rialtonow

On July 10th people in the community met with Chief of police Tony Farrar, Captain Randy De Anda & Volunteer Judy Roberts to talk about issues concerning the residents in the city of Rialto.

It was a nice showing of new and old faces to the coffee with the chief events.

Chief Farrar started the meeting with updating us on some of the recent goings ons within the department.

• Nationwide grant giving police departments ability to hire additional police officers. There were 117 total positions nationwide and Rialto PD received 5. These positions will fund for 3 years for each position. When asked what will happen to the officers once the grant money is over Chief Farrar stated that officers moving to other departments, retirements would take place over the years to allow these officers to be ready and working so that they can fill the gaps. This grant is geared to give military veterans the ability to find work.
• Rialto PD has done some aggressive hiring and we have 8 candidates going through the sheriffs academy 3 will graduate in September 6 started on 7-9-12 and there is one lateral position. This hiring will help fill the gaps created by the mass retirements a year and a half ago.
• Sgt Gibbs will be the person in charge of building up our Reserve Program. The reserve program is where people who are sworn officers donate time working in our department to help us put more boots on the ground. Sgt Gibbs is a Background Investigator and will be able to handle the backgrounds on these prospective officers and bolster this important program.
• On July 10th Chief Farrar went before city council to obtain final approval on our part in the new regional SWAT Program. THis means we will combine resources from Colton, Fontana & Rialto to share the resources and save money on certification, training and equipment maintenance.
• Chief spoke about COP Link a regional program where law enforcement agencies all over the county can more quickly and efficiently share information on suspects, crimes and other information that may span from city to city.
• Chief spoke about the awesome things our SCAT team has been doing in the city and county, like the POT bust in the corn field.

There were issues brought up by the residents as well They ranged from aggressive panhandlers and pushy homeless making it hard for people to shop in Rialto. The amount of illegal activity in our parks in the late hours and the need for posted park hours that the police and community could enforce. The amount of young children being put on Rialto Streets to sell candy and other items in the late hours of the night. Chief Fararr made mention of the need of a permit local businesses would obtain to have the ability to walk and solicit homes in the city of Rialto.

These meeting are a great way for you to be able to meet other people who care for this community. This venue is the best way to get your questions answered and know the Police Department heard you.

If you have an issue, problem or concern this is where you will get answers.

One comment that came up that started a little debate was, Do you think the Chief of police should live in the same city he works in? Why or Why Not? Post your answers here or on the Facebook or Twitter sites and get the dialogue going.