Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Officers Join Forces

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart announced Thursday that all law enforcement agencies in the county will operate under a unified command to ensure a coordinated emergency response amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

The change will go into effect Monday, April 13 and will allow agencies to share resources and work together to prioritize response to incidents.

Hart, who chairs the Santa Cruz Law Enforcement Chief's Association, announced the decision in a letter shared Thursday morning.

"We're doing our part to keep our community safe, please do your part and comply with the Shelter in Place Order," he wrote. "Stay safe, we're all in this together."

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The association includes the: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office; Santa Cruz Police Department; Watsonville Police Department; Capitola Police Department; Scotts Valley Police Department; University of California; Santa Cruz Police Department; California Highway Patrol; and California State Parks.

The news comes after county Health Officer Gail Newel announced Tuesday night that all beaches and parks would be closed from April 9 to April 15.

Hart said during a Wednesday press conference that officials will evaluate whether to extend the order early next week. He also said he supported prolonged closures as warmer months approach. Visitors usually flock to the county this time of year.

Hart said he liked that the state's stay-at-home order did not have an end date to "give people false hope."

"I think we're in for the long haul on this thing," he said.

Hart said the sheriff's office had the resources to accommodate the increased demands placed on officers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Call volume held steady the past few weeks, but deputies saw a 20 percent jump in calls for service this week.

Deputies are trying to handle as many non-emergency calls as possible and have been asked to walk their business districts, checking door handles and ensuring closed stores are secured.

Commercial burglaries are four times as likely to be burglarized as homes, said Santa Cruz Police Sgt. Carter Jones during a Thursday afternoon livestream on the subject. While residential burglary rates have remained flat in Santa Cruz, commercial burglaries have spiked, said Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills.

SCPD has extra staff on foot patrols, bike patrols and teams targeting burglars. Officers can perform security checks at businesses and are keeping an eye out for people looking in windows and cars, Jones said.

Anyone looking to support officers can give them a thumbs up, toot their horn or express their gratitude, Mills said.

"That means the world" to officers leaving the safety of their home to venture out into the public and come in contact with multiple people, Mills said.

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