Lake Elsinore Deputies Patrolling Cleveland National Forest

An agreement between the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Forest Service to have deputies patrol segments of the Cleveland and San Bernardino National Forests, doing drug interdiction and other operations, was approved today by the Board of Supervisors.

The contract, which is retroactive to last August and expires this Sept. 30, specifies that sheriff's resources will be utilized on an as-needed basis, with costs capped at $17,000.

According to sheriff's documents, deputies from the Hemet and Lake Elsinore stations will be called upon for special enforcement actions, confiscating marijuana grows in the forests, handling road closures and other details during wildfires and coordinating security during events that attract large crowds, such as concerts and demonstrations.

Patrols will also be conducted in various forest locations "to make residents and visitors aware that law enforcement officers are in the vicinity," according to the agreement, which is a continuation of previous agreements.

Under the terms, the sheriff's department will bill the forest service for all expenses incurred.

About one-third of the San Bernardino National Forest, and a portion of the Cleveland National Forest, extend into Riverside County.