Sergeant Steve Williams said that the Mojave Sub-station now has 17 deputies, at the last Neighborhood Watch meeting on August 5th. This is up from 12 only a few months ago. The community appreciates the extra investment KCSO is making in Mojave, and the Mojave Foundation looks forward to strengthening the partnership between the community and the Sheriff’s office when Citizen Service Unit (CSU) stands up in October.
Mojave launched its first ever “National Night Out” designed to get residents and businesses downtown on a beautiful summer evening to learn about security and safety in Mojave. Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) were there, as well as several members of Citizen Service Unit (CSU), which recently stood up a volunteer force in Mojave. Also in attendance was California Highway Patrol (CHP), who just opened a new office on Hwy-58, and the Fire Department. Highway patrol is increasingly becoming an integral part of the security force in Mojave. “CHP often backs up the deputies in Mojave, especially when local deputies are on call in another town”, said Darlena Johnson, public affairs officer at Mojave’s CHP office.
Houchin Blood Bank collected 50 pints of blood this Wednesday during our second blood drive this year. “This was a very successful drive” says Christina Scrivner, who heads up Houchin’s activities in east Kern County. Houchin set up 2 large air-conditioned buses right outside the Voyager Restaurant on the Mojave Air & Space Port. There were food and drinks, and very friendly nurses who are highly-trained and very good at taking your blood! Most donors were in and out in less than 30 minutes. Houchin plans to be back in December, and this time, we’re shooting for 100 pints! Contact Tenina at 661-824-2433 to donate or get involved.
Mojave Foundation participated in a code compliance drive on June 29th to identify, document and record the most egregious housing & safety hazards in our downtown area. Already we have seen property owners are making improvements, and we commend those efforts. We will continue to educate homeowners and residents as to housing standards in Kern County, in an effort to raise expectations here in Mojave. Click here for a copy of the most up to date list of housing and codes & ordinances.
The drive on June 29th would not have been possible if it weren’t for the support of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, who provided 2 deputies to the effort; and the support of Michele Gardner, who participated in Saturday’s drive. The Mojave Foundation would like to thank KCSO and Gardner Realty for their professionalism and continued investment in the community.
Mojave Foundation is pleased to report 32 residents and business owners have volunteered to join the Citizen Service Unit (CSU). Our first official meeting is Thursday, July 18th in the Airport boardroom. Due to the overwelming support from the community, Kern County Sheriff’s Office has offered to send officials to Mojave to conduct all the administrative and training requirements locally, rather than making all the volunteers travel to Bakersfield. Mojave Foundation would like to thank SGT Williams for his ongoing support in standing up this unit, and we look forward to working with KCSO.
We feel that the CSU program is the first step to fundamentally changing expectations in Mojave, and convincing people that Mojave is a safe place to live and do business. CSUs perform non-hazardous law enforcement, and will never be asked to be in a confrontational situation. However, CSUs are another set of eyes and ears on the street, or they perform administrative duties to free up a deputy’s time so that he can get back on the street. The CSU program will make an impact in Mojave, as we are raising the cost of committing crime in this community.
The Mojave Foundation 