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 Introduction:The Norwalk Sheriff’s Station and Whittier County Public Safety Center provide law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier. This area includes nearly 68,000 residents and covers an estimated 5.4 square miles.
In 2006 and the beginning of 2007, South Whittier County has had tremendous success in addressing crime and quality of life issues in the community. The Community Based Policing (COPS) approach has reduced crime and fear in neighborhoods once dominated by gangs and drugs. Community members and the Sheriff’s Department have embraced the “COPS” concept and forged long-term relationships.
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| Additional Patrol Deputies |
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In 2007, the Board of Supervisors approved funding for additional deputies to patrol the unincorporated areas of Los Angles County. As of July 1st, five additional deputies and one additional detective began patrolling the areas of East and South Whittier. These additional items will greatly enhance the Sheriff’s Departments ability to enforce laws and prevent crime in the area. |
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| South Whittier Area Task Force |
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In January of 2006, a multi-agency task force was established to deal with the growing number of concerns in the South Whittier area. The task force is comprised of representatives from Supervisor Molina and Knabe’s office, the COPS Bureau, California Highway Patrol, County Probation officers and State Parole, as well as the Department of Children and Family Services. Other County Departments such as Public Works, Regional Planning and the Nuisance Abatement Team also participate in these meetings.
Monthly meetings are held to discuss problem locations in the community. They formulate a plan of action to deal with each location and to determine which of the agencies will have the primary responsibility of dealing with the issues. Follow-up assessments are conducted at subsequent meetings to discuss if the chosen plan of action has been successful. If the problem still persists, the Task Force will continue to address the issues until the problems have been resolved. |
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| Town Sheriff |
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The unincorporated areas of South and East Whittier have a station deputy assigned as their “Town Sheriff.” The Town Sheriff currently serving this area is Deputy Patrick Rincon. As the Town Sheriff, he assists in developing and implementing strategies which help reduce gang and narcotics activity in the community, and improve the quality of life for its residents. He oversees the monthly meetings of the South Whittier Task Force and acts as the lead liaison between the participating agencies. He assists in identifying and abating active offenders and problematic locations.
The Town Sheriff is also responsible for implementing new Neighborhood Watch Groups as well as maintaining established Watch Groups. He works closely with various community based organizations and County agencies to assist area residents address local issues. The Town Sheriff’s goal is to improve the quality of life through the reduction of criminal street gang and narcotic activity and the abatement of nuisance locations. |
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| Whittier County Special Assignment Deputies |
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Working in cooperation with other County Agencies, the Special Assignment Deputies assigned to Whittier County conducted numerous task force abatement operations during the past year. Their overall mission is to provide safety to, and improve the quality of life of the South Whittier residents. The deputies strictly enforce truancy and curfew laws, as well as local county ordinances. The Special Assignment Deputies conducted numerous parole and probation compliance searches throughout the past year. These operations have been highly successful and have resulted in the arrest of hundreds of violators.
The Special Assignment Deputies also participate in quality of life operations and have conducted enforcement sweeps on illegal vendors and graffiti and tagging violators. They attend local community meetings and assist in dealing with the special needs of particular neighborhoods. During the holidays, they work in conjunction with several community based organizations in obtaining donated items for those in need. They assisted with Supervisor Knabe’s “Here Comes Santa’s Train” annual event, which drew several thousand area residents, as well as the Food and Toy Basket Christmas event held each year at the Community Resource Center.
Deputies have met with developers and school officials to assist with construction and development plans using the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design process (CPTED). This process seeks to design buildings and surrounding grounds in a manner which makes them conducive for public safety. The deputies also provided instruction to various civic and private organizations on issues regarding public safety and crime prevention. |
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| Summer Violent Crime Task Force |
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From June through September 2007, four deputies and one sergeant will be working a ful time task force aimed as reducing violent crimes and gang activity in the South Whittier area. These items were funded by the Board of Supervisors after the successful deployment of a similar team in 2006 in the Florence-Firestone area. The violent crime task force will target locations where gang members congregate, as well as problematic locations brought to their attention by Operation Safe Streets Bureau, Station Detectives and citizen complaints. They will maintain a “zero” tolerance in their enforcement of laws and identification of gang members. |
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Civilian
Volunteers
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Community involvement deputies administer the Whittier County Civilian Volunteer Program. In 2006, volunteers dedicated more than 19,000 hours to the community by assisting in activities such as the staffing of the Whittier County Public Safety Center. The Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) invested more than 1000 hours of time on the street conducting vacation checks, handicap parking violations, area observations, and by assisting in surveillance operations and disaster planning. |
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Sheriff’s
Youth Athletic League
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The Sheriff’s Youth Athletic League (YAL) provides activities to local youth between the ages of 8 and 17. Programs include after school tutoring, a boxing program and a recently implemented karate class. The YAL is run by one deputy, two boxing coaches, a karate instructor, and a tutor. They are supported by approximately 12 citizen volunteers who assist with classroom instruction and field trips. The YAL is currently housed in temporary classrooms at STARS Center.
