Since Captain Robert Lewis assumed command of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in April 2017, he has been researching and analyzing the services the station provides to the community it serves and working to identify ways the station can best maximize the utilization and deployment of services.

Regarding the crime strategy direction the station is taking, Captain Lewis emphasized, “We need to develop our crime prevention mission and goals through predictive policing. This entails identifying areas where crimes are frequently occurring, and making an action plan.”

And, action plans are needed to meet the demands of an ever-growing population in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“I want to reintroduce the public to our Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) Zone Leaders,” Lewis said. “Our service areas of Santa Clarita Valley are divided into eight zones. Each zone is monitored and managed by a Crime Prevention deputy who looks at incidents of reported crimes and keeps track of crime trends.”

The eight crime prevention zones in Santa Clarita Valley are: Saugus, Valencia, Newhall, Canyon Country East, Canyon Country West, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic/Val Verde and Gorman.

“By having a deputy responsible for tracking the crime in each zone,” Lewis said, “it will be easier for them to identify crime patterns and offenders. The deputies will work directly with the patrol deputies and detectives to relay trends that they are seeing in their respective zones.”

Through regular meetings with the Crime Prevention Unit deputies, Captain Lewis receives weekly reports on crimes that are occurring in each of the zones and is able to assist in formulating action plans customized for each area.

Residents are encouraged to identify their zone leader and stay in contact with them regarding crime trends and nuisance problems in their neighborhoods.

To identify your area’s Zone Leader, use the following link: http://scvsheriff.com/zone-leaders/

By subscribing to Nixle via www.nixle.com, residents can keep up-to-date with weekly reports from their Crime Prevention Zone leaders to stay informed about what crimes are occurring in their neighborhood, and also receive public safety tips from their Zone deputy tailored to the crime trends that are being noted in their area. The Nixle reports are free to sign up for, and residents can choose whether they want to receive the information through e-mail, text, or both.

“All SCV residents are encouraged to sign up for Nixle,” said Crime Prevention Sergeant Michael Wright. “If they are concerned about privacy, they don’t have to give their full address when they register on-line, the nearest cross-streets to a residence can be used.”

To receive Nixle alerts, you can sign up at www.nixle.com, or you may opt in by texting your zip code to 888777.

Here are the SCV Sheriff’s Station’s Crime Prevention Unit Leader contacts:

ZONE 1 – Gorman area
*Deputy John DeYoung, JTDeYoun@lasd.org

*ZONE 2 – Castaic/ Val Verde areas
Deputy Brian Rooney, BJRooney@lasd.org

ZONE 3 – Stevenson Ranch area
Deputy Kevin Duxbury, KBDuxbur@lasd.org, 661-799-5158

ZONE 4 – Saugus area
Deputy Chris Craft, CWCraft@lasd.org, 661-799-5161

ZONE 5 – Valencia area
Deputy Brian Heischuber, BAHeisch@lasd.org, 661-799-5163

ZONE 6 – Newhall area
Deputy Betsy Shackelford, BSShacke@lasd.org, 661-255-1121 ext. 4411

ZONE 7 – Canyon Country West
Deputy Jon Wilson, JRWilson@lasd.org, 661-799-5159

ZONE 8 – Canyon Country East
Deputy Luis Cabrera, LRCabrer@lasd.org, 661-799-5158

Phone lines are in the process of being established for Deputies DeYoung and Rooney. In the meantime, phone messages may be left with CPU Sergeant Michael Wright at 661-799-5802.