First virtual Coffee with the Captain event held
COVID-19 has put a stop to most public meetings and social gatherings, to include the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Coffee with a Deputy events.
Thanks to technology, Palmdale Station’s Capt. Ron Shaffer found a way to get information to the public and be able to interact with them, via the first virtual Coffee with the Captain event on Monday.
Shaffer addressed some of the issues the community is facing and answered questions posted on the Department’s Facebook page.
He began by talking about the Strategic Plan for 2019, which included reducing crime to a target rate of 10%, partnering with the community and inspiring employees.
“In 2020, the Strategic Plan was rolled over,” he said. “Part I crime was down to 183 per 10,000 residents. That’s the lowest number in five, six, seven years. We’ve done a lot of work with partners throughout the community.”
Shaffer said reducing the crime rate is important because the percentage is matched across the country from city to city. Crime rate numbers are collected by the FBI, tabulated, then published. The City of Palmdale then uses that crime rate percentage in brochures, when trying to attract business.
Shaffer also said working with the City of Palmdale is important because they are working on General Plan
2045, which is a forecast of what the city will look like in the future.
“The City of Palmdale is an amazing partner because they’re looking far into the future and trying to achieve those goals,” he said. “We
need them to achieve those goals.”
As far as crime goes, Shaffer said the rate for 2020 started out high. In January, it was up 34% over the same time the previous year. Right now, it’s up about 5%.
“We’ve had that drastic climb over January to July, to get crime rates down,” he said.
Crime isn’t the only area of concern. The number of fatal traffic collisions has also increased.
“In 2018, we had 18 fatals,” Shaffer said.
He said traffic is a big deal, not only for Palmdale, but Lancaster, as well.
“In 2019, we finished the year with 18 fatals, less collisions, but the same number of fatals,” he said.
So far this year, there have been 14 fatal traffic collisions.
“This time last year, we had three, so our fatal traffic collisions are up 460%,” Shaffer said.
Less people are driving to work and there were less people on the roadway because of the lockdown associated with COVID-19, however, the number of fatal collisions still increased, mostly because of speed and failure to yield.
Shaffer also addressed the mental health issues in the Antelope Valley, pointing out that his Department is called to diffuse a situation when the family is unable to. He pointed out the resources available, such as Valley Oasis, and said they are trying to partner with these resources, so people suffering with these types of issues, can get the help they need.
He also said domestic violence continues to be an issue for the Antelope Valley, particularly in Palmdale.
“Being angry and having an argument is OK,” he said. “It’s not OK when it rises to the level of violence.”
He said families need to understand how to have “passionate” discussions without it leading to violence.
“There area lot of resources that can provide that counseling,” Shaffer said.
Other topics he addressed included how his Department plans to develop a rapport with the community.
“We are continue outreach in the community,” he said. “It happens everyday with personnel on patrol.”
Shaffer said 80% of Palmdale Station’s personnel live in the Antelope Valley, so they are always engaging with the community outside of work by going to restaurants, retailers and community events.
He also said Palmdale Station holds 130-170 engagement activities each year and they try to do town halls frequently, in addition to family-friendly activities.
A community member asked him how many arrests were made and how many fines were imposed for illegal fireworks, since March.
“This year was off the chart,” Shaffer said. “Fireworks seem to have been blown up in the sky and neighborhoods since May. I don’t know where it comes from.”
He said throughout Los Angeles County, neighbors invested in fireworks — and the big ones, not just the safe and sane.
“We keep stats from July 1 through July 5 and there were 460 calls for service and 526 pounds of fireworks that were seized from mid-June to July,” Shaffer said.
He said no one was arrested, but 64 citations were given out. There was one injury and five fires the night of July 4, related to fireworks.
“There were 13 structure fires, but those didn’t get counted as officials stats,” he said. “We got those from the fire department.”
Overall, Shaffer said crime in the county is up 4%. He said he’s received calls from those in unincorporated areas, asking why deputies are not out there, patrolling.
“We’ve assigned patrol cars out there, making a great effort to keep them out there,” he said. “We’re getting complaints that they don’t see deputies enough. We’re being mindful to keep them out there.”