detective division los angeles county sheriff's department

DETECTIVE DIVISIONDETECTIVEDIVISIONpects, the recovery of 16 water-craftvalued at over $110,000, two trailersvalued at over $10,000, and a motorcyclevalued at about $18,000.In late June 2000, San GabrielValley Team detectives worked agroup of individuals who wereobtaining vehicles from car dealershipsby using fraudulent credit information.Detectives identified fourteenvehicles that were stolen bythese individuals. TRAP investigatorsattended a meeting regarding thiscrime ring that was attended by otherlaw enforcement agencies, includingthe Federal Bureau of Investigation,the Las Vegas Metropolitan, NewportBeach, Huntington Beach, andOrange Police Departments, andnumerous investigators from financialinstitutions. Detectives determinedthat this theft ring had incorporated atleast 50 phoney businesses in thestate of Nevada by submitting fraudulentbusiness loan applications to thevarious financial institutions. Thisgroup was able to obtain millions ofdollars in illegal business loans.TRAP detectives handled the vehiclethefts, all of which occurred inthe Los Angeles County area. Themajority of the fraudulently obtainedvehicles were recovered, including aLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT2000 Lincoln Navigator, a 2000 FordExcursion, a 2000 ChevroletCorvette, and a 2000 Kawasakimotorcycle.In September 2000, TRAP washighlighted by the Discovery Channelin an hour long, national broadcastspecial. Each area of auto theft,including the exportation of stolencars, theft via fraud, the "Bait-Car"concept, "Chop-Shops," and crimes ofopportunity were covered. The showreceived some of the highest ratingsever recorded for the program, "Onthe Inside."1 8 5 01 8 6 01 8 7 01 8 8 01 8 9 01 9 0 01 9 1 01 9 2 01 9 3 01 9 4 01 9 5 01 9 6 01 9 7 01 9 8 01 9 9 02 0 0 0FIELDOPERATIONSREGIONI•YEAR IN REVIEW 200042

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION IORGANIZATION LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTCHIEFWilliam T. SamsLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTnits within Field Operations Region I are primarilyresponsible for providing basic police services tothe contract cities and unincorporated county areaswhich fall within the geographical boundaries ofthis Division.FIELD OPERATIONSREGION Iresponsibilities with Crescenta ValleyStation, its relationship with the communityremains unique with an identityof its own. We have initiated anintense effort to recruit a pro-activeteam of personnel at AltadenaStation in anticipation of its formalre-opening scheduled for July 2001.FIELD OPERATIONS REGION I ORGANIZATIONCOMMANDERAREA IJon K. EngebretsenLancasterPalmdaleStationStationSanta ClaritaValley StationEmergencyOperations BureauField OperationsTraining UnitGormanSubstationCrescenta ValleyRegional StationAltadenaPyramidLakeSubstationCOMMANDERAREA IILuis M. NajeraLocal StationEast Los Angeles StationMalibu/Lost Hills StationThe Region is comprised of the following Sheriff's stations andspecialized units: Crescenta Valley/Altadena, East Los Angeles,Lancaster, Malibu/Lost Hills, Palmdale, Santa Clarita Valley, andTemple Stations; Emergency Operations Bureau, NorthernRegional Surveillance and Apprehension Team, Field OperationsSupport Services, and Field Operations Training Unit.ALTADENA LOCAL STATIONAltadena Local Sheriff's Station, located at the base of Mount Lowe onAltadena Drive, serves the unincorporated community of Altadena and its 42,000residents. Station personnel are responsible for providing law enforcement servicesnot only to the eight square miles of urban sprawl, but to a significant portionof the Angeles National Forest, as well.During this past year, Altadena Station has taken significant steps to onceagain become operational as a "full service" station, independent from CrescentaValley Station. Although Altadena Station currently shares many functions andA fine example of the workperformed by Altadena Station'sCommunity Relations staff occurredwhen the COPS/CrimePrevention/Community Relationsdeputies established a multi-jurisdictionalcommunity outreach office atAudubon Elementary School.Although it is not a fixed post, sheriff'sdeputies, Pasadena police officers,and school police officers arereadily available. The office is thestaging area for bicycle patrols, footpatrols, and other crime preventionactivities. Information that enhancesthe students' self esteem and personalsafety is also available. Identified asthe LEAP (Law EnforcementAudubon Partnership) Office, theFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000Field TrainingOfficer UnitField OperationsSupport ServicesN. O. R. S. A. T. Temple StationTrafficServicesDetailMotorcycleEnforcementUnitCHIEFWilliam T. SamsAREA ICOMMANDERJon K. EngebretsenAREA IICOMMANDERLuis M. NajeraYEAR IN REVIEW 20004445

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000ALTADENA LOCAL STATIONCAPTAINRonnie M. Williamssingle-room facility at AudubonElementary School extends the lawenforcement services of the LosAngeles County Sheriff's Department,the Pasadena Police Department, andthe Pasadena Unified School DistrictPolice Department into the heart ofthe Altadena community.Altadena Station personnel alsoinitiated the Farnsworth Park summerconcert series this year. In an effort toreturn Altadena's parks to law abidingcitizens, Station personnel initiated apark enforcement program that targetedgangs, career criminals, and nuisanceissues. Sheriff's Departmentpersonnel achieved significant successin re-taking Altadena's parks, andwere particularly successful in theirefforts at Farnsworth Park.Farnsworth Park was once plagued bygang members who loitered and drankin public, however, due to theDepartment's efforts, this Park is nowthen safe, multi-recreational