Sheriff Dept Press release re: Who are the Sheriff Volunteers in your Community?

             Peggy Stout, a long time resident of Calaveras County, has just received her One Year Service Pin from Betty Miner, Captain of the Calaveras County Sheriff Volunteer Unit, for the successful completion of her first year service as a Sheriff Volunteer.

            Having retired as a manager from the Calaveras Unified School District after 25 years of service,  Peggy is no stranger to the operation of the Sheriff’s Office as she has previously served as Sheriff’s Posse with emphasis in rescue effort involving air, marine, off road and horses. 

Law Enforcement activity on LIttle John and Bow 7-10-14

At approximately 5:27 pm 7-11-14 Sheriff Deputies responded to a possible burglary call on Little John Road by Bow Drive and Saddle Creek, two suspects were cited for trespassing as the original possible burglary was found to be without merit.
A report is in process.

Sheriff Dept unveils new K9 Narcotics Dog 'Buster'

The Calaveras County Sheriff's Department unveiled their latest weapon on the war on drugs May 27th....'Buster' the new canine deputy narcotics detection dog.

Buster is a 2 1/2 year old Dutch Shepherd handled by Corporal Chad Poortinga, a 10 year veteran with the SO. "I have always wanted to be a K9 handler" said Portinga. Explaining how its more than just coming to work and working with a dog, the dog is part of his family. He tells his young children that Buster is a "smelly dog. My kids love that."

When the K9 program, which had ceased to exist 14 years ago, began gaining momentum with the help of the Friends of the Calaveras Sheriff's Office (FOCSO) in late 2012, many interested individuals came forward, yet Portinga was chosen for the job.

"Chad" is one of those officers "that will go over the top." Said Sgt Eberhardt.

"It takes the right person to do this job" said Sheriff Kuntz, "it is a huge commitment.".

How you can check facts regarding Sheriff Dept calls in Copper

The CG receives multiple emails and messages regarding various law enforcement issues in town from burglary to loose dogs, thefts to squatters.
We follow up on each email we receive, however, for those who wish to follow up on their own and check facts, please visit the Sheriff Dept call log at http://sheriff.co.calaveras.ca.us/SheriffLogs/tabid/384/FolderID/109/Default.aspx

To view 5-5-14 daily log CLICK HERE

In addition, if you are interested in becoming involved in the Neighborhood Watch program, contact the Sheriff Dept at 754-6500.

Burglary in Copper under investigation

The Sheriff Dept was alerted on 4-14-14, of a possible burglary in the 4500 block of Moccasin Court. It appears neighbors had called the home owners and advised them that their front door was open.

Deputies arrived on scene at 3 pm.

Upon arrival it appeared the residence had been ransacked. It appeared that several items were missing including a washer and a dryer, as well as gas having been siphoned from the lawn mower. The owners met the Deputy and noted that a fishing boat was missing from the garage.
The  Deputy was able to secure evidence; cigarette butts and clothing.
The length of time the suspect was in the home has yet to be verified.
$15,000.00 in stolen or damaged property.
The burglary is still under investigation.

Two Additional Sheriff’s Deputies Appointed to the Resident Deputy Program

Sheriff Gary Kuntz announced the appointment of two additional resident deputies to his resident deputy program, bringing the total to four deputies assigned to the program. The newest resident deputies are Deputy Kyle Johnson and Deputy John Alfred. Deputy Johnson will be assigned to the communities of Arnold and Murphys, where he will work from the Arnold sheriff’s substation. Deputy Alfred will be assigned to the West Point/Mokelumne Hill/Mountain Ranch communities, working out of those respective substations. Earlier in his term Sheriff Kuntz appointed Corporal Rudi Leon as the resident deputy for Valley Springs, where he works out of the new Valley Springs substation, and Deputy Wayne Newnam for the Copperopolis area and substation. The goal of the resident deputy program is to have specific deputies identified and available to work as a liaison between their assigned communities and the sheriff’s office in order to address crime and other concerns of the residents. This is part of Sheriff’s Kuntz’s commitment towards having an effective approach to community and problem oriented policing...



