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Temple Station captain credits deputies as Duarte reports multi-year drop in Part 1 crimes
Summary
Captain George Mesa told the Duarte City Council the city has seen about a 14% decrease in Part 1 crimes over the past year and roughly 29% over four years, credited special-assignment operations and outlined staffing and program changes including a virtual-deputy service and expansion plans for a FAST transport unit.
Captain George Mesa of the Los Angeles County Sheriff—s Temple Station told the Duarte City Council the department has recorded multi-year reductions in serious crime and described new programs aimed at keeping deputies visible in neighborhoods.
"Last year was a very challenging year for us," Mesa said, but the department nonetheless logged about a 14% decrease in Part 1 crimes in the past year and an approximate 29% reduction over four years, which he attributed to proactive operations and special-assignment teams.
Mesa outlined two operational programs that he said have helped keep deputies in the field: a virtual-deputy program that lets residents report nonviolent incidents by Zoom while deputies remain on patrol, and a FAST (field arrest support and transport) unit that handles transport and booking so arresting deputies can return quickly to service. "That program has been very successful and it continues to grow," Mesa said.
Councilmembers asked about program availability, expansion and event staffing. Mesa said the FAST pilot ended in December and the department is working with the county CEO—s office to secure funding to expand FAST to six stations, including Temple Station. On large events, Mesa said the department has solicited volunteers internally and expects approximately 1,500 departmental volunteers for World Cup security and is coordinating with federal and local agencies on Olympic preparations.
Councilmember Garcia raised a specific prevention idea: catalytic-converter etching events modeled on other contract cities. Mesa said the sheriff—s office is coordinating with Mountain View Tires and has placed an etching event on the agency—s radar, though vendor staffing has delayed scheduling.
The captain also thanked city leadership for equipment investments that aid riverbed and homeless-outreach operations and highlighted deputies by name who supported responses to last year—s wildfires.
The council thanked the captain and public-safety staff; no formal action was taken. Staff said they would follow up on specific outreach ideas and vendor availability for catalytic-converter etching.
