pods are supervised by a deputy in an open station at the center.  Assigning an inmate to a cell once again depends on his classification, the nature of the offense, criminal history, physical size and gang affiliation.

Inside each cell, two bunk beds can be found bolted into the wall, along with a writing desk, shelf, plastic chair and a stainless steel toilet that offers no privacy.  Twice daily, prisoners must go through a body count and inspection.  This ensures that they’re all accounted for, jail rules are followed, they and the facility remain safe and secure, and that they are keeping themselves and their cell clean.  Inmates must line up with their backs against a cell wall with their arms extended for shorter inspections, which can be as frequent every two hours.

Central Control, a hi-tech monitor system that could be considered the brain of the facility, controls all of the doors and systems. It is also a communication center that is manned around the clock, keeping an eye on daily prison activities and serving as a command post during emergencies.

Specialized Maguire Programs

During the time that inmates must serve their sentence, a variety of programs are offered to them.  In addition to medical and mental care, MCF Correctional Health Services provide dental care and drug/alcohol AA recovery meetings and domestic violence groups.   They also have access to religious services, a law library, AIDS Awareness and parenting courses, and an Office of Education where they can get a GED, along with business links between the MCF population and community organizations.

The Maguire facility offers some inmates a chance to earn money by working in its industrial sized kitchen (which outputs 2700 meals a day) and laundry room (laundry is exchanged once a week), under correctional supervision.  They can also spend money at the prison commissary. There, inmates charge items on their MCF accounts to buy food, personal hygiene items, writing/post materials, over the counter meds and phone cards.

Visiting & Release

Visiting hours vary, excluding Mondays.  A day care center with toys, books, crayons and snacks was created free of charge by the Service League of San Mateo for those inmates who are visited by their children.

When an inmate has served his time, or bail has been posted, and he is ready for release, he is taken to the Men’s Dress Out Section where his things are returned to him.  Once his paperwork is complete, he is free to go.

We know that prison changes some inmates for the better. They learn to keep the behavior that got them there in check and use their time behind bars to better them selves.  But many leave no better off than when they came in.  They still lack social and employment skills and may still be addicted to drugs.  They may return to a life of crime and ultimately… return to the Maguire Correctional Facility.

The new jail was originally slated to open in March of 2008; however, there have been several construction delays. Now scheduled to open by February 1^st, 2010, the new Metro Center Jail would need at least double the amount of officers of what’s currently needed at the existing Parker Center Jail in Los Angeles.

On any given shift at the new Metro facility, at least 62 detention officers would be required to staff it due to its larger size and because the facility is separated into different pod areas. Additionally, there is currently a hiring freeze on detention officer positions (aka jailers) who are specially trained civilians. These positions are needed to staff the newly developed Metro center, but the freeze would have to be lifted first. In all, the new $74 million Metro Detention Center will need 164 detention officers just for it to run and operate correctly on a daily basis.

The Parker Center jail is gaining an increasingly bad reputation. Said to be more of a dungeon with bad lighting, some have reported giant cockroaches, bad plumbing and no surveillance cameras or electric locks on the cells at Parker Center. In a recent Los Angeles Times piece, Commander Jeffrey Greer stated, “We’re in a tough situation right now.”  The new high-tech Metro facility would feature much needed space, the latest technology in surveillance cameras, computerized security and custom air filtration systems, just to name a few.

 If a solution is not found to the city’s fiscal crisis, Parker Center will have to remain operational. The new 174,000 square foot empty Metro Detention Center will just have to wait. In a related LA Times article, Chief William J. Bratton expressed his concern by stating, “It is going to require the city to take a much more focused look at these personnel needs.”

The general public can always obtain information on inmates who are in custody at any of the jails operated by either the Los Angeles Police Department or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. For information about persons arrested, the public can call 213-485-5235 or 213-473-6100, 24 hours a day.

Published: 10/21/2009

Usually to decide on a company to go with and put your trust with, all you need is a good sense of judgment. If you’re walking up to a parking lot with used cars scattered around and the sales guy immediately comes flying out of his office spewing some nonsense about the best deals in town wearing a 1960 plaid suit, you’ve probably judged the situation correctly and moved on to a different auto dealer. But how can you make a decision on a bail bond company when most of the time you will only be speaking with them on the phone, emailing them, or faxing them? Here are some suggestions and five good questions to ask.