Read more on thepinetree.net

Sheriff Dept looking for man on Reeds Turnpike

Update:
1-21-14
According to the Sheriff Dept PIO (public information officer) a deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a man named Troy McWhirt (49) of Copperopolis. McWhirt had a felony warrant for his arrest, along with the associated vehicle code violations. When the deputy attempted the stop, McWhirt sped up and fled in his vehicle. He ended up parking and fleeing on foot. The deputies and CHP officers searched the area but could not locate him. Yesterday, January 20^th, the deputies located and arrested him.
Update:
1-20-14
According to a source within the Sheriff Dept the man the SO was searching for has been apprehended. 
11:07 1-19-14
According to sources the Sheriff Dept is looking for a man in the vicinity of Jackson Road and Reeds Turnpike. Unknown what the man is wanted for or if he is armed. Please use caution if in the area.

Friends of the Calaveras Sheriff's Office Crab Feed

Friends of the Calaveras Sheriff's Office Crab Feed

Calaveras County Sheriff sends help to Tuolumne for RIM fire

Last Friday the Calaveras County Sheriff Department sent 8 deputies to assist with evacuations. Currently Calaveras County has advised Tuolumne County that they are available and remain on standby to assist as needed.

Sheriff Dept marijuana eradication Tuesday in Copper nets 4,733 plants

A Calaveras Narcotics Enforcement marijuana eradication operation was conducted earlier this week at the end of Little John Road on private property in the hills along Gopher Ridge netting 4,733 marijuana plants.

Sheriff Dept eradication operations this year total nine; 1 operation on public land BLM and the remaining 8 on private property . The years total plant count is 46,174, with 3 arrests inside the grows and 3 recovered guns. The combined estimated total value of the plants is 4.6 million.

Due to financial limitations of the CAMP  program - Campaign Against Marijuana Planting from the Department of Justice and the Attorney General's Office- the Sheriff Dept has handled the majority of the eradication operations on their own.

by,
C. Maness

Helicopter over South end Little John

According to Cal County Sheriff Dept the helicopter sighted at approximately 7:50 am 6-6-13, from the SO, was not related to a public safety issue, with no further comment issued.

Update on Deputy condition after Little John crash

4-17-13
Sgt Hewitt of the Calaveras County Sheriff released a statement today regarding the accident on Little John Road on April 4, 2013 involving a Sheriff Deputy.

“On Sunday, April 4, 2013 at approx. 6:30 pm, while responding Code-3 to a possible domestic altercation, a deputy was involved in a single vehicle crash on Little John Road. The patrol vehicle, a 2006 Ford Expedition, suffered major damage. The deputy received a minor laceration.”

Due to possible pending investigation, that is all that is being released at this time.

Calaveras County Correctional Administrator role questioned

Currently, Chief Probation Officer Teri Hall is the  Correctional Administrator for Calaveras County, an appointed position through the Board of Supervisors. The title which, under AB109, authorizes her to "offer a program under which minimum security inmates and low-risk offenders committed to a county jail or other county correctional facility or granted probation, or inmates participating in a work furlough program, may voluntarily participate in a home detention program in lieu of confinement in the county jail or other county correctional facility under the auspices of the probation officer" In addition the bill enhances authorization to her "to offer a voluntary home detention program to include all inmates and additionally subject those inmates to involuntary participation in a home detention program. The bill would provide that the board of supervisors of any county may authorize the correctional administrator to offer a program under which inmates being held in lieu of bail may be placed in an electronic monitoring program, as specified. The bill would establish criteria for inmates to be eligible for the electronic monitoring program. The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any inmate who is a participant in an electronic monitoring program to fail to comply with the prescribed rules and regulations. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program."

