Thank You
Let me begin this month’s note by saying, “Thank you.”
On Aug. 1st, the Perris Station teamed-up with the local Target Store to host a National Night Out event at La Paloma Park in Menifee as a centralized location to bring together residents from Perris, Canyon Lake, Menifee, as well as the large surrounding unincorporated communities we serve. Staff at the Perris Station worked tirelessly to bring together a diverse display from Cal-Fire, and the Sheriff Department’s resources to include the Special Enforcement Bureau (SWAT members), Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement Team, Bomb Squad, Dive Team, Helicopter, Mounted Horse Patrol, K-9 teams, and our station’s own Special Enforcement Team members.
I am grateful for the elected officials who took the opportunity to support and be a part of this event. It was an honor to be soaked by Canyon Lake Mayor Craton, who successfully dunked me in the dunk tank.
I want to express my appreciation to the dedicated work by the Perris Station staff that made the event a success. Also, to the members of the Sheriff Department’s special teams that were the utmost professionals throughout the event – thank you very much. To the residents, who came to the event, I hope you found the National Night Out event to be an enjoyable venue to meet your law enforcement officers that serve you daily. Finally, to the Target Store team that supported this occasion by donating the food and beverages at no cost to those who attended. This year, as in the past, the Target Store has confirmed its commitment to the community. For supporting this event presented by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department - Perris Station, I am indebted for your demonstration of professional partnership and community leadership.
Crime Control Strategy
Since I am on a roll acknowledging people, I want to recognize the work done by the Perris Station’s deputies. In the past, I have shared the crime control model used at the station, so many of you are now familiar with our process and philosophy. A few weeks ago, Lt. Danny Feltenberger and I had the opportunity to watch a “CompStat” meeting held by the Los Angeles Police Department. In part, what we have developed at the Perris Station has been modeled after the CompStat process. Lieutenant Feltenberger and I were interested in learning a little more, and hoping to take away some bits of information to incorporate in our system. In the end, we were both impressed. Surely, we found the LAPD process to be beneficial; however, we were impressed with how well our deputies stand in comparison to the LAPD model.
You see, we maintain an idea that communication is essential to how well we do as a whole. Clearly, the station’s administration need to be aware of crime trends so as to ensure that our resources are used to their fullest capabilities; however, more important, is the level of understanding at the line level – with those who are tasked with accomplishing the day-to-day operations. From shift to shift, Patrol Operations to Investigations to the Special Enforcement Team’s Zone coordinators, knowledge of ever-developing trends needs to be understood so that we don’t miss an opportunity to reduce crime.
As I have the opportunity to examine our crime trends and question staff to ensure that we are remaining vigilant to the mission, I continue to be amazed by how well informed they are, and with the strategies they are attempting to keep crime at bay. The success for this model does not rely upon whether crime rises or fall (it certainly does both over time), but knowing why it does so, and employing a proper response as it changes. In light of our recent review of LAPD’s CompStat meeting, I am inspired and encouraged by the performance of the deputies serving the Perris Station.
James P. McElvain
Chief of Police