RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Cordova Police Chief Kate Adams, reporting on crime trends over the 15-year period from 2004 to 2019, noted that population increases can affect the crime rate.  “I’m pleased to report that Rancho Cordova has enjoyed both population growth and lower actual reported crime,” Adams said.  “And when adjusted for population, the actual crime rate per thousand residents did drop 61%.”

Adams was the guest speaker at the Rancho Cordova Zoom “Luncheon,” on April 16, and reported on RCPD programs that have contributed to the reduction in both violent and property crimes.  The Neighborhood Watch Program now has permission from the County Health Officer, Adams said, to have in-person meetings, with modifications, beginning this month. Unmanned Aerial Systems drones are being used in search warrant execution, barricaded subjects, burglary alarms, and 3D imaging of Problem Oriented Policing (POP) or areas of concern.  This helps to alleviate some of the dangers in those situations. 

The special Rancho Cordova Mobile Crisis Support Team Officer Corey Jackson, trained in crisis intervention, along with licensed Senior Mental Health Counselor Caitlyn Fournier, began working in Rancho Cordova this week. “In the past year, the County Mobile Crisis Support Teams responded to 50 calls for service within the City of Rancho Cordova, so the need for our own team is great,” Adams said.

Concerning the stance the news media has taken towards police in general throughout the country, Adams said, “I think we should always look with a very critical eye any time anybody is shot by a police officer . . . But there’s still a lot of good that law enforcement is doing, and there’s more good than there is bad. But like a plane crash, when something goes, it’s catastrophic . . . Police are like airline pilots. We can’t have a bad day.  That’s the reality.”

Police officers are more frequently involved in helping those who need help. “We’re saving lives, and that’s no longer being highlighted,” Adams said. “We had one here where somebody was shot six times and if it wasn’t for the officers putting themselves at risk and using a shield while the gunman was still actively (shooting) – the man is alive today, but you won’t hear about that story.” 

Also recently, Adams said, “Our officers distributed Narcan to a teenager who had just overdosed and who was unconscious and unresponsive, and would have died, had not the officer gone in there and personally administered that Narcan.  You won’t hear about that.”

Many people at the Zoom meeting mentioned the evening and late night explosions heard regularly in more than one neighborhood around Rancho Cordova.  “What I ask is that you continue to call it in, don’t just put up with it,” Adams said.  She went on to explain that responding with an armed police force to juveniles using a Piccolo Pete or firecrackers may not be the best idea. “If somebody’s scared, it goes into a foot pursuit, and you can never hit reset on that,” Adams said.  “So we just really have to be smarter.  We still owe it to the community to address those issues, but that address may not be force with force.  Let’s be smarter, let’s work with the community, let’s identify who’s doing it, work with their parents and take it from that angle.”  

Rancho Cordova is a favored place to work in the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Adams said.  “Morale is very high here . . . That bar was set long before I got here, but I not only want to maintain it, I want to continue to keep lifting it up higher and higher.”

Adams has been with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office for 26 years. “I was a gang sergeant,” Adams said, “. . . I worked at our Academy, so I understand all the training components.  I’ve worked our narcotics bureau, (and on) Internet crimes against children.  That’s one that was very impactful for me, because it’s just really thriving in silence.”  She served as assistant chief of police in Rancho Cordova from 2013-2017.

Adams earned a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice and a Master’s Degree in organizational leadership.  Besides deputy sheriff she has served as detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.  Her leadership positions include commander of the Sheriff’s Impact Division, and Hi-Tech Crimes Bureau Commander.  She has extensive teaching experience as well.

Adams is married with three children.  As a youth at Del Campo High School, swimming and softball were her major sports.

Contact information for RCPD:  Emergency, 911 or 916-362-5111; non-emergency, 916-362-5115; to file a report online ranchocordovaPD.com; service center 916-875-9600.