Ditto!! I have had ongoing struggles with the LASD as well. I have only lived in this community for 3 years, but the attitude of the SD is unforgiveable. I just finished a long letter to The Signal about how we have racist, drug dealing teens with very scary attitudes (as seen in their graffiti and heard in the idiocy that spouts from their filthy mouths) hanging out and causing trouble within the Bridgeport area. Yes, I said BRIDGEPORT. And these kids LIVE in Bridgeport, and I suspect their parents don't know what these kids are doing, and it's obvious they don't care. So it's become the problem of the neighborhood. Alas, we call and call the LASD, only to be told, "What do you want us to do about it?" or "Do you really want us to waste our time responding?". Well, guess what? Since we don't want this type of behavior in OUR neighborhood, we have had to try to deal with it. And surprise, I was attacked and robbed of my cell phone by one of these teens at 4 in the afternoon right in front of little kid soccer practice, because this idiot didn't want me taking cell phone pics of him doing his lovely artwork and smoking his dope. Well, it took this escalation to finally get a response. But wouldn't you know? They caught two of the kids, and DID NOTHING!!! The kid who committed robbery is still out there, and these deputies know exactly who it is.

When I called the LASD as I was instructed to do so to give them the serial number of my stolen cell, NO ONE knew what to do and I got transferred to 4 different departments! Um, pick up a pencil and a piece of paper, look up the report number, and WRITE IT DOWN??? Good grief. I feel really safe here, knowing who's out there to protect my community. (Insert tongue in cheek here.)

Having lived in Temecula, which has its own PD, I can tell you that contracting with the Sheriff's Department is the best thing, for both the taxpayer and the citizen. Small PDs work hard, but are faced with budgetary constraints that are mountains compared to ours. What we are currently doing is the best thing for all concerned.

It is possible in some cases for a defendant to out spend and thereby outperform the DDA's office in court. But, to say justice is too expensive is just ignorant. This sounds like another member of the LASD posse or a family member trying to testilie with statistics. Justice is supposed to be priceless. The fact is LASD is a problem and not a solution. They pride themselves in being glorified security guards and not active law enforcement. Every department in the San Gabriel Valley has a budget from 25 to 100 million Pasadena being the largest for obvious reasons. The SCV will never have the revenue of Pasadena nor need the size of Pasadena PD. 30 million would work for us and can be acquired with a very small property tax and sales tax. Plus the bulk of the force would not need to be full time officers, because traffic and all types of patrols can be done by reserve officers trained at the SCV PD academy created with COC. LAPD has the perfect reserve program. We can hire the current captain of their program to start ours off on the right foot. Also, SCV PD can open the academy up to training other department's new hires from around the state. These options save us and create money. Give it more thought and we can save more and generate more.
Also an important note - other departments within LA County have no respect for LASD training which is why they send their new hires to Orange County Sheriff's Department Academy rather then to the close LASD academy. This is where LASD posse and family try to lie or show some exception some where. The facts are deputies suck at active police because they can. There is no professional standard to maintain with the department. Their only responsibility they could be punished for is being tardy to work. After making to work on time all else that is done or not done during their shift is forgiven.

Danah, I totally understand. I called them many times for assistance and never get a response. One example just this weekend 3/9/2008 at around 1000 I notice a car window on my block with a broken driver side window. I called the station and was told they could not help unless a crime was involved. I said the window was busted out and that sounds like a crime. The deputy said he could not dispatch anyone because maybe the owner did it and the owner has a right to break his own window. I said maybe a deputy should be dispatch to investigate that. They said no. The owner had to call and ask them to come out and investigate.
That is just one of many incidences with the deputies. I can tell you of another time I called and got no response. At the Valencia Mall a person parked their car blocking a handicap person in his wheel chair. He could not get into his car because someone illegally parked blocking his side door entrance to his van. One side was the building the other was the illegally parked car. I called on that too and they said they were to busy. I said that is not possible, because I just drove past a deputy pulling people over for rolling thru a stop sign at Gilbert Dr & Rainbow Glen Dr. Every traffic cop is taught handicap parking is sacred and off limits to everyone except the intended protective class – handicap persons. There have been many other situations that limited time and space prevents be from including herein. So, trust me I understand and wish we had our own proactive enforcement department.

I can surely understand the frustration that has been expressed by all concerned. I too am a local resident in the Santa Clarita Valley and operate a business. I have also been Law Enforcement for the past 17 years and am currently a Level 1 Reserve (could not get it out of my system). There is good and bad with every profession and the atrocities mentioned by you are inexcusable.

Please take a moment and understand that I too have occasion to summon the Sheriff's Department for one thing or another, their calls for service were handled professionally and with courtesy - It was not until the conclusion of their response to my service request, that I revealed my current and past position. Having said that, and for the record, my calls were much different than the ones mentioned.

However, a local police department would definitely increase law enforcement's ability to handle calls for service and curtail any missed opportunity for the "thin" deployment of the Sheriff's Department. But isn't that always the case - Not enough Deputies or Not enough Officers? There would be no absence of applicants, probably the best of the best from the Residents that are currently with LASD, LAPD and CHP, not to mention some of the other agencies that call the Santa Clarita their home.

It is a difficult proposition, we all want good police presence and to be free of having to worry about threats on our person, family or property. We want police/sheriff’s to take action, kicking butt and taking names when it comes to the vile underbelly of the criminal society in the Santa Clarita Valley.

I wish I had more of a solution. Even being "one of them" for the longest time, I cannot remedy this or give a proposition that will make any one of your injustices feel better.

With Much Regret - The Messenger

Parris911. Thank you for your honesty. It was refreshing and appreciated. Yes, we often want more service. That is true n just about everything from 911 calls to simply more cashers at the check out. But, you will never find a resident of the San Gabriel Valley, in cities like Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena, or Azusa, wishing they were patrolled by the LASD. No one wants to disband their police department to replace it with the LASD. The SCV will never be an independent city while we utilize the same service as Lancaster and Palmdale. Until we have our own police department we will just be a glorified extension of the Antelope Valley.

When we hire secretaries', street cleaners, etc we want to know who they are such as their education and work experience. But we do not ask these questions prior to a deputy being assigned to SCV station, because we have no right to do so. Think about that. We have no right to who enforces are laws. Why not just move back into the valley where government downtown makes out decision for us. Here a Sheriff far away at a Star Center (what a gay name) makes our decisions for us. He does not care about us. We have no reason to believe he can find our city on a map. Maybe if we knew more about these deputies we would not have hired them to even clean our street. We do not know. We teach our children to not trust strangers. But we trust strangers with the lives of our loved one and the security of our property while we are at work. It is time to implement a small property tax that is temporary and used to build a modern Santa Clarita Police Department and jail. We can hire any Captain from the many outstanding San Gabriel Valley departments for the chief. We should stay away from LASD & LAPD. Then we can start our own City Attorney's Office to persecute misdemeanor and wobbler cases such as gang activities and graffiti. They two department can work together to make this city the greatest place on earth.

Sheriff Baca had a close relationship with Horacio Vignali that was based on Vignali’s
political and financial support for Sheriff Lee Baca. Sheriff Baca has known Horacio Vignali since 1991, and Vignali has been a key political supporter of Baca. He has given Baca at least $11,000 in contributions, and raising between $60,000-$70,000 more. Has drug money put our Sheriff in power and does that same ideology that influence policy here in the SCV Station?

