How to resolve AdBlock issue? Among the short-term changes for local law enforcement, the sheriff’s office last week stopped regular in-person visits to the jail and this week stopped all family visitations, as Lake County News has reported.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Sheriff Brian Martin said his agency is now only booking felony cases into the jail.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday closed its lobby at its headquarters at 1220 Martin Street in Lakeport. That closure will remain in effect until Monday, April 13, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich said people who are reporting a crime or have an emergency should contact Central Dispatch. For emergencies, dial 911; for nonemergencies, dial 707-263-2690. If you need to speak with someone at the Sheriff’s Main Office call 707-262-4200.
The sheriff’s office has an existing online crime reporting system on its website.
If it isn’t an emergency and there are no known suspects, and if it happened within the unincorporated county, reports can be filed online. For more information on whether an incident qualifies, check out the FAQs for online report filing.
Both the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport also have closed police department lobbies to the public.
Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said his agency has taken steps in line with health expert guidance, including limiting some in-person interactions with the public.
On Thursday, White told the Clearlake City Council that the department launched a new online reporting system which can be found here.
Similar to the sheriff’s online reporting system, the one the Clearlake Police Department rolled out also requires that incidents reported not be emergencies and that the suspect is unknown, except in the case of a custody violation.
White emphasized that while the lobby is closed to the public, the agency is still at work, with officers on patrol and support staffers such as dispatchers hard at work behind the scenes.
The Clearlake Police Department can be reached at 707-994-8251.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen had emphasized at Tuesday’s Lakeport City Council meeting that his department is continuing to serve the community and to be out in front, acting as the voice of reason as the county deals with COVID-19.
Rasmussen said he and his officers will be continuing work as normal, and he doesn’t expect an increase in crime.
On Wednesday, the department reported that its work included responding to calls for service, checking on the welfare of residents called in by concerned neighbors, foot patrol checks and the checking of nearly 40 individual businesses.
“With more residents at their homes during the Shelter-In-Place Order, we ask that you look out for your neighbors, summon a police officer for issues that necessitate a response, and continue to utilize other forms of crime reporting, such as: by phone, text and emails; which comply with Social Distancing recommendations. We are committed to working together, resulting in our enduring this together as we have endured our previous disasters,” the department said in a Thursday statement.
The Lakeport Police Department also is working on an online reporting system. The form appears to be ready for use although it also is reported to be under construction.
The Lakeport Police Department can be reached at 707-263-5491.
In addition to their websites, all of the departments keep active Facebook accounts, which is another way to contact them.
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