News
Supervisors Authorize Sheriff to Use Federal Funds to Target Rural Crime
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to accept a $150,000 federal grant intended to support law enforcement operations in outlying communities, which for the sheriff will mean targeting criminal activity in Aguanga and Anza.
“The communities are positioned within a mountainous and rural area of the county,” according to a sheriff’s statement posted to the board’s agenda. “Two deputies are currently assigned to patrol the area; however, they are also responsible for additional unincorporated areas. This grant (will enable) the sheriff’s department to deploy deputies on overtime … to conduct high-visibility patrols.”
The U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Rural Violent Crime Reduction grant was awarded to the sheriff last fall. The funds must be spent by October 2024.
Sheriff’s officials said Aguanga and Anza have been impacted by higher rates of homicide and assault over the last five years.
“This uptick in crime directly results from narcotics and marijuana trafficking, sales and cultivation plaguing the rural communities,” the agency said.
The Anza Valley contains an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 illicit cannabis grows, some in locations that cannot be accessed except by all-terrain vehicles, according to the sheriff’s department.
Anza’s population is roughly 3,100, while Aguanga is home to an estimated 800 residents, according to available U.S. Census data.
“In addition to high-visibility patrols, deputies will seek proactive efforts to identify parolees and probationers in the area, especially those previously convicted of violent crimes,” the sheriff’s department said. “Once identified, deputies will conduct parole and probation checks, along with state parole officers and county probation officers. Overtime will also be used to fund sweeps within Anza and Aguanga.”
Personnel assigned to the sheriff’s Hemet station will be handling the operations funded by the grant.
Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc.
CNS-03-08-2022 13:11
By: Tiani Jadulang
March 9, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
It’s time for Season 5!! Fuego stopped by the studio today with a message! Coachella Valley Firebirds season opener this Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. — tickets at CVFIREBIRDS.COM
Guess we are not the only ones asking about money in the Desert Recreation District! #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
8 years lated and $30 MILLION higher … Should the state order an independent audit? Drop a 💬 if you want answers! #cvusd #coachellavalley #audit #therogginreport #nbcpalmsprings
Data centers on pause. ✋ Palm Springs City Council unanimously extended it’s moratorium through August 25, 2028, giving the city time to set zoning rules. What do you think of the decision? 🌴
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
About 650,000 ballots and election materials are back with Riverside County election officials after the California Supreme Court ruled their seizure violated state election law. The materials remain under the registrar’s control as officials determine next steps.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you get excited or stressed about the upcoming holiday season (or both) ?
BREAKING: Human remains believed to be those of 17-year-old T’neya Tovar have been discovered at a second site in the Salton City area, according to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office. A skull and rib cage were found during a search involving Imperial County investigators and the FBI. Testing is still needed to confirm the remains belong to Tovar. The discovery comes one day after suspect Finebloom pleaded guilty to torture and voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement that could result in a sentence of 13 years to life. More details on NBCPalmSprings.com
NBC Palm Springs went back to Indio Hills today after Dillon Road flooded last night, forcing many residents to leave. One resident told us he is back today, working on repairs—after his home faced extensive damage in the flood. be sure to visit nbcpalmsprings.com for a live look at the area today. #coachellavalley #weather #flood #indiohills #weather
This afternoon in Salton City, the FBI and Imperial County Sheriff’s Department were in the neighborhood of Abraham Feinbloom. Searching just after a plea deal was made to where Feinbloom agreed to show investigators where the remains of T’Neya Tovar are. Feinbloom pled guilty to one count of torture and voluntary manslaughter. Tonight you’ll hear from neighbors who have been following the case from the very beginning, that story will be on nbcpalmsprings.com #nbcpalmsprings #abrahamfeinbloom #fyp #murdercase #missingteenager