Mounted Sheriff's personnel patrol in Lakewood

Lakewood recently got the benefit of extra Sheriff's personnel on patrol, specifically with three Deputies on horseback patrolling the Nature Trail, San Gabriel River bed and even riding down the streets of Lakewood neighborhoods in that area.

"The mounted Deputies were just one more way to enhance our public safety resources," said Lakewood's Public Safety Director Josh Yordt. "They made a good presence in the river area and on the Nature Trail, and add to the daily patrols that we already have there. We'll continue to look for any other good ideas too that will keep Lakewood one of the safest communities in the region."

Extra steps Lakewood takes for public safety

• Lakewood pays for extra Deputy hours in patrol cars, to the maximum that current Sheriff's Department staffing levels allow.
• The city also pays for private security guard patrols and city Public Safety Officers who add more eyes and ears on the streets of Lakewood every day and night.
• Coming soon will be the installation of 68 "next generation" Flock Safety video cameras at key intersections and entrances to the city that will read license plates and other vehicle identifying information and alert Deputy Sheriffs if any wanted vehicles are entering the city. The cameras also have audio capabilities to locate street racing/takeovers, illegal fireworks use and gunshots. Lakewood is getting the 68-camera system free for a six-month trial to determine its effectiveness. The new Flock Safety cameras will build on the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras that Lakewood already has at nearly 20 key intersections in town.