Investigations Unit | Crime Prevention
Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving  
Youth & Family Services Bureau  

PATROL SERVICES: Watch Commander: (510) 667-7721 

• Provides patrol services for nearly 150,000+ citizens within Unincorporated Alameda County - Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, Sunol, Livermore Valley
• Patrol services are provided on a 24 hour basis
• Patrol services also include Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving (COPPS), Crime Prevention, School Resource Officer Units and DUI Enforcement Unit.

• Investigates misdemeanor and felony crimes occurring within unincorporated Alameda County
• Acts as liaison with District Attorney's Office
• Specialized Investigative Units include Crimes Against Persons; Property Crimes; Auto Theft; Sexual Assault; and Juvenile Investigations.

• Neighborhood Watch Program
• Business & Home security surveys, personal safety presentations, workplace violence presentations, and child safety presentations
• COPPS Program
• More Information

COPPS UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit (COPPS) is responsible for investigating complaints from citizens, i.e., we act as a sounding board for long term neighborhood disputes and problems, narcotic activity stemming from a particular residence (usage and/or sales), or an eyesore property. All complaints are investigated until resolved. We meet with the community monthly on matters such as neighborhood watch, and larger homeowner associations.

The COPPS unit also conducts ABC investigations of applications for alcoholic beverage license(s). We locate residences and businesses in violation of Alameda County Ordinances and work in conjunction with Code Enforcement to rectify the problem. While on-scene with Code Enforcement, we ensure the agent’s safety from the residents living in uninhabitable residences.

The COPPS unit assists ETS patrol with high priority calls for service and we take “cold” reports when all patrol units are unavailable. We assist the Special Investigations Unit with pretext stops, prostitution stings, and/or whenever necessary. We conduct parking and traffic enforcement within our jurisdiction, particularly in neighborhoods where residents have voiced concerns of speeding vehicles or illegally parked vehicles. We patrol areas that are not accessible with the patrol cars using duel sport motorcycles and bicycles. We conduct warrant services and probation and parole compliance checks. We work with Gang Unit in conjunction with their operations. We create and execute operation plans monthly, including alcohol and tobacco decoy operations and grand theft suppression operations. We additionally participate in the Holiday Crime Suppression, the Avoid the 21 campaign, and go on extraditions.

The COPPS unit maintains good relationships with local business owners and conduct frequent business checks. We also offer a Citizen’s academy bi-annually as well as attend public functions and community workshops. We speak at schools regarding personal safety. We attend the Alameda County Fair where we assist Backgrounds and Recruiting Unit to advise citizens of ongoing programs and safety issues at the COPPS booth.

The COPPS units are also responsible for inspecting all 142 alcohol outlets in Unincorporated Alameda County, and train every employee of each outlet yearly while conducting enforcement operations.

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