Public commenters press Riverside County for sheriff oversight; volunteers, rescuers demand accountability in large duck-hoarding case

Several public speakers used the Riverside County Board of Supervisors’ public-comment period on May 5 to press for accountability on two distinct but high-profile concerns: deaths in custody and a large animal-hoarding case involving hundreds of birds.

Sukbir Gill, identified as a candidate for the Board of Supervisors in District 2, said the county is 'on track to surpass 2022' in in-custody deaths and accused local authorities of failing families who seek answers. "Public servants should be held to higher standards and no accountability leads to trust being diminished," Gill said, urging creation of civilian oversight.

Nathan Kemp of the Riverside Sheriff Accountability Coalition echoed calls for oversight and said state legislation (SB 1379) that would separate some functions and permit civilian oversight should be amended to include an inspector general and civilian review. Kemp said families who have lost loved ones in custody continue to press for change.

Multiple speakers then turned to a separate but acute animal-welfare matter involving Howard Berkowitz and a privately run "duck sanctuary." Sasha Knopf said county agencies executed a warrant at a New Cave Rock property around April 2 and encountered at least 1,300 birds; she asked why authorities did not seize more animals and why a prior relinquishment of 480 birds was labeled "voluntary." "This isn’t just an animal issue," Knopf said, calling for accountability.

Francesca Conway, a former volunteer, described overcrowding, neglect and unsanitary conditions and said she left the sanctuary because conditions were not sustainable. Darcy Smith of Funky Chicken Rescue said the eight ducks she accepted were underweight and exhibited long-term neglect, estimated roughly 800 birds remained on the property, and criticized the county’s handling that allowed many birds to be taken without secure placement. "This was preventable suffering, and yet no charges have been filed," Smith said.

County staff did not provide a public, itemized response during the comment period. One supervisor proposed placing the duck-hoarding situation on a future agenda or addressing it in closed session to allow staff and counsel to follow up.

The board did not take immediate formal action on either the oversight requests or the animal-welfare allegations at the meeting; supervisors said they would confer further with staff and county counsel.