Contra Costa County - Sheriff Office - Ride Along

Last night, I had the opportunity to spend several hours on a ride-along and meeting with two Sergeants and 10 or so deputies from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office here in Congressional District 10. While it was not an unusually high-activity night, we covered a great deal of ground — both literally and figuratively. During the evening, we responded to proactive patrol stops, a welfare check in Walnut Creek, and a suspicious home entry call in Alamo. More importantly, I had candid conversations with law enforcement about the real challenges facing our communities. We discussed organized retail theft, elder fraud and scams, domestic violence, mental health calls, homelessness, recruitment challenges, mandatory overtime, and the growing role technology now plays in investigations and public safety. One thing became very clear: modern policing benefits from proactive community presence and partnering with mental health coordinators, as it is about far more than simply responding to crime. I also appreciated hearing nuanced perspectives on issues like Proposition 47, repeat offenders, prosecution, narcotics enforcement, and the balance between accountability, compassion, and community safety. Parents who teach your children the need and appreciation for community law enforcement, THANK YOU! Political hostility towards law enforcement over the past number of years has caused recruitment issues for most departments and overworked personnel. Public safety should never be approached as a partisan talking point. It is about protecting families, supporting victims, strengthening communities, and ensuring both residents and law enforcement have the tools and support they need. Thank you to the Sergeants and deputies who took the time to share their experiences and perspectives with me. Listening to the people doing the work on the ground matters. #CA10