Sheriff Works to Make Our Community a Safe, Caring Place to Live
By Jessie James Casaus, Sandoval County Sheriff
As Sandoval County grows, it’s essential that public safety enforcement agencies and community stakeholders work together to build positive interaction experiences. We continue to follow a positive team approach, which relies on community input.
By understanding our wide- spread fast-growing community needs, the sheriff’s office continues to look for positive proactive ways for success: we’ve created a multi-jurisdictional Street Crimes Task Force, initiated a Cops Grant award to hire five new deputies, and established a K-9 unit donated by the Hometown Foundation, Inc.
Other ways of better serving our diverse community include successfully upgrading our standard operating policy with new comprehensive guidelines on the use of force and animal welfare, and many other issues.
Recently the department received a $379,000 federal congressional directed spending grant to purchase the latest high-end tech equipment, more officer laptops, administrative computers, sophisticated telecommunication systems, and more.
We continue to hire exceptional deputies of good moral character, and we place high value on extensive officer training including anti- bias/ conflict resolution and many other positive approaches to help de- escalate volatile public safety incidents.
The community asked for and now has a safe, clean temporary Sandoval County animal welfare shelter located at the La Plazuela de Sandoval Complex, which follows the no-kill philosophical principle, and actively promotes rescue and adoption of animals taken into custody. The shelter can be reached at (505)867-7642.
Another example of how we’ve become more involved in community safety needs, the sheriff’s office is proud of its comprehensive agreement with the Cuba School District. This agreement provides a school resource officer (SRO), assuring the physical safety of the campus environment. The SRO also provides friendly counseling/mentoring to students.
Chartered as a team with all communities, the sheriff’s office has proudly initiated a successful information sharing and multi-jurisdictional program with the Navajo Nation. Joint operations are ongoing to include assisting with issues affecting the safety of women, children, and their families.
Today the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office continues to rely on the cooperation and respect of community members to provide information about crime in their neighborhoods. It’s an ongoing process.
Our goal is to continue meeting community expectations through swift public safety responses, professionalism, and caring. This not only builds community but makes for a safe environment to grow in —a worthwhile community goal.
I’m running for re-election as your sheriff in November and would appreciate your vote.
Click here for more information on the sheriff’s office.