In August of 2007, groundbreaking will begin on a new youth activity center building which will be located adjacent to the existing classrooms. This approximate 12,000 square foot facility will be the first “ground-up” construction project designed and funded by the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. This project is a 3.8 million dollar facility which will include classrooms, an indoor gym, and office space. The building should be completed and ready for occupancy in late 2008. To find out more information on how your child can become involved in the Youth Athletic League, please call Deputy Jeff Flotree at (562) 946-7186.
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Cops
Core Team
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The
overall mission of the Whittier C.O.P.S. Team is to
improve the quality of life and to provide safety to
South Whittier County. The C.O.P.S. Team responds directly
to the needs of the residents and maintains a zero tolerance
approach to enforcement issues concerning gangs and
narcotics. The team provides saturation patrol to the
community, targeting issues such as truancy and curfew
laws, ordinances, gang abatement, and narcotics enforcement.
The patrol team has been very successful this year and
is taking an aggressive stance in combating gang members
and narcotic users. In 1999, the team made 1,901 arrests,
served numerous search warrants, and closed down many
locations where narcotics were being both manufactured
and sold.
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Community
Development Commission
Deputy
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Established
in 1999, the Community Development Commission (CDC)
deputy position was created to police Community Development
housing in Whittier County. This facility, along with
others being constructed, will house low-income families
in a new, attractively built facility. The CDC deputy’s
role is to become an integral member of these communities
and to inter-act with its residents and children to
ensure a safe and secure environment
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Whittier
County Sheriff’s Advisory Council
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Established in 1993, the Whittier County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Council (WCSCAC) acts as a liaison between South Whittier County residents and the Sheriff’s Department. The WCSCAC holds quarterly meetings at 7:00 P.M. in room K-1 at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Resource Services Center, (STARS Center), located at 11515 South Colima Road, Whittier. The WCSCAC is proactive in the community and has distinguished itself as an exemplary advisory council. The primary goals of the WCSCAC are to improve communication, support community involvement efforts, enhance the Department’s image within the community, and advise Norwalk Station regarding community and safety-related needs. The WCSCAC participates in numerous community events and committees. The council sponsors an annual Open House at the STARS Center, assists in planning the annual Deputy and Firefighter Appreciation Luncheon, and coordinates an annual Christmas gift presentation for children and mothers in local domestic violence shelters.
Representatives from the First and Fourth Supervisorial Districts, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and Los Angeles County Fire Department attend each meeting. For additional information regarding the regular meetings and special events for 2007 please contact Kathleen Lohran at (562) 652-6642.
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Community
Coordinating Council
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The Whittier County Community Coordinating Council (WCCCC) is an organization comprised of selected community members who meet monthly to address local issues. The WCCCC has been active in the petition process to work with County departments to improve and enhance the appearance and safety of neighborhoods. The WCCCC meets on a monthly basis on the first Monday of each month. The meeting locations are on a rotational basis. For more information about the WCCCC and the current meeting location, please call Jean Wall at (562) 943-4271.
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School
Resource Deputies
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The School Resource Deputies are contracted by the local school districts to police California High School and Rancho Starbuck Middle School. The California High School deputy is a full-time position and the Rancho Starbuck deputy works two hours per day. The School Resource Deputy’s role is to assist school officials in maintaining a safe environment on campus and addressing public safety concerns.
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Parking
Enforcement
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The parking enforcement unit is responsible for writing citations and for storing and impounding vehicles. The efforts are crucial to maintain safe thoroughfares. |
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Community
Oriented Policing Summary
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The
South Whittier County Community Oriented Policing Program
has been a success. The community has bonded with law
enforcement to create one of the most unique and successful
collaborations to combat and suppress crime, pro-vide
service, reduce fear, nurture youth, and maintain a
quality society. South Whittier County is a better and
safer place to live thanks to the phenomenal efforts
of the community and the Sheriff’s personnel who
are committed to validating the concept of Community
Based Policing. |
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Whittier County Community Public Safety Center
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In cooperation with local business owners and Supervisors Knabe and Molina’s office, Norwalk Sheriff’s Station opened the Whittier County Community Public Safety Center in June of 1996. The Center is located at 13525 Telegraph Road, Unit B, Whittier. The Public Safety Center was designed to be a local conduit for the exchange of information between residents and the Sheriff’s Department. It also offers limited services to the residents in the immediate area. The center is staffed by station volunteers and is open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., Monday through Friday. The volunteers provide informational material to residents, as well as completing basic reports such as lost cell phones and property. For questions about services provided by the Whittier County Community Public Safety Center, please call (562) 903-1874. |
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