communityfacility it was meant to be.And finally, Altadena Sheriff'sStation once again sponsored itsAnnual Holiday Food and Toy Drive.A broad-based collection of communitygroups and good Samaritans,including the Altadena NeighborhoodCoalition, the Altadena NationalAssociation for the Advancement ofColored People (NAACP), theVolunteers On Patrol, and the deputiesfrom Altadena Sheriff's Station, whoall joined hands to coordinate this seasonalevent. This group of volunteersdonated their time to collect, sort,package, and distribute holiday itemsin order to provide more than 250Altadena families with food and toysfor their children.Not only have Altadena Stationpersonnel been successful in maintainingtheir positive relationship withthe community, but they have alsodone quite well with the crime fightingefforts. The overall crime rate inthe Altadena community decreased inthe year 2000, and both patrol personneland Station detectives can bragabout the 32% decrease in all gangrelatedcrime! Contributing elementsto this trend were the efforts of theCrime Impact Team (CIT) and theinvestigators assigned to theCommunity Law Enforcement andRecovery (CLEAR) Program.The CIT is comprised of threeinvestigators dedicated to handlinggang-related investigations. TheTeam tracks probationers, parolees,and known gang members. TheCLEAR Program partners deputysheriffs with investigators from thePasadena Police Department, thePasadena Unified School Police,Probation, and the District Attorney'sOffice. This team approach hasresulted in more effective trackingand prosecution of criminals thatcross the jurisdictional boundaries ofthe city of Pasadena and the communityof Altadena. The CLEAR detectiveshave also devised and implementeda photo database of allAltadena area gang members. Thedatabase is available to all AltadenaStation personnel and has become aCounty-wide model for tracking gangmembers.The enormous responsibilityassociated with providing lawenforcement services to the AngelesNational Forest was supplemented theUniform Reserves who volunteeredmore than 7,300 hours of patrol ofthis recreational area in 2000. TheAltadena Posse, supplemented by 14mounted civilian volunteers, contributednearly 5,800 hours of supportthis past year. In addition to theirpatrols and other station activities, thePosse participated in numerous otherDepartment events throughout theCounty.With the many programsAltadena Station personnel share withthe community, coupled with our reputationfor pro-active, reliable, andservice-oriented policing, Altadenaremains one of the Department's mostrespected crime-fighting teams.CRESCENTA VALLEY STATIONCrescenta Valley Station, nestledin the foothills of the majestic SanGabriel Mountains, provides policeservices for the unincorporated communitiesof La Crescenta, Montrose,the City of La Canada/Flintridge, andan estimated 278 square miles of theAngeles National Forest.Angeles National Forest ChilaoSubstation ProposalThe Angeles National Forest isthe second most visited NationalForest in the United States, with anestimated 30 million visitors a year.We are developing a plan for aSheriff's Substation in the ChilaoCampground area, forging a partnershipwith the United States ForestService Law Enforcement Branch andthe California Highway Patrol. AReserve Search and Rescue Team willbe stationed there during weekends inaddition to a training center classroomthat will train reserve rescuepersonnel and provide a venue foryouth programs in the forest area.Search and Rescue TeamsMontrose Search and RescueTeam is stationed at Crescenta ValleyStation. The Team is known nationallyas being one of the leaders insearch and rescue techniques. TheTeam is comprised of 25 ReserveDeputy Sheriff personnel who havespecial training in the field of searchand rescue. During 2000, the Teamspent 87 weekend shifts patrolling theAngeles National Forest and respondedto over 60 search and rescue calls.The Team completed 46 lost personsearches, 26 person rescues, 12 "carover the side" rescues, one underwatercave diver rescue, 3 deceased personsrecoveries, and assisted ten othersearch and rescue teams. In 2000,the Team competed 3,558 hours ofrescue and training operations.The Montrose Team recentlyacquired, through donations and apublic partnership funding viaSupervisor Antonovich, a new rescuetruck. This Ford F-550, 4x4turbodiesel rescue truck was designed bythe Montrose Team. The MontroseTeam was also instrumental in funding$75,000 for the purchase of threenew rescue hoists and an engine particleseparator for the Department'snew Air 5 Rescue Helicopters.Station ReservesDuring the year 2000, theCrescenta Valley Station UniformReserve Company volunteered 4,600hours in patrol, training, and communityactivities. The UniformCompany purchased and deployedfour patrol bicycles in the community.CRESCENTA VALLEYSTATIONCAPTAINRalph W. Martin Jr.FIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20004647

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000In addition, the Reserve Companystarted a business district patrol program,incorporating foot and vehiclepatrols. During the summer months,the Reserve Unit staffs a two personweekend mountain patrol unit to supplementStation mountain patrolunits.Crescenta Valley StationVolunteer ProgramIn 2000, volunteers contributed6533 hours. These volunteers assistedin administrative duties, transportation,desk operations, telephoneoperator training, station tours, trafficcontrol training, and community functions.The Volunteer Program alsostaffed the Station's AnnualChristmas Food and Toy Drive. The2000 Food and Toy Drive helped over150 families consisting of 900 people.Volunteers on PatrolIn 2000, Crescenta ValleyStation's Crime Prevention Unitexpanded the Volunteers On PatrolProgram to include vehicle, bicycle,and foot