Ridgecrest council issues proclamations honoring prayer observance, dispatchers, animal services and volunteers

The Ridgecrest City Council used its April meeting to present a series of proclamations recognizing faith and public-safety organizations and to publicly thank volunteers who support city services.

Councilmember Solomon read a proclamation declaring May 1, 2025, as the National Day of Prayer observance for Ridgecrest, noting local plans by the Ridgecrest Kiwanis Club to host a prayer breakfast. Pastor Bob Raebur, senior pastor at Desert Christian Center, told the council, “My name is Bob Raebur, senior pastor at Desert Christian Center. We've been a church in the city for over 35 years,” and thanked the council for the recognition.

The council proclaimed April 13–19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in honor of Ridgecrest Police Department dispatchers and separately proclaimed April 13–19 as National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week to honor animal services staff. City officials and animal-services personnel posed for photographs following the proclamations.

Councilmembers also declared April 20–26 Volunteer Appreciation Week for Ridgecrest Police Department volunteer programs. City staff and police leaders highlighted volunteer contributions — including traffic control at events, evidence transport, child ID events and fair/security support — and presented plaques to long-serving volunteers. Councilmember remarks noted that two volunteer groups together logged more than 10,000 hours over the last year.

The proclamations were ceremonial recognitions; no formal policy changes or budget actions were tied to the items at the meeting.