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Rural Crime

Rural Crime Task Force

Rural Crime
Rural properties have unique risk factors not always associated with properties in city limits. They are often isolated and off the beaten path which may make them an attractive target for thieves. In addition, they may have barns or storage areas not well secured and parts, piping, or other farm equipment in fields or other outdoor locations with minimal security. Unfortunately, many stolen items are unmarked and untraceable thus making resale easy and recovery difficult.

Our Commitment to Fight Rural Crime - Sheriff's Team of Active Retired Seniors (STARS)
*Owner Applied Numbers
*Vacation House Watch
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office is committed to helping rural property owners minimize crime by working together with property owners. In addition to our primary services, the YCSO has specifically created a Rural Crime Task Force whose primary focus is on rural crime. They work hand-in-hand with our rural community by developing relationships, communication, education, and the investigation of rural crime activities.
The Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors developed a program to assist in the marking of farming/household equipment with the application of Owner Applied Numbers uniquely developed for each property owner. See additional information on this brochure for details. In addition, the STARS will provide extra patrol, vacation house watch, or the placement of a decoy car to deter criminal activity and/or traffic control.

More Ways to Stay Alert
  • Sign up for NextDoor.com to communicate on-line with neighbors and post important information about crime or other activities in your area.
  • Sign up for Yolo Alert, a program serving Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento County to receive text or phone alerts regarding emergency alerts in your area: www.yolo-alert.org.
Tips for Reducing Crime
  • Obtain and mark property with an Owner Applied Number (OAN) or other unique number such as your driver’s license.
  • Immediately report theft of suspicious activities to dispatch at 530-666-8282 or life threatening activity to 9-1-1.
  • Make note of license plates, vehicle or person descriptions, direction of travel, and any other unique characteristics.
  • If possible, lock equipment inside barn or shed each night making sure windows and doors are secure.
  • Install audible alarms and motion light detectors on all outbuildings.
  • Remove rotors, distributor caps, or batteries from motorized equipment left outside for long periods of time.
  • Remove all equipment or tools from back of pickup trucks.
  • Utilize locked tool boxes.
  • Secure gas pumps, gas tanks, storage bins, and grain elevators with pad locks with hardened steel hasps or dead bolts with one-inch throw.
  • Lock up chemicals, if stolen, they can be resold.
  • Keep storage areas neat and well-organized to keep track of equipment and discourage potential thieves.
  • Maintain an inventory list of equipment with engine numbers, make and model, year, color, capacity, or any other information to help identify your items.
What is OAN?
The Owner Applied Number Program (OAN) is a nationally established system created to help track and prevent theft and stolen property for the rural property owner. The number assigned to you is uniquely yours and will be stored in the National Crime Information Center which can be traced to you anywhere in United States.
The first two numbers stand for the state (CA), the next three numbers stand for the county (504), the next four numbers are uniquely selected (0001) and the last letter is the first letter of the owner’s last name.
The number can be stamped, engraved, painted, or branded onto all of your farm equipment, tools, containers, tires, etc. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office STARS volunteers offer this service free of charge to Yolo County Residents.
The YC Sheriff's Office is committed to help reduce rural crime in Yolo County and this program can be instrumental in deterring criminals and retrieving stolen property anywhere in the United States.
If you are interested in applying for an OAN number, please fill out the brochure attached on this page.
Task Force Brochure

Task Force Brochure

OAN application included
Task Force Brochure

Task Force Brochure

Public Notice from Yolo County Sheriff's Office

PUBLIC NOTICE FROM

YOLO COUNTY

SHERIFF’S OFFICE

AG TASK FORCE

Tom Lopez, SHERIFF

DIRECT ACTION EVERYWHERE (DXE)

*ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST GROUP*

During the week of Friday, June 9, 2023, through Wednesday, June 14, 2023, animal rights activist group Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) plans to host its Animal Liberation Conference (ALC) in Berkeley, CA. The stated objective of the conference is to "bring together the most dedicated and motivated animal rights activists from around the world and empower attendees to take bold, collective action to achieve revolutionary social and political change for animals" During the conference, DXE will bus conference attendees/extremists to a nearby facility for an "open rescue."

