What We Do -  

Bear Valley Springs, CA, 2/8/2011 - 

Every now and then, like recently after reading about our re-arrest of a repeat child molester, the arrests of juvenile thieves involved in multiple area thefts, the continued hunt for Kerry Brandt (embezzler of hundreds of thousands of dollars), or the tragic fatal traffic accident on Cumberland Road; people come up to me and ask if such incidents and crimes “really” occur in Bear Valley. The answer is, yes. “Significant” crimes do occur, probably more than you may realize. But be assured that the fact that you are unaware of such things only means that the Bear Valley Police Department has been working hard to discover and remove such elements from the community before they affect more than those who report these serious crimes.

As people stop by for a visit, or tour the PD, many are surprised at how busy the communications center is. Calls for Police service come in ‘round-the-clock’ and since we’re fortunate enough to have the only 9-11 emergency center in the greater Tehachapi area, responses to these calls are frequently much quicker and more intimately handled.

Life in Bear Valley, and all around Tehachapi, will always be safer. Just by the mere fact that there are fewer residents than the larger cities and that most all of us around here just seem to be more law abiding. Communities do grow however, and as they do, keep in mind that there’s one ingredient to this formula that never changes: people. Not all of us always do the right thing. It’s just human nature. And when these events occur, often it’s the Police who are first to know. This is okay because, that’s why we are here. Sometimes, people ask for help with things more critical than a possible theft, vandalism, or minor family argument; things that can’t be resolved over night. Fortunately, we have our own investigations. This allows for the Patrol Officers to stay on the streets and return their focus to day-to-day ongoing activity around their beats, which is the number one element of Policing. Thanks to grant monies, our Department has become well equipped to keep our community, and our Officers safe. And with the continued support of our district board and management; know that we aim to handle each and every call for service with the same care and concern, no matter the nature.

Not every single crime is solved. And we haven’t yet figured out a way to keep criminals in one place. We often find ourselves following-up leads and evidence in places away from Tehachapi. (As recently, with Virginia law enforcement in the Kerry Brandt investigation or with Wyoming authorities, as in the recent arrest of child molester Robert Odenthal) We seek the assistance of allied agencies, sometimes federal or out of state, and work together to reach our common goals. We even receive requests for investigative help from other larger agencies, who are doing the exact same as we are. Police Departments work with the courts, probation, parole, and other agencies to ensure that cases progress smoothly.

Sometimes you learn about these cases in the news. Sometimes, you don’t. We don’t keep secrets and will always alert you to facts that you may need to know in order to be safe. In short, the Bear Valley Police Department works hard, just like one of those “larger” agencies, to ensure that you are safe and criminals pay for their acts.