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 ---> Read summary/history of this bill at Senator Poochigian's website
 
 
                               
 
 

October 4, 2005

Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Poochigian Bill
Extending Rural Crime Prevention Program
 

SACRAMENTO - Senator Chuck Poochigian’s (R-Fresno) SB 453, which extends the sunset on the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention (CVRCP) Program to 2010, was signed today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

“The Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program is crucial to protecting the economy of the richest agricultural producing region in the world,” said Senator Poochigian.  “The Governor’s signature on SB 453 means that this successful program will continue to 2010.” 

Since 2002, the first year statistics were required, the CVRCP Program has had reported losses of farm equipment, chemicals, livestock and other agriculturally related items in excess of $27 million and has recovered over $9.5 million.  The recovery rate is in excess of 35% which is well over double the average for general property crimes in California.  The CVRCP Program also focuses on preventing and deterring agricultural crime, which is especially important as gas prices rise, and diesel theft becomes more widespread.

Funding of $3.341 million for the CVRCP Program was included in the budget signed in July, 2005.  The final version of SB 453 establishes a formula, based on value of agricultural production, for the annual distribution of funds to the affected counties as follows: 

Fresno – 23%                        Merced – 8.5%

Kern – 17%                            San Joaquin – 8.5%

Kings – 8.5%                         Stanislaus – 8.5%

Madera – 5.5%                     Tulare – 20.5%

This money will be divided between county district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ departments, and others, and will be used to target thieves who victimize rural communities. 

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Central Valley.  Prior to the Rural Crime Prevention Program, thieves who preyed on rural communities and stole fuel, chemicals, equipment and livestock often were not actively pursued, for lack of resources and expertise,” said Senator Poochigian.  “The extension of this program means that the joint task forces that have been created and put into place across the Central Valley will continue to combat, investigate, and prosecute rural crime, and protect California’s food supply.”

View Additional Information on the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program

Go to website

 
Sept 26, 2005- The bill is now on the desk of the Governor. He has thirty days to sign the bill into law so please write letters to urge him to do this.
 
Article: Farmers await Governor's action on ag bills
 
Sept 12, 2005- SB 453 passes in both Assemby and Senate.
 

September 8, 2005

Rural Crime Prevention Program Extension Passes Legislature

SACRAMENTO – Senator Chuck Poochigian’s (R-Fresno) SB 453 to extend the sunset on the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention (CVRCP) Program for five years received final passage in both the Assembly and the Senate today.  The measure now heads to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for action.

“The Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program is crucial to protecting the economy of the richest agricultural producing region in the world,” said Senator Poochigian.  “Due to the hard work of those affected by rural crime, this successful program will continue.” 

Funding of $3.341 million for the CVRCP Program was included in the budget agreement signed in July.  The final version of SB 453 establishes a formula, based on value of agricultural production, for the annual distribution of funds to the affected counties as follows: 

Fresno – 23%                        Merced – 8.5%

Kern – 17%                            San Joaquin – 8.5%

Kings – 8.5%                         Stanislaus – 8.5%

Madera – 5.5%                     Tulare – 20.5%

This money will be divided between county district attorneys’ offices, sheriffs’ departments, agricultural commissioners’ offices, and others.

“Thieves who target agricultural producers and steal fuel, chemicals, equipment and livestock can devastate their victims,” said Poochigian.  “The extension of this program means that the joint taskforces put into place across the Central Valley will continue to combat, investigate, and prosecute rural crime, and protect California’s food supply.”

View Additional Information on the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program
 
Bill out of committee
August 25, 2005-  SB 453 made it out of committee unanimously today.  It will go to the Assembly floor next week.
 
 
SB 453 set for another vote
August 22, 2005-  SB 453 is due to come out of the suspense file and be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 25th. No testimony will be taken, there will just be a vote.
 
 
Committee Vote Delayed in State Assembly 
June 30, 2005- 
 
 
Appropriations Committee Set to Hear Bill on Wednesday, June 29th
June 28, 2005- SB 453 will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee tomorrow, on Wednesday, June 29.  Once it passes out of committee it will go to the floor for a vote.  Please continue to support the bill and the effort to restore funding in the State Budget.
 
 
Bill passes Assembly Public Safety Committee, continues to Assembly Appropriations
June 21, 2005- The Rural Crime Prevention Program saw success today but future still depends on upcoming votes. Join us by calling your Assembly Members, specifically those on the Appropriations Committee
 
 
Hearing in Assembly committee set for June 21st
June 13, 2005- The Assembly Public Safety Committee will review SB 453 on June 21st. Contact your legislators and voice your support for the bill.
 
 
Bill passed in Senate
June 1, 2005- SB 453 passed the Senate today on a 40 - 0 vote.  It now goes to the Assembly.  The earliest it will be heard in Committee will be June 6 so please continue your support and contact your Assemblymembers.
 
 
SB 453 passes committee and will proceed to Senate floor.
May 31, 2005- The bill passed committee on May 26th, with a 13-0 vote. As it moves towards a full vote on the Senate floor we ask you to contact all of your Legislators and express your support for SB 453. Help guarantee the funding to fight rural crime in California!
 
 
SB 453 urgently needs letters of support before next week's vote
May 19, 2005- SB 453 has been delayed in the Senate Appropriations Committee and is set for a vote next week- either May 26th or 27th. Action is needed immediately. Make your support of the California Rural Crime Prevention Program known. Letters must be sent to the Governor, his Director of Finance, Tom Campbell, and Assembly Republican Leader, Kevin McCarthy.
 
