Riverside County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Riverside County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness
Public Health, First 5, and DPSS teamed up on a safe-sleep awareness campaign after an alarming rise in sleep-related infant deaths, urging parents to keep babies on firm surfaces and out of adult beds.
Domestic Violence Awareness and Services
The Board proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hearing that local law enforcement received over 7,200 domestic violence calls in 2022 and that only about a third of incidents are ever reported.
Oasis Mobile Home Park Conditions
A $5 million state grant moves forward to relocate Oasis Mobile Home Park residents to the new San Antonio del Desierto park. A housing advocate asked the county to keep residents informed and host on-site appointments.
Flock License Plate Reader Surveillance
Idyllwild residents say the Flock camera network surrounds their community with warrantless surveillance and are petitioning the county to cancel contracts and ban ALPRs in unincorporated areas.
Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion
District 5 cited county data showing youth 25 and under account for roughly half of about 14,000 non-fatal self-harm injuries over three years. Its mental health committee is responding with a donation drive, a tote-bag art event, and partnerships with nonprofits.
Gavilan Hills ATV Invasion
A resident described an Instagram-organized gathering of 60+ ATVs that drove through private properties, terrorized neighbors and livestock, and said sheriff's deputies failed to respond despite repeated calls.
County Transparency and Public Records Practices
Former County Counsel attorney Kimberly Sefiane asked the board to refer the county's public records processes for independent oversight, citing delayed, circular and incomplete productions across multiple 2026 requests and past grand jury findings.
Solar glare management near March Air Reserve Base runways
Solar carports near an active military runway can create glare for pilots. The Air Force reviewed the glare study and the project must use anti-reflective coatings or textured glass to cut reflections.
Election integrity and Registrar of Voters transparency
A team of residents claims over 45,000 more ballots were counted in the Prop 50 election than can be reconciled with ballots cast, and wants the Registrar to answer for it. Chair Spiegel scheduled a special public meeting February 10 at 1:30 p.m. for a full explanation before all five supervisors.
Wild burro attacks in Reche Canyon
Residents reported 15 coordinated attacks on wild burros, including a donkey found beheaded the morning of the meeting, and asked the county for law enforcement help in the Badlands area.
Food truck encroachments and right-of-way safety at Marshall and Ellis
Jane Turner said a food truck at Ellis and Marshall repeatedly violates the county's 2025 vending ordinance, creating pedestrian and traffic hazards, and asked code enforcement to act and designate the area no-parking/no-vending.
Master wildfire management plan
A public commenter called for a countywide ban on combustible building materials in very high fire hazard zones, arguing wood-framed rebuilds repeat a deadly cycle for homeowners and firefighters.
El Niño emergency preparedness and county Emergency Operations Plan
With the governor declaring a state of emergency for El Niño, county emergency officials walked the board through preparations — updated plans, community outreach, sandbag locations, and coordination calls starting next week. Residents are urged to register for Alert RivCo alerts.
Code enforcement grand jury response
The county formally answered the civil grand jury's critical report on code enforcement, disputing claims of retaliation and favoritism while promising an updated policy manual by January 2027 and acknowledging turnover and communication gaps.
Youth tobacco prevention and retail policy
Public health advocates and students are pushing the county toward a strong tobacco retail licensing ordinance, a smoke-free outdoor policy in Coachella, and enforcement of the flavored tobacco ban — arguing youth access remains too easy.
Jail deaths oversight response
The county formally responded to a grand jury report on record jail deaths, agreeing no oversight board exists but disputing some findings. An ad hoc committee is still studying oversight models; residents urged public hearings instead of closed-door committees.
Palm Desert Sheriff's Station expansion funding
The Board authorized $17.8 million — mostly development impact fees plus Palm Desert RDA funds — for the Sheriff's Palm Desert Station expansion.
Affordable Housing Funding
Multiple residents urged the Board to fund Lift to Rise and affordable housing efforts, and the CEO confirmed affordable housing was the top priority heard at community workshops.
