Gang Unit
The El Dorado Gang Enforcement Unit (EDGE) was established in 2004 to help address the growing gang presence in El Dorado County at that time. Established as a multi-agency task force, EDGE has grown to a team of seven collaterally assigned Sheriff’s Deputies, three El Dorado County Probation Officers and one Placerville Police Officer. This group of law enforcement personnel has a diverse array of training and education in many gang related specialties.
EDGE has three primary functions; gathering intelligence, enforcement of crime, and education. The unit identifies and validates gang members, investigates crimes associated with gang activity, provides presentations to educate the community and provides allied agency assistance when requested.
EDGE also provides training to El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputies and Correctional Officers to help assist them in being more effective at identifying gang activity in their respective
assignments.
Marine Unit
Operations
17
El Dorado County is home to some of the most beautiful water recreation areas in the world, including Lake Tahoe. The Marine Unit is responsible for keeping these local waterways safe for residents and visitors. The collaterally assigned and Extra Help Sheriff's Deputies of the Marine Unit balance education and safety with enforcement of County Ordinances and State and Federal boating laws. In addition, the Marine Unit conducts vessel inspections and responds to other non-boating related incidents in areas that can only be accessed by boat. The Marine Unit is funded entirely from California State Park's Department of Boating and Waterways, and the county's boating registration fees.
The Sheriff’s Marine Unit conducts regular patrols of Lake Tahoe, Folsom Lake, Jenkinson Lake, Union Valley Reservoir, Loon Lake, Ice House Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the South Fork of the American River. El Dorado County shares responsibilities for Lake Tahoe and Folsom Lake with various other Federal, State, and local agencies. In order to provide for public safety on these waterways, the Sheriff’s Marine Unit uses five aluminum boats, a rigid hull inflatable boat, two personal watercraft, two whitewater rafts and two inflatable kayaks. The rafts and kayaks are used for law enforcement patrols along a 20 mile section of the South Fork of the American River. This is one of the few whitewater patrols in the nation.
Through the diligent efforts of the Marine Unit,
the Sheriff’s Office recently purchased a new 29
foot patrol boat for Lake Tahoe. The current
Lake Tahoe boat is 22 years old and is showing
its’ age. The new boat, scheduled for delivery
late next summer, represents the very best
construction and technology in order to provide
the highest quality of services to Lake Tahoe.
In 2018, the Marine Unit conducted several
rescues, including assisting a hiker trapped on
a cliff, a swimmer severely injured by a propeller,
and a hit and run accident involving some
youths on a personal watercraft. Deputies of
the Marine Unit issued well over a thousand
warnings and hundreds of citations for
violations such as unsafe or negligent
operation, failure to wear personal flotation
devices, or violation of navigation rules. In
addition, the Marine Unit provided assistance
to boaters and vessels by providing tows, light
mechanical repair, and expert advice.