patrols. Program volunteerscompleted 2,355 hours of service tothe community.Arson WatchThe Arson Watch Program consistsof 18 civilian volunteers whopatrol the Angeles National Forestand adjacent San Gabriel Mountainsduring high fire danger periods.Volunteers contributed 1,008 hours ofpatrol time.School Resource DeputiesCrescenta Valley Station has twodeputies assigned to dedicated dutiesas School Resource Deputies for theGlendale School District.One deputy is assigned to theCrescenta Valley High School campus.Since this program was initiated,a zero tolerance policy was implementedfor truancy and smoking oncampus. A high profile presence hasresulted in praise for our outstandingwork.The second deputy is assigned tothe Rosemont Middle School campus.This deputy manages the YouthIntervention Program.Vital Intervention DirectionalAlternatives (VIDA)The Youth Intervention Programstarted at Rosemont Middle School in1999. This innovative Program wasdesigned to intervene in the lives ofat-risk students. The Programaddresses key issues such as failinggrades, lack of parental supervision,unsatisfactory citizenship, and thelack of positive role models.There are currently 26 at-risk studentsenrolled in the VIDA programat Rosemont Middle School. Thirtystudents have attended this Programsince its inception, with only one studentfailing to complete the Program.Station Detective OperationsThe Crescenta Valley StationDetectives, in addition to their excellentinvestigative talents, haveimproved the suspect interviewprocess by utilizing the latest technologyin order to create a high techinterview room. This ability to videotape interviews with state of the artaudio and video is expected tostrengthen the District Attorney's abilityto present a strong case for prosecution.EAST LOS ANGELES STATIONEast Los Angeles Station, locatedjust east of downtown Los Angeles,provides police services to more than200,000 residents of the unincorporatedcounty area and the contract citiesof Commerce and Cudahy. Duringthe past year, East Los AngelesStation implemented or expandedmany new and innovative programsdesigned to benefit the citizens weserve. The following is a briefdescription of several of these programs.Youth Activities ProgramsYouth activities programs are avital component of East Los AngelesStation's strategy to combat crime andgang violence. We currently have avery successful program in theSalazar Park area and are replicatingthis success in City Terrace, Obregon,and Belvedere Parks.The Station's CommunityRelations Unit held a very successfulBicycle and Skateboard Safety Fair atBelvedere Park. More than 1,500children came to Belvedere Park andparticipated.Salazar Park Youth Activities LeagueThe Youth Activities League(YAL) provides after school educationaland sports programs for morethan one thousand youth in East LosAngeles. This past year, a new academicprogram was implemented atSalazar Park which introduced studentsto positive learning experiencesin the fields of math and science.Enrollment was limited to forty studentsper semester, however, nextyear, the program will be expanded toother areas in East Los Angeles.Contract CitiesWe developed comprehensivestrategic plans for the cities ofCommerce and Cudahy. Both plansare in place and we are accomplishingspecific, tangible goals, includingCrime-Free Multi-Housing, SafePassages, and COPS surveying inproblem neighborhoods.Community AcademyEast Los Angeles Station heldtwo Community Academies during2000, including one in Spanish. Eachclass gave an overview of the LosAngeles County Sheriff's Department,as well as specific programs providedby East Los Angeles Station staff.Neighborhood Watch Program -CommerceDuring the past year, deputiesand the Commerce Service AreaManager, along with the CommunitySafety Specialists, attended numerousNeighborhoodWatch meetings. The meetings wereusually requested by area residentswhen a specific "problem" is occurringin their area. City personnel, aswell as deputies, provide guidanceand solutions to these concerns on aregular basis. With the current complementof 67 block captains in theCity, we anticipate attending an evengreater number of neighborhoodwatch meetings in the future.Traffic TeamThe Traffic Team at East LosAngeles Station has taken on a newlook with the assignment of a fulltime traffic sergeant. Photographic,measurement, and other investigativeequipment were purchased by theStation to assist in the investigationof serious traffic collisions. The Cityof Commerce donated two state-ofthe-artradar units to assist in theapprehension of speed violators. TheCity of Commerce fielded a regularselective enforcement patrol to combatthe serious problem of drivingunder the influence. Both the Citiesof Commerce and Cudahy fielded aselective enforcement motorcycleteam to provide their communitieswith safer streets. These efforts led toa reduction in traffic collisions andreduced the number of seriousinjuries.Explorer/Volunteer ProgramDuring the year 2000, we haveutilized the reserve deputies, explorersscouts, and civilian volunteers toprovide many varied services to thecommunity. The newly formedVolunteers on Patrol (VOP) hasmatured into a reliable, hard workinggroup of volunteers. They havedonated more than 1,500 hours ofservice per month. This year, civilianvolunteers have manned the substationin the City of Cudahy, providingservices to the public Mondaythrough Friday.COPSWith the addition of four newsergeants, the COPS Team redistributedits deputies into four teams withdistinct responsibilities. This year,COPS coordinated several responsesto periods of gang violence. Theyquickly quelled problems through saturationpatrol, parole and probationsearches, coordination with OperationSafe Streets, and community supportevents.EAST LOS ANGELESSTATIONCAPTAINThomas P. AngelFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20004849