Farming operations in California should review their security protocols in anticipation of activity leading up to, during, and after the ALC conference. As of today, there are no known specific protest events planned in Yolo County, however, livestock/dairy farming operations must be aware of DXE's covert operations, intelligence gathering methods like imposter employees applying for employment, and animal rescues that may occur during the day or night. Farming operations must be vigilant by checking their properties for suspicious activities and persons. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Yolo County Farm Bureau will notify YCFB members of any potential DXE activity/protests and partner with stakeholders to respond appropriately.

The following is a syllabus for conference events:

• On Sunday, June 11, 2023, DXE activist/Legal counsel Wayne Hsiung will host a workshop during the conference called "The Open Rescue Experience."

• On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the conference agenda included a "training and action" at an undisclosed location.

• DXE has hosted "open rescue" workshops in Arizona, New York, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and California, so it is possible that extremist activity could occur across the country during the week of this conference.

History of Direct Action Everywhere (DXE):

International Animal Rights Activist Group was established in 2013. This DXE chapter is based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. DXE's ultimate political agenda is to change policy involving the consumption of animals as food and to achieve total animal liberation. DXE usually holds protests at local grocery stores while livestreaming on various platforms. Typically only a handful of protesters are observed, usually employing passive, non-violent demonstration tactics. Demonstrators often read scripted speeches, display signage, and congregate near points of entry.

If DXE members/ vehicles are contacted at your farming operations, please contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch (530) 666-8282. If you have any questions, please call Detective Matt Wirick with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Ag Task Force (530) 668-5232 during normal business hours, by email matthew.wirick@yolocounty.org or by cell at (530) 702-0313.

Preparing for and Handling Trespassers,

Activists, Drones & Social Media

TAKE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE AN INCIDENT OCCURS:

•Post "No Trespassing" signs on your property. You must post signs that reflect the proper penal codes that prohibit trespassing and empower law enforcement to file trespassing charges. Signs are available through the Sheriff’s Office Ag Task Force at no cost.

oPENAL CODE 554.1

Trespassing signs on property more than 1 acre and not fenced should be placed less than 600 feet along all perimeters.

oPENAL CODE 553

The signs must be 1 foot in area. The letters must not be less than 2 inches in height and must state "trespassing - loitering forbidden by law" or words describing the use of property (e.g. "Dairy Facility") followed by "no trespassing.”

  • Install perimeter gates. In addition to a primary entrance gate, all perimeter roads should be secured with gates, chains or cables to hamper unauthorized vehicular access. This also helps prevent theft of equipment, metal, calves etc.
  • Request a Sheriff's Office safety inspection of your facility to identify any areas that could be better secured or have better signage.
  • Train family and employees and empower them to investigate anyone they don't recognize and to immediately call the Sheriff's Office if they don't have legitimate business at the location (animal rights activists occasionally protest outside of company executives' homes). It's a good idea to run through protocols with employees on a regular basis to reinforce how to handle trespass and conflict. It may also be helpful to familiarize with protesters' rights, so you know what types of demonstrations are lawful.

•If you become aware of a potential protest in the area, alert the Sheriff's Office to help ensure that they are prepared to support you.

  • Ensure that all your employees have signed a " See it? Stop It!" employee agreement that states that they are obligated to immediately contact their supervisor if they witness a deliberate act of animal abuse, neglect, harm or mishandling.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE THE TARGET OF A DEMONSTRATION, TAKE THESE ACTIONS:

•Alert your employees to the situation and advise them to be on the lookout for individuals near or on your property. Direct your employees to first notify the Sheriff and then notify you immediately if they see any suspicious individuals near the location.

