By John Todd, Rio Linda Online Publisher
During the most recent regular monthly meeting of the Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association, Forrest Johnson from County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez’s office offered a sobering warning regarding the upcoming 2026-2027 county budget. While our community continues to work closely with local officials, several specialized Sacramento County Sheriff units that have significantly improved our local quality of life are now under threat due to looming fiscal constraints.
Critical Programs on the Chopping Block
The Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association discussed how several programs currently being considered for elimination due to the County budget shortfall, all of which provide essential services to our area:
- Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Team: These officers are the biggest issue for our community right now, as they focus on long-term solutions to recurring neighborhood problems and have made a big difference in our quality of life.
- Homeless Outreach Team (HOT): This team provides critical coordination and response for homelessness-related challenges.
- Specialized Investigative Units: These units serve as critical resources for tackling complex local crimes.
- Community Prosecutor Program: This is a Sacramento County District Attorney program which includes the vital Business Watch initiative that helps protect our local retailers.
Why This Matters for Rio Linda
The loss of these teams would be a massive step backward for our community. During the Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association meeting, it was noted that these programs are working so well that some residents have seen a decrease in visible issues—but we cannot allow that success to lead to their defunded silence. We must ensure the county understands that these teams are a vital part of our community infrastructure.
How You Can Help
The Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association is encouraging a “personalized advocacy” approach to save these programs:
- Write to the Supervisors: Contact all five County Supervisors, not just our local representative.
- Share Your Story: Provide specific examples of how the POP or HOT teams have helped your street or business.
- Act Now: Letters and emails should be sent throughout May. The county begins finalizing the budget in June, so waiting until the June 10th meeting will be too late to influence the decisionmakers.
Do you have a specific story about how a POP officer or the Homeless Outreach Team helped your neighborhood? Email us so we can include your feedback in our upcoming community reports.
Community Events and Traditions
On a more celebratory note, the meeting also covered the return of a long-standing local tradition:
- North Highlands Memorial Day Parade: Anticipating a return after a hiatus, this traditional parade first ran in 1962. It is planned to run on Monday, May 25th, starting at 10:00 AM. The route will travel along Watt Avenue from I Street to A Street.
- Assemblymember Visit: State Assemblymember Maggy Krell is scheduled for an in-person visit to Rio Linda on May 1st. Before her election to the State Assembly, Krell built a distinguished legal career as a Deputy Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney, where she prosecuted high-profile cases across the state. More recently, Assy. Member Krell helped broker a deal to end the Twin Rivers teachers union strike.
- National Night Out: The association has officially registered for National Night Out on August 4th, which will return to the Sacramento County Public Library grounds at the old Rio Linda Elementary school.
The Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association remains committed to protecting our essential services and celebrating our local traditions. Rio Linda Online will continue to track the county budget proceedings closely to keep you informed.
The Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood association is a grassroots community advocacy organization, working with Sacramento County to create positive change for the Rio Linda Elverta community. The RLENA meet on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. We meet at the Rio Linda Elverta Teen Leadership Council and Youth Center, 627 L Street at the Rio Linda Elementary School multi-purpose room.
The next meeting date is May 21st, where we will have representatives from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department to discuss the effects the planned Sacramento County funding cuts will have on SSO services and our community.
Following meeting dates are June 18th, July 16th, August 20th.
We encourage everyone who is concerned with the quality of life in the Rio Linda Elverta are to join us! We have snacks!
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