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000Additionally, this year the EastLos Angeles COPS team focused theHigh Impact Program in the CityTerrace area. Crime in the area wasdramatically reduced and the qualityof life continues to improve.COMNETEast Los Angeles Station has traditionallyexperienced significant narcoticsactivity. This year, we werefortunate to have the services of theCommunity Oriented Major NarcoticsEnforcement Team (COMNET) forthree months. Their mission was tocombat and eradicate long-standingnarcotic problem locations. TheTeam was extremely productive inarresting several high-level distributorswhich subsequently slowed theflow of narcotics.Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse -STOP ProgramThe Family Crimes Bureau providestwo deputies who are speciallytrained in the Department's STOPProgram. We recently partnered thisTeam with our Detective Bureau andthe Violence Intervention Program(VIP) at University of SouthernCalifornia Medical Center. East LosAngeles Station has been affiliatedwith and utilized the VIP for childabuse and sexual assault services foralmost ten years. It is the only programin the County wheremedical/forensic, counseling, andafter patient services are provided tovictims of domestic violence, sexualassault, child abuse/neglect, and, mostrecently, elder abuse.EMERGENCY OPERATIONS BUREAUEmergency Operations Bureau isthe highlighted Unit for FieldOperations Region I (see page 148).FIELD OPERATIONS TRAINING UNITThe Field Operations TrainingUnit had three specific duties for theyear 2000. First, to present theContinued Professional TrainingProgram required by the CaliforniaCommission on Peace OfficerStandards and Training (POST).Second, the Unit was responsible forthe Field Training Officers Program,tracking and coordinating all fieldtraining officers and trainees in thethree Field Operations Regions.Finally, the Unit remained as theDepartment's experts in force curriculumdevelopment, instruction, andcertification of Departmental defensivetactics instructors, and as aresource for force related issues.One of the highlights of the yearwas the training of more than 600Field Operations personnel in crowdand riot situations in preparation forthe Democratic National Convention.In training for the Convention, theUnit developed a Special InterventionTeam (SIT) to counter the uniqueproblems of the modern passivedemonstrators. In the late 1990's,passive protestors came up with newand creative ways to link themselvestogether in human chains. These tacticsseverely challenged law enforcement'sability to gain control andcompliance in very volatile situations.With the aid of new power tools, theTeam successfully developed effectiveways of defeating even the mostcomplicated tactic utilized by protestorslocking themselves together.The CPT Program continued toprovide outstanding training for morethan seven hundred sworn personnel.The curriculum encompassed domesticviolence, elder abuse, Mirandaissues, weapons training, LaserVillage, and legal updates. All ofthis was accomplished while generatingmore than $50,000 in revenue forthe Department's Special TrainingFund which distinguished the CPTProgram as one of the best trainingprograms offered by the Department.During the past year, the FieldOperations Training Unit (FOTU)scheduled two160 hour DefensiveTactics Instructor courses. Morethan 50 Department and outsideagency personnel received theirBasic Defensive Tactics InstructorCertificate, thus allowing for qualitydecentralized defensive tacticstraining.The year 2000 brought severalnew projects for the FOTU staff tohandle. The first of which was thedevelopment of a pilot program forthe M-26 taser. The field test provedthat the M-26 taser was extremelyeffective and, hopefully, will beapproved for field use in early 2001.The second undertaking was thereview and recommendation of anexpectorant hood for field use. The"Tranzport" hood passed all tests andwill be a very good tool for use bydeputies when faced with suspectswhowanttospitonthem.The final, and perhaps the mostextensive, project for the year 2000was the implementation of PersonalProtection Equipment Committee.Born out observations in preparationfor the Democratic NationalConvention, the Committee wascharged with making recommendationsfor new ballistic helmets withface shields, gas masks, personal protectivegear, hydration units, andload-bearing vests.The Field Training Officer (FTO)Program had a busy year keeping upwith Department growth. Manyhours were spent developing the waysand means to acquire an additional 90budgeted Field Training Officeritems. The Department now has thecapacity to train 540 deputies a yearin the patrol environment. Anotheraccomplishment for the FTO Programwas the evaluation and update of the40-hour Field Training OfficerSchool. The Los Angeles CountySheriff's Department was the firstagency in the State to have a FieldTraining Officer School certified byPOST.LANCASTER STATIONLancaster Station is located inthe beautiful Antelope Valley, approximately55 miles northeast of the Cityof Los Angeles. Station personnelcover an area of more than 600square miles, including the contractcity of Lancaster, and the communitiesof Lake Los Angeles, Quartz Hill,and Antelope Acres. Quality lawenforcement services are provided forover 190,000 residents.Lancaster Station's GangViolence Suppression (GVS) Grant isin its third year. The Grant provides asergeant, a probation officer, and adeputy district attorney, along withfour gang investigators provided bythe City of Lancaster. The GVS Unithas been very successful as the Cityhas seen a 50% in gang-related violence.The GVS Unit coordinatedseveral large, multi-agency parole andprobation sweeps in an