NOTE: If you observe the presence of drones prior to law enforcement's arrival, the producers should try to note the location from which operator is flying the drone and to additionally note the pilot's physical and clothing descriptors.

•Ensure that you are continuing to uphold the best management practices outlined in the FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) program.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH ONSITE PROTESTERS AND ACTIVISTS:

If you encounter suspicious persons on your property:

•DO report to local law enforcement immediately by calling 911 and asking for a response by the Sheriff’s Office.

•DO learn who the suspicious individuals are and what their concerns are in a respectful manner.

•DO ask to see the individuals' credentials if you suspect they may be impersonating government employees such as members of the USDA or if they claim to be seeking employment.

•DO NOT be combative. Remember, the trespassers may be videotaping you.

•DO NOT have a large group approach these individuals, as this may escalate the situation and bring more attention to their cause. Also, avoid gathering a large group of observers, even from a distance.

•DO notify the individuals that they are on private property and ask them to leave. DO NOT use force.

•DO write down the license plate number of involved vehicles.

•DO film the activists and their drones - you are legally allowed to do so. Be aware that they will typically use cameras and recording devices, even concealed.

•DO NOT touch or shoot drones, even if they are flying over your property - that is ILLEGAL.

•DO let local law enforcement handle the situation if activists refuse to leave.

•DO contact your state/regional trade association (e.g. Western United Dairymen, Farm Bureau, California Cattlemen’s Association, Milk Producers Council, California Dairy Campaign, Dairy Cares, etc.) to alert them of the situation.

•Don't Be Used:

Animal rights activists have a prescriptive strategy to achieve their goals. They seek to gain attention for their cause, gain supporters and receive funding through donations from their supporter networks. In order to gain free publicity, activists want you to lose your cool, get emotional, angry, speak out and act out. The larger the crowd, the bigger the spectacle. The more comments and shares on social media, the more attention the activists and their cause will receive.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH DRONES

If you see a drone flying over your property:

•DO contact law enforcement

•DO post "no trespassing" signs on your property.

•Do contact appropriate federal authorities where necessary, such as the FBI or FAA. Operation of drones at lower levels (as opposed to higher altitudes that are managed by the FAA) is generally governed by state and/or local authorities with varying privacy and enforcement provisions. If you encounter a similar issue and local authorities are not able to help, the FBI investigates agroterrorism and the closest field office will be able to provide direction or assistance.

•DO NOT use force or touch/shoot the drones. The FAA classifies Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - or drones - as aircraft.

•DO take photographs and videotape the drone, if possible.

•DO try to safely obtain serial numbers and descriptors from downed drones. The FAA requires owners of drones between .55 lbs. and 55 lbs. to register their crafts.

•DO safely approach any vehicles that may be near your property to learn who they are and what their business is near your property in a respectful manner.

•DO film the activists and their drones - you are legally allowed to do so. Be aware that they will always have cameras/recorders present - even hidden.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH RECORDING DEVICES

If you discover hidden devices at your property:

•DO document them with pictures and a timestamp of discovery.

•DO report it to local law enforcement immediately.

•DO NOT touch or remove the device yourself. All aspects of the device and its placement are important pieces of an investigation. Only law enforcement should remove the device. If it's proven that recording devices and/or malware were installed and left to transmit data, the investigation could rise to the federal level.

IF AN ACTIVIST(S) OR SUSPECTED INVOLVED EMPLOYEE IS PRESENT WHEN HIDDEN DEVICES ARE DISCOVERED:

•DO NOT let them know you've discovered the devices.

•DO NOT be combative with the individual. Remember, you are being recorded.

•DO immediately call law enforcement

•DO contact your state/regional trade association

IF AN ACTIVIST(S) OR SUSPECTED INVOLVED EMPLOYEE LEAVES UPON LEARNING A HIDDEN DEVICE IS DISCOVERED:

•DO record their vehicle license plate number and descriptive details

•DO film any interactions with the activist/employee

•DO contact your state/regional trade association

Updated 4/23
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