'Folks, it's bad': Merced sheriff warns of public safety crisis as deputy vacancies mount

Like many rural counties, Merced is losing deputies to jurisdictions that pay more. The shortage is so dire, Sheriff Vern Warnke is sometimes the only one available to respond to calls for help.

Related Keywords

Los Angeles ,California ,United States ,San Francisco ,Sierra Nevada ,Fresno ,Kern County ,Central Valley ,Tehama County ,Merced County ,Becky Tucker ,Mike North ,Vern Warnke ,Marta Echevarria ,Jason Tucker ,Public Policy Institute Of California ,Bureau Of Justice ,Los Angeles Times ,Tehama County Sheriff Office ,Sheriff Vern Warnke ,Public Policy Institute ,East Bay ,Los Angeles City Council ,Tehama County Sheriff ,Merced County Deputy Sheriff ,Law Enforcement Officer ,Heriff 39s Office ,Vacancies ,