Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department Doubles Down on Protective Measures Including “Unseen Threat Deterrent Assets”

The devastating active shooter events that have occurred in three states, including California in the last week, have required local law enforcement to kick into high gear preparing for a potential active shooter scenario locally.

As we moved towards the Labor Day holiday weekend and the Malibu Chili Cook-Off, Malibu can anticipate tens of thousands of visitors which the event attracts year after year.

Acting Captain Chuck Becerra detailed the preparations and proactive measures the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department is taking for events scheduled in the area going forward along with a message to the community meant to promote a sense of safety for residents, visitors and also his own daughters who will be attending the Malibu Chili Cook-Off:

“In light of the extraordinary violent activity this nation has experienced in the past 10 days at Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton, I have ordered the review of all the scheduled events within our communities in which Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff station has an active security roll.  Additionally, I have ordered the supervisors of this station to double the man power all at the events, to include the upcoming Malibu Chili Cook-off.   

Along with an increased uniformed presence at the Malibu Chili Cook-Off, we will have additional threat deterrent assets which will remain present, but unseen.  I want the community to feel safe, but I don’t want them to feel we have created an occupying force. My daughters will be attending the festivities on both days and I want the members of the community to feel as confident as I am about attending these types of events.”

At the Gilroy Garlic festival on July 28th, 3 young people were killed and over a dozen injured at the festival which attracts nearly 100,000 visitors each year. Just days later, the El Paso Walmart shooting on August 3rd left 22 dead and more than two dozen injured followed by the Dayton shooting that left 9 dead and 27 injured. The Dayton shooting came less than 15 hours after the El Paso shooting.  In all three shootings the gunmen used assault style rifles.