Law Enforcement and Fire Protection Remain an Important Priority for 2022
February 02, 2022
Public Safety is one of my biggest priorities as your County Supervisor, and I'm pleased to report that a recent High Desert crime suppression sweep resulted in 210 vehicle stops, 195 citations, one recovered gun and 7 arrests. The sweep was part of the Sheriff's Department's Crime Suppression Program, which aims to reduce traffic collisions and conduct proactive enforcement in all jurisdictions.
Our Marijuana Enforcement Team is continuing their difficult work eradicating the illegal marijuana grows throughout our High Desert. During the month of January 2022, the team served 86 search warrants, eradicating 649 greenhouses and arresting 91 suspects.
Additionally, during the month of January, the team seized:
- 97,477 marijuana plants
- 14,540 pounds of processed marijuana
- 2,498 grams of concentrated marijuana
- 47 guns
- $123,600 in cash
- 92.5 pounds of Psilocybin mushrooms
Our Board of Supervisors is committed to supporting our law enforcement and fire departments. During last week's 2021-2022 budget meeting, we approved the purchase of a new helicopter for the Sheriff’s Aviation Division and the hiring of 27 new Sheriff’s employees. This will include three new deputy coroner investigators, which will enable quicker response times to fatalities on our rural desert roads.
Finally, San Bernardino County’s Fire Protection District will be getting a new fire station, 60 more firefighter trainees and 20 woodland hand crew members. Many of these items will be paid for with city and state funds.