Eastvale, CA – Safety continues to be a top focus for the City of Eastvale and we are prioritizing community safety in an effort to maintain a safe environment for our community to live, work, play, and shop. We are working hard to enhance the safety in our community through collaborative endeavors that include advancements in public safety, investments in technology, and the active participation of residents in the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Additional Motorcycle Officer and Additional Patrol Hours
The Eastvale City Council heard the community’s desire for increase public safety and in February 2018, they approved an additional Motorcycle Officer position to enhance the safety of our roadways. Most recently, we welcomed our second Eastvale Police Department Motorcycle Officer, Deputy Lionel Murphy, who will be joining our current Motorcycle Officer, Deputy Paul Lonthair in keeping our streets safe through enforcement. City Council also approved 10 additional patrol hours, which equates to two additional deputies and are anticipated to come in the next year.
“We would like to welcome our new Motorcycle Officer, Deputy Lionel Murphy to the Eastvale Police Department family. I am confident that the addition of Deputy Murphy will help reduce the number of traffic collisions and increase the overall safety of the city.”
ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) Program
We believe advancements in technology is one of the most crucial parts of public safety. The City of Eastvale is in the process of implementing an ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) Program. ALPR cameras will be installed on patrol vehicles as well as various entry and exit points to the city. This tool will help our Police Department combat and deter crime, assist with investigations, and help identify wanted vehicles.
Streetlight Acquisition
We also believe that increased visibility through lighting is another important part of safety and are pleased to announce that the City of Eastvale purchased 4,078 streetlights located within city limits from Southern California Edison (SCE). Previously, these streetlights were owned by SCE and maintained by the Jurupa Community Services District. With the partnership of the Western Riverside Council of Governments, the City of Eastvale will acquire all eligible streetlights in Eastvale. As part of the acquisition, the City looks forward to retrofitting each streetlight with Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures; an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lighting. LED lights align with the City’s strategic goal to enhance public safety by using less energy and producing a more natural light on street surfaces. Acquisition of these street lights will also serve as a revenue stream for the City of Eastvale while we bring better cell phone and internet carrier service to the city.
Neighborhood Watch Program
We know that community safety cannot be fully achieved without the help from our community and Eastvale is the only city in the nation to have every residential neighborhood engaged in the Neighborhood Watch Program. In 2017, Mayor Todd Rigby, Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Plott, and community member, Don Pettinger began the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch Program in an effort to bring residents together to help combat and deter crime in their neighborhoods.
Today, all twenty-nine neighborhoods in Eastvale have Neighborhood Watch Groups established, there is a total of 60 Block Captains who meet quarterly, and every neighborhood entry and exit have Neighborhood Watch signs installed. Social media has played a key piece to the Neighborhood Watch Program and residents have shared valuable information through the “Eastvale Crime Watch & Reporting” Facebook page. In addition to communicating through social media, Neighborhood Watch Meetings take place throughout the year and have approximately sixty-five residents in attendance on average.
“On behalf of the Eastvale Police Department, I would like to thank the community for their continued support and for sharing valuable information with us, which has led to the immediate apprehension of several suspects,” Chief Tim Martin said.
The significant decrease in mail thefts was the first of many success stories that the Neighborhood Watch Program experienced. With the increase of communication and residents implementing crime prevention measures to their homes, the average mail thefts reported per month decreased from twenty-six in 2017 to six in 2018.
Camera Database Program
One of the other successes the Neighborhood Watch Program has had is their camera database program which allow residents to input their surveillance system information in a database for law enforcement access. Approximately ten different arrests have been made with the help of this database in place. This program truly shows the amount of pride residents have for the city they live in and that they are passionate about being a part of enhancing safety in their community. Residents can share their surveillance system information to be included in this database by visiting: http://bit.ly/eastvalecameradatabase.
Proactive Enforcement
Lastly, the safety in our community would not be possible without the continued proactive efforts made by the Eastvale Police Department. We recently recognized our local Special Enforcement Team (SET) and the Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) for an award recently received by the California Narcotics Officers Association for outstanding Quality of Life Investigations involving indoor marijuana grow houses. We are incredibly grateful for the deputies who serve our city every day to keep us safe and maintain the quality of life in Eastvale.
Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance
To address aggressive solicitation, City Council adopted an “Aggressive Solicitation” ordinance on May 2018 and also installed “It’s Ok To Say No To Panhandling” signs throughout the City. We want residents to feel comfortable enjoying our community and the aggressive solicitation ordinance seeks to enhance resident safety by prohibiting solicitation in an aggressive manner. This ordinance allows deputies to respond to incidents of solicitation that either put the person being asked for money in danger or are done in such a manner to make an individual feel as if they have no choice but to donate money.
“As a community, it is important for us to partner together in achieving a safer city,” Mayor Todd Rigby said. “With the residents embracing the Neighborhood Watch Program, the City installing new technology, and the Police Department increasing patrol hours and adding an additional Motorcycle Officer, we are seeing the results of a safer community. I look forward to the continued involvement of our community in being committed to keeping our residents, businesses, and visitors safe in our city.”
“Together, we can send a message that Eastvale has created a multiprong approach of preventing and solving crime to enhance the quality of life and safety,” City Manager Bryan Jones said. “I am confident that all of us in Eastvale will continue to collaboratively invest our time and energy in resources to elevate community safety. We all deserve the opportunity to thrive in the place we call home!”
The City of Eastvale would like to remind its residents and businesses to be vigilant by reporting suspicious and criminal activity as soon as its seen to the Eastvale Police Department. If you see something, say something. Maintaining a safe environment is a team effort and we are grateful for our team that is made up of our Eastvale Police Department, residents, businesses, and partnering agencies. Together, we are best.
About the City of Eastvale
The City of Eastvale was founded on October 1, 2010 as an independent local government agency, governed by a five-member, elected City Council. The City of Eastvale serves over 64,855 residents and encompasses 13.1 square-miles in western Riverside County. The City is strategically poised between Interstate 15 and California State Routes 91, 60, and 71, making access easy for residents, visitors and businesses alike. Eastvale is a young and dynamic community filled with economic opportunity, tremendous growth, and strong values. For more information on the City of Eastvale, please visit: www.EastvaleCA.gov