First, get someone on the phone. Amazingly enough, this is the easiest part with contacting a bail bonds company, because the bail bond companies know that answering the phone is the key to their success. Now you’re on the phone with the agent and you want to quickly decide whether this is a company you want to work with. Meanwhile your loved one is in jail, you don’t have much time to interview every company you call, and you need some good questions to ask for making the best decision on which bail bond company to move forward with. Remember, you are going to entrust this company with getting your loved one out of jail and usually making a decision within a five min phone call.

1. Is your bail company listed with BBB, what is your rating and where can I find the information?

   You will find that not all bail bondsmen are with the Better Business Bureau. Normally a company gets listed on the Better Business Bureau to appeal to the public. BBB is an organization created to protect the rights of consumers where consumers can satisfy their need for finding a trustworthy company. Here you can do research to find out if there are complaints about the company you are thinking about doing business with. Find out what their rating is and see if there are any major complaints about the bail company and make sure this all matches with what the agent on the phone is telling you. Obviously, if the bondsman is touting a AAA rating with the BBB and you look up the company and find out they’re not even a B rating, well then you can start questioning the values of this company.

2. What percentage do you charge for a bail bond and why?

   A reputable, licensed bail company will usually charge 10%. If the bondsman you are on the phone with starts mentioning discounted bail at 5% and they are overselling this aspect of the deal, beware. If they are cutting corners here, they’re probably cutting corners in other important places as well. Think of it this way, do the good companies — the ones you want to do business with — heavily discount their services: NO! The great companies always have enough business because of integrity and therefore they don’t need to cut corners or discount their services and these are the ones you want to work with.

3. Will you help me understand the bail bond process?

   The agent should reply with a quick, “Yes.” If the company knows their industry, they will understand that most of their potential clients will know nothing about the bail bond industry and therefore education is needed for a few reasons. One, to make the sale of course, and two, bail bonds companies need their clients to understand the process as much as possible, this helps when dealing with expectations throughout the entire process. The more the clients know and understand, the smoother the process will go and both the client and bail bond company benefit.

4. Are you licensed?

   This is quite an obvious question but this wouldn’t be a great article if I didn’t put it in. Bail bondsmen are licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Go there. Check out the license status. Dealing with a bail bondsman that does not have a license is like getting a heart transplant from the local newspaper boy. Enough said.

5. How fast can you get my friend (or family member) out of jail?

   Any bail bond company that gives you an exact time-frame for a defendant’s release is probably giving you a line to close the deal. Bondsman can control when they get their portion of the release process complete, but they cannot control the jail system. Jails operate on a safety-first basis. Flow of people and processes is often slow and unpredictable at best. That said, an experienced bondsman should know the individual jails’ normal processing times.

Well, that’s 5 questions to ask a Bail Bondsman. If you have any other great questions that can quickly qualify the bail bond company, please let us know. We will read them and maybe even change the article.

Why should an attorney develop a business relationship with a bail bondsman

By Greg Rynerson, California Bail Bondsman

Many criminal defense attorneys take calls at all hours. Like a bondsman, a good criminal attorney knows that they need to be available when the potential client is in need or the business may go to someone else. So, let’s say you’re a criminal defense attorney, or other attorney who out of courtesy and business relationship gives your cell phone number out readily to clients. You receive a 3:00 AM call from an arrested client.  “I’m in jail—get me out”, demands your client.  “Let me see what I can do,” you reply.  If you’re like many attorneys, you don’t get this type of call often.  Instead, clients seek come to you after they’ve been released from jail. You’re not about to tell the client you don’t know a bondsman. You turn to Google and hope you get a bondsman who won’t embarrass you and knows what he’s doing.

Have a Bail Bondsman on Speed-dial

As bondsmen, time and again when people meet us we hear, “I’ll never need your services.” I immediately reply, “Well if you do, call 888 Bail Bond.” Countless times, we receive calls saying, “Remember when I told you I’d never need you…”

If you’re an attorney, it makes sense to develop a relationship with a professional bail bondsman. Here are a few reasons why:

• Any business referral that is made by an attorney is a direct reflection on that attorney. For example, if a criminal defense attorney recommends a bail bondsman who isn’t reputable, cannot perform, doesn’t know the particular jail system, or just does a sub-standard job, the defendant will rightfully question that attorney’s judgment.
• A quality bondsman can do many extra services for attorneys and clients such as being present in court for bail and 1275 hearings, 24 hour emergency service, signature bonds requiring no collateral, payment plans for the defendant, giving the defendant a ride home and more.
• An attorney should be working with a competent bail bondsman with the ability and experience to efficiently finalize large bail bonds. Large bail bond approvals (especially those exceeding $250,000) can be difficult to get approved. Bondsmen who haven’t built a reputation in the industry may find more demands placed on their clients for even smaller bonds in the way of collateral requirements and additional co-signers.

