SOUTH FORK – For well over a year, the South Fork Police Department (SFPD) alongside the Rio Grande County Sheriff's Office (RGSO) has implemented a community wide neighborhood watch program that has brought the community of South Fork together to learn and to report issues throughout the area. 

During the meetings, members of the SFPD and RGSO come to present current crime rates and reports for the month prior. The reports are basic with enough information provided to paint a clear picture of activity in the two areas.  

On Feb. 11, community members met with law enforcement representatives to hear a presentation on Identity Theft and tips on how to remain safe from it today. Before the presentation, SFPD Chief OJ Pierce reported Calls of Note beginning with a report of burglary from a vacation home that turned out to be the designated maintenance staff and not theft. 

Chief Pierce also reported an unattended death, a hit and run incident, 18 agency assist calls, an attempted suicide where officers were able to work with the individual and intervene and other incidents involving youth, theft and suspicious vehicles. 

The department responded to 255 calls, 160 of which were traffic, 49 case reports which were an increase of five from previous years, and 91 citations which were reported low compared to previous years. 

During the meeting, there is also a time when residents can ask questions and have discussions with law enforcement about things that are of concern. Discussion during the meeting included a question about when bears may be waking up this year due to the dry weather. Law enforcement stated that because of the warmer weather it would be hard to predict and to be prepared for the animals to come out of hibernation sooner rather than later and to prepare accordingly. 

Other questions included concerns about card skimmer cases and how often officers respond to motorist assists. Chief Pierce stated that it is common for smaller agencies such as those in South Fork to help motorists more often than those in larger municipalities due to a lack of resources.  

RGSO reported two assault calls, two criminal mischief calls, two about damaged property, an escape, four fraud cases, two obstructions of officer events, one theft, one traffic violation that ended in arrest, 10 warrant arrests, one burglary five thefts investigations and 16 warrant events. 

SFPD ended the meeting with a presentation on Identity Theft. In the case of Identity Theft, it is best to immediately call law enforcement once the identity theft has been discovered. There are resources available to anyone dealing with this issue through identitytheft.gov. The website also provides information and additional tips on how to avoid a situation.  

Next steps when dealing with identity theft include reporting to the FTC, contact creditors to notify them of the theft, placing a fraud alert and freezing credit as quickly as possible.  

South Fork Neighborhood Watch invites the greater South Fork community to come and join the discussion. Meetings take place every second Wednesday of the month at the South Fork Community Building unless otherwise posted and available through a Google Meet video call upon request. 

For more information or to be added to the email chain, email Public Health Prevention Program Coordinator Chelsea McNerney-Martinez at chelseamm@riograndecounty.org.