In bid to save money, O.C. cities might share jail

In an effort to cut costs, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa might one day share their city jails, officials said.

Newport Councilwoman Leslie Daigle this week proposed during a council meeting that her city look into contracting jail services, as well as hiring private guards to supplement the jail's existing staff.

"Costa Mesa is a natural partner," Daigle told OC Now.

Interim Costa Mesa Police Chief Steve Staveley and Newport Beach Police Chief Jay R. Johnson confirmed that the two cities were talking about sharing or modifying their lockups.

The cities also are looking at other possible law-enforcement efficiencies, such as sharing 911 dispatch and police fleet maintenance. There is no public talk of combining police departments.

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-- Lauren Williams, Times Community News