Sheriff cites safety concerns, grows eviction team as number of removals falls to 5-year low

Prince William Sheriff Glen Hill is growing his eviction team at a time the number of evictions in the county are on the decline.

The county’s Board of Supervisors increased funding for the courthouse in this year’s budget to the tune of $300,000. Part of the new money will fund two new deputies this upcoming 2017 budget year starting July 1, and two in 2018. The Department will also pick up two new vehicles.

The Clerk of the Court will pick up the rest of the money to hire two new permanent hands in its office.

The additional staff will work on the sheriff’s evictions team whose members have the unpopular job of going to someone’s house and kicking them out.

“When you look at what is happening around the country, it’s an emotional time for people doing evictions,” said Sheriff Glen Hill. “When I look at the situation we’re putting them in, I feel it’s my responsibility to send to deputies when we’re carrying out an eviction.”

Today, Hill sends one deputy to an eviction. The homeowner and a locksmith must also be present at the time of removal, Hill added.

Hill’s sheriff’s deputies have never been injured while carrying out their eviction duties. But Hill said “it is an emotional time for families” and things can become heated.

The number of evictions in Prince William County decreased nearly 50 percent since 2011. Deputies carried out 2,979 evictions that year — a five-year high. The number fell to 1,554 in 2016, a five-year low, according to a report from the Woodbridge District Supervisor’s office.

Woodbridge Supervisor Frank Principi questioned why the sheriff was getting more money for his evictions team if the number of evictions decreased. To get the answer, you have to look back to February.

It was then that Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart wanted to reduce the concealed carry gun permit fee. He struck a deal with Hill — an elected official who doesn’t report to Stewart or the Board of Supervisors. If Hill agreed to forego his $35 portion of each $50 concealed carry permit fee collected at the county courthouse, the Board of Supervisors would fund the new staff members for his department.

It was a good compromise, and it showed that he his willing to work with elected officials, Hill said. Concealed carry permit applicants still must pay $10.

Hill is also reprinting a new brochure that is given to those who have been removed. The pamphlet has information for resources evictees can call to find places to stay.

“This is not something I have to do, but it is something I feel we should do,” added Hill.