Morgan Hill
– The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will consider an
interior fence topped with razor wire to keep teens from escaping
from the William F. James Boys Ranch. During this morning’s
meeting, Supervisor Don Gage also will push for a GPS system in
which the teens would wear bracelets.
Morgan Hill – The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will consider an interior fence topped with razor wire to keep teens from escaping from the William F. James Boys Ranch. During this morning’s meeting, Supervisor Don Gage also will push for a GPS system in which the teens would wear bracelets.
The latest action comes after the escape Saturday afternoon of four teens from the county probation department facility in northeast Morgan Hill.
Two were found soon after, and two others were still at large at press time Monday night.
Gage has made the ranch escapes a personal crusade, telling ranch staff to notify him immediately of any escape attempt, day or night.
“I’m not stopping until we have zero escapes,” he said Monday. “With the bracelets, we’re looking at a single source and have a company in mind that best fits our needs. We could have them in 30 days or so.”
Gage said the fence, which would be 4,900 linear feet with razor wire on top and a cement base, would take longer to put in place because the county would have to get bids.
The county is pursuing both options together.
Gage did not have a cost estimate for the fence.
The initial cost of the GPS system and bracelets has been estimated at between $276,000 – $400,000 annually.
The ranch and the Santa Clara County Probation Department that runs it have come under increased scrutiny recently as neighbors urge steps be taken to reduce or eliminate escapes.
Since the beginning of this year, a total of 17 teens in seven separate incidents have escaped from the ranch.
Last week, there were three escape attempts in three days. Of the 17 boys who have run away this year, six have not been caught: two from an escape Thursday, one from a Wednesday attempt, two from the incident Saturday and one from a January escape.
At 5:25pm Saturday, four youths ages 16, 17, 18 and 18 ran from the ranch during a supervised basketball game. They ran up the hill heading east. Two of the boys (16 and 18) were apprehended by Sheriff deputies.
“We were contacted according to the protocol,” Morgan Hill Police Lt. Joe Sampson said.
According Bill Fu, the Probation Department’s public information officer, because of the recent spate of escapes, the probation department is considering even more security measures. On Thursday, two additional probation security staff were added to the graveyard shift.
Also, the Sheriff’s office has assigned a graveyard shift deputy patrol (K-9 unit) for security.
Ranch neighbor Greg Claytor applauded Gage’s backing of an interior fence. Claytor said he will attend this morning’s meeting in support of the fence and proposed GPS system.
“I’m going to ask the board to fully support Don,” Claytor said. Fu said a fence is possible.
“According to the Board of Corrections Guideline, Title 15, a minimum security facility cannot be locked,” he said. “It doesn’t say a fence is not allowed.”
Gage speculated that the reason for the spike in the number of escapes could be increased gang activity at the facility.
The William F. James Boys Ranch is one of two minimum-security residential facilities providing treatment and educational services for male offenders ages 14 to 18.
At 10am today, county supervisors will discuss enhanced security at the ranch.
The meeting will be held at the county Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose.
