Gilroy
– Sheriff’s deputies say they want to work closely with South
County farmers to stop a string of equipment thefts – for good.
Over the past few months, five tractors, along with forklifts,
water pumps, and other vehicles and tools, have disappeared from
fields in and around Gilroy.
Gilroy – Sheriff’s deputies say they want to work closely with South County farmers to stop a string of equipment thefts – for good.
Over the past few months, five tractors, along with forklifts, water pumps, and other vehicles and tools, have disappeared from fields in and around Gilroy.
Local farmers have lost tens of thousands of dollars in replacing the needed equipment and criticized the Sheriff’s office for not acting quickly enough to stop the trend.
Sheriff’s Lt. Dale Unger, South County commander, said he got his deputies moving as soon as he was aware of the problem. A Nov. 8 meeting set up between the local Farm Bureau and the Sheriff’s office will be attended by deputy Dino Diaz, of the Rural Crime Unit, as well as Sheriff’s detectives, Unger said.
Santa Clara County Agriculture Commissioner Greg Van Wassenhove also has said he plans to attend the meeting.
The Farm Bureau, which pressed for the meeting, also invited the California Highway Patrol and the Gilroy and Morgan Hill police departments.
Deputies will not only do their part to solve the theft crimes, they will help farmers find ways to protect their equipment, Unger said.
“With the large population out in the county, and the expensive equipment, we’re going to suggest that they lock up this equipment as much as possible,” he said.
Farmers have said they traditionally leave equipment in the fields where it can be used immediately the next morning.
“We need to make it difficult for these crooks to get this farm equipment,” Unger said.
Some farmers have taken a step in the right direction, by improving lighting, keeping equipment next to barns or sheds and even considering buying guard dogs, he said.
On the Sheriff’s part, Unger said he didn’t know if it would be possible to increase patrol, given that the county almost cut the agriculture deputy’s position when approving this year’s budget.
“I’m not making excuses, but our staffing is limited,” Unger said.
He said he’s looking into involving other law enforcement agencies, patrolling in unmarked cars, and increasing the number of Sheriff’s helicopter flyovers.
“The deputies down here do an outstanding job, they are very proactive, they understand what their job is: to protect society and solve crimes, and they do a darn good job at it,” Unger said.
With 600 square miles to patrol, he said South County residents will be asked to keep their eyes and ears open.