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633

Email: http://www.govmail.ca.gov		 Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 3104
Sacramento, CA 94249-0032
Phone: (916) 319-2032
Fax: (916) 319-2132

Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy
Bakersfield District Office
4900 California Avenue,
Suite 140A
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 395-2995
Fax: (661) 395-3883

Tom Campbell
Department of Finance
915 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445–3878
 
Articles:  Crime Prevention Program facing uncertainty
 
Bill Amended. Waiting further action in Senate Appropriations Committee
May 17, 2005- Details to follow.
 
 
Senator Denham hosts hearing on May 12th
May 10, 2005- Senator Denham, Chairman of Senate Agriculture Committee is holding a hearing on SB 453 on Thursday, May 12th, from 3:30-5:30PM, at Bakersfield City Council Chambers.

SB 453 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, set for a hearing on May 16th.
 
 
Update on SB 453: Bill passes committee, continues to Senate Appropriations Committee
May 4, 2005   Read press release from Senator Poochigian
          
Article: Valley rural crime funds hang by a thread
           Committee OKs funding for rural crime
 
Update on SB 453: Re-vote on May 3rd
April 26, 2005- The second hearing on SB 453 is scheduled to take place in the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, May 3rd. Support for the continuation of the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program is imperative. Don't delay, voice your support for the program and guarantee its continuation.
 
Articles: Senate committee again to take up rural crime bill
             Rural theft fight faces key funding vote
 
Update on SB 453: Not enough votes to leave committee

March 30, 2005- SB 453 did not make it out of the Senate Public Safety Committee yesterday.  4 votes were needed.  The bill only received 3 votes.  Opposition from the State Public Defenders Association was the issue for two Senators in not supporting the bill.  The PDs want funding for public defender offices since this is program enhances prosecution efforts.  One senator said he has to back the public defenders.

Although this is a big blow to our efforts, it does not mean we are dead.  We are considering our options and next step.  Reconsideration of the bill is possible.  Continued political support is essential.  Contact your Senator and Assembly Members.  We will be gathering information about the public defenders in our eight counties.  Ian Marty from the Tulare DA’s Office will be the point man for this task.

- William Yoshimoto, Supervising District Attorney, Tulare County District Attorney's Office.
 
Read More: Poochigian News Release
Articles:     Support fervently sought for passage of rural crime bill
                 Bill to fight rural crime stalls
 
Hearing on Rural Crime, March 4th
Over 100 people congregated at the Fresno County Farm Bureau to express their concern about the possibility of the expiration of the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program. Without further legislation the program is set to expire on July 1, 2005. Senator Chuck Poochigian was present to discuss a proposed bill, Senate Bill 453, which will restore funding. District Attorneys, Sheriffs, local law enforcement, farmers and concerned citizens testified in support of the fight against agricultural crime. Thanks to all of you who traveled to Fresno for this important meeting.

Read More: Poochigian News Release: Hearing shows need for continuation of program   

Articles:     No sundown on ag crime,
                 Law officers defend rural crime program,
                 Anti-crime effort defended
   
Crime-density maps were present to reveal the ever growing problem of agricultural crime in the San Joaquin Valley
   
Local Sheriff's expressed their support for the program.

(Left to Right) Allan McClain- Kings County Sheriff, Bill Whitman- Tulare County Sheriff, Richard Pierce- Fresno County Sheriff, John Anderson- Madera County Sheriff

   
Ag Crime Units and concerned citizens testified together.

(Left to Right) Arthur Machado- Machado Dairies, Sgt Greg Galarte- Fresno County Ag Crimes Unit, Sgt Rick Yorke- Kern County Ag Crimes Unit, Ed Needham- Paramount Farms
   
Members of the panel consisted of Juan Arambula, Senator Poochigian and Assemblyman Mike Villines
   
Attorneys from around the San Joaquin Valley gathered to speak with the Senator

(Left to Right) Ron Calhoun- Kings County District Attorney,Senator Poochigian, Phil Cline, Patrick Hern- Assistant District Attorney San Joaquin County, Elizabeth Egan- Fresno County District Attorney
   
Members of the public addressed the panel with their concerns about the expiration of the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program

Left- Manuel Cunha, President of Nisei Farmers League

 
   
 
 

Poochigian Announces Hearing on Rural Crime in the Central Valley
 
WHO: Senator Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno), Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Central Valley Economic Development
 
WHAT: Hearing on "The Impact of Rural Crime on the Central Valley
 
WHEN: March 4, 2005, 10:00AM-12:00PM
 
WHERE: Fresno County Farm Bureau- 1274 W. Hedges, Fresno CA
 
BACKGROUND:
Established in 1996 as a Tulare County pilot program, the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program has helped to develop and implement new crime prevention strategies in an effort to reduce rural crime. The current program has led to the establishment of multi-agency task forces which include representatives from the County Sheriff's Department, the District Attorney's Office, and the Agricultural Commissioner's Office in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus and Tulare counties.
 
Currently the program faces two challenges:
     1) The program sunsets on July 1, 2005, unless extended by law; and
     2) There is a budget proposal for $1.9 million reduction in funding for the program.
 
The purpose of this hearing will be to analyze and review the current structure and operations of the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program and discuss pending legislation by Senator Poochigian, Senate Bill 453, which will restore its funding and continue its existence.
 
The hearing is open to the public and all are invited to attend. Testimony can also by submitted in written form at the hearing
 
Contact Information: John Moffatt at (916) 445-9600 or Mary Alice Kaloostian at (559) 253-7122
Senator Poochigian's website can by found by visiting http://www.sen.ca.gov/Poochigian