Sheriff Baca continues to claim, without any basis (meaning he’s a lying), that he did not support the Vignali commutation. Rather than express regret for his role in the Vignali commutation, Sheriff Baca maintains that he opposed the Vignali commutation, and did nothing that could have been interpreted as support for the commutation. However, Sheriff Baca’s supposed opposition to the Vignali commutation does not square with the fact that: (1) he drafted a letter that he believed Horacio Vignali would use in the clemency effort and (2) when he was asked squarely by the White House if the President should commute Vignali’s prison sentence, he stated that it was “the President’s decision to make, rather than express his opposition. These facts, and others outlined in this report, indicate that Sheriff Baca wanted to support the Vignali commutation, but was afraid of creating a paper record that would clearly indicate his support.

Assuming this demonstrates where his heart is, I dare say that the SCV voters would not elect him as our Chief of Police for SCV Police Department. It would only be rational to suggest that we then should not trust nor approve of his management decisions as they pertain to law enforcement. That is from whom he approves to command the SCV station all the way down to the deputies hired by the LASD. Not to say are unqualified, but that we cannot be sure because the fruit from a poisonous tree should be presumed also poisonous.

All comments have valid points but the blame for unacceptable police service in SCV must, first and foremost, land directly in the laps of those who govern this city. Unless they prioritize law enforcement no improvement will take place. 16 million dollars per year for a city the size of Santa Clarita is shameful when you consider that much smaller cities in the southbay like El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach spend much more. Things that really matter like response time and case clearance (crimes that are solved) are never discussed. Instead we hear about some new program that is merely smoke and mirrors intended to give the appearance of good service. Good service is measured by, most notably, response time. Don't tell me that a city like Simi Valley has a better tax base and more means to pay for a police department. Spend the money before its too late and businesses start looking elsewhere.

Your right. Simi Valley doesnt have a better tax base. However, they have serious budget issues going on there. I have heard that they are going to have to cut city services by 15% (police not included) because the police department is so expensive.

I am not willing to cut services to other areas to improve police serivces where LASD does a decent job. Even if Santa Clarita created a PD, I would think that a number of officers already at the Sheriff's station will be with the new PD. So the same personalities would reside. Also, doing a cursory review it seems that smaller police departments have lower salaries than LASD. I would think that it would be harder to attract quality police officers.

My two cents. I think if you asked the majority of people who live in Santa Clarita, that they are content with the current law enforcement services and want money to be spent on higher priority issues such as improving traffic and building more parks.

In a city where million dollar homes are not uncommon and homes in the 700-800k range are the norm, "decent" and "content" should not be acceptable. We deserve top notch police service similar to that in Burbank and Glendale. Personally, I'm "content" with the "decent" parks we have in Santa Clarita and would rather have a police department that doesn't spend 30 minutes trying to convince you that they don't need to complete a report that would take them 15 minutes to write.

I'm not opposed to a Santa Clarita PD. I just think its going to be hard to convince people to spend more money for a PD. Good luck to you..

Yes, I concur with you. The probability of SCV getting its own police department is a long way off if ever. However, what I find very interesting in all these blogs is that no one wants LASD policing the SCV. Also, those in law enforcement, the prior Captain Bob Spierer of the SCV station and Paris911 both say the service could be worse so what is all the fuss about. Well, the fuss is about SCV needing a full time police department.

The inadequacy of the deputies is not their fault, but rather is the fault of the LASD training system. This is because patrol is not a priority. The County has 1 intended function for its deputies – guard duty. That includes detention and the courts. Deputies are hired with one purpose – guard duty. So, LA County does not care if the deputies suck at policing, because they were never intended to be a full time active police department. Unfortunately, the deputies inadequacies have become our as well. This is an injustice. We need active policing of our gangs/taggers. Unfortunately, this form of policing is seen by LASD as just too dangerous for LASD deputies. They lack the training and experience, because they have spent too much time on guard duty after the academy. My dad & would use the dogs to hunt wild boars. The dogs wore Kevlar but the boars still could give the dogs a thrashing if we did not kill the boar quick. My dad always told me to shoot the boar before he got to the dogs, because if our dog gets hit too many times that dog may not hunt again – being no use to us. I see that in the eyes of LASD deputies. The dog that wont hunt sits on the porch barking looking like a killer, but with no heart. I know a lot of LAPD officers and numerous other police officers throughout the San Gabriel Valley. They do not have the 1000 yard stare and do not want it nor need it. They have real time training and real life experience so they are calm and professional with everyone. This is because they started being a cop right out of the academy. The deputies do not have that luxury. The days of deputies' youth, when they would seek out a challenge and activitely learning, are spent in a jail cell being an over paid security guard. By the time they get to street patrol they have seen how strong and deadly thugs really are. The inmates have imposed the fear of God into each LASD deputy. The deputies come out of correction with only their natural fears and cautions of those with age and experience, but lack the experience of a real police officer (how to have a healthy fear of these thugs, while still controlling them legally). Couple that fear with a deputy watching himself get soft and slow while on that guard duty. So for most LASD deputies "that dog just wont hunt."

Stating in her rebuttal on 02/20/2008, Laurie Ender said that it really does not matter how wonderful the city is viewed from the outside looking in if your neighborhood stinks. She mentioned that one of the issues that make a neighborhood stink is the ugly site of graffiti. The graffiti on buildings owned by hard working citizens of this wonderful City of Santa Clarita is unacceptable. She mentioned that code enforcement is essential to ending graffiti. I must say I concur. But I believe to do so she must end the philosophy of the LASD and City Counsel – cleaning up graffiti after the fact is cheaper then persecuting the offenders. LASD and City Counsel act as though they view graffiti as a tort rather then a crime. This places dealing with graffiti on the property owner rather then on law enforcement. I hope Laurie Ender is able to execute a plan to actively enforce the state and city statutes that prohibit graffiti. I want the citizens of SCV to see the City of Santa Clarita as others see it from the outside looking in. I hope Laurie Ender realizes what she said. She said SCV has a graffiti problem and enforcing the codes that prohibit it can solve that problem. In saying this she is admitting that she is aware that LASD is not actively enforcing the laws that prohibit graffiti. There is a lot that LASD is not doing that a full time police department does. Lets hope that she becomes aware of their other deficiencies as well. I am hoping for the best but bracing for the worse. Getting the deputies to see what their actual responsibilities are and thereby getting them to actively patrol the trouble spots in SCV will not be an easy task. From what I have seen thus far it is similar to watching Sunni and Shia Muslims try to convince the other how to interpret the Qur’an.

Lack of free time has prevented me from telling the stories of the LASD that proves their ignorance. The City of Santa Clarita has a large diverse professional population. I personally know attorneys with county counsel, district attorney's office, public defender and private attorneys who have all had terrible experiences with deputies in SCV. I also know MDs & RNs who have all had terrible experiences with deputies in SCV. The complaints are very similar – it is like dealing with juveniles – boarding on juvenile delinquency. The maturity level is an embarrassment to SCV and to the LASD. Getting them to show up and then getting them to fill out a police report is like dealing with an unruly juvenile. Of my personal attorney friends, those with the county and some of the private attorneys they deal in criminal matters from felonies to DUIs wobblers. So they daily deal with law enforcement agencies throughout LA County. They told me that all other law enforcement agencies demonstrate a high level of professionalism that their city and department can be proud of. That is also true of non-SCV LASD deputies in other locations such as Lost Hills Station and all the Antelope Valley Stations.

A friend of mine was renting an apartment in SCV. She moved in before all the repairs were completed. The landlord promised to finish it soon after she moved in. They did as they promised. The maintenance crew came in when no one was home (used the master key) and stole all her computers and laptops. She called LASD immediately. They finally showed up and said there is no proof of a crime here. They said "we see they did repairs to your apartment but they are allowed it when they want because they own the apartment building." What an idiot! What was he smoking during Landlord-Tenant class. He said there is no crime so no police report. This is a common response by SCV deputies. I am not sure if they really lack knowledge of the law or they simply refuse to write it up to keep SCV crime stats low. I wont bore you with the rest of the details. The facts are that there had more facts to show she bought these products and they are now gone. The deputies should have asked himslef (1)do we have a larceny, (2)do we have burglary, etc… They are unable to spot the issues. But enough on that…..

