• RSO Volunteer Meeting Recap

It was a very well attended volunteer meeting at the Lake Elsinore Station (home of Wildomar Police), I'd say about 50 were there. 
 

Link to past blog encouraging participation in this program

It was standing room only, with a few late comers peering in from outside.
Photo courtesy of Natasha Johnson.

It was asked how many were from Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and the county areas. All were represented with about a dozen coming from Wildomar. 

We heard from Captain Lujan, Lieutenant Kent, Deputy Salcido and volunteer coordinator David Vawter  as they explained the volunteer program in greater detail.

Captain Mike Lujan, who serves as both Wildomar's and Lake Elsinore's police chief, answers questions. Deputy Salcedo looks on (left side of photo) as does David Vawter.

Though there was a volunteer program in the past for Lake Elsinore, this is essentially a new program for the station, and a first in Wildomar.

From the RSO website: LINK

Citizen Volunteers

• Citizen volunteers do not require the special law enforcement training of a Reserve Deputy Sheriff.

• Volunteers do not carry a weapon or make arrests. They do act as essential "eyes and ears" in service to the community while working with Sheriff's staff.

• Volunteers may work in a myriad of assignments including within their own neighborhood, at a correctional facility, in patrol operations, clerical support, investigations, accounting, computer entry and many more.

There are two levels of volunteers

Level 2 clearance isn't enough for patrolling, but is enough for work around the station, including helping with paperwork.

Level 1, where volunteers will be allowed to drive around in pairs, comes only after a thorough background check, and 40 hours in a volunteers academy (five consecutive Saturdays of eight hour classes). 

Both levels are expected to put in a minimum of 12 volunteer hours a month. 

Link to Lake Elsinore Station facebook page.

There are 29 questions in the pre-investigation questionnaire. Suffice to say, RSO isn't interested in having the criminal element in the volunteer program.

First question(s) in the initial application
1. Have you ever committed any of the following acts?
a. Arson, b. Burglary, c. Robbery, d. Homicide, e. Forgery, g. Kidnapping, h. Extortion, i. Embezzlement, j. Rape, k. Any other forcible sex act, l. Any violent assault, m. Wife beating.

They get easier from there, but after those, I'd sure hope that'd be the case. ☺

There was a bit of confusion among some of the attendees when it came to the point of the program. Yes, the volunteers can "patrol" their own neighborhoods, but many seemed to have no interest in any other duties.

Wildomar's "police station" is better known as the Lake Elsinore Station... since that's where it's at.

Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson was in attendance and she responded to those that were only interested in their own neighborhoods. 

She mentioned that one of the biggest concerns that she hears from her constituents is police response times. She tried to make the point that if a volunteer is available to help with traffic control at an accident site, for example, that frees up a sworn officer that can then respond to calls... possibly in the neighborhood of the volunteer.

I got the point, but there were a few that seemed only interested in cruising around their neighborhoods in a volunteer patrol car... which currently, there is only one for the entire service area. 

They really were just interested in an amplified version of Neighborhood Watch. This program is for those that would like to volunteer to assist our local police. Which does allow for patrols in your own neighborhood, but how long would that really take?

About two-thirds through the meeting, Wildomar resident Kenny Mayes asked a pretty important question: paraphrasing "If I were to sign up, would I have to get a haircut?"

The group had a good laugh at that, but the answer came back that all volunteers would have to comply with the department's grooming standards... which would ace me out too since I have a beard.

If you have interest in citizen volunteer patrols, or helping at the station, please call the non emergency phone number and ask for more information. (951) 245-3300

•                •                •

The less we know, the more we suspect. 
– Josh Billings, American Humorist

Wildomar Rap suspects none of us actually knows all that much.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.