On Tuesday, March 11, 2014, deputies assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) along with deputies from the Crime Impact Team (CIT) and a station detective conducted a late night saturation patrol operation using patrol vehicles, deputies on bicycles and deputies using T3 electric standup patrol vehicles on the paseos, trails and streets throughout the City of Santa Clarita. The operation began at 6:00pm and went into the early morning hours.
The purpose of last night's operation was to address some community concerns and to send a clear message to anyone considering using the paseo systems for unlawful purposes such as loitering, alcohol consumption, drug use, or to commit acts of vandalism. "The T3 vehicles the city provided really help us navigate the paseos, bike paths, and residential neighborhoods," Deputy Josh Dubin said. "And the fact that they're essentially silent until we turn the siren and forward-facing red lights means we can usually catch any criminals in the act, as we see them before they see us."
During Tuesday night's operation, deputies observed, contacted, and detained several people including juveniles and other individuals on or near the paseos and in city parks. The detentions occurred at various times throughout the evening and involved those who were involved in suspected unlawful activities. When last night's safety and enforcement operation had concluded, the following were detained and either cited or arrested:
Three adults (one male, and two females) were detained in a parked vehicle on the 25800 block of Tournament Road after a deputy spotted one of the occupants smoking marijuana inside the vehicle. After an investigation, all three occupants were issued citations for possession of marijuana.
A 39-year-old male was arrested on Town Center Drive for an outstanding felony "no bail" arrest warrant.
A 25-year-old male was contacted on the 20400 block of Valencia Blvd. He was issued a citation for possession of marijuana.
A 36-year-old male was arrested in the area of McBean Parkway / Gamble House Way for felony possession of concentrated cannabis.
A male was issued a citation for loitering in a city park after deputies discovered he had previously been smoking marijuana in the park.
A 15-year-old male was cited for curfew violation, possession of tobacco paraphernalia, and loitering in a city park after closing hours. He was released to his parents.
A 17-year-old male was issued a curfew citation; he was later released to his mother.
A 30-year-old female was arrested on the South Fork Trail / Magic Mountain Parkway for two outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrants.
Our deputies and special teams, both in uniform and undercover, are commonly utilized to patrol the paseos and surrounding terrain at undisclosed and random times throughout the year to ensure the safety and serenity of Santa Clarita's more than 20 miles of picturesque trails designed for bicycle commuting and recreational use.
Current and similar operations and others just like it will continue throughout the year to ensure our residents have the safest possible paseo access to parks, entertainment venues, and shopping centers throughout the City of Santa Clarita. Criminals who choose to break the law and are caught will be arrested. It is the goal of all deputies working in the Santa Clarita Valley to send a loud and clear message to criminals, "Commit Crime? - Not in the Santa Clarita Valley!"
Deputy Joshua Dubin
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