City of Westlake Village Looking for Citizens to Join Volunteers in Policing Program
The enhancement of law enforcement services in any county is an important goal. With that goal in mind, the concept of a volunteer patrol was created, which incorporates the idea of involving concerned civilians in their community alongside the Sheriff's Department. The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station has partnered with the city of Westlake Village to create a program such as this, known as the VOP program (Volunteers on Patrol). This program has been up and running for years now; however, the Sheriff's Department is continuously looking to add volunteers to this growing program.
The VOP program consists of a core group of volunteers who are sponsored by the city of Westlake Village and trained by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. The city provides a marked vehicle, uniforms, and specialized equipment. Volunteers are trained to assist with traffic control, vacation checks, neighborhood patrols and patrols of businesses, as well as assisting with city sponsored functions. VOP's are not police and will not take police action, but will instead request assistance of deputies when needed. Essentially a "mobile neighborhood watch" extension of the Sheriff's Department, patrol members are considered an extremely helpful tool within the community as well. Since one of the biggest crime deterrents is to have more eyes and ears in the community, this program is both helpful and necessary to law enforcement and the citizens we serve.
The minimum requirements for a volunteer candidate include being an adult resident of Westlake Village, passing an oral interview and background check, participating in continual training classes, meeting driving standards, and keeping statistical information.
Interested citizens can contact Deputy DeSantis at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station (818) 878-1808 or Kerry Kallman at the City of Westlake Village at (818) 706 1613.
Prepared by: LET Heather Fuquay
Media Release Date: September 11, 2014
* Lost Hills Sheriff's Station polices the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village, and the unincorporated communities of Chatsworth Lake Manor, Malibu Lake, Topanga, and West Hills:
For further information contact:
Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
27050 Agoura Road
Agoura, CA 91301
(818) 878-1808
Website: www.LostHills.lasd.org
LASD HQ Text and Emails: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd---malibulost-hills-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostHillsSheriffsStation
Twitter https://twitter.com/LHSLASD