This is cause for concern with Sheriff Kuntz as inmates he feels should not be released from the jail have been released in the past as per the Correctional Administrator's authorization. Recently an inmate was released to probation due to Correctional Administrator Teri Hall's authorization against the Sheriff's advisement as he stated he "considered them to be a danger to society."

Extra Patrols tonight

According to Sheriff Dept PIO Sgt Hewitt the Calaveras County Sheriff Dept will have an extra Deputy assigned to the Copperopolis area from 6 pm to 2 am tonight, October 27, 2012 "to cover any additional calls brought in by the Halloween Party."  The party referenced is the Dawn of the Dub to be held at Lake Tulloch Resort. In addition to the Dawn of the Dub, the Old Corner, The Sports Pub and the CCLTOA all will be having Halloween parties, many with live music, tonight.

Drive safe Copper!

Extra Deputy Assigned to Copper Saturday 10-27-12

According to Sheriff Dept PIO Sgt Hewitt the Calaveras County Sheriff Dept will have an extra Deputy assigned to the Copperopolis area from 6 pm to 2 am on October 27, 2012 "to cover any additional calls brought in by the Halloween Party."  The party referenced is the Dawn of the Dub to be held at Lake Tulloch Resort. In addition to the Dawn of the Dub, the Old Corner, The Sports Pub and the CCLTOA all will be having Halloween parties, many with live music, the same evening.

Busy Weekend for County Jail

The Calaveras County Jail saw 23 bookings over the weekend from the Calaveras County Sheriff, Angels Camp PD, CHP and Superior Court.

For 7-27-12 thru 7-29-12 booking log CLICK HERE

Funding for Deputy Position fails - Tryon votes 'no'

At the Board of Supervisors meeting held 7-5-12 consent agenda item regarding funding of a vacant unfunded Deputy position failed in a 3-1 vote with Supervisor Tom Tryon voting no.

The Deputy position became vacant with the advent of AB 109. According to statements made at Sheriff Kuntz Town Hall meeting June 7, 2012, in the final draft of the Community Corrections Partnership, the Sheriff Department did receive funding for one Deputy, that Deputy was assigned to the Probation department with the understanding that the vacant position created at the Sheriff Department would be refilled. While the Copper Gazette is not aware of any prohibition or monitoring of supplantation for AB 109 funds, the removal of a Deputy position within the Sheriff Department to support the Probation Departments use of AB 109 funds without backfilling the position originally funded by local taxes could be viewed as supplantation of funds.

Possible Funding for unfunded vacant Deputy Sheriff position on BOS agenda

The following minute order is on the July 5, 2012 BOS meeting agenda.

Adopt a MINUTE ORDER authorizing the filling of a vacant unfunded Deputy Sheriff II
position and approving a Budget Transfer increasing the FY 2012/13 appropriation for the
Sheriff's Office by $90,984 as a result of reducing General Fund Contingencies by $21,404
and increasing Federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program Revenue by $69,580,
Requiring a 4/5 vote of the Board of Supervisors: Board of Supervisors- Board action:

County Budget still questioned regarding funding for Sheriff Dept

One of the items discussed most heatedly at the recent BOS meeting was the lack of funding for the Sheriff Department. Cuts to the budget over the years has reduced the Dept budget from 16 million per year to 8 million per year. The AB 109 funds that showed a glimmer of hope for additional funding for the Dept were dashed when the 'lions share' was distributed to the probation dept in anticipation of treatment and rehabilitation expenses. One part of the probation plan includes the use of house arrest ankle bracelets, though Kuntz pointed out that they only work where there is cell service. This creates a problem for large areas of Calaveras where cell service is not available.

Currently there are 25 parolees released to Calaveras County through AB 109 realignment with more returning to the county in the coming months.

Supervisor Spellman stated at the last BOS meeting the Board“doesn’t have much of a choice” when it comes to paying for public safety. This is in reference to the  California Constitution which states that local officials have an obligation to give priority to the provision of adequate public safety services.