From
Mendo Local
MENDOCINO, Calif. – January 13,
2026 – Addressing the board of
supervisors on Tuesday, a panel of county public safety leaders
said the challenges they face are increasingly driven by state
policy decisions that shift responsibility to counties without
adequate funding. From Proposition 36 to juvenile justice reforms
and pretrial requirements, officials said Mendocino County is
absorbing new duties and liabilities while operating with flat
staffing levels and uncertain revenue, complicating efforts to
reduce crime and recidivism.
….
Chief Probation Officer Izen Locatelli described mounting
impacts from state reforms affecting juvenile justice, probation
supervision, and pretrial services. Locatelli said probation has
conducted more than 100 assessments under Proposition 36 but
emphasized the lack of funding and accountability
mechanisms.
The purpose of the assessments is to determine whether a person
convicted of drug possession is eligible for mandatory drug or
mental health treatment instead of incarceration, with successful
completion of treatment leading to a dismissal of the case.
“This was an unfunded mandate with no implementation
plan,” Locatelli said. He also warned that recent state
laws limiting probation terms and closing state youth facilities
have shifted costs and responsibility to counties without
adequate reimbursement.
“Essentially no youth can be on probation for longer than 12
months,” Locatelli explained. “Doesn’t matter what the crime is.
The only way to do that is to have a judge make a finding that
it’s in the best interest of the public and the youth to continue
after a year.”
Locatelli reported that the county’s pretrial monitoring
program continues to show positive outcomes, with about 80% of
monitored individuals appearing for court and 70% avoiding new
criminal charges while awaiting trial.