Now! Now! Now! You know the 'Higer up's' in Santa Clarita have plans for all of us citizens. No, not a new Police Force, but upgrades like more cookie cutter food places, renovations of places like Old New Hall and MORE HOMES!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! They are just fine with how things are with crime and what not, because they live behind the gates. Did ya know that a nice neighborhood in our community over the past 6 months has had two forced entries by 2 young men attemting to get at the women inside. One home invasion where the 17 yrd old actually got into bed with a woman, and a nice man dipped down in his car masterbating to the kids playing at the community pool. Oh you didn't know this did you? Thats because no reports were filed by our local law enforcement.
Have a great Santa Clarita Day!

I'm so pleased that we live in a country that allows "free speech" and that our media prints public opinion so that people can air their beliefs and perceptions - as fact, no matter how slanted, possibly untrue, or even ridiculous. That same freedom allows me to respond.
Here we go again, more Cop bashing! It seems that when something involving law enfocement isn't resolved to someone's satisfaction, or fulfilled the idea of what they "thought" should have occurred (police report, fingerprints, pictures, crime tape, etc.)- we get Cop bashing. "They didn't do...", "They shoulda done..."
Oh...yes...then out come the "arm chair lawyers" who like to spew their "Adam 12" legalese.
Puh-leeeese!

I am happy we live in our country that allows "free speech" too. The people above are stating opinions about a specific Law Enforcement. You are stating opinions about them. Who is the opinionated one here?

perhaps the answer is independence from LA........

Hmmm...touchy are we about unwarranted criticism? I stand by my comments.

Yes I agree about the police department but we do need is for the city to make sure the public knows what crimes are really happening in SCV. I have heard from residences in the area that there was a dead body discovered by Chi Chi's on Soledad within the last 2 weeks & it is no where on the news. I also heard of a fight with knives involved at the Jack in the Box on Lyons. Us people raising kids & thinking we are safe in this beautiful city are kidding ourselves. When they say crime is down, I really doubt that. It's really too bad they are not honest about crimes to keep residences on their toes.

AverageCitizen. A woman's apartment was burglarized. That means that strangers broke in and entered her dwelling house with the specific intent to commit a felony therein. This is a crime!! If LASD deputies do not investigate this, then what are they here for? Who are they to call this woman a liar without an investigation? Again: Glendale PD, Pasadena PD, Arcadia PD, Plamdale/Lancaster LASD, LASD Lost Station. . . would not have tolerated this juvenile behavior. SCV tolerates juvenile delinquency behavior from their deputies.

Beedazzled - If you aren't being told of crime in your area or anywhere in SCV, it isn't the Sheriff's Department keeping it from you...LASD doesn't report crimes directly to the public, that's the job of the media - Daily News, Signal, etc. Newspapers report the news and crime is news.
If you want information about your area directly, you should request crime stats directly from SCV LASD Public Information Officer. 255-1121.
Independence - Were you also there after the "break-in" to witness the conversation and investigation and the final outcome. It seems you are always on the scene and have personal information on court cases and crime in SCV. Hmmm...very curious. Hey - just my opinion.

They like to make it seem like we don"t have alot of crime here but there is alot of drug related crimes going on and other crimes that they just don"t want to make reports of. The court system needs to work harder when they do catch the criminals to punish them and not just let them back on the streets to do it again but that seems to be whats happening. I know several officers from other divisions that agree that the officers in Santa Clarita aren"t doing a great job. I don"t see why they can"t respond to certian crimes like a breaking of a window or someone parked illegaly because when I called to report a man jerking off on the side of Soledad not ten feet from the street they sent 6 patrol cars to investigate. If your going to become a police officer to serve and protect its your job to train and work your hardest and do your best. Its not a job for someone who is a slacker.

Secure the Borders, Deport the Illegals!

Wow! I am new to this site, and I can't believe the negativity of many of the posts here! While i agree that crime needs to be attended to, I wonder how many crimes of vandalism and graffiti could be prevented if parents were more involved with their teens and knew where they were and and who their friends are. Parents need to keep vigilent. We need to teach our children to be respectful of others and be people with integrity. This starts at home so that our streets will be safer. This is NOT just a police issue. This is a social issue as well. I just want to add that both my husband and son have been stopped for speeding here in the SCV and were given a stern warning and not cited (and we are not white). How many times have any of us deserved a ticket but no one caught us?!

Secure the Borders, Deport the Illegals, and imprison the parents for the crimes of their children!

FYI folks... there are other LASD jurisdictions like Palmdale and Lancaster, that have much more pro-active community policing programs from anti-gang taskforces to party call patrols, to DUI checkpoints to anti-graffiti units; however the issue the original author brought up, bottom line... is BUDGET.

If you want to see a change, stop wasting your time crying about it, and write the City Manager's Office, Ken Pushkamp. He's the one who holds the purse stings for our local law enforcement budget. Can our local enforcing be improved... Yes. Should it be improved... Absolutely! Would our own local PD make sense... Yes, however the initial start-up cost would be staggering. So the only real solution is getting the City Manager to increase SCV's budget for local law enforcement if you want to see a real change.

If you think it's bad in SCV city limits, you have no clue about the lack of resources available in unincorporated areas like Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, and even parts of SCV out of the actual boundary lines of the city... ouch! Hope you don't get mugged there!!

Yeah, I am with codeblue. I resisted my girlfriend's purchase of a house in SR, precisely because I knew we would go from a fairly well patrolled city are in Santa Clarita to the very under patrolled SR area. yeah I know in a code 3 situation (life threatening emergency) the city dispatches city Sheriff cars, to handle the emergency , and then bills the county for the time (this is what is supposed to happen). But living in a county area, vs. the incorporated city, means you will have very long waits for non-emergency calls for service.
To the bigger issue of the city PD versus Contract Sheriffs, again I pretty much agree with codeblue, with some interesting (I hope) suggestions.
First the city would have to radically increase taxes, (like initiating city business taxes which the current all republican city council is ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO). Unlike most cities, Santa Clarita, imposes no city income tax on business profits-this is by design. We also have no licensing scheme for business, or "occupancy use" fees for business. Or even alarm registration fees for business with alarm systems. When I moved for a short period of time, my law office to San Fernando, a city with a PD that consumes approximately 35-45% if the city's general revenue, I was hit with some $500.00 worth of taxes, and fees, before I had made a single dime!
Unless the city council is replaced by a majority of council members who believe, that the city should be generating much more taxes from its business base, like LA or San Fernando, there is no chance, that we would ever have our own, PD or city fire department. Santa Clarita, is a also a "general law" city as opposed to a "charter city" under California's Govt. formation laws. This means among other things, we will never have an elected mayor. The city as you see it with the limited government city services, a rented police department, rented city hall, county fire department, etc. is all part of the intent and design of the city founders' and the current city council members. By philosophy, the current all republican, social and fiscal conservative, city council members are DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED to having a large bureaucracy, city government, the type that is usual for a "Charter" type city. If you miss that, you need to move to LA, San Fernando, Burbank, Glendale, etc. or raise about a$500.00 to a million dollars (maybe more) to elect a new city council, and convince the city voters, that a big bureaucracy city is what we need. Most people here are fairly content with the limited city government that we have. They would rather see their taxes spent on roads, and parks, and the city's recreation department. In short, this is a very cheap city.

