The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has found itself with a new revenue stream thanks to its popular YouTube channel. During a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, PCSO officials revealed that their social media efforts, intended for transparency and public communication, have inadvertently become a lucrative venture. The channel currently has 991,000 subscribers with 421 videos.
Unexpected Earnings
According to an inquiry by the Board of Supervisors, the PCSO’s YouTube channel has accumulated approximately $55,000 in revenue, with an additional $10,000 being generated monthly. This windfall comes from meeting YouTube’s viewer and engagement thresholds, which automatically trigger monetization for popular channels.
Allocation Dilemma
With this newfound income, the PCSO and the Board of Supervisors are now faced with the task of determining how to allocate these funds. Several potential uses were discussed during the meeting including the Youth Redirection Programs, community programs and equipment purchases.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office’s YouTube success has brought unexpected global attention to the region bringing pride and excitement within Pinal County. As funds arrive PCSO has expressed the desire to work with the County Attorney, Board of Supervisors, and Budget and Financing Committee to ensure oversight into fund allocation.