effort to curtailgang activities. One sweepincluded over 160 locations andyielded 69 arrests. This multi-agencyapproach to gang violence has madethe City of Lancaster a safer place.School safety continued to be apriority in 2000. The partnershipbetween the Antelope Valley UnionHigh School District and the Sheriff'sDepartment continued to grow and isbeing recognized as a model for otherdistricts to emulate. The contract hasreached the one million dollar a yearmark, with the addition of two moredeputies. The district contracted for ateam leader and a dedicated ganginvestigator to assist the District insupervision of additional programsrelating to campus safety. In addition,the District provided specialized vehiclesfor the team leader and ganginvestigator, purchasing two fullyequipped detective vehicles for theiruse.Operation Safety-Project 2000enjoyed another successful year onour high school campuses. Project2000 included students from eachhigh school forming site campus safetycommittees. These eight committeesmet to discuss ideas on how toLANCASTER STATIONCAPTAINThomas E. PigottFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20005051

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000improve campus safety. Each schoolsent a representative to sit on a centralcommittee which met to discussthe concerns from their respectivecampus, and to share ideas with theircounterparts throughout the entireDistrict. This year's committees metwith Sheriff Baca to present ideas andthe results of a District-wide safetysurvey. A video tape presentation isbeing prepared to share this importantprogram with all Department units.The highly successful AntelopeValley VIDA Program has pioneeredseveral ideas and procedures whichare being considered for adoptionCounty-wide. This year's innovationsinclude a computerized tracking systemwhich begins with the initialreferral, an Antelope Valley VIDAweb site, and a computer lab that willassist students in the educationalprocess.One of the required componentsof the VIDA Program is a three yearfollow-up on the progress of graduatingstudents. A proactive approachwas developed to complement theplanned home and school visits - the"Mentor" and "Junior Mentor"Programs.The Mentor Program utilizesadult community members from localbusinesses, churches and civic organizationswho volunteer to mentoryouths who have graduated from theVIDA Program. These adults arerecruited as Station volunteers andcommit to one year of mentoringservice. The mentors perform followupfunctions with the graduates andkeep a logbook which will becomepart of the graduate's tracking record.The Junior Mentor Program isonly offered to VIDA graduates ingood standing who wish to pass ontheir experiences to current VIDAclass participants. The Junior Mentorsmust maintain good grades, good disciplinein school and at home, and arerandomly drug tested. They are utilizedas positive role models for currentenrollees and assist the staff intheir mission.The Lancaster Career CriminalApprehension Program (CCAP) grantawardperiodendedonOctober1,2000. Responsibility for CCAP wastransferred to Region I. Career criminalsare routinely targeted, arrested,and prosecuted with a focused effort.Enhanced criminal filings, prosecutions,convictions, and sentencinghave become routine. The assignedpersonnel are exceptional workerswho are dedicated to the effort therebymaking a dramatic difference fortheir community. The Program is asuccess and will continue to improve.The year 2000 has truly been atremendous year for the AntelopeValley Search and Rescue Team,headquartered at Lancaster Station.One of the Team leaders wrote a proposalto State Assemblyman GeorgeRunner requesting funding assistancefrom the State of California for muchneeded equipment. Through theseefforts, Governor Gray Davis signedthe State budget, including an allotmentof $250,000 for the needs of theAntelope Valley Search and RescueTeam. The equipment, some of whichhas been purchased and some ofwhich will be purchased in the future,includes: a 2001 Ford 4x4Expedition, a 2001 Ford 4x4 F250pick-up truck, four all-terrain vehicles,six off-road motorcycles, a combinationcommand post and equipmenthauling trailer, an off road vehicletransport trailer, and personalsafety equipment for Team members.This equipment provides for a moreefficient Team that is better equippedto respond to the needs of the desertand mountain areas surroundingLancaster Station.MALIBU/LOST HILLS STATIONThe western portion of LosAngeles County, served by thisStation, is a blend of residential,rural, mountain, beach, and recreationalareas. Contract cities servedinclude Agoura Hills, Calabasas,Hidden Hills, Malibu, and WestlakeVillage. The unincorporated communitiesinclude Topanga, Chatsworth,Lake Manor, Monte Nido, MalibuLake, and the Santa MonicaMountains. Service area liaisondeputies, sergeants, and lieutenantsprovide direct access to the Stationfor elected officials, city staff,appointed committee members, andresidents. Our 188 square mile areais home to one hundred thousand residents.Community SafetyCrime statistics indicated thatcrimes against persons, such asassault, rape, and spousal assault,continue to decline. Crimes of opportunity,such as residential and businessburglaries, have shown a slightincrease. Burglary suspects are typicallyfound to be from outside thelocal community. Continued focus onjuvenile issues and educational programsdirected at crime awareness arepositive factors in keeping our contractcities and communities safe.PatrolVisual presence and promptresponse to calls for service continueto provide our communities with safestreets and confidence in thisStation's, and in the Sheriff'sDepartment's, ability to deliver thehighest quality police services.TrafficThe Traffic Unit continues anaggressive enforcement