THW Vol. 2, Issue 3
“Bids for Badges” Fundraiser for the SBSET Support Foundation
On September 28th, Ms. Lynda Kest and “Lazy K” Ranch hosted a successful “Bids for Badges” fundraiser in support of the SBSET Support Foundation. The event was attended by 90 generous members of the community. Coast Range, of Solvang, provided a variety of appetizers to guests, and CBS actor Justin Melnick provided a K9 apprehension demonstration with his Belgian Malinois named “Pepper.” The evening included a live and silent auction, as well as a dessert auction, which was read by auctioneer Jim Glines.
SET would like to commend Amy Pitts, along with the Foundation Fundraising Committee consisting of Lynda Kest, Lee Kantor, and Coleen Fitzgerald for their tireless efforts and dedication to this event. They spent countless hours working behind the scenes to make this event possible to ensure the night was successful.
Lastly, thank you to all of the attendees who came to the event. SET truly appreciates all of your support. The team would not be able to function at the level the public expects without the generosity of those in attendance. Thank you.
Activations
Armed Barricade in Casmalia
In August, the Special Enforcement Team was requested to respond to the 5500 block of Someo St., in Casmalia, for an armed and barricaded subject who threatened his family with a firearm. After several efforts to get the suspect to surrender, the team was able to locate the suspect sleeping in a detached outbuilding on the property. The suspect was arrested without further incident.
US Secret Service Assist for POTUS Visit
In August, the US Secret Service contacted the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office to assist with security measures as President Biden and his family vacationed in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Special Enforcement Team, along with Special Investigations Bureau detectives, Aviation Bureau deputies, patrol deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, agents of the USSS, and members of the armed forces were able to ensure a successful visit for POTUS while in Santa Barbara County.
Aircraft from Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) stage at the Santa Ynez Airport during the POTUS visit.
photo by: SBSO TFO Ehren Rauch
Armed Barricade in Goleta Housing Complex
In August, the Special Enforcement Team was requested to respond and assist Goleta Patrol with an armed and barricaded subject in the 6000 block of Hollister Avenue. The location, formerly the Super 8 Motel, is now run by the Housing Authority of the Santa Barbara County. One of the residents violently attacked another resident. The suspect then threatened to stab responding deputies and armed himself with various knives, improvised weapons, and broken chards of glass. After hours of several attempts to de-escalate and get the suspect to comply and surrender, SET was ultimately able to arrest the suspect and secure the location. The suspect obtained medical treatment from SET County Fire paramedics on scene. He was then transported by AMR to a local hospital prior to being booked into county jail for multiple violations.
Armed Barricade at Sunstone Winery
In September, Central Stations patrol deputies and members from the Crisis Negotiations and Special Enforcement Teams responded to an armed barricade inside the Villa at Sunstone Winery. After a lengthy standoff, and superb negotiations from CNT, the suspect safely surrendered to deputies and was taken into custody.
photo by: Sunstone Winery
Santa Maria PD Assist for Robbery Warrant
In September, the Santa Maria Police Department organized multi-location search/arrest warrant services and requested the assistance of the Special Enforcement Team for one of the warrant services. SET responded to the 1100 block of E. Sunset Ave. for one of the services. The warrant service was safely executed, and the suspect at the Sunset address was apprehended without incident. The Sheriff’s Office is always happy to work with our Santa Maria Police partners.
Assist Ventura County Sheriff with Warrant Service
A multi-location, multi-agency operation in Ventura County led to the request of the Special Enforcement Team to provide two operators and one Bearcat to assist with the execution of a warrant service. SET worked with Ventura County SWAT in the 3300 block of Merced Pl., Oxnard, and safely arrested the wanted subject at the location. SET takes pride in maintaining professional relationships with agencies in the tri-counties, and beyond, and is always willing to assist.
The Special Enforcement Team may be activated day or night, 365 days per year. SET prides itself on the successful execution of any task they are assigned. SET’s mission-readiness and capabilities would not be possible without the equipment and training so graciously acquired through the efforts of the Santa Barbara Special Enforcement Team Support Foundation, Inc.
Training
SET recently trained “officer down” rescues and included a medevac component. Santa Barbara County Air Support, and Mercy Air from Paso Robles, attended the training. The goal was to streamline the transfer of care when SET paramedics need to “hand off” to a life flight crew. SET has plans to train with CalStar/Reach Medical and CHP in the future to stay prepared for any emergency that may require the use of helicopters.
Thank you to ASU for helping coordinate and to Mercy Air for making the flight down from Paso Robles!
The Air Medical Transport Leader For 35+ Years | Air Methods
SET completed their annual 40-hour “SWAT Week” in the first week of October. The week focused heavily on rural team movements and the incorporation of night vision. This weeklong training block allows the team to build cohesion and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. The weeklong stretch of training proves to be very beneficial to individual operators, as well as developing unit cohesion.
In October, members from the Special Enforcement Team, as well as Santa Maria PD SWAT, were given the opportunity to conduct a training day with various breaching methods at the old Roadhouse Bar & Grill in Santa Maria. Breaching, like all capabilities, is perishable unless trained on a consistent basis. It is particularly beneficial for operators to work on actual structures instead of a training facade. Both SET and SMPD SWAT were able to collect invaluable data by training at the old Roadhouse Bar & Grill.
Thank you to John Pierce, Senior Vice President of Tower Investments, LLC, for allowing the team to train at the vacant site. We are extremely grateful! Thanks, also, to John Will of J.F. Will Company, Inc. for working around SET’s training schedule. We appreciate your patience.
Community
In October, Santa Barbara County Fire/Special Enforcement Team Paramedic Austin Muro (left) boxed in a charity event to raise money for the treatment and support of first responders’ mental health. The event, put on by “Next Rung,” was held at Hummingbird Ranch in Simi Valley, CA. Austin won his amateur debut against a firefighter from Oxnard Fire Department. Congratulations to Austin, and all the other competitors, for putting it out on the line for a great cause!
For more information on the mission of “Next Rung,” you can visit their website at:
In September, SET attended the Central Coast Air Fest with a Bearcat display. The truck is always a crowd favorite, and people of all ages enjoyed seeing what it’s like on the inside of the armored truck. The Air Show had a good turnout and the aircraft provided some great flight demonstrations.
Questions, comments, or THW newsletter ideas can be sent to: matt@sbsetfoundation.org
