If you love riding your horse, and want to do some community service, why not do it together? The Sheriff’s Volunteer Mounted Patrol is out recruiting horse owners, riders to become part of its San Diego mounted volunteers, and it includes patrol areas in the Santee and Lakeside areas.
If you love riding your horse, and want to do some community service, why not do it together? The Sheriff’s Volunteer Mounted Patrol is out recruiting horse owners, riders to become part of its San Diego mounted volunteers, and it includes patrol areas in the Santee and Lakeside areas.
The Sheriff’s Department understands the importance of citizen involvement and is very proud of its Mounted Patrol. They realize that they cannot do it all without the help of the community and this is one of several programs that allow residents to be part of community safety. Volunteers patrol mostly the rural areas where cars and four-wheelers cannot get to, and horses are the answer to getting through the backcountry. And, this program has been successful now for 12 years.
Not only do volunteers have special duties as patrolling, but they are also very active in many of the Sheriff’s community reaching events. Volunteers use their own horses, which in this scenario seems like a win-win situation. I am sure there are some risks, but having the chance to explore on your horse areas of the county that you would not normally be able to take that pleasure ride seems too good to not look into, if you have the time and desire. But is not all fun in play.
Volunteers are sent patrolling through riverbeds, aiding in search and rescue, and do special details during holidays wherever in the county people are congregating and crime a previous issue.
Participants go through a two-week class, must be 18-years and own a horse and a rig (to haul things), pass a background check and be able to volunteer at least six hours a month.
This sounds like an incredible way to do community service, get your horse some great exercise with some quality time and help keep your neighborhoods that much safer.
There is a recruiting meeting coming up next week, on Feb. 17 at the Santee Sheriff’s Station Conference room. The Station’s Captain and members of the Volunteer Mounted Patrol will be there to answer any questions that you might have about the program, but I can tell you this, the testimonials from these volunteers are engaging to say the least. They seem to love what they do and love it more because they are able to work with their own horse.
There are several ways to volunteer to work with the Sheriff’s Department. They have and Explorer Program, Search and Rescue and Senior Volunteer program to name a few. You can find more at www.sdshefiff.net/volunteers.
Back to the horses. If any part of you even thinks that this might be what you want to do, take the chance and go to the recruitment meeting next Tuesday. Who knows, you just might find that something special you have wanted to do, and it is a great cause worthwhile of your riding skills. So remember the date.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Santee Sheriff’s Station, Conference Room
8811 Cuyamaca Street
