Santa Clara County Sheriff uses own money to purchase cameras for embattled jail

Thursday, March 3, 2016
Santa Clara Co. sheriff uses own money to purchase cameras for embattled jail
EMBED <>More Videos

Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith went on a Costco shopping spree Wednesday, not to buy food or household supplies. Instead, Smith purchased security cameras for her troubled jail.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith went on a Costco shopping spree Wednesday, not to buy food or household supplies. Instead, Smith purchased security cameras for her embattled jail.

The sheriff used her own credit card to buy $700 worth of security cameras and she insists this is not a publicity stunt.

WATCH VIDEO: EXCLUSIVE: Attorney describes inmate's alleged beating by Santa Clara County deputies

Workers at the Santa Clara County Jail are installing new security cameras, a dozen of them bought at Costco for about $60 each.

Smith says she bought them herself, after she learned that the county's plan for a $20 million system is going to take two years.

"If there are allegations made against a staff member, we'll be able to see it. Ff there's an assault against a staff member, we'll be able to see it and have evidence for court," said Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith. "It's something we should have done all along and I wanted it done now."

RELATED: 3 Santa Clara County deputies may go on trial for inmate death

The new cameras come four months after the beating death of inmate Michael Tyree. Three correctional deputies are accused of his murder.

The cameras are being installed in only one housing area, but if it works out well, the sheriff plans to buy more.

RELATED: Former Santa Clara inmate says he witnesses beating death of mentally ill inmate

"We'll have captains and lieutenants who can perhaps view this and it's an interim solution, because it's not a $20 million solution. It's $700 for this pod here, but I think it's going to be really adequate. I think it's going to be really good."

The sheriff did not get any assurances before buying the cameras, but she is hoping the county will reimburse her.

Related

Former Santa Clara inmate says he witnessed beating death of mentally ill inmate

    3 Santa Clara County deputies may go on trial for inmate death

      Report released on Santa Clara County correctional deputies

        Santa Clara Co. deputy allegedly attacked by 10 inmates

          Image released of alleged weapon used on deputy in Santa Clara jail attack

            Report: Santa Clara County guards accused of murder seek to bar public from court

              Santa Clara County jail guards to enter pleas

                Former Santa Clara County Jail inmate speaks out about alleged beating

                  ONLY ON ABC7NEWS.COM: Attorney describes inmate's alleged beating by Santa Clara County deputies

                    Secretly hired private consultants threatens San Jose inmate investigation

                      Rally held demanding changes at Santa Clara County Jail after inmate's death

                        EXCLUSIVE: Santa Clara correctional chief discusses arrest of 3 deputies

                          RAW VIDEO: Santa Clara Co. correctional chief addresses 3 deputies arrested

                            Inmate allegedly killed by Santa Clara County deputies died of blunt force trauma

                              Dead inmate was to be released to mental health facility

                                Santa Clara County officials investigate inmate death

                                  Santa Clara Co. Sheriff's: 3 jail employees on leave following inmate's death