Sheriff's Foundation

The Sheriff's Foundation for Public Safety has been established to help improve the quality of life for all those served by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.  The members of the Sheriff's Department are committed to an ongoing partnership with the community, based on communication, cooperation and trust.  The Sheriff's Foundation is a non-profit organization.

Through the Sheriff’s Foundation for Public Safety, we are improving the quality of life for all those served by the resources of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department.  We are able to develop, improve and/or support by direct or indirect means, many non-profit charitable, educational, prevention or intervention programs and services that improve the quality of life for all within the County of Fresno.

The expansion of our youth-related activities requires a strong cooperative effort between the Department and community we serve.  The Sheriff's Foundation needs the support of the local and business communities for these programs to succeed, as most of them are provided at no cost to the participating children.  Only through the generous monetary donations from local businesses and organizations can we promote educational and recreational activities that provide alternatives to crime, violence and gang activity.

During the summer of 2003, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department began exploring options to replace the D.A.R.E. curriculum, which had been in existence since 1983 and was being taught by deputy sheriffs in elementary schools throughout Fresno County.  After contacting numerous law enforcement agencies throughout the State of California, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department selected the Elementary School Safety Program, known by the acronym E.S.S.P.  The Elementary School Safety Program was developed by the San Diego Police Department and being presented to 95,000 students in 183 elementary schools in the City of San Diego.

The Sheriff’s activity league is a year round organization, sponsored and run by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. It was created for the youth in our community in an effort to create a bond between law enforcement officers and the children in the area.

Sheriffs, community service officers, volunteers, and parents all strive together to bring trust and friendships amongst the youth and law enforcement officer’s. This is accomplished by indoor or outdoor group activities such as board games, basketball, and volleyball, Ping-Pong, arts and crafts. All activities promote teamwork and positive interaction among each other. There are also study sessions were children can receive help with their homework.

This program can provide the children with alternatives to drugs, violence and gangs.  While creating law-enforcement friendly atmosphere that allows the children to get to know law enforcement officers on a personal and positive level.