Ankle monitors will no longer be used in San Francisco, sheriff says

SAN FRANCISCO ( KRON ) — Defendants will no longer be allowed to wear ankle monitors while awaiting trial, potentially driving up the city’s jail populations, San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto announced on Monday.

The program’s abrupt suspension comes four days after a U.S. District Judge ruled that the sheriff’s department violated a February court order , which barred sheriff officials from requiring participants in the ankle program to consent to searches without a warrant.

Sheriff Miyamoto disagrees with the court order, as he believes a warrantless search condition is “essential for public safety.”

“The federal court’s decision is not in the interests of public safety…The unfortunate outcome of this decision will be an increase in the jail population and burdens on the defendants who otherwise would remain in the community,” he said.

The sheriff’s office believes searches such as “home checks”– an impromptu visit on defendants of domestic violence ensuring no weapons or illegal activity is taking place at the defendant’s residence — lose much of their value if search warrants were required before visits.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu agrees with Miyamoto’s sentiments, saying in part in a statement:

“The federal court’s decision in this case is unfortunate and does not comport with practical implementation issues the Sheriff’s Office must address to keep our communities safe. If Sheriff’s deputies are unable to search defendants accused of violent felonies for weapons in real-time or conduct home checks, that does not protect public safety. This order has put the Sheriff in an extremely difficult position. ”

Starting Tuesday, the sheriff’s office will no longer accept new enrollments in the program. The program will continue for those already enrolled, sheriff Miyamoto said.

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