Sheriff's Office Staff Work Amid Sewage, Mold Leaks

Douglas County is weighing a move to former Public Defender's Office space after leaks and crowding at the Sheriff's Office's current facilities.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Water-stained ceiling tile with a mold bloom and sagging drop ceiling above empty office desks, a metal bucket catching a drip on the floor. — Douglas County is weighing a move of the Sheriff's Office to vacant former Public Defender's Office space after staff worked amid sewage leaks and mold at its current building. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Staff at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office have worked in a building at 1616 Leavenworth with feces and sewage leaks and mold, which had continued for some time. The county is now considering relocating the office to the vacant former Public Defender's Office space.

Why it matters

Other sheriff's facilities are full, and the temporary Harney Street annex has a leaking roof and no occupancy permit, leaving the office with limited options. The county's relocation decision will shape working conditions for staff and public access to the Sheriff's Office in Omaha.

The Sheriff's Office needs secure connections to state criminal justice databases, room for records, and a public access area, but its facilities are full. Visual mold inspections were conducted, and no illnesses have been tied to the leaks, though larger expenses remain unaddressed.

The players

Douglas County Sheriff's Office

The county law enforcement agency responsible for the facilities at issue, which has been operating out of leaking and crowded buildings.

Public Building Commission

The body overseeing repairs and upgrades to county buildings, currently replacing ceiling tiles and updating systems at the affected sites.

The details

The county first proposed 408 S. 18th St., which the city-county technology agency DOTCOMM is vacating, but Peterson's Oct. 9 memo recommended against it due to leaking windows, high humidity, exposed asbestos-wrapped pipes and inadequate public accessibility. Peterson suggested the vacant former Public Defender's Office space instead, while the Public Building Commission is replacing ceiling tiles, updating the sprinkler system and installing new lights, paint and flooring.

Oct. 9: Peterson's memo recommended against relocating to 408 S. 18th St.
March: Possible supplemental budget process to address larger expenses

Legal Context

The Public Building Commission's ongoing repairs at Douglas County facilities, including ceiling, sprinkler and lighting upgrades, show the county investing in its existing buildings. The current decision to consider the former Public Defender's Office space reflects how facility shortages push county agencies toward repurposed property.

Residents who visit the Sheriff's Office for records or public services may face changes in location and access depending on the relocation decision. Staff conditions in the Leavenworth building affect how efficiently the office serves the public in Omaha.

The takeaway

Facility conditions can quietly limit how well a law enforcement office serves its community. Watching how the county resolves the relocation decision offers a clear view of how Omaha funds and maintains public safety infrastructure.