program.Normal Driving Under the Influence(DUI) enforcement is being supplementedwith a DUI Team that willfocus on impaired drivers at selectedlocations. Positive results are beingreported as a result of adding supplementalmotorcycle enforcement intothe mix of normal traffic units.School safety is a primary focus ofenforcement and education throughthe Sheriff's Teen Traffic OffenderProgram (STTOP), bike rodeos, andschool patrols.DetectivesRetirements have resulted in aturnover of detective personnel givingthe bureau a more youthful appearance.Their activities have resulted inhundreds of thousands of dollars inrecovered property and numerousfelons inhabiting the jail. The clearancerate is 30 percent. Some recenthigh profile cases resulted in positivepress coverage.Juvenile Intervention TeamThe Juvenile Intervention Teamor "J-Team" seeks to achieve longtermpositive relationships with juvenilesand their families by buildingrapport with teachers and students,providing crisis intervention, andinvestigating juvenile crimes.Services such as the ParentalResource Program, Teen Court,STTOP, and VIDA are the tools the J-Team uses. Parents of at-risk youthattend Parental Resource Programclasses, taught by deputies, in order tolearn about rights and responsibilities.Teen Court is a diversion program foryouth who are cited for minor offenses.The STTOP program investigatesneighborhood complaints about recklessjuvenile driving.VIDA, or Vital Intervention andDirectional Alternatives Program, wasimplemented as a Department wideredirection program for youth referredby the juvenile courts or concernedparents. The J-Team acts to minimizethe incidence of juvenile delinquencyby preventing it in the first place.Beach TeamA quiet beach season was reportedand is attributed to high profilelaw enforcement, especially at thebeginning of the summer. Uniquescheduling provided the effect ofseven day a week deployment. Zerotolerance for alcohol, drugs, andgangs created a safe beach for millionsof visitors during the summer.Other Station UnitsThe helicopter patrol of 109Acontinues to be a valuable augmenta-MALIBU/LOST HILLSSTATIONCAPTAINJohn D. O’BrienFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20005253

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000PALMDALE STATIONCAPTAINTerence P. Judgetion to regular patrol and the BeachTeam. Reserves contributed thousandsof hours of supplemental lawenforcement.Disaster preparedness units maintainreadiness through drills, andEOC and EMIS training. The narcoticscrew worked closely withdetectives and patrol, making cases,serving warrants, and making arrests.Volunteer programs, including stationand city programs, have hundreds ofregistered members and providedthousands of service hours.PALMDALE STATIONPalmdale Station provides policeservice for the contract City ofPalmdale, as well as 700 square milesof unincorporated County area fromthe Wrightwood ski area to LakeHughes. The City of Palmdale is oneof the fastest growing cities inCalifornia and one of the leaders inproviding affordable homes to anincreasing ethnically diverse community.The new Palmdale Station projectis in the design stage with initialplans for a state-of-the-art facility tomeet the needs of this growing communityfor the next 20 years. Thenew Station will be located near theintersection of Sierra Highway andAvenue Q.The year 2000 saw the continuationof the highly successful PartnersAgainst Crime (PAC) Program. ThePAC Program emphasizes a cooperative,comprehensive approach to combatingcrime and preserving and protectingthe quality of life in Palmdale.This community-based policing programuses a teamwork approachbetween Palmdale City staff, theSheriff's Department, and the community.PAC Basketball and FootballChallengeIn an effort to show deputies in afriendly light and allow neighborhoodchildren to see them as human beings,the PAC Challenge, created in 1999,was carried on in 2000. In June,approximately 100 youth, ages 7 to14, from the neighborhoods patrolledby the PAC deputies, were invited toparticipate in a basketball contest andclinic. Games, giveaways, and prizeswere all part of the wonderful eventthat brought the children and deputiestogether. Because of it's great success,PAC deputies developed andpresented a larger football challengein November with the same goal ofbringing the community and Sheriff'sDepartment closer together.Safety ExpoThe Public Safety Expo, sponsoredby the Palmdale Sheriff'sBoosters, was a huge success.Hundreds of people gathered outsidethe Antelope Valley Mall to gainhands-on experiences and get a closerlook at the law enforcement, firedepartment, and emergency personnelwho serve the Antelope Valley.Demonstrations by the AntelopeValley Search and Rescue Team, AeroBureau and other Department memberswere enthusiastically received bythose attending.Graffiti AbatementThe graffiti abatement programcontinues to prove very successful.For the second year in a row, the programwas able to clear more than$500,000 of graffiti damage andarrest 102 suspects/subjects. OnJanuary 9, 1999, the City of Palmdalerevised an ordinance which made itillegal for minors to possess graffititools, regardless of their intent. Thisordinance, the implementation of arestitution program, a cooperativecourt system, and the posting of antigraffiti billboards resulted in a 50 percentdecrease in graffiti vandalismbetween 1994 and 1999.Reserves and VolunteersThe Search & Rescue Team continuedto grow with new, young, andexcited members. With the additionof the Station garage facility, theTeam now has vehicles staged in bothLancaster and Palmdale. Since mostof the Team's missions are inPalmdale's mountain areas, thischange has cut the Team's responsetime significantly.The Team received a check fromthe State for $250,000 for the purchaseof