ICSO awarded grant to help fight AG-related crimes

Farmers and agriculture workers are breathing a sigh of relief after the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) was awarded a grant of over $130,000 to battle agriculture-related crimes.

Lt. Jimmy Duran, of Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, said funds from the grant will allow ICSO to buy the latest technology in crime prevention.

“We’re not catching up when it comes to farm crimes. We have implemented technology in all other areas of investigations here at the sheriff’s office. But that’s one of the parts where we needed to upgrade,” Duran said.

A possible piece of technology that ICSO is hoping to look into is unmanned drones that will give them the edge over criminals.

“Well when we’re doing a farm theft operation, of course, it’s really going to expand what we’re able to see. What we’re able to hear, what we’re able to track with the new technology that we’re getting,” said Duran.

Brea Mohamed, Executive Director of the Imperial County Farm Bureau, said the grant will benefit the agriculture industry which has seen an increase in criminal activity.

Mohamed said, “We have several who have seen equipment being stolen. Produce being stolen of fields. Haystack fires, things of that nature. Every bit of help is a tremendous asset.”

Mohamed said that agriculture-related crimes have taken a toll on farmers.

“It’s an impact on their production by adding time or hardship when they’re harvesting a crop and machinery is gone or just the additional time on staff to try to locate or report the issues,” said Mohamed.

ICSO officials said they plan on using the funds as soon as possible.