Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez:
Crime Prevention Month recognizes the role each of us plays in helping prevent crime and celebrates our collective efforts as a community to create and maintain safer neighborhoods.
The National Crime Prevention Council and local law enforcement agencies across our nation join forces every year to spread the word about personal safety and crime prevention resources. At the heart of this public safety campaign is the collaborative partnership among neighbors, businesses, schools, and local law enforcement agencies.
One of the most important aspects of crime prevention is increasing our awareness of our surroundings. When it comes to knowing our own neighborhood the best, we are the experts.
Crime Prevention Tips and Resources
Crime prevention starts with you. Take precautions to reduce your vulnerability to certain crimes, including theft, fraud, and property crime.
- Stay active in your community. Join your homeowner association or Neighborhood Watch Program.
- Be aware of the crimes being reported in your area.
-
Sign up for Nextdoor, a social platform that lets you make online connections with your neighbors to exchange helpful information about your community.
-
Our agency’s presence on Nextdoor is another opportunity for you to become more aware of how we are supporting and serving you on a daily basis. You will receive breaking news updates, missing persons and wanted suspects alerts, crime prevention resources, and invitations to virtual community forums.
Reduce Crimes of Opportunity:
- Keep your doors locked. Protect windows and sliding glass doors with good locks or other security measures.
- Keep your garage door closed and consider installing motion lights.
- Don’t let strangers in your home without checking their ID. Call their company if you’re not sure.
- Don’t hide extra house keys under a doormat or other obvious spots.
-
The Sheriff's Office offers an added sense of security when you go out of town through its Vacation Watch Program. Learn more about the service and sign up here.
- Work out a buddy system with a neighbor to check on each other regularly.
- Have your car or house key in hand as you approach your home or vehicle.
- Park in well-lit, busy areas and carry a cell phone with you, if possible.
- Hide valuables in your car or remove them completely from your car.
Crime Reduction Units
The Sheriff’s Office has launched proactive enforcement efforts and measures aimed at the reduction of crime in our communities.
Each of our five patrol districts across our county now has its own Crime Reduction Unit with a dedicated sergeant and eight deputies, including two gang unit investigators. The mission of the Crime Reduction Unit is to ensure the safety of residents through proactive operations and investigations that target high crime areas.
These deputies are actively present and visible in their neighborhoods, fostering personal connections with residents and identifying the type of criminal activity happening in that area through resident leads, crime reports and data, and patrol efforts. They are a part of the community they serve, understanding what’s relevant or unique to their district and supporting the overall mission of our agency.
Our Crime Reduction Units also participate in multi-agency initiatives to combat several public safety issues, such as street racing and street takeovers and impaired driving.
Crime prevention requires the active participation of all members of our community. See something, say something. We need everyone to become involved and be energized in their efforts to protect themselves, their family, and their property. Let’s remember the power of building a strong support system through community.
