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Ag Crime |
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Agricultural
Crime |
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Background ● ACTION Project |
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Crime
does not recognize city limits. Criminals strike whenever and wherever
there is an opportunity. Because farms and ranches are often isolated in
rural areas they are frequently easy prey for the unscrupulous.
In 1996, the Rural Crime Prevention Model Program (Rural Crime Bill),
based upon a proposal written by former District Attorney Phil Cline and
carried in the legislature by Assemblyman Chuck Poochigian, was passed
and signed into law by Governor Wilson. The Rural Crime Bill authorized
Tulare County to develop the Rural Crime Prevention Demonstration
Project. As a result, the Office of the District Attorney, the
Tulare County Sheriff's Office, and the Tulare County Agricultural
Commissioner's Office initiated the Rural Crime Prevention Program.
The program is dedicated to the development of new and more effective
techniques for addressing agricultural crime. The program's main goal is
to provide protection for farmer's and rancher's property by vigorously
prosecuting all suspects involved in rural crime.
Tulare County has a special interest in protecting farmers and ranchers
and is uniquely suited for this program because of its agriculturally
based economy. Nearly 50% of the 3,158,400 acres in Tulare County are
under cultivation, and of the 311,000 residents, nearly 60% rely on
agriculture for their livelihood.
This program actively pursues educational activities to encourage
farmers and ranchers to register their equipment with the Sheriff's
Office, to inform them of available security systems, and to work with
the media and various grass roots organizations to publicize prevention,
suppression, and prosecution actions to deter criminals. The program
developed a task force to coordinate efforts and increase efficiency and
effectiveness. This task force uses all available technologies,
information resources, and legal tools to vigorously investigate and
prosecute suspects. It also works with the state legislature to
investigate modifying existing laws to enhance rural protection. In
addition, a research program will accompany the practical efforts of the
program to determine the effectiveness of each activity. |
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