Now for the creative part of this suggestion . . . we could look into at minimal cost (that is a relative term-maybe this could cost a couple million, as opposed to doubling this Police budget or more to have our own police department), we could ask that the Sheriff's who are permanently assigned to the city turn in their sheriff's uniforms, and badges, and don city designed Blue PD uniforms, and a city badge. If their are legal issues with that (the penal code controls who is a Police officer, sheriff deputy, or otherwise a peace officer). An amendment to the Cal. Penal code, could allow contract cities to "re-designate" the contract sheriff's deputies, to be "police officers" when working for a contract city, and so authorized by the city council. We would in effect be "double-hatting, double-badging" the Sheriff's who work permanently in the city's police department. With little costs to the city, uniforms, badges, a change in the penal code, etc. we would instill a sense of being city police officers in the current Sheriff's department "police workforce" . the Captain of the Santa Clarita Sheriff's department would have with the appropriate Penal code changes, to designate him/her as the City police chief with all the attendant privledges, and powers ascribed to Police chief's under the Penal Code, including the power to issue concealed weapons permits- a power currently denied to the "chief of police" of Santa Clarita.

The original poster is blatantly wrong about quite a few issues here. First of all, Santa Clarita isn't a "temporary" assignment for the officers who are generally stationed here. The exact opposite is true. The waiting list to get stationed here is over two years long (FOUR last time I checked). And the majority of the officers on that list live here and choose to live here because it is a safe and family-oriented city.

To compare us to the AV is not even remotely realistic. The Lancaster and Palmdale stations have no current waiting list, meaning deputies fresh out of the academy can skip the otherwise mandatory time in the jails and go straight there. Why? Because it is (by the words of the LASD) comparable to Compton and South Central LA. So, hell yes, they have a pro-active department. Because their crime rate is out of control. You're complaining graffiti? Has there ever been a drive-by at the mall? no. Ever been to the AV Mall? There have been three drive-by shootings there in the last three years. AT THE MALL. Everyone is complaining about the parents who let their kids hang out in Bridgeport, but you are probably the same parents who dump your kids off at the mall for 8 hours every Saturday, aren't you?

I have had nothing but good experiences with the local dept. A few years ago someone in my apt building in Stevenson Ranch broke into my storage unit and stole some stuff. I called the dept and we had two responding officers in less than a half an hour. They took a report, when down to look at the storage unit and were on their way. They were polite and did their job well. However, I knew I was never going to get my stuff back because, realistically, most stolen property is never returned. I was in a car accident two months ago and the sheriff's department responded within minute (before the paramedics and before the fire dept), they were kind, polite, informative and comforting. The deputy in charge of the report even called me two weeks later to see how I was doing.

Also? Do you know where Burbank, Glendale and Monrovia train their PD? At the LASD Academy. Most PDs do (with, of course, the exception of LAPD). Most PDs can't afford to run their own academies.

The fact of the matter is, the only problem with the LASD is the fact that they allow their deputies to stay on jail duty for so long. It makes most officers jaded and untrusting. By the time they get out they are a shell of the person they were before. If anything, we should be pushing the state to man the jail's with real prison guards so that our deputies can get on the streets where they are needed.

I do agree with Sinkingblue on some of their points. There is no doubt that SCV does have good, quality deputies on patrol. I am thankful for where my family and I live and that we have some of the best trained cops in our city. Unfortunately, it's the poor ones that a lot of us residents remember when we have to deal directly with the dept.

Yes, I know SCV is not Palmdale/Lancaster (little LA); however there seems to be this mentality from local law enforcement, that if it’s not really that bad here in SCV, then why do we need better policing?? The fact remains, no we don't have many drive-bys, however that shouldn't prevent our local dept from being proactive with other crimes, should it?!

If there truly are less significant crimes here, then why do the minor ones like vandalism, assaults, and juvenile crimes get handled so poorly according to many of the readers? Why are there not more units on patrol for a city of 250,000 plus residences? (If I'm not mistaken, SCV proper only has 10 units on patrol at any one time.) Why don't we have any dedicated DUI units or Party-Call units on the weekends to handle more of the crap people are calling about? Why does it take over an hour in many cases for a unit to arrive for a non-emergency call, if we don't have all these major incidents going on as Sinkingblue suggests?

It’s a little bothersome to say the least, when I see on a regular basis a couple units sitting in the park or at some fast-food parking lot shooting the crap for over 45 minutes, rather than patrolling our streets. If I did that at my job on a [regular basis] I would get fired!

Bottom line, SCV dept tends to be a "reactive" force, rather than a "preventative" and pro-active part in community policing. That's why I believe if this issue is simply about dollars, then let's make it happen! Increase the city's annual budget (however we need to get it done); let’s add some true accountability by in powering our city council and residents to see the kind of enforcement they want and need; and let's stop assigning burned-out “rejects” from the jails to patrol our great city!!... Let them stay up there at wayside, or better yet, hire more custody assistants so they can be the overpaid babysitters. (Actually, I never understood why the dept put highly skilled and trained deputy's in the jails in the first place--what a total waste of resources and 6 months of expensive academy training.)

Anyway, we all have our point of view and with respect I believe each of them have some validity. However it sounds like Sinkingblue happens to be in law enforcement themselves, and I'm sure if I was one of their own (a cop) and told the station that when I called in, they would be at more doorstep pretty quickly too! For the rest of us lowly tax-paying citizens, we get to wait... I wonder whatever happened to the term “public servants,” I guess deputies forgot who’s actually paying for all their motorcycles, boats, and RV’s…

I'm actually not in law enforcement. I have friends that are, an ex-husband that was, but I'm not. And I certainly don't point that out when I call them (and for the record, my ex was not yet a cop when we had our stuff stolen). I've never had a bad experience with them and I think some people have unreasonable expectations when they call the police. Someone said that everyone expects a CSI team at their door everytime they call and I think that's probably true.

Have any of you actually called the sheriff's department and made a complaint to the watch sargeant? If you see cops hanging out at fast food places for 45 minutes, write the numbers on the car down and COMPLAIN. Call their main office number, ask to speak to the watch sargeant and COMPLAIN. Do it frequently and do it loudly. I ASSURE you these guys get in trouble like anyone else would, but they only do if you COMPLAIN. These people are accountable to US. You as CITIZENS need to take a pro-active stance on it. My ex-husband used to tell me about deputies getting called into the watch commanders office all the time and reamed because someone complained that he had parked illegally in front of a store. But they only know these things if WE TELL THEM.

Do you know why communities like Beverly Hills and Burbank have comparatively good PDs? Because the communities are actively involved because they know they are paying their salaries. We are paying their salaries. Start going to city council meetings (did you know that a rep from the SCVSD is at every session? Specifically to hear out complaints from citizens?).

GET INVOLVED. Whining about it on the internet doesn't solve problems.

I'll even get you started.

Here is the station number:

(661) 255-1121

They also have a tip line if you want to report something:

(661) 284-2-TIP (661-284-2847)

If you're feeling particularly ambitious ask to speak to Captain Jacques A. La Berge. Or a watch sargeant will do.

If the sheriff's dept is hit with a sudden wave of active and interested citizens maybe we won't have these problems.

Look, no one is expecting a CSI team to show up at their door when they call--and if they are they're in la la land. And, just because you have never had a bad experience doesn't negate the numerous residents that actually have. I think the general public's expectation of our law enforcement is simply this... "prompt, courteous, competent, and professional response." For 16 million a year that's the least we should expect!

But the mentality of our SCV dept seems to be, "don't bother us with your little insignificant crap... unless someone is dead or dying, we really don't care!" Perfect example, about two years ago I called when a motorist brandished a handgun at me as I was entering the city on the I-5 with my wife and two kids in the car. The station dep asked me how I "KNEW" it was a gun??... (I thought are your for real!) ...he then proceeded to blow me off and told me to just call CHP, even though I informed him the suspect's car was exiting the I-5 at Newhall Ranch into the city. Nice huh??

