Gang Unit
The El Dorado Gang Enforcement unit, (EDGE),
was established in 2004. EDGE is a unit designed
to investigate gang activity in El Dorado County.
EDGE is a multi-agency task force comprised of
a Sheriff’s Sergeant, 7 Sheriff’s Deputies, 3 El
Dorado County Probation Officers, and 1
Placerville Police Officer. This group of law
enforcement officers has training and
experience in many different aspects of law
enforcement. This diversity makes EDGE
successful in their efforts to investigate and
prevent gang activity.
EDGE has three primary functions: gathering
intelligence, enforcement of crime, and
education. The unit identifies and validates gang
members and associates, investigates crimes
associated to gang activity and crimes
committed by gang members, and provides
presentations to educate the community.
EDGE is also responsible for providing training
to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Deputies
to make them more effective at identifying gang
activity in their patrol related duties.
This year, EDGE is responsible for:
Investigations
Arrests
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Resident Deputies
The Sheriff’s Office has participated in a
Resident Deputy Program since the late 1960’s,
beginning in the Tahoma area of South Lake Tahoe. The Sheriff’s Office expanded the program in 2015 with the addition of two Resident Deputy’s; one in the Pollock Pines area and a second in South County/Mount Aukum area. In 2016, a third position was added for the
North County, Georgetown/Divide area.
These positions call on assigned deputies to patrol the communities where they live, attend events and visit schools within their assigned areas. Resident Deputies can assist in other areas during their routine patrol, but focus their efforts in crime prevention by collaborating on community issues with residents, businesses, homeowners’ associations, schools, and other local and state agencies. Resident Deputies’ responsibilities also include overseeing Neighborhood and Business Watch groups and mitigating various community issues and concerns.
During 2017, the Resident Deputies
participated in several community events including; Pioneer Music in the Park, Holiday Food Drive, 4th of July events, Santa in the Park, and many more. Resident Deputies spend time making contact with residents and businesses, and this year the combined group made 417 public relation contacts.
In addition to their responsibilities as Resident Deputy, all assigned Resident Deputies participate in various collateral duties as well. These include crime scene investigation, motorcycle unit, dive team and search and rescue. Specialized training assists the resident deputies with their daily functions and problem solving for special issues within communities.
Resident Deputies have worked several large investigations within the County, participating with our own Detectives and state and local agencies such as Alcohol Beverage Control, Code Enforcement, and Environmental Management. Examples of such investigations include a sex registrant hiding in the Tahoma area, a theft ring in South County involving numerous stolen vehicles, investigation of sales of alcohol to minors and sales of marijuana from a store clerk to juveniles in the Divide area.
Resident Deputies have been a fundamental concept within law enforcement for many years. The Sheriff’s Office believes that this program is incredibly beneficial to the county and hopes to continue to expand it in the coming years.
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