Kern Valley Sun
Author’s note: I was privileged to have been invited by Kern County Sheriff Sgt. Dean Marshall to participate in the Department’s Ride Along Program. This evening, Oct. 17, wil be spent riding shotgun with Deputy Mike Dorkin for the duration of his 8-hour swing shift.
Background: Dorkin is a happily married father of one, with another child on the way. After graduating from Kern Valley High School in 1996, Dorkin spent 10 years as a Forest Service Firefighter. He has been with the Kern County Sheriff Department for two years.
  
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A typical Friday night swing shift consists mostly of, “in progress calls, peace disturbances, fights, driving under the influence, and domestic violence. In most cases the root of that would be alcohol and drug use,” according to Dorkin.
3 p.m. – Kern Valley Substation
Deputy Dorkin and I meet in the lobby of the Kern Valley Substation. We begin with a quick tour of the various areas of the station. Dorkin quickly finishes up a report and then we are off to patrol the streets of the Kern River Valley.
3:10 p.m. – Patrolling Lake Isabella Streets
We begin by cruising around the Lake Isabella area. “Not having any calls right now, we will drive around and be proactive,” Dorkin informs me. “We've got to be visible.” We pull over a truck with no rear license plate. The truck ends up being government issued and is full of firefighters. We make a quick run through Reeder Tract, make a quick traffic stop, warn a driver and receive our first call.
3:45 p.m. – Potential Burglary in Squirrel Valley
We head to Squirrel Valley to investigate a report of a potential burglary. We are greeted by a father whose son had various electronics stolen from the residence. A deputy made a stop when the initial report was made, but the victims now have more information about the potential subject(s). “Write down serial numbers of anything of value,” says Dorkin. “If an item does get stolen, we can enter the number into what is called a Stolen Property System.” If a item is proven to be stolen, suspects could be charged with felony stolen property.
4:19 p.m. – More Burglary Information
The father informs Deputy Dorkin that his son works at a Mt. Mesa business, he has more information about the potential subject(s). Dorkin questions the victim for any possible information about the suspect including hairstyle and vehicle descriptions, and will write a supplemental report with all the newly gathered information. “This will get assigned for someone to investigate,” says Dorkin.
4:57 p.m. – Traffic Stop
Dorkin steers the cruiser to our next stop, Wofford Heights. While waiting for Deputy Joshua Shotwell, Dorkin slowly patrols the Wofford Heights community. We stop a small truck. After running their drivers license, Dorkin asks the occupants to step out of the vehicle. Upon permission, he searches a backpack located in the bed of the truck and takes a quick look inside the vehicle. Nothing is found and the occupants are free to go. Without a warrant or probable cause, deputies search nothing.
5:19 p.m. – Traffic Stop
We meet up with Dep. Shotwell and immediately see a vehicle pass with expired registration. Both deputies follow the vehicle into a nearby driveway. The driver is warned, and we head to our next stop.
5:30 p.m. – House Check
Upon receiving reports, the deputies decide to check in on a residence in the Wofford Heights area. Upon talking to the resident, deputies have no reason to believe any suspicious activity is taking place.
5:38 p.m. – Silver vehicle flags down Deputies Dorkin & Shotwell.
On our way back from our call a British Columbia couple flags down the deputies as we approach Wofford Blvd. The couple asks for directions. Judging by how community members respond upon meeting the deputies, it appears that this job is much more than law enforcement. They are to be top community leaders doing their best to help out in any way possible, whether that be by getting law violators out of the community or helping a couple find their way. “Sometimes it's like your a Walmart® greeter,” jokes Dorkin.
6:16 p.m. – Cruising Lake Isabella Blvd.
While patrolling various streets in Lake Isabella and Bodfish, a call comes in about problems at a Weldon residence. Due to the nature of the call, Dorkin informs dispatch that we will head out to the residence later on during the shift.
6:26 p.m. – Crusing Lake Isabella and Bodfish
The sun slowly begins to fall behind the mountains as we monitor different areas that Dorkin has reason to believe suspicious activity has been taking place. This is when I learn about the Target Program, a anonymous tip line to inform law enforcement of potential drug or other illegal activities. “The target program hits on the quality of life issue,” says Dorkin, “people hear things, they know things, and they don't want any repercussion.” Callers do not need to, and are encouraged not to, provide any personal information. “What helps when people want to call the target program, is to try and give as much detail as possible. If they suspect a house is dealing narcotics try to get the address, license plate, vehicle descriptions, names,” explains Dorkin. “Keep in mind your safety, too!”
6:30 p.m. – Shots Fired in Twin Oaks
We receive a report of shots fired in the Twin Oaks area. Dispatchers have contacted the residence, and have no reason to believe anyone is in danger.
6:47 – Diverted to Battery in Progress
As Dep. Dorkin heads to Twin Oaks to investigate the fired shots, he receives a message on his in-car computer. We have been diverted to a battery in progress in the Erskine Creek area of Lake Isabella. With no physical address we scour the area looking for the described suspects, but come away with nothing.
Next week: Off to Twin Oaks for Part Two of the law enforcement ride along with Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Dorkin and Joshua Shotwell.
Comments
1 comment(s)Bruce wrote on Oct 22, 2008 1:00 PM: