Community Policing
Community Policing Activities
The Sheriff's Office actively maintains citizen and community oriented programs, such as the Citizen's Police Academy and Neighborhood Watch programs, and in conjunction with Aging and Adult Services, the Sheriff’s Office assists with food delivery to homebound seniors. Specialized work units maintain several youth safety programs, such as bicycle helmet and car seat inspections, and provide helmets and car seats to low-income families.
Deputies regularly attend community and advisory council meetings to hear and help address community concerns, and they work closely with County Code Enforcement to help implement community cleanup programs.
To learn more about these and other community activities and programs supported and maintained by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, please see below.
C.A.R.O.N.
CARON is a community based, non-profit organization of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. C.A.R.O.N.’s mission is to promote healthy communities by cultivating the relationship between law enforcement and the community by empowering families with education, knowledge, and resources.
CARON programs include: Home Visits, Drug and Gang Workshops, Police Academies, Community Dialogues, Youth Mentorship, Leadership Academy, Educational Field Trips, Neighborhood Watch Programs, and Parenting Classes.
D.A.R.E.
The programs we offer, include: Home Visits, Drug and Gang Workshops, Police Academies, Community Dialogues, Youth Mentorship, Leadership Academy, Educational Field Trips, Neighborhood Watch Programs, and Parenting Classes.
North Fair Oaks Community Festival
Every year the North Fair Oaks Community Festival welcomes the community to enjoy a day of free live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and beverages, children's rides and activities, and a festive parade. The festival proceeds benefit the many youth programs of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and provide scholarships through the Queen of the Festival scholarship program. Youth programs keep our youth safe and occupied during the critical, after-school hours and during the most vulnerable years of their school careers.
S.A.L.
The Sheriff’s Activities League (SAL) provides elementary school children opportunities to participate in sports programs and art activities during after school hours and occasional weekend events. Street hockey, basketball, and soccer are the main sports programs, and professional resident artists at Fair Oaks School have conducted art activities in ceramics, Flamenco dancing, printmaking, African drumming, mixed media art, Mexican folkloric dancing, silkscreen design, bookmaking, quilt making, and clock making.
School Resources Program
The School Resources Program, designated to follow-up on the D.A.R.E. Program, maintains deputies in local high schools. The deputies continue to provide guidance and counsel students during their difficult teenage years.
Sheriff's Explorer Program
The Sheriff's Explorer Program consists of individual posts of the Boy Scouts of America, the Search and Rescue Unit Post 830, and the Law Enforcement Unit Post 810. These young volunteers provide valuable services to the citizens of San Mateo County. The Search and Rescue Unit, for example, assists in rescue operations, such as lost children and adults. The Law Enforcement Unit provides similar support and assists with traffic control and various other duties at community functions.
S.T.A.R. Camp
The S.T.A.R. Camp is an annual event aimed at reaching out to underprivileged youths throughout our County. Sheriff's personnel and young campers trek to YMCA Camp Loma Mar for a week-long camping trip. This is a once in a lifetime experience for many of the children. This trip provides the children an opportunity to experience the great outdoors and enjoy a brief respite from the stress of inner city life.