In stark contrast, just a few months ago I called 911 when a child fell off some playground equipment head-first and injured his head, neck and back (strictly a medical call, right?). In addition to having Fire/Ambulance show, 3 Sheriff units arrived within minutes (THREE) to simply watch Fire load the kid onto the stretcher--they didn't take a report, didn't talk to witnesses, simply were there to be looky-lues... love it... NICE!

And that's what a lot of us are frustrated about... we tend to get little to no real response for incidents that warrant a prompt, courteous, competent, professional response from the dept; but for ridiculous and truly insignificant crap, they're johnny on the spot or they'll show up in droves... what is that!

Bottom line, many of my close personal friends ARE cops and firefighters, so I'm not out to bash our public safety personnel. But, there are far to many incidents of SCV dept missing the mark, way to slow to respond, or flat out blow off the public because they estimate the incident is not significant enough to warrant an appropriate response. If complaining to the brass will help, then absolutely I will be the first to COMPLAIN and show up at City Council meetings--but there is no disputing the mentality with the line deps who see their SCV assignment as boring, insignificant, or just a rent-a-cop job for the city. That's unacceptable and it needs to change, period! We want "real" law enforcement, not something that copper eagle could accomplish for us--and probably do more effectively.

Anyone who has lived in the SCV more than ten years knows that Deputies that want to agrressively fight crime go to stations like Lennox and East LA.SCV gets the leftovers.I had to call the SCv station in OCT when six male juveniles tried to break into my home.After the third time the Deputy called for directions[LASO SCV station apparently does not have the same mapping system as my pizza delivery guy]I told the Deputy never mind they probably are gone by now,the Deputy told me to call the station if they comeback.Then he told me "If they get in do what you have to do".Needless to say by then me and Mr. Mossberg were prepared to defend myself and my roommate.Does the SCV need their own law enforcement agency?Yes!Lets start by hiring our veterans returning home from war.Their bravery and courage should be rewarded with stable employment.Or be prepared to protect yourselves and your loved ones.Barney and Gomer wont do it.

OK... anyone here the breaking news this afternoon... BofA branch in CC robbed at gun point at 2:40p, robber takes off in a blue car with colorful graphics on the side, and our deps can't find the guy??? Hmmm... wonder where the CC units were at the time of the robbery?...in the park shooting the crap with the other patrol unit, hiding out behind a building talking on their cell phone… gee wiz, the BofA in CC is only smack dab in middle of CC on Soledad--where the hell were they!!? What was their response time there?? Let's just thank God no one was hurt or killed this time.

You know, large companies all over the U.S. have put GPS trackers on all their fleet vehicles to keep tabs on their employees--maybe it's time for LACoSD to do the same. When UPS did that a number of years ago they found many of their drivers were stopping at their girlfriend's house while on their routes to... well you know, enjoy some extracurricular activities. Hmmm... wonder what LACoSD findings would be if they did that?... food for thought.

I’m with everest, let’s get some competent combat vets on the job here in SCV that are truly up to the task of real law enforcement--no more rejects from the jails, no more burnout borderline retirees, and no more guys just milking the system to collect a paycheck. I mean really, does it have to get like Palmdale/Lancaster before we get some true warriors ready to fight the good fight! Come on people!!

I wonder if the local Sheriff's Captain reads this blog? I would like to see more info released by LASD on the city's website, or the local Sheriff's dept. web page for Santa Clarita. I have not read or heard that crime is reported in Santa Clarita according to "reporting districts" like LAPD. LA is divided up into thousands of reporting districts so that the police, and their civilian oversight component, can carefully and scientifically measure, monitor, and deploy police resources, according to where crimes are occurring. In addition, community policing officers are assigned to specific reporting districts, to laison with the businesses and residents in that specific reporting district. Such a crime tracking system creates accountability with the police, and gives the residents the information to be able understand the crime trends that are happening in their neighborhoods. Of course, it also empowers them to ask informed questions from their police regarding crime supression efforts.

With all due respect Codeblue,I think we shouldnt blame our patrol Deputies for not locating the bankrobbers.LA is the bankrobbery capitol of the world.The badguys may have changed vehicles and made it to any of our local freeways.If our Deputies act to aggressively it could have become a hostage sit.These guys will be caught soon enough.They always do.I enjoy reading your comments because with this exception we agree about SCV needing our own law enforcement agency.

Sheriff's get their man-and quick! Way to go LASD SCV! I'll be the first to praise our police department when they do a great job. Outstanding work. Suspect in custody! http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

Sinkingblue and Irglaw seem to be the level headed ones contributing to this blog. They have at least viable comments and suggestions for improvement.
The rest are just a couple of whiners with access to a blog site to complain - you make up just a small handful of the SCV population. There doesn't seem to be a huge public outcry for better law inforcement...just your own ranting and raving.
Please speak for yourselves and your own circumstances and experiences - and stop using "we", "the public", "the residents" - You do not speak for the rest of us.
You have no idea what deputies think of their assignment (unless you are a mind-reader), why they are spending 45 minutes chatting, or why they respond to crime calls or incidents in a particular period of time. You just see and perceive, without fact.
Have a wonderful day!

Whiners huh... hmm, so let me get this straight... AverageCivillian is "whining" about the fact there are concerned citizens giving their, [yes], personal opinion about a situation in their own city. Ohhh... I forgot--EVERYONE, be sure to run your comments by AverageCivillian for approval, first!

Why don't you get real!! This is exactly what a blog is designed for. Go back and read [all] of my comments. I've made several constructive and viable suggestions for improving our city's policing needs. Sounds like you're just "whining" about the fact so many city residents are fed up with (yes, in our opinion) a lack of pro-active, consistent, competent law enforcement in SCV.

Hmmm... sounds like AverageCivillian is either a cop themselves, married to one, or has family who is, since you only come out of the woodwork when the criticism of the dept becomes too much for you to handle... ouch!

Bottom line, this boils down to ultimately two things. 1) Politics--our mayor and city council would rather sweep under the rug SCV's crime issues in order to maintain an appearance of a prestigious bubble community. And, 2) Budget--our city manager's office really doesn't want to cough up the necessary funds in order to provide pro-active, consistent, community policing.

So if we cant change the mentality of our line deps, then let's get to the heart of the matter--let's change our city government to get the kind of quality policing we all deserve. Those who choose to settle for less and are happy with the status quo, and actually believe there is absolutely [nothing] that can be improved with our law enforcement... well, why don't you just go back to being silent--that seems to be your m.o. anyway, and what you would prefer the rest of us to do, in your humble opinion of course.

So, Codeblue.... What are you doing about it? Have you called the station to complain with the numbers I provided for you? Have you attended a city council meeting recently? For your reference:

They are held every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the City Council Chambers, 1st floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA. For more information, contact the City Clerk's office at (661) 255-4391.

Again, I don't think you understand how exactly deputies end up stationed where they do. They aren't randomly assigned here and they don't get stuck here because they are "jail rejects". SCV is one of the MOST requested stations (higher than even MALIBU) and has a waiting list of nearly four years. The deputies are here because they WANT to be and have been waiting to be.

Codeblue...Personal opinions and experiences are what a blog discussing a particular problem is about. I certainly agree and at no time have I suggested you stop expressing "your" personal opinions and experiences.
However, in your comments you suggest that the general population of SCV is unhappy with it's law enforcement.
In what newspaper, news show, statistic, or publication is this stated to support your conclusion? Where do you find this to be fact? Because a few bloggers may have had negative experiences or perceive misdeeds?
I'm sorry, Codeblue, I've read and re-read your comments and to me, you personally, are unhappy with local law enforcement. I suggest that's how your comments should be written: "I am unhappy with local law enforcement because I perceive the following to be true..."
Instead, you and several others on this blog tend to present your opinions and experiences, and yourself, as representative of the population.

