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City reallocates patrol resources, adds problem‑oriented policing team and shared motor sergeant
Summary
Council approved an amendment to the Riverside County Sheriff contract to reallocate one daytime patrol unit into two problem‑oriented policing deputies and to cost‑share a motor sergeant with Indian Wells; the amendment modestly changed net contract costs and the council cited recent multi‑year declines in property crime.
The Rancho Mirage City Council voted 5‑0 on July 17 to approve a third amendment to the law enforcement services agreement with the County of Riverside that reallocates patrol resources and adds a shared traffic sergeant.
Tyler Folkes, senior management analyst, presented the recommended amendment, which reallocates one daytime patrol unit to create a two‑deputy problem‑oriented policing (POP) team focused on property crime (burglaries, thefts and vehicle crime) and adds a motor sergeant position to be cost‑shared 50/50 with the city of Indian Wells.
Lieutenant Ternus from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department presented recent crime statistics showing sustained declines in property crime: staff reported a 45% decrease in total property crimes from 2021–2024 and a 39% reduction comparing January–May 2025 with the same period in 2024. The lieutenant also cited a 57% property‑crime clearance rate for Rancho Mirage in 2023, above national averages for property crimes.
Staff said the amendment increased contract costs by roughly $157,600, but with a 50% reimbursement for the motor sergeant position from Indian Wells, the net change to the city’s contract cost would be a modest annual savings of about $15,000. Council members praised the sheriff’s department and supported the reallocation as targeted to reduce property crimes and to improve traffic enforcement supervision.
After observing public comment (one speaker expressed general support for law enforcement), the council approved the amendment. The city manager and sheriff’s staff said they will continue to report performance metrics and requested continued public support for local policing strategies.
Ending: Council approved the contract amendment; staff will implement the reallocation and continue to report crime metrics to the council.