new vehicles and badlyneeded equipment. As part of theTeam's goal of continuing professionalimprovement, we have applied for,and are actively training for, certificationfrom the Mountain RescueAssociation.The Volunteer Mounted Unitdeveloped new and expanded horseand rider qualification standards toensure safety, professionalism, andliability protection of the Unit.Thanks to the support of retiredReserve Deputy and former Possemember Brad Bones, we havesecured the local Totem Pole Ranchas a training facility. The variety ofterrain at the "Ranch" has helpedmake team training productive andprofessional. Our annual fund raisingBuckaroo Ride, this year in memoryof Deputy Don Self, was a great success.The effectiveness of a visiblemounted patrol, as well as the positiveimage it provides to the community,has made the services of theTeam in high demand. The Teamexpanded the areas they patrol to severallocal shopping centers, highschool football games and Countyparks, as well as the usual assortmentof community events and parades.Palmdale's Uniformed ReserveCompany continues to serve withdedication and pride. The Companyadded three new members this year.SANTA CLARITA VALLEY STATIONSanta Clarita Valley Station,located in northern Los AngelesCounty, provides police services forthe County area and the contract cityof Santa Clarita. Station personnelpolice an area of more than 600square miles and provide qualityservice for nearly 200,000 residents.Every 15 Minutes ProgramSanta Clarita Valley Station continuesthis very effective Program,assisted by the City of Santa Clarita,the William S. Hart School District,the Los Angeles County FireDepartment, the Los Angles CountyCoroner, the Henry Mayo Hospital,local businesses, and student volunteers.SANTA CLARITAVALLEY STATIONCAPTAINDonald A. RodriguezFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20005455

FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ILOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTFIELD OPERATIONSREGION IFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000The Every 15 Minute Program isa two-day program that focuses onhigh school juniors and seniors andchallenges them to think about drinking,driving, personal safety, and theresponsibility of making mature decisionsand the impact their decisionshave on family, friends, and manyothers. The City of Santa Claritaexpanded funding which now allowsfor two presentations per year.FBI Report on Ten Safest CitiesSanta Clarita was once again oneof the top ten safest cities in theUnited States with populations ofmore than 100,000. Santa Clarita wasranked number six for the fewest totalPart I crimes and number three incrimes per capita.Special Olympics Torch RunStation employees participatedwith Special Olympics athletes in theannual "Torch Run" that precedes theSpecial Olympics for developmentallychallenged adults and children.All American City FinalistThe City of Santa Clarita waschosen as one of the thirty finalistsfor All American City recognition.The City's standing as one of thesafest cities in the United States andthe community partnerships thatSanta Clarita Valley Station shareswith residents, businesses, communitygroups, and city employees are twoof the areas cited for the City's recognition.Station and City Form PartnershipThe City of Santa Clarita andSanta Clarita Valley Station formed apartnership to benefit employees.This effort, "TEAM" (TogetherEmployees Achieve More), combinesCity and Station efforts in charitydrives, fund-raisers, and specialevents. TEAM's first big event was aCity-Station Picnic in September,with an attendance of over 400employees and volunteers, and theirfamilies.SCV Station's First VIDA ClassGraduatesStation personnel started theVIDA Program in Santa Clarita withoutany budget, class space, equipment,or resources. Seeking the assistanceof the City of Santa Clarita,along with the William S. Hart HighSchool District and local businesses,we were able to put the Program inmotion.Getting student referrals from theSchool District and Los AngelesCounty Probation Department, weenlisted and graduated six students.The VIDA Program's initial success isboth recognized and a result of thestrong support of both the City andthe Station.Station's Community OrientedPolicing Highlighted in NationalPressThe Community InteractionTeam's community oriented policingefforts were featured in the nationallaw enforcement publication, "SheriffTimes." This seven member Team isfunded by the City of Santa Clarita.Student Valet ProgramSanta Clarita Station developedthe Student Valet Program at localelementary schools. This Programhad a dramatic effect in ensuring thesafe transfer of elementary schoolchildren to and from their familyvehicles when arriving and leavingschool. It has also mitigated the trafficcongestion in front of the schools.Station Develops Web siteThe Santa Clarita Valley SheriffStation has an Internet web site. Theweb site received accolades byDepartment executives and was identifiedas a model for otherDepartment units to follow. The website has great potential for distributingand soliciting participation in publicsafety programs. Currently we areaveraging over 60,000 hits on theweb page each month.TEMPLE STATIONTemple Station encompasses 66square miles of the northeast portionof Los Angeles County. It serves adiverse population of over 200,000people, providing services to twoSupervisorial Districts. The "FirstDistrict" encompasses the contractcities of Rosemead and South ElMonte, as well as the unincorporatedareas of South San Gabriel and ElMonte. The "Fifth District" includesthe contract cities of Temple City,Duarte, Bradbury, and the unincorporatedareas of Monrovia, Arcadia,North San Gabriel, and EastPasadena. In addition, the Stationpatrols Chantry Flats, the mountainousAngeles