"We", "us", "our", "we all", "everyone" - these are the words those who are critical of local law enforcement on this blog have been using, obviously to suggest it is not just the bloggers point of view, but everyone's - instead of the more realistic "I", "me", or "myself".

Sinkingblue, again, has the right approach - and in my "humble opinion", if you or anyone else has personal complaints, suggestions, or questions as to why things are the way they are...attend City Council and Town Hall meetings, contact the station and express your dissatisfaction, go on a deputy ride along (anyone can), attend a Community Advisory meeting.

In my opinion, local law enforcement is doing an exceptional job considering the funding and resources made available to them. I have personally witnessed (many times) job and community pride, personal honor, and fearless integrity in many of the Deputies I have come in contact with. Many are respectful, well trained, educated, and mindful of the responsibilities they possess. I know these things because I am an SCV citizen who gets involved, takes the time to ask questions and learn. I personally think SCV should be thankful and proud of the men and women who make up local law enforcement.

I am silent because I have more important things to do than monitor the Signal blogs. Once in a while I check in "amazement" at the comments bloggers make and, yes, I tend to get agitated when local law enforcement gets attacked due to uneducated and unfounded comments. Hey - that's just me.

You are the "con" and I am the "pro" sides of this subject.

I sincerely hope you a great day!

2389 views - comments (48) - ongoing blog since March of 2008 (last year).

I think it's more than just me and a handful of others that see this differently than your personal perception (SinkingBlue and AverageCivillian). In fact, you guys are actually the minority in regards to this issue--the only two (2) bloggers in support of the SCV Sheriff Dept's performance within the last year.

If you don't want to hear my "personal opinion" that's fine... why don't you look at the other forty-five (45) comments and see what the general consensus really is…

Or even better, why don't you start your own brand new, positive filled, ultra supportive blog about how FANTASTIC the two of you think the SCV Sheriff Dept is, and let all of SCV, "the public," "the residents," the "tax payers" chime in. Go for it... I dare you... see what people really think if you believe I'm so off base… be my guest!

I’ll bet the majority of comments found will be much like what you see appear on this blog; because this is the [raw] response from [real people], their [real experiences], and the [real issues] that affect them in their daily lives—not political propaganda from city government, or self-promotion from dept brass, or deluded comments from individuals who would rather stick their head in the sand while reality passes them by.

Here’s a free one for the two of you and all you SCV leaders out there… real leadership is demonstrated by when we recognize there is a problem, we are not afraid to admit it, and we take action to improve it… anything less is simply cowardness. And that’s exactly what the two of you (SinkingBlue and AverageCivillian) sound like… all I hear is a bunch of … bahhaaa, bahhaaa, like sheep blind to the reality of the world and willing to follow anyone with a special title or badge. Chew on that for a while.

Defensive much?

I told you what my problem with the LASD is. I simply said I have had no problems with the local SD and, in fact, have had nothing but experiences thus far. I then offered solutions to your problems. The fact of the matter is, you are a pissed off citizen who doesn't want to get involved. You simply want to complain. So, fine. Complain away. But that isn't going to solve your problem or the problems of apparently hoards of other locals who have these problems.

Why complain if you aren't looking for a solution?

OMG!! 45 Bloggers complain out of 165,000 SCV Citizens over a one year period, Gee - what is that...about .027% of the population! I don't consider that to be the "general concensus" - I think that's 45 SCV citizens disenchanted with local law enforcement. That's it!
Wow...your third, forth and fifth paragraphs offer me a lot of insight into the intelligence of the individual with whom I am conversing.
Lastly, I don't and won't entertain childish and innane dares from an obviously psychologically disturbed person (5150). In other words: I don't talk to crazy people.
Hmmm...chew on that for a while.

Sinkingblue...I think we need a drink!

Kudos to SINKINGBLUE and AverageCivilian!!!! Way to stand up!!

I think that's your problem SINKINGBLUE and AverageCivilian... your drinking too much of your own koolade.

Nonetheless, since you were to chicken to take me up on my challenge, check out the newest blog about the SCV Sheriff Dept... Have a wonderful day!

Codeblue, you mentioned 48 comments as proof that many feel the way you do about our sheriffs. Well, I took another look at those comments and realize that Independence made 14 of those comments and you are responsible for another 6. That equals 20 of the 48 you referenced. If we discount you two, it looks like there is a lot more support for our local sheriffs than you care to acknowledge.

I think our local sheriffs are doing a great job! And my neighbors that I speak with also agree. We enjoy the safety and serenity of our SCV neighborhood and we believe it's a direct result of our community support and partnership with our local sheriffs.

I only wish we had more of them on the streets.

Yes... more of them, more prompt response, and more crime fighter deputies... that certainly would be nice, wouldn't it?

That's ultimately my beef with our SCV dept. Read "everest" comment on Feb 25.

Everest,
Well, let me get this straight then? Your beef sounds like it is more with the city politicians who decide how much to spend on law enforcement for our city than it is with our sheriffs, am I right? Because if we had more of them then response times would be reduced. And if we had more of them, they would be able to spend more time doing proactive policing than running from call to call with their current anemic deployment numbers.

So my question is, are you mad at the sheriffs who are doing the best they can with the resources they are provided, or with the local politicians who prefer to spend more money on parks and rec than protecting our community from rising crime?

Oops, I meant to respond to Codeblue.

Well, let me get this straight then? Your beef sounds like it is more with the city politicians who decide how much to spend on law enforcement for our city than it is with our sheriffs, am I right? Because if we had more of them then response times would be reduced. And if we had more of them, they would be able to spend more time doing proactive policing than running from call to call with their current anemic deployment numbers.

So my question is, are you mad at the sheriffs who are doing the best they can with the resources they are provided, or with the local politicians who prefer to spend more money on parks and rec than protecting our community from rising crime?

I agree fully on Howard Mckeon's trying to get as many bridges or park,s named after him.Howard has never showed any support for more Deputies for the SCV.But why would he.Howard lives in a community that has more cops per capita than any other community in the USA.But dont tell me that our SCV Deputies are spread thin when I do visuals of 2-3 black and whites at Telly's or Arbys.Even a citizen like me knows that when the cats away the mice will play.That stuff wouldnt cut it in Lennox where a Deputy may need assistance and your all in one location and your response time may mean life or death for a citizen or one of your fellow deputies.the penalties is casualties.Even in the SCV.

Thank you everest for the support... exactly what I'm talking about, agree 100% with you.

Yes, SilentMajority, there is a major problem with city government choosing to focus on completely peripheral, non-essential spending in our city. However, there is also a major problem of the leadership within our Sheriff's ranks and line deputies that sees an SCV assignment like the "Beverly Hills" of LACounty, and approach their job as, SCV is just a bunch of cry babies--nothing really happens here... its not as bad as Palmdale/Lancaster, is what I keep hearing from those who support the dept.

Hmmm... lets see in the headlines just since 2009 began, I've seen forceable robberies, car chases, and armed bank heists... NOOO, we're totally safe here... yeah right!

You too are incredible? I seem to remember those same crimes stories but you fail to mention the most important parts? The arrests! Let me "esplain" it for you Lucy!
The Signal reports:
"Deputies arrest man shortly after afternoon bank heist" http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

"Deputies nab 12-year-old alleged car thief" http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

"Suspected designer bootleggers cuffed" http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

"Local LAPD officer charged with DUI and hit-and-run"
http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

"Canyon Country rapist to stay locked up for life"
http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl...

And these stories are just from March 2009. And I believe today is only the 8th of March?

