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Child Protection Program | Megans Law Information
Community Service Officers | Citizens On Patrol | Neighborhood Watch
The Madera County Sheriff's Department believes that educating children about dangers they may face is important. Our central safety efforts are built upon on-site child lectures and presentations. Every year we provide information and have contact with children at schools and County Fairs.
Teach the following tips to your child:
- Teach your child, to never respond to strangers. Strangers will do almost anything to entice children in an effort to lure them away. Strangers may offer gifts like candy, perhaps a kitten or puppy, or even offer your child a ride to go some place exciting. Tell them to say "No!" no matter what.
- If someone tries to grab your child, teach them to scream and shout for help.
- Prepare your child to act if you should become separated in a store. Tell them to go directly to a store cashier and tell that person you lost your Mom or Dad. Make sure your children understand that the best way to find them is if they stay in one area, "Don't Wander Around!"
- Tell your children why it’s important that they share secrets with their parents, especially when threatened by someone who tells them that if they tell, harm will come to a sibling, a parent or their pet. Let your child know that it’s okay to share secrets with you. Remind them that people can not hurt their siblings, parents or their pets when they tell their Mom and Dad secrets.
- A child should know that if someone does something that makes them feel uncomfortable or ashamed that it’s safe to tell a parent.
- Finally, even if you have discussed these things with your child, they need to be reminded regularly so they never forget basic tips designed to keep them safe.
Practicing and reminding your child of these things will keep them aware and prepared.
 The Madera County Sheriff’s Department also supports McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, to foster awareness among children. McGruff is often the featured guest at schools and local public events to stress safety facts. He is always escorted by one of our Community Service Officers. The CSO staff is a critical component of the Madera County Sheriff’s Department. They regularly visit neighborhood schools and day care centers teaching all aspects of important tips when it comes to the safety and welfare of Madera County’s youth.
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Please visit http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/ for more information.
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CSO Stephanie Clark works out of the Madera Ranchos Substation. She’s been involved with law enforcement for more than a decade. CSO Clark started her career as a dispatcher then CSO for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. She joined the Madera County Sheriff’s Department in 1996 – with a focus on Crime Prevention. CSO Clark has dedicated her professional career to the families who call Madera Ranchos Home. She’s been instrumental in getting a number of crime prevention programs launched throughout the county, including "Neighborhood Watch," "Citizens On Patrol” (COPs) and "Save Our Seniors-911."
Residents living in the Madera Ranchos community can reach CSO Clark at the Sheriff’s Madera Ranchos Substation at (559) 645-6026. |
CSO Joann Evans joined the Sheriff’s Department in February 2002. Her beat spans Eastern Madera County which includes, Oakhurst, Bass Lake, Ahwahnee, North Fork, O’Neals, Coarsegold and Raymond. Before joining the Sheriff’s Department, CSO Evans worked as Detention Officer for Madera County Juvenile Hall. For more than a decade CSO Evans has been actively involved in a number of community service projects outside the scope of law enforcement. Some of her greatest volunteer achievements include: working Charity events to raise money for Cerebral Palsy research and organizations that cater to those who suffer from it. She also donates her time to "Women’s Place" that provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. CSO Evans also runs Eastern Madera County’s Live Scan Unit. To schedule an appointment, residents can reach CSO Evans at the Sheriff’s Mountain substation in Oakhurst at (559) 658-2555 or visit Live Scan Fingerprinting for more information. |
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CSO Linda Cuthbert joined the Madera County Sheriff’s Department in 1996 as a Communications Specialist working in the Department’s Dispatch Center. After more than a decade of service she was honored by her peers and Sheriff John Anderson in April 2007. She is credited for her 911-Disptaching skills while training new dispatchers. That same year Sheriff Anderson appointed Cuthbert to the position of CSO. CSO Cuthbert’s responsibilities include a host of Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Programs -- "Save Our Seniors 911," Citizens On Patrol, Neighborhood Watch, Job Fairs and special events that focus on Child Protection. Residents can reach CSO Cuthbert at the Sheriff’s Main Office in Madera at (559) 675-7770. |
CSO Stephanie Johnson joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2000. Her responsibilities entail maintaining and updating the County’s 290, Drug, Arson and Gang Registrant files. She also runs the Department’s Valley Live Scan and Finger Printing Unit as well as handling all CCW permit forms and applications.
For more information about the County’s Concealed Weapons Permit, visit Concealed Weapons Permit Forms.
Live Scans are conducted by appointment only. CSO Johnson can be reached at the Sheriff’s main Office in Madera at (559) 675-7770 or visit Live Scan Fingerprinting for more information. |
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Citizens on Patrol (COPs) has been in operation since Sheriff John Anderson first took Office. The basic tenant of volunteers who join the community service program is to provide deputies as well as Madera County residents and business owners a much needed and highly effective second set of eyes and ears.
COPs play a vital role in traffic control, Search & Rescue missions and disasters. While their role is to assist law enforcement, many have been trained to work the front lines as first responders. The job requires extensive training and certification – all which is funded by the volunteers themselves. |
House Checks
Among the countless duties volunteers with Citizens On Patrol perform, they also conduct house checks. The Madera County Sheriff’s Department believes this community service offers homeowners a peace of mind in that they can find comfort knowing an added set of eyes and ears to check on their home when they’re away. Vacation House Check forms must be filled out and turned in to the Sheriff’s Department at least 7 days prior to the homeowner’s scheduled departure date. Forms are available at the following locations: Sheriff’s main office on Road 28 (Valley floor), Madera Ranchos Substation (Avenue 12), Oakhurst and/or Bass Lake Substations in the mountains. Citizens can find out more by calling their local Community Service Officer. |
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The Madera County Sheriff’s Department provides a variety of assistance to local citizens who are interested in working with other residents to prevent burglary and other crimes in their community. The Department will provide data about recent crimes near your home and we will help you work with nearby residents to reduce the risk of such crimes.
There are currently eight Neighborhood Watch groups operating in the county. If you would like more information about creating a Neighborhood Watch group on your street, call your local Madera County Sheriff’s Community Service Officer for assistance.
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