Rural Crime Initiative

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The San Juan County Rural Crimes Initiative was established in 2005 when a unique partnership was formed between the Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management, and the oil and gas industry in San Juan County. The goal of the unit is to reduce the crime rate in the rural areas of the county through investigative collaboration, and through information and resource sharing. The Unit is staffed by investigators from the Sheriff’s Office and BLM, as well as a fulltime crime analyst. The unit mainly investigates crimes of theft and vandalism committed against the energy industry’s vast infrastructure. Crimes against other rural interests, such as ranching, recreation, and antiquities, are also investigated by the unit. Production companies and contractors throughout the industry have teamed with investigators and are instrumental to the unit’s success. They contribute not only needed equipment and funding, but also provide valuable information and tips to investigators.