RURAL CRIMES UNIT THE MISSION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY RURAL CRIMES UNIT
San Luis Obispo County. Members of
In 2016 the RCU investigated more than
the RCU have served as instructors
400 agricultural cases. These cases
during the CRCPTF Rural Crime School.
included vandalism of property and
Frequent meetings are held with the many agricultural community groups in San Luis Obispo County. These meetings provide the RCU with the opportunity to share information
(RCU) is to enforce laws and provide
regarding crime trends that affect the
investigative services focused on theft
different geographical areas of the
and property damage in the agriculture
County, as well as to make crime
and rural industries. The RCU provides
prevention recommendations such as
current and up-to-date crime prevention
the formation of a “ranch watch” group
techniques and strategies to the
or completing a ranch/farm security
farmers and ranchers of San Luis
survey conducted by our Rural Crime
Obispo County.
Prevention Specialist.
RCU deputies receive specific training
Another valuable tool in crime
regarding their role in agricultural crime
prevention is the Owner Applied
investigations. One RCU deputy is
Number Program (OAN), which can be
assigned to each patrol station within
customized to each individual, farmer or
the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. In
rancher. OANs are applied to machinery
addition to specific training, deputies
and heavy equipment, then placed in a
are members of the California Rural
nationwide law enforcement database
Crime Prevention Task Force and the
at no cost. Providing OANs to
Central Coast Rural Crime Task Force.
machinery and equipment equips the
Deputies attend meetings and trainings
RCU with a valuable tool to identify and
on a regular basis and host the quarterly
recover stolen equipment.
California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force (CRCPTF) meeting once a year in
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equipment, theft of farm equipment, theft of agricultural equipment, animal neglect and killing of livestock. The RCU executed several search warrants related to rural crimes and collaborated with multiple law enforcement agencies, various county Sheriff’s Offices and units from the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force.
IN 2016 THE RCU INVESTIGATED MORE THAN 400 AGRICULTURAL CASES. One major area that the RCU has encountered is transient encampments in agricultural areas. Over the past several years, these encampments have posed hazards to the occupiers of the camps as well as the landowner, their business viability, their range land and natural water supply. During many responses to these encampments, deputies have found hazardous materials and chemicals such as
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE