San Diego County Sheriff
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4S Ranch Substation
Categories:- Patrol Stations
Serving the 4S Ranch community and the unincorporated communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Cielo.
Emergency: 9-1-1
858-565-5200 (Dispatch)
858-521-5200 (Business)
858-521-5210 (Fax)
4sRanch@sdsheriff.org
Message from Captain Claudia Delgado 
The history of 4S Ranch dates back to 1842. Joseph Snook, an English Mariner, California Don and Mexican citizen was awarded the Rancho San Bernardo land grant in 1842, which encompassed today’s 4S community. The original grant of 17,263 acres included Poway, Rancho Bernardo and San Pasqual Valley.
In 1938, Albert G. Ralph of the Ralphs grocery store chain purchased the 4S area to use as a family retreat. Over the past 15 years, commercial development of the Ralph’s family retreat has grown into the 4S Ranch community. 4S Ranch proper encompasses 2,900 acres and 4,700 homes clustered around a traditional town center. 4S is now one of the fastest growing communities in San Diego County.
The 4S Ranch Substation is under the command of the Poway Sheriff's Station and was opened in November 2007. The substation serves the 4S Ranch community and the unincorporated areas of Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Bing Crosby Ranch and portions of Fairbanks Ranch.
The 4S Ranch Substation fields 12 sworn personnel and one civilian for the 20,000 area residents. In addition to the sworn and professional staff, the substation provides Senior Volunteer Patrol and Crime Prevention Specialists for extra patrol and crime prevention assessments.
Patrol
Patrol deputies respond to calls for service, patrol the community, conduct preliminary investigations and aid the station detective with in-depth follow-up investigations, attend community events such as neighborhood watch meetings and make presentations to youth groups and schools.
All patrol deputies are trained in the COPPS (Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving) philosophy and in partnership with area residents develop solutions to community and quality of life issues.
Detectives
Detectives are responsible for investigating all general crime cases and arrests made by patrol deputies. Once a detective determines there is enough evidence to prove a specific person or persons committed a crime, an arrest can be made or the investigation could be forwarded to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.
Crime Prevention
The 4S Ranch Crime Prevention Specialist provides information and presentations about the following topics:
- Residential and Commercial security techniques
- Internet Safety
- Vehicle Theft Prevention
- Identity Theft Protection
- Robbery Prevention
- Crime Prevention for Senior Citizens
- Cons and Frauds
- Crime Prevention for Children
- Keeping Illegal Activity Out of Rental Property (Crime-free Multi Housing)
- Neighborhood Watch
- Business Watch
For more information or to schedule a program, please contact the 4S Ranch Crime Prevention