• Much like fire insurance, you hope you never need your bondsman.  When you do need it, you’re relieved that you’re prepared.

Professionalism & Experience You Can Trust

Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds is a small, yet dynamic, bail bond company with a large network of agents that has the ability to conduct bail bonds in the entire State of California. The Rynerson family has been in the bail bond business since 1969 and has transacted over 10,000 bail bonds.  We are A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau.  We are adept at creative solutions.

Greg and Tonya Rynerson are the owners and are always within easy reach. Attorneys can be guaranteed of getting exceptional customer service 24/7/365. Greg and Tonya are always available to attorneys by cell phone including nights weekends, holidays, and vacations. You can be assured that competent professional staff will always be available to assist you.

Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds: Right for your clients. Right for you.

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Tonya Rynerson, Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

An L.A. writer types out a new chapter in life…

Los Angeles, CA (July 2009) –Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, a Los Angeles based bail company serving all California jails, has added a new agent to its team of licensed agents and is pleased to announce the addition of a newly licensed California bondsman to their team: Robin Sandoval-March. Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds is proud to welcome Ms. Sandoval, a dynamic professional who will assist clients on the front end of the business.

“Robin is a wonderful asset for our business,” said owner Greg Rynerson. “She has a soothing phone presence and people connect with her right away. Anyone would be happy to engage Robin’s help in a time of need. Her passion for excellence and her customer service will benefit our organization greatly.” Robin’s background as a copy editor and published songwriter and screenwriter also makes her a natural contributor to the company’s bail blog.

“I didn’t know the first thing about the bail industry, but found the history of bail bonds and the concept really interesting.” Robin grew up in San Jose and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her singing career. Robin loves interacting with people, so taking on the new role was an easy transition for her. Previously, Robin pursued her BS in Business Management and spent the several years in the corporate arena with companies such as NBC, McDonald’s Corporate and Watson Wyatt Worldwide, then later for a non-profit foundation as an event coordinator. Robin was married in 2006 and launched a marketing / public relations, and event coordination business. She also spent time working with her husband in the real estate industry.

ABOUT GREG RYNERSON BAIL BONDS – Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds specializes in professional bail bond services 24/7/365 for all California jails. The family owned and operated business originated in Orange County, California in 1971. They transact bail from El Centro to San Jose and beyond. Further information is available at www.888BailBond.com.

CONTACTS:
Robin Sandoval-March , Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds, robin@888BailBond.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA – Tonya Rynerson, Los Angeles bail bondsman and bail blogger, has been featured in Collateral, a bail industry magazine published by AboutBail. Rynerson has written on the timely topic of the effects of the economy on bail bondsmen.

“When Katie Puza of Collateral contacted me, I was thrilled,” said Rynerson. “Collateral is the premier magazine aimed at the bail bond industry. I was asked to write about women in bail, but Ms. Puza and I agreed that bondsmen are already familiar with that topic and something more timely might be better geared to their audience.”

Collateral is an online publication aimed at the nation-wide bail industry and spotlights information about bail business marketing, events and education, technologies that effect bail and news related to bail. Collateral published the Rynerson article, “No Business Is Recession Proof,” as a Feature on May 19 and continues to run it as one of their top stories.

For further information about Collateral, please contact the magazine directly at (888) 202-3165.

ABOUT GREG RYNERSON BAIL BONDS – Greg Rynerson Bail Bonds specializes in professional bail bond services 24/7/365 for California. The family owned and operated business originated in Santa Ana, Orange County, California in 1971.  Further information is available at www.888BailBond.com.

The Economic Downturn Affects All Businesses – Even Bail Bonds

By Tonya Rynerson, Los Angeles Bail Bondsman

Conventional wisdom says that when the economy goes down, crime goes up.  And when crime rises, bail bond bondsmen prosper.  Actually, neither of these assumptions is correct.

Some states have seen an increase in certain types of crimes, but not all. And yes, the economy has affected bail bondsmen too.  Remember, we “sell” a product just like other merchants.  If people don’t have money to pay their mortgages, they likely can’t afford bail bonds either.

Are Crime Rates Really Rising?

It depends on where you live.