National Forest areaabove the City of Arcadia.Dedication To A Fallen DeputyOn October 12, 2000, forty-threeyears to the day after his murder,Temple Station rededicated a memorialto fallen Temple Deputy HaroldBlevins. Deputy Blevins was justtwenty-six years old in 1957 when hewas killed while confronting twoarmed robbers. Various members ofthe press and most of Region I's executivesattended the ceremony. Also inattendance was retired DeputyCharles "Chuck" Covington.Deputy Covington, who was onlythirty years old at the time, wasDeputy Blevins radio car partner thatfateful night. Deputy Covington sustaineda life-threatening gunshotwound, but was able to return fire andkill one of Deputy Blevins' murderers.The highlight of the ceremonyincluded Deputy Covington hanging apainting of Deputy Blevins in thelobby of Temple Station.Temple Station Combats LewdConduct In County ParksThe quality of life for people livingwithin our communities is oftenaffected by what is sometimes called"victimless" crime. Temple Station'sCOPS Team took a proactive stanceon quality of life issues affecting thecommunity. The Team faced a continuingproblem of lewd conduct at aWhittier Narrow's County Park restroom.Our Team responded by conductingfive operations, in conjunctionwith the Department's ViceDetail and the Los Angeles CountyPark Police. These operations nettedin excess of one hundred arrests forlewd conduct, indecent exposure, andsexual battery.Intelligence gathered identifiedmultiple Internet sites advertisinglewd conduct opportunities. Inaccessing several of these sites, welearned that a Whittier Narrows Parkrestroom was listed, complete with awarning of on-going undercoveroperations, even describing the modeof operations utilized by officers andhow to spot them.In addition, the COPS Team hasdone several prostitution sweeps.One "john" sting, in conjunction withthe El Monte Police Department,resulted in 30 arrests.Major AwardsAmong the many hard workingemployees at Temple Station, twopeople received notable recognitionin the year 2000:Detective Pat Martinez, at a ceremonyhosted by the Los AngelesCounty District Attorney's Office andthe Los Angeles Commission onAssaults Against Women, was recognizedas the "Domestic ViolenceInvestigator of the Year." This awardemanated from his work in two particularcases. The first was a homicideinvolving the death of an eightweek old infant, and the second was acase involving the disfigurement oftwo family members injured during afamily dispute.Reserve Captain Gary Jones,with his twenty-nine years of dedicatedservice, received the highest honora Reserve can receive from theSheriff's Department, "OutstandingReserve of the Year." Captain Joneshas been a positive role model in representingthe Sheriff's Department,contributing more than 900 hours ayear to the Reserve Program.TEMPLE STATIONCAPTAINRoberta A. AbnerFIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 20005657

FIELD OPERATIONS REGION IYEAR IN REVIEW 2000FIELD OPERATIONSREGION ICommunity Advisory CommitteesTemple Station continuedto encourage community involvementwith its four Community AdvisoryCommittees (CAC). Three of theCAC's, North San Gabriel, SouthSan Gabriel, andMonrovia/Arcadia/Duarte (MAD)CAC, were extremely active withintheir areas. The CAC's have beeninstrumental in disseminating accurateinformation to the communitiesabout various issues, including officerinvolved shootings, force cases, andpositive upcoming community eventssponsored by Temple Station. TheNorth San Gabriel CAC was instrumentalin putting on a ParentingSeminar and Youth Fair to addressareas of concern facing today's youth.The fourth CAC, the AsianCommunity Advisory Committee(ACAC), acts as a liaison betweenTemple Station and the entire Asiancommunity. With the ever evolvingand diverse population, the ACACworked diligently to strengthen therelationship between the communityand the Station.Gang Advisory CouncilsDue to the complexity and geographicalspread of its jurisdiction,Temple Station created four GangAdvisory Councils. Station personnelhave further enhanced the prevention,intervention and suppression of gangsby educating the Councils and receivinginput from them on how to combatgangs within our very diversearea. Council projects include theformation of a program where selecteddonated books can be distributedLOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTto children, preparation for a youthsummit, and addressing violencewithin the multiple school districts.DAMAGE Task ForceAdding to the Department's dictionaryof acronyms, DAMAGE(Duarte And Monrovia Active GangEnforcement) was assembled as acooperative endeavor betweenTemple Station, the Monrovia PoliceDepartment, State Parole, and the LosAngeles County ProbationDepartment. Officers from theMonrovia Police Department werepaired with deputies from TempleStation to conduct saturation patrol inareas affected by gang members.Using the resources of Probation andState Parole, the task force made asignificant impact on problems thataffected the bordering cities of Duarteand Monrovia.The efforts of DAMAGE werespotlighted this year in Louisville,Kentucky, during the final competitionfor the coveted title of AllAmerican City, in which the city ofDuarte was one of thirty Nationalfinalists. The cities of Duarte, SantaClarita, and Fresno were the onlyCalifornia cities in the finals.Temple Station Volunteer ServicesTemple Station continues to benefitfrom a cadre of volunteers committedto community involvementand improving the quality of life forthe people we serve. The TempleStation Booster Club held its firstannual golf tournament on November2, 2000, which was a huge success.1 8 5 01 8 6 01 8 7 01 8 8 01 8 9 01 9 0 01 9 1 01 9 2 01 9 3 01 9 4 01 9 5 01 9 6 01 9 7 01 9 8 01 9 9 02 0 0 0FIELDOPERATIONSREGIONII•58