Sheriff’s Survey Seeks Community Feedback

Alameda County Sheriff Yesina Sanchez

Newly elected Alameda County Sheriff Yesina Sanchez has launched an online survey she hopes can lend insight on how to better serve and strengthen the Sheriff's Office's relationship with the community.  

The 16-question survey is open to anyone who lives, works, or is a parent or guardian of a child at a school in an unincorporated area or one that the Sheriff's Office serves. That includes Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Hayward Acres, north Livermore, and the City of Dublin. 

The community survey is currently open, and responses will be recorded until Friday, April 7. 

While on the campaign trail, Sheriff Sanchez promised to focus on community collaboration, compassionate leadership, equitable practices, and community safety.  

During the election, she outlined several priorities she believes will positively impact the citizens of Alameda County and Alameda County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) employees. Those priorities are Agency Health, Reentry and Rehabilitation, Accountability and Transparency, Community Engagement, and Racial Justice in Law Enforcement.  

"To improve how our employees interact with community members in all areas of the county, we must hear what they have to say about the services we are providing and the services we lack to identify what works well and where we can improve." ACSO Lieutenant Tya Modeste told the Forum. "Providing community members an opportunity to be heard is a crucial step in rebuilding trust and mutual respect within the communities we serve." 

The feedback—positive or negative—helps Sheriff Sanchez, her office, and staff understand how to better serve and strengthen their relationship with the diverse communities of Alameda County, Modeste added.

"Your voice can influence change," the Survey introduction reads. "By answering the survey, your voice can help shape the future direction of the Sheriff’s Office."

The survey takes about 5 to 10 minutes to fill out. The first six questions are broken down into multiple parts. Several of the questions ask if the respondent feels safe in their community, how they feel  about deputies and the Sheriff's Office in general, whether they know how to contact law enforcement

A few questions with opportunities to add comments ask about respondents' experiences with the Sheriff's Office. Options include a range of interactions, from simply dialing 911 to encountering a deputy on the bus or at the Oakland Airport to being jailed or having someone close to you spend time at Santa Rita Jail.

An additional series of questions ask the respondent to rate what role the Sheriff's Office should take in the community. The questionnaire wants to know if residents want more or less involvement in areas such as neighborhood watch groups, the Deputy Sheriff’s Activity League, and a presence in schools or community centers. It also asks if the Sheriff's Office should be responding to mental health crises, issues of homelessness, and human trafficking.

The last few questions ask for some demographic information, including age, race, sex, and ZIP Code but do not ask for names or other contact information. You may skip any question you do not wish to answer.

The survey can be accessed by scanning a QR code or visiting the website (tinyurl.com/acsheriffsurvey2023).