Connecticut Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal lamented in March that “our worst economic times seem to be bringing out the worst in many of our people,” referring to an increase of shoplifting, armed robberies, and fraud in the state.

The opposite seems to be happening in California though.  In January, the Los Angeles Times reported that, for the sixth consecutive year, crime rates are continuing to fall in Los Angeles and Southern California.

The economic situation is even helping to solve crimes in some areas. Nashville law enforcement officials report a 53% increase in tips to the Nashville Crime Stoppers group.  The reward money seems to be a powerful motivator for many. ”I even had one caller call in and say, ‘You know, normally I’m not a snitch, but I need the money,’” said Metro detective Jim Lambert.”

Good People Are Not “Going Bad”

Part of the concern about increased crime is the fear that home foreclosures and layoffs will turn ordinary, honest citizens into criminals.  There’s not a lot of evidence to support that.

The Providence, RI Fire Department has seen an increase in calls – but not for fires. Thieves break into vacant houses, steal copper plumbing, and cause flooding. The town’s police chief told the New York Times last fall that’s he’s seeing a “shift for the worse.” A survey of 200 law enforcement agencies last July found that nearly 40% “said that home foreclosures had produced an impact on their law enforcement activities, either by a loss in tax revenue or an uptick in crime around abandoned houses.”

But El Cajon, CA Police Capt. Bruno Cirello discounts the economy as a reason for crime.  He says that people committing crimes now “were criminals before the economic downturn.”

Thank goodness, we haven’t seen an influx of clients who turned to crime just to survive.  Even without a recession, bail bondsmen deal every day with good people who just made a mistake.  And people do surprising things when they feel desperate.

For instance, last month, we had a client who had embezzled large sums from her employer because her family was in financial trouble.  Her husband explained that they planned to make retribution and that “she was just trying to help the family.” Fortunately, that’s not the norm, just one story in a thousand we’ve dealt with.

Domestic Violence Calls Rise as the Economy Falls

Desperation though, takes many forms.  One of the worst is when stress and uncertainty causes people to lash out violently against family members.

The US Department of Justice was concerned enough to issue a Community Dispatch in January titled “Preparing for Crime in a Bad Economy.”  It specifically warns about an expected increase in domestic violence.

Unfortunately, the DOJ is right.  This is one crime that really is on the rise in California.  In San Diego County, the volume of calls to the local YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline has almost doubled compared to 2008.

“The women we’re talking to are fleeing situations that are stress-driven, stress added to an already bad situation,” said Debra Zanders-Willis, chief operating officer for the county’s YWCA. “The stress of not being able to make a mortgage payment within the family, stress of unemployment added to an already volatile situation.”

California law takes domestic violence seriously. Since the OJ Simpson case, laws have been strengthened and bail bond amounts increased.  The bail amount on a basic domestic violence charge ranges from $20,000 to $50,000.  Consider that the bail bond amount is 10% of that, and it’s an expensive lesson on the importance of anger management.

A Bad Economy Affects the Bail Bond Industry

When people lose their jobs – or are afraid they might – they cut back on all expenses, and bail bonds are no exception.

In South Florida, bail bondsmen are seeing less business because people simply can’t afford the bail bond amount:

“…like any other businesses, bondsmen’s customers have less money. That means fewer people who are arrested can find the cash or collateral due to the bondsmen in order to post bond and get them out of jail.”

At Rynerson Bail Bonds, we’ve seen the same situation.  It’s a particular issue with higher end bonds because we must have collateral.  Especially at the $100k level and up, we need assurance that the person purchasing the bail bond contract has enough collateral to cover the whole amount.  But the collapse in housing prices has really hit people hard.  They bought with interest-only mortgages or have loans, sometimes, second or even third mortgages in excess of the house’s value.  Many people now just don’t have any equity in their homes or lines of credit available.

In other cases, even if people have the money, they’re worried about spending it.  They say: “We’ll it’s just a couple of days in jail. Instead of spending $5,000 on a bail bond, I’ll just ride it out.” Previously, they wouldn’t have thought twice about pulling out a credit card.  But now, people really have to balance whether it makes sense to put $5k or even $1500 on their credit card when they might need that money to pay for rent later.

Fortunately, in the past few months, the situation has improved.  I’ve noticed that people in general are more willing to spend money and seem more hopeful and optimistic about the future.  It could be the stimulus money flowing or just a general feeling of confidence that the economy will get better.

Whatever the reason, it’s a good sign for everyone – no matter what business you’re in.