Regional veterinary school feasibility study
The county will spend $125,000 — matched by UC Riverside — to study creating a regional veterinary school, aiming to ease a severe veterinarian shortage that drives up pet care costs and strains animal services.
Fentanyl awareness campaign
Supervisors Spiegel and Washington are spending $64,260 in opioid settlement money on a year-long fentanyl awareness ad campaign.
Rural agricultural crime protection
The Farm Bureau says the rural ag crime task force was disbanded, leaving farmers exposed to equipment and crop theft; the chair noted the sheriff made the staffing cut, not the board.
Body-worn camera contract expansion
The Sheriff's Office is spending $18.2 million more to replace and upgrade about 2,086 body cameras, adding translation features and better evidence sharing with prosecutors.
Sheriff's Department Budget and Public Safety Funding
The Sheriff says a $138 million stay-flat shortfall equals roughly 622 deputy positions and could force a 60% contract rate increase for the county's 17 contract cities. He also flagged corrections staffing, the aging CAD/RMS dispatch system, and the empty John Benoit Detention Center.
Fencing conflict between City of Perris design standards and airport safety
The self-storage building near Palm Springs Airport still needs an FAA letter confirming it's no hazard to air navigation — the ALUC won't release its approval until then.
Sheriff Department Oversight Ad Hoc Committee
A District 2 supervisorial candidate listed 15 in-custody deaths since August 2025 and criticized the Board and Sheriff for lacking oversight and accountability.
Incompetent to Stand Trial Penalty and CLEAR Program
The county's state penalty for sending too many defendants to state hospitals dropped from $2.5-3 million to $238,804 thanks to the CLEAR mental health program. The money comes back to the county to keep reducing those determinations.
Fraudulent invoice scam targeting county applicants
Scammers are sending fake county invoices asking applicants to wire money to keep projects moving. The county says it will never ask for a wire transfer — verify any bill directly with Planning or Building & Safety before paying.
Airport safety awareness and crash history
The director flagged recent plane crashes elsewhere and reminded everyone why strict building rules around March matter — a big military aircraft crash would damage blocks, not parcels.
Stronger MSR accountability review
LAFCO's municipal service reviews are supposed to be independent checkups on cities and special districts, but Commissioner Sanchez says they too often rely on agencies' own word. A new standing committee will review the process and recommend ways to give the reviews more teeth.
Golden Pacific Powerlink transmission line opposition
SDG&E wants to run a 500kV transmission line with 200-foot towers through Temecula, wine country, and Temecula Creek. The board formally opposed the route and directed staff to engage the CPUC and other stakeholders.
Weed abatement fees and liens
The per-parcel weed abatement fee rose from $254 to $280 — the first increase since 2011 — and 2025 abatement liens were confirmed against non-compliant parcels.
Blythe Airport navigational aid interference and solar development
A huge solar farm proposed near Blythe Airport was delayed a month so the airport manager can finish reviewing the solar glare study. It spans compatibility zones B1, C, D and E.
Blythe hospital stabilization
The county is lending $1 million and running a 180-day strike force to keep the Palo Verde Hospital ER open after the healthcare district ran out of money. Without it, residents would face 70-100 mile drives for emergency care. A management agreement is expected back before the Board in February.
Electromagnetic interference threat to Blythe Airport VOR navigation
Blythe Airport already lost one instrument approach because of electromagnetic interference, and the airport director fears new power lines and solar panels could kill the only remaining ground-based navigation aid. Military and civilian flights depend on it. The commission wants real data before deciding the solar project's fate.
Duck sanctuary animal welfare case
Rescuers alleged the county gave away 480 surrendered ducks — some sick — to the public and a livestock seller instead of placing them with rescues, and demanded an investigation.
E-bike safety
Supervisors flagged e-bike dangers after a fatal crash and confirmed the new state safety grant can fund e-bike education in schools and communities.