Palmdale Station provides police service for the contract City of Palmdale, as well as 700 square miles of unincorporated County area from the Wrightwood ski area to Lake Hughes. Palmdale City is one of the fastest growing cities in California and one of the leaders in providing affordable homes to an increasingly ethnically diverse community.

The Sheriff presided over dedication ceremonies for the newly expanded temporary station on February 6th of this year. Official plaques were presented by Senator William J. "Pete" Knight, Assemblyman George Runner, and Congressman Howard P. McKeon.

The new Palmdale Station project commenced in November with initial plans for a state-of-the-art facility to meet the needs of this growing community for the next 20 years. The new Station will be located near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q. This year saw the continuation of the highly successful Partners Against Crime (PAC) Program. The PAC Program emphasizes a cooperative, comprehensive approach to combating crime and preserving and protecting the quality of life in Palmdale. This community-based policing program uses a teamwork approach between Palmdale City staff, the Sheriff's Department and the community.

PAC Basketball & Football Challenge

In an effort to show deputies in a friendly light and allow neighborhood children to see them as human beings, the PAC Challenge was created. In June, approximately 100 youths, ages 7 to 14, from the neighborhoods patrolled by the PAC deputies were invited to participate in a basketball contest and clinic. Games, giveaways and prizes were all part of the wonderful event that brought the children and deputies together. Because of its great success, PAC deputies developed and presented a larger football challenge in November with the same goal of bringing the community and Sheriff's Department closer together.

Safety Expo

The Public Safety Expo, sponsored by the Palmdale Sheriff's Boosters, was a huge success. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Antelope Valley Mall to gain hands-on experiences and get a closer look at the law enforcement, fire department and emergency personnel who serve the Antelope Valley. Demonstrations by the Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team, Aero Bureau and other Department members were enthusiastically received by those attending.

Awards

1999 saw three Palmdale Station deputies, Robert Farkas, Douglas Lloyd and Steven Brown, receive the Department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor, for their actions in a hostage situation and gunfight on April 25, 1998. Deputy Erich Doepking was honored for entering a burning apartment building on April 5, 1998, after being told a woman might be still inside. The woman had escaped, but Deputy Doepking re-entered the blaze several times to make sure the apartment was empty.

Graffiti Abatement

The graffiti abatement program continues to prove very successful. For the second year in a row, Detective Dan Ross was able to clear more than $500,000 of graffiti damage with the arrest of 102 suspects/subjects. On January 9, 1999, the City of Palmdale revised an ordinance which made it illegal for minors to possess graffiti tools regardless of their intent. This ordinance, along with the implementation of a restitution program with the court system and the posting of anti-graffiti bill boards, has resulted in a 50 percent decrease in graffiti vandalism between 1994 and 1999.

Volunteer Programs

Volunteers, explorers, search & rescue programs at Palmdale Station continue to expand. The Palmdale Station Boosters expanded in 1999 to approximately 100 members. They hosted the 1999 Safety Expo, volunteer appreciation dinner, and have purchased several expensive items for use by Station personnel, such as video cameras, VCR's, and telephone answering machines. They also support the maintenance of the Station's Bike Team. The Palmdale Station Mounted Unit expanded to 33 members. Their primary function is high visibility patrol at the Antelope Valley Mall and other business districts. They participated in local parades and performed crowd control at several events in the Antelope Valley.

The local community members are excited about having there very own Sheriff's Station and enthusiastically participate in all facets of volunteerism.