Info On Resident Deputy Position

An open letter from Tahoma resident Ed Miller
December 5, 2008

Dear West Shore Friends & Neighbors,

Some of you have asked me to verify the voracity of the message (from Roz Mitchell) below, regarding the possible elimination of the Resident Deputy Program in our community. Roz is correct. Here's the scoop from my information:

I was in Placerville last week. The County is laying off numerous employees in all areas. I presided over 4 “RIF” (Reduction In Force) appeals by county employees last week alone, and there are many more in store.

While in Placerville, I spoke with Undersheriff Fred Kollar and asked about the status of the Resident Deputy program. Undersheriff Kollar confirmed that Deputy Dennis Miller would not be replaced upon his retirement (he is moving back to Mendocino County and will be working for their Sheriff) this month. Regarding Deputy Dan Bartley, he will be here and on duty through the winter. The department states that after that, our community will be patrolled by a deputy from South Tahoe.

This may or may not be much of a savings since the additional mileage from SLT could make up the difference in the pay differential given to Resident Deputies.

Please be aware that Sheriff Neves is a very reasonable and approachable man who is well respected in his profession, and is doing the best he can with declining resources. I have known Jeff and have worked with him for years. Please understand there is nothing “personal” about this very difficult decision.

Some of you have asked who to write concerning this issue. If you would like to write to officials/media, I would suggest:

Supervisor Norma Santiago
5th District, El Dorado County
360 Fail Lane
Placerville, CA 95667

Sheriff Jeff Neves
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office
300 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667

Ryan Slabaugh, Executive Editor
Sierra Sun
PO Box 248
Truckee, CA 96160

Mayumi Elgado
Moonshine Ink
PO Box 4003
Truckee, CA 96160

I do not think that writing to Senator Feinstein will be of much assistance, even though she now has a home here. “Feds” don't often get involved in issues like this one, and the Senator has her own security. But, it can't hurt to drop a copy to her if you desire. ( http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe)

Here are some “talking points” for your letter:

• 25+ years of proactive community policing have dramatically reduced the criminal factor in our community. This could degrade without a Deputy in residence. It may not take long for the “bad guys” to know there is no Resident Deputy. (Federal & local law enforcement recently busted a “grow house” on the curve of Elm Street). This could effect property values in the long run, as they once were when our community was known for it's “not so wholesome” element.
• Extended response time from SLT can cost lives. Meeks Bay Fire personnel to stage (wait) outside a residence with a victim or patient inside if there is the possibility of a violent or armed person in the residence. Waiting until a Deputy arrives from SLT could cost precious time and end a life.
• Placer County Deputies are not always available for back-up, let alone in place of an El Dorado officer. Placer is eliminating it's Soda Springs Resident Deputy, so the Tahoe City Substation will be “short-handed” too. They will provide back-up when possible.
• Deputies are needed during snow storms to clear streets of illegally parked cars and to assure access for emergency vehicles and snow-removal equipment. (This is why Dan will (fortunately) be here this winter).
• The assessed valuation of our community is over $740 Million. With that much of a tax base, we deserve a proportionate share of Law Enforcement protection & service.

Please express your concern if you desire, and try to be sure all info you relay is factual. I'm happy to discuss this with any of you and if needed, sort out rumor from fact. My numbers are below.

Ed Miller

Wild West Communications Group
Lake Tahoe
PO Box 346
Homewood, CA 96141
530-525-5201 Office
530-525-6033 Residence
530-525-4559 Fax

Roz Mitchell's original message:

To all El Dorado County Homeowners and residents.

We lose the last El Dorado Sheriff next April! We lose Sheriff Miller at the end of this month. Sheriff Bartley will be gone April 09..... Our nearest response will then come from South Lake Tahoe ..................summer and...... winter...... So we people north of Emerald Bay need to contact all involved with this decision making fiasco. Send your objections to all El Dorado public servants including: The Sheriff: Jeff Neves County Supervisor. Feinstein ( property owner). Crime will increase with response time being so slow. Criminals will know they have the time....... Add your thoughts and forward this to all your neighbors.

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