I was probably
sleeping when that darn truck rolled out of our community in 2008. I
didn't think I had to wake up, since the truck was being driven by the
Sheriff's Department. If I had seen it leaving, I think I would have
noticed the big multi-colored rug lying in the bed of the truck. In
fact, the rug was so big, a third of the rug was hanging off the back
tailgate. I suspect they followed all California Vehicle Code
regulations and attached a red flag to it. I'm sure they also followed
all established internal procedures. Even looking back, it may have
seemed like a good idea at the time, but I can't help but feel they
pulled the rug out from under our community.
Some background
information will probably help. In early 2000, I had a problem which was
difficult to shake. I kept wandering into all the different model
homes for sale popping up at new housing tracts being built in and
around 4S Ranch, (around 4000 homes). If you were like Theresa and I,
(with our three young boys) we saw one of the best school districts in
the Country, (Poway), new schools, a master planned community with a
strong HOA, a new Fire Station, and a new Sheriff Substation being
built. It looked awesome.
The salesperson at
the model home would then hand us the Mello Roos Tax Advisory Statement
and explain it was to help pay for infrastructure which included, new
schools, a Sheriff Substation, a Fire Station, etc. We cringed at the
additional tax, but rightfully convinced ourselves that for everything
we were getting, it was well worth it. We moved to 4S Ranch and paid
the taxes.
A few years later, SDSO opened a new Substation in 4S Ranch near
Rancho Bernardo Rd and Camino Del Norte Rd. It opened with lots of
fanfare and speeches. We met the Patrol Deputies, Investigative
staff, office staff, the Sergeants, and Lt. Mark Elvin. All of them
were great people. The San Diego Sheriff's Department and our elected
officials including County Supervisor, Pam Slater-Price, had kept their
promise. It seemed like a time to relax a bit, as we were safe on our
streets and in our homes.
Then something
happened. The last year or so, I have heard more and more reports that
we are not as safe as we once were. I found that in 2008, likely due to
under reported crime statistics, political pressure, other needs, or our
overall lack of being vigilant as a community, things changed. The
Sheriff cut our staffing. They moved the assigned Lieutenant position,
the sergeants and other support staff out of 4S Ranch.
You may be
surprised to hear we currently have only a single Detective assigned to
the substation, (40 hours a week) and only two patrol Deputies per
shift are responsible for all of 4S Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, and Crosby
Estates. The Deputies actually change into their uniforms at the 4S
Ranch Substation and then drive to the Poway Substation to attend
briefing.
In effect, SDSO and our
elected officials pulled the proverbial rug out from under all of us in
2008. It is now time to put it back. A few months ago we began
corresponding with Lt. Scott Miller and Captain Bill Donahue of the
Sheriffs Department. Once again, incredible people and awesome public
servants. They are attempting to get a Sergeant assigned to 4S Ranch for
at least forty hours a week as well as some citizen volunteers. A long
shot from what we had prior to the exodus.
The reality of the
situation is the decision to return to our prior staffing levels is
several pay grades above either the Lieutenant or the Captain. It takes
people to step up and make a phone call or send an email. If every
person who reads this weekly story makes a phone call today or emails, I
suspect within two weeks, Captain Donahue would be introducing all of
us to at least a new SDSO Sergeant assigned to our 4S Ranch community.
It would be a start.
Sheriff Bill
Gore and our elected County Board of Supervisor representative Pam
Slater-Price, needs to return us to our staffing levels of 2008. Our
community has continued to grow and we are forty-one homes away from
being completely sold out in 4S Ranch!
Please call or
email our Third District Supervisor Pam Slater-Price below and say, "We
want our Lieutenant back in 4S Ranch"! It will only take a moment and
it could lead them to at least giving us a throw rug back to build a
community-law enforcement relationship again. We really need it. If we
don't get our rug back, be sure to use your power of the Vote!
 |
| Third District Supervisor Pam Slater-Price |
Take a minute to call below or email
(619) 531-5533
(800) 852-7334
pam.slater@sdcounty.ca.gov
(800) 852-7334
pam.slater@sdcounty.ca.gov
Enjoy your week!
Ray & Theresa Shay
Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved. No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.