It looks like our sheriffs are doing a pretty good job at putting our local criminals behind bars.

I'm okay with them stopping for 30 minutes to have a fast food lunch. I believe we all get a lunch break at work with our coworkers. And we don't have to worry about throwing our food away to quickly respond when everest dials 911 and screams for help!

Oh yeah, and here's one from today's Signal "Deputies investigate piracy allegations" http://www.the-signal.com/news/articl... They took "55" illegals to jail in one day on this case. Our local sheriffs are even doing the job that the Feds won't do.

What are you two complaining about?

Codebllue you can't argue with scv silentmajority.It's obvious this guy idolizes LASO SCV.A regular cheerleader.Maybe he can start a fan club called The Barney Fife Brigade.We could give him a cap pistol and a shiny star to wear.I'll pick up a cop kit at the 99 cent store.No caps though without the proper training and supervision.OOPS my mistake he's probably seen COPS a hundred times.Bookem Dano.

LOL, everest... yeah but you have to admit, it sure is entertaining to read silentmajority's b.s. He's probably one of those ricky-rescues anyway, so don't bother with the cop getup... maybe some flashing lights for his car would make him happy!

Well, I think we've proven both everest and codeblue are TRUE idiots. You start off by making baseless derogatory comments and challenging the competency of our sheriffs. So when someone responds with actual "factual" information for you to ponder and reevaluate your position, all you can do is make childish comments. The best part about all of this is you've just proven to all of the readers how juvenile you two really are.

Thank you for exposing yourselves!

Codeblue, you still haven't made a phone call, have you? Or attended a city council meeting?

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

So SilentMajority, then you do admit we have a significant amount of moderate to serious crime here in SCV, right?... since you clearly pointed out all those news stories regarding our crime. Hmmm... once again, thank you for proving my point... things are not getting better here, only't worse--exactly why SCV needs a more comprehensive, pro-active PD--not less or the same. What's incrediable is that your best comeback is to call us childish, when you're so dense that you can't even get that your comments are not helping your position--only hurting it... Have you heard of the movie line... stupid is, is as stupid does...? Hmmm... why don't you take a moment to ponder that one, let it sink in a little bit.

SinkingBlue... been a little busy serving the public, but dont worry, me and my friends are waiting to make our statement at the ballot box. You can be sure of that, things ARE going to change!

"Statement at the ballot box"? So, you're too lazy, is what you're saying? "Serving the public" by ranting uselessly here? You don't vote for local LASD officials, so what exactly are you planning on voting for?

Seriously, unless you plan on doing something about it, quit your whining.

Sinkingblue you ask code blue if codeblue has attended a council meeting then youcall him/her to lazy to serve the public.Maybe voting for council members who will put the option of voting for our own law agency on the table is a good start.I dont think your deputies would feel threatened by putting their service on the ballot box if they are confident of their service.Somehow I think a snowball has a better chance in hell than that happening.The only lazy ones I see is you and the LASO SCV barney fife brigade.Sinkingblue sure fit's you.

I have been called much worse.SCVSM was just blowing off some steam as I have done in the past.SCVSM is very passionate in his support of LASO SCV.I just dont think he understand's that I would do anything in support for our LASOSCV I actualy called to find how to support them through the Boosters club and was pretty much shined on by someone at the front desk One of the kind of things I have issues with the LASOSCV.I wanted to see if all patrol vehicles had Quickclot in their vehicles for each Deputy.I also wanted to know if they had the proper breathing apparatus in case of a chemical spill from the many trains that pass thru the SCV each day.A chorine spill or explosion can kill as many 17,500 people,plus other casualties.I was going to see about trying to raise funds thru proper channels for these items.I also wanted to see if the K-9s have bodyarmor.I know of nonprofit organizations that can supply K-9s with kevlar.There are also other items I would like to see if our Deputies are in need of.I just will have a new approach.So it's not all negative attitude towards LASO SCV.But theres definitely stillroom for improvement.

Dear Stephenwinkler,

I'm sorry I offended you by calling everest and codeblue "Idiots" for their inability to respond to the factual information I provided them regarding the competency of our local sheriffs. Since you are a teacher, maybe you could tutor them a bit and have them review my earlier postings so they can see the point that I was actually making. They seemed to have confused my comments with defending the city of Santa Clarita's crime rate. That wasn't the point. I was pointed out that their critical comments regarding our sheriff's was not supported by facts!

Please do what you do best and educate them.

Thank you!

Your "facts"are meaningless.We want Deputies that are Hardchargers.End of story.What we have now does'nt cut it.Lets get rid of LASO and hire our own DEPT,starting with our Veterans returning home from war.SCv has grown to much to keep an out of date agency.I think Sheriff Baca would agree that it is time for SCV to have it's own law enforcement agency.SCVsilentMajoriy what is so wrong with the citizens of SCv wanting a Police force that can meet our needs and make the SCV as safe as it used to be.You have to keep up with the times. we all would be lying our tails off if we tried to pretend that the LASO is the best we can afford.Just check the news stories pertaining to the crimes from a few years back compared to now.And if you cant see that,then you are truely blind.LASO needs to go!

Everyone wanting a PD in the SCV is right on target.
Every incorporated city in LA County is happy they have their own PD rather then the glorified security guards we have - Deputies. No city manager in LA County is sitting in his office thinking, "if only I had LASD deputies patrolling my city streets right now." LOL! Now that is funny! Maybe DC Major Marion Barry would have liked LASD on his DC streets when he was busted for smoking crack. That illiterate city reelected him after he got out of prison so maybe that whole city would appreciate having our deputies patrolling their city streets.
The facts are just the facts: LASD academy sucks and the county managers are happy with that low performance rate. County managers do not see deputies as police officers. The see LASD deputies only as prison/courtroom security. In their opinion any city so broke that it lacks funding for their own PD deserves the low performing deputies doing the patrolling. This opinion is shared by other independent cities throughout LA County. Other independent cities do not send their recruits to the LASD academy because they want their recruits to be transformed into quality police officers. They know LASD only trains prison guards.
The LASD academy has no intention of further training LASD deputies beyond that low security guard level, because the good ones will be hired by local police departments before they graduate out of custody/jails. Meaning those left for courtroom security and patrol in SCV are the rejects – rejected twice…let me explain.
Prior to being hired by LASD every deputy applies to all police departments. Note: all departments pay better then the county when you figure in straight time and OT (the benefits are a different story). Those recruits that are hired by LASD had their application rejected by all other departments in LA County, OC, Ventura, and the surrounding cities. The LASD deputies, while satisfying their 5-7 years in custody/jails, were either hired out to other police departments or rejected a 2nd time. The twice rejected deputies end up answering our 911 calls. So we should not wonder why they are so clueless when they arrive and prefer traffic patrol to active law enforcement.
Remember, by the time they make it to us they see themselves as 5 and 7 year veteran police officers, but they actually know nothing about law enforcement. Their 5 to 7 years in custody were spent sleeping in empty cells during work hours (got to get that OT), eating prison food, and doing all other clerical, lazy daily activities. Nothing about it is law enforcement. Any simple skills they had upon graduating the academy were lost in custody. Any 1 year academy graduate working for any PD in Redneck Hickville USA has more law enforcement experience then any 5 year LASD veteran.

In-Dependent,

Too bad you have absolutly no clue on what you are talking about.

It's obvious that you HATE the Los Angeles County Sheriff's but you really need to educate yourself if you want anyone to actually take you seriously.

Let's begin the lesson:

"forty of the county’s eighty-eight cities contract with the Sheriff’s Department to provide local police protection. These cities, ranging in population from 700 to 175,000, and in size from 1 to 100 square miles, represent very diverse communities with equally diverse needs."

http://www.lasd.org/lasd_services/con...

Here's some more information for you:

http://www.lasd.org/lasd_services/con...

I'm glad you mentioned Pasadena PD. They need the Sheriff's more than anyone.
"The Sheriff’s Department provides various specialized contract law enforcement services to a wide array of federal, state, county, municipal and private entity clients. Perhaps the most visible of these various contract services is to the City of Pasadena during the annual Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl. The Sheriff’s Department provides approximately 600 members to assist the Pasadena Police Department with this truly international event"

http://www.lasd.org/lasd_services/con...

Silent Majority.
Thank you for the Pasadena reference and thereby proving my point. Pasadena PD uses the deputies as security guards – as does LA County managers. If a city is too cheap or too poor to have its own PD then they deserve the lazy LASD deputies. No city in the county would rather have LASD deputies patrolling on a daily basis then their current PD. It is not cost effective to use LASD deputies because they have already been rejected by every neighboring city PD because they cannot measure up to any professional standard.
Pasadena PD has its own CSI unit and limits LASD involvement to using their crime lab. But to go to specialty units is unfair and beyond the scope of this blog. I am sure LASD Bulldogs are great at what they do. I am sure every homicide department in the country is great at what they do as well as the other specialty units such as K9, air, SWAT, etc. in all other PDs in the country. The process to get into those units is long and hard. It requires education outside the 8th grade LASD academy and also requires deputies to continue improving physically. Only hard chargers become short and long gun shooters in those units. LASD deputies on patrol and traffic on the other hand is another story. Now you are talking about personnel that make being lazy the in thing to do – the style of the day. They make lazy the agenda for every day of their life. Somebody's got to do the patrolling for SCV. Unfortunately for SCV we got the personnel who do it the worse in all the state.

Silent Majority.
Why does almost every PD including your Pasadena PD prefer OC Sheriff's Department academy to the your beloved LASD academy? The LASD academy does not train recruits to be police officers - its sole objective is to satisfy state mandates for a recruit to be certified. The actual quality of that training and the men and women produced in that academy is not an issue with LASD. They do not need patrolmen - they only need security guards.
Your protection of the deputies reminds me of battered woman's syndrome. No matter what he does to her she will defend him to the end. DDAs wonders why police officers (male and female) refuse to show up to court when they are subpoenaed to a domestic violence hearing. The simple fact is that the woman does not think she is a victim or simply does not want the DDA involved in her family. It is illogical but is still a fact of life. It is a sad fact but still a fact of life.
In the ghettos police and others in government are blamed for drugs and other lawlessness in the those areas. Often I hear people in the ghetto say "you let it come in here or you bring it in." Well, government also puts in libraries and free internet for learning. They choose the drugs and lawlessness over literacy and a trade to better themselves. Who is at fault? Who is in the right? It is there city who are we to tell them how to behave?
Richard Prior was caught cheating on his wife. The wife walked in on him and his girlfriend in bed. Right in front of both women he denied every cheating on his wife. His quick defense/remark was: "Baby I am not cheating on you! There is no one here in bed with me. Who are you going to believe-ME OR YOU LYING EYES!" I love that story. He said she actually had no response.
So, Silent Majority you see what is around you. But do you really see it. You can sensor it all day long, but that will never change reality. All too often people's perception of reality is not in fact reality.
Who are you going to believe – THE TRUE OR YOUR LYING PREJUDICES?

I must clarify my prior emails. For the most part my involvement with Lost Hills, and Antelope Valley deputies are professional and perform exceptionally well. In SCV however, they do not. After every inquiry to a SCV deputy I often get the deer in the headlights look. This reflects their cluelessness beyond any law enforcement matter other then custody/jail. After the uncomfortable pause the deputy often responds with something that has nothing to do with the subject matter at hand. It is like they suffer from ADHD. Of course, if I was to tell them I have dirty joke to tell them, then they would be all ears. The maturity level is really at an unacceptable low. And the court house in SCV cobbles to them. It is like SilentMajority and the courthouse personnel are enablers or suffers of co-dependency.

In-dependent,

What are you smoking? Your comments make absolutely no sense and you contradict yourself over and over again. You ned to lay off the pipe for awhile.

Independence wrote: "The LASD deputies, while satisfying their 5-7 years in custody/jails, were either hired out to other police departments or rejected a 2nd time. The twice rejected deputies end up answering our 911 calls. So we should not wonder why they are so clueless when they arrive and prefer traffic patrol to active law enforcement.
Remember, by the time they make it to us they see themselves as 5 and 7 year veteran police officers, but they actually know nothing about law enforcement."

Then Independence writes: "No city in the county would rather have LASD deputies patrolling on a daily basis then their current PD. It is not cost effective to use LASD deputies because they have already been rejected by every neighboring city PD because they cannot measure up to any professional standard."

But then your last post starts with: "For the most part my involvement with Lost Hills, and Antelope Valley deputies are professional and perform exceptionally well."

Again, put the pipe down!

SCVSilentMajority - a very sincere and valiant effort on your part to have a serious and meaningful discussion regarding SCV law enforcement (a very controversial local subject); however, as you can readily see and have already experienced - you are not dealing with intelligent…nor clear-thinking or rational individuals.
Independence and Everest don’t want to consider what others have to say on this subject – their responses are juvenile, fragmented and disjointed, unintelligible, inconsistent, and primarily filled with hatred and insults. Most times it is extremely difficult to interpret the actual meanings in their responses – if they aren’t just attacking the integrity of a particular blogger.
Neither offer “documented” facts or statistics to support their claims or positions on the subject, preferring to use arrogance and conjecture.
I have sat silent for several weeks reading all that is written in this and other similar blogs they have participated in because I choose not to waste my time in discussions with those with closed minds or who are incapable of rational discord, choosing only to be entertained by their thoughts put in writing and I remain completely and utterly amazed at their offerings. Some entries were very humorous, but now concerning.
Now they have gone so far as to attack the memory of a fallen officer by lessening Dep. Hamson’s service to law enforcement, his contribution to his community, and the circumstances that contributed to his death. Such actions, fo any reason, are unconscionable and shouldn’t be tolerated. I’m quite sure the Hamson family and his friends would be shocked to read their comments – based on inaccuracies…and filled with venom.

SCVSilent Majority: Please consider withdrawing from this endless exchange and discontinue giving these individuals a forum for their inane attempts at intelligent discussion – it’s just not possible. I am no longer contributing to or reading this blog and I sincerely hope others will follow.

“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of ignorance.” - Robert Quillen
“Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” - Mark Twain
AverageCivilian, 10-7!

See my response to your whining under "dirty sheriff,naughty cop. Everest.

Finally an actual video of the LASD in the SCV trying to be an actual law enforcement agency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD0Df1...

AverageCivilian? You are an average citizen of a free nation, but you promote quasi-tyrant ideology and quasi-Gestapo forms of government and justice in the Santa Clarita Valley? You say "[s]uch actions, for any reason, are unconscionable and shouldn’t be tolerated"?

Remember Anita Dunn from the Obama Administration?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXJjor...
She was the White House Communications Director, who admitted that one of her favorite political Philosophers, one that she “turns to the most”, is Mao Tse-Tung, the demonic communist dictator responsible for the starvation, torture, and murder of 70 million Chinese. He too did not want "[s]uch actions, for any reason, …[to] be tolerated"

Are your view parallel to other great minds as Hitler, Osama bin Laden , Jemaah Islamiyah? Maybe you would prefer the only news source of this quasi-free nation be that of Al-Jazeera Network?

To be clear what was said previously – ALL innocent life is precious and the value of ones life should not be determined employment. The deputy you speak of was killed the same way many Caltrans workers are killed. Their loss is equal to the loss of a deputy.