S.T.A.R.S. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

   




Yani Sims
STARS Coordinator


This is an award winning nationally recognized program. Former S.T.A.R.S. Coordinator Weldon Burson has traveled to 33 states and 4 foreign countries to assist them in setting up their own version of S.T.A.R.S. Former Sheriff Baxter Dunn created the concept of a volunteer group to assist patrol deputies with some of the mundane jobs that the public wanted but the department could not provide. The program was put together at no cost to the taxpayers and was approved by the Board of Supervisors August 6, 1991. The program started with a budget of $25,000 dollars and 200 volunteers. Currently, 375 volunteers are in the program and the operating budget is over $100,000 dollars. All funds are raised through fundraisers and donations. Volunteers, ages range from 50 to 92 years old, average 8250 hours a year. Approximately 55% are women and 45% are men. More than 850 people have participated in the program since its inception. All volunteers are required to attend a 40-hour in house training program. Currently there are 87 different jobs to volunteer for. These well trained seniors provide additional 'eyes and ears' to Patrol Division and call for deputies to respond to any observed criminal activity. Their mere presence in the community (especially around schools) provides a deterrent by taking away the opportunity for the criminal to commit a crime unobserved.

The below listed services are provided by S.T.A.R.S. Any Department Personnel may request any of these services by contacting the S.T.A.R.S. coordinator, Yani Sims 482-3303 or through Dispatch. These services may also be provided to other Agencies, such as Police Departments, FBI, ABC, Cracnet, DEA and Rural Fire Departments. This is only a partial list of the services we are capable of providing. If you see a need and we don't already do that, ask and we will try to comply with your request.

MOBILE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER (MLEC)

Several 5 member teams. Each team in on call for a 7 day period. Response time of 45 minutes from call to enroute. Last year 125 callouts.



VACATION CHECKS

Over 600,000 checks in the last ten years. No burglaries at the places that have been checked.


ROUTINE PATROL

Ten units assigned to various areas of the county. Last year, 276,000 miles logged within San Joaquin County.

   Conduct Patrol of Unincorporated Areas
   Conduct Vacation Checks
   Conduct You are not Alone (YANA) House Checks
   Conduct School Checks (school grounds, surrounding area, check for graffiti, for children out of class)
   Conduct Patrol of City of Lathrop (Contract)
   Assist Deputies, Fire Departments, CHP (except on freeways) with Traffic Control.
   Assist SWAT Operations with secondary perimeter
   Assist Helicopter landings by securing landing zone.
   Assist in Search for lost persons
   Assist in Search for lost children
   Assist in Search for Evidence in large areas
   Transport Evidence (Any where any time)
   Transport Dignitaries
   Transport Children (At request of Deputies)
   Transport Food, Water and Supplies to fixed posts of Sheriff, CHP, and Fire Dept. or larger groups of Volunteers
   Transport Found Property
   Transport Emergency Interdepartmental Mail
   Transport Victims
   Assist Sheriff's Boat Patrols (Marine traffic control, Boating Safety, Hand out Safety materials)
   Look for Stolen Vehicles (10851's)
   Saturation Patrol areas with Abatement problems, recent Police reports and Neighborhood Watch concerns


LOST CHILDREN

S.T.A.R.S. can turn out more than 100 volunteers to search within an hour.
 

SPECIAL EVENTS

Parades
Neighborhood Watch Presentations
Fingerprinting service (children)
Coordinate Department Participation in Special Events (Booths,Recruiting,Information Centers,Traffic Direction)



PERSONNEL

Staff Mobile Law Enforcement Center (MLEC)
Staff Bus Drivers for Alternate Work Program (AWP)
Staff support for Abatement
Staff support department wide for administrative assistance
Staff Sheriff's Service Centers (Assist Deputies in taking reports, provide information to the public, arrange meetings between Deputies and complainants/victims.)



S.T.A.R.S. are always looking for people interested in joining our organization. If you would like to volunteer your time in this rewarding program, you can do so by contacting:

Yani Sims   (209) 482-3303     Email: ysims@sjgov.org

Uniform cost is $150.00

Classes are held year round.

 

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