CRIME PREVENTION/PIO

CRIME PREVENTION

THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE CRIME PREVENTION AND PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

is a unit within the Operations Division, dedicated to increasing public safety through education and community engagement. In 2021 the unit was comprised of a public information officer and two crime prevention specialists.

The crime prevention specialists are available to support all Neighborhood Watch programs in the unincorporated areas of the county. To meet the needs of the public during COVID-19 pandemic, many of these informative presentations were provided virtually on an online platform. In addition, the crime prevention specialists are responsible for the following: the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteer Patrol unit, children’s safety programs like the Sheriff’s Youth Summer Camps, internet safety programs for youth, security surveys for homes and businesses, and public displays at community events like the Mid-State Fair. While unable to present in person to students in class, the Crime Prevention Unit was able to offer educational material and handouts for both concerned parents and their children. In addition to providing outreach to the community, the Crime Prevention Unit is also responsible for CPR and First Aid certification for staff and volunteers within the Sheriff’s Office.

The PIO serves as the primary contact for local, state, national, and international media for any news items that directly relate to the Sheriff’s Office. That includes writing and distributing press releases, coordinating news conferences, and serving as the primary spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.

In 2021, San Luis Obispo County received an extraordinary amount of international media coverage when the Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in the almost 25-year-old case of missing Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. A news conference was held on the day of the arrest which was picked up by media outlets like the New York Times, Dateline NBC, CNN, People Magazine, and even the Daily Mail in London, England. The PIO coordinated all aspects of this major announcement, from crafting the press release to organizing the news conference.

The PIO is also responsible for the design and content of the Sheriff’s Office official website, slosheriff.org as well as its mobile app. In addition, the Crime Prevention Unit and PIO coordinate social media efforts on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. All of these efforts are designed to keep citizens informed and involved in the events happening in their communities.

THE MISSION OF THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO) IS TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE DOES AND PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHY THEY DO IT.