Press Releases

Details:

At the direction of Sheriff Chad Bianco, and with the support of County Supervisor Chuck Washington, on Thursday, December 3, 2020, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Hemet Station / Lake Hemet substation began consistently staffing Sergeants, Deputies and a Community Service Officer to serve our Mountain Communities. These personnel are in addition to the marijuana enforcement and other resources already deployed and available to the citizens residing in the Mountain Communities. On Tuesday, December 7, 2020, Sheriff Bianco, members of his Administration, and members of the Hemet Station / Lake Hemet substation, Supervisor Jeff Hewitt, and members of the community met at the Lake Hemet substation to formally introduce Sheriff’s personnel and to announce the substation’s opening and subsequent service to the public.

During the first year, the following accomplishments and statistics have been appreciated by the Mountain Communities we serve:

• Improvements to the Lake Hemet Mountain Station to include data lines, computers, and other equipment to benefit assigned personnel and the community. A special “thank you” to the Riverside Sheriff’s Association for donating appliances and other equipment.
• Improved relationships and networking with our partners of the California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire and Unites States Forest Service, Idyllwild Fire and California State Parks.
• Continued Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement with personnel from the United States Forestry Service, provided by a grant in cooperation with the California State Parks.
• Neighborhood Watch meetings and community events.
• In July, 2021, the Hemet Station / Lake Hemet Mountain Station assumed patrol responsibilities for the Pinyon Pines Community, previously served by the Palm Desert Station.
• National Night Out was hosted at the Lake Hemet Mountain Station on August 3, 2021.
• Continued illegal marijuana cultivation enforcement including but not limited to search warrants served, marijuana seized along with firearms, currency and other property. Marijuana cultivation negatively impacts the environment in many ways including diminishing and poisoning the water table and pesticides adversely affecting the health of neighboring residents. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero-tolerance policy for these offenses. About 126 search warrants were authored and served. About 139,292 marijuana plants seized; 32,791 pound of processed marijuana seized and, 37 firearms confiscated. From these marijuana related search warrants 31 persons were arrested.
• U.S. Department of Justice federal grant was applied for and subsequently awarded providing $150,000 over the next three years for proactive crime reduction efforts, specifically in the Mountain Communities.
• Faster response times: Compared to the year prior, overall response times were reduced 32%.
• Calls for service: A total of 4,834 calls for service were dispatched during the past twelve months.
• Search and rescue: 15 calls for service where hikers were rescued within the Mountain Communities.
• Crime reduction: Compared to the year prior, Part 1 crimes (felony crimes related to persons and/or property) were reduced by 16%.
• Enforcement and Arrests: 117 (33% increase from the prior year) individuals were arrested and booked into custody for violating various felony laws, 144 (103% increase from the prior year) individuals were arrested and/or released on a citation for violating various misdemeanor laws. Numerous firearms and illegal narcotics were seized.

The personnel assigned to the Lake Hemet substation / Mountain Communities are dedicated to the citizens we serve. Efforts like those mentioned above will continue. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-500. Any questions, please contact Sergeant Frank James or Sergeant Bryan De Loss at the Lake Hemet Mountain Station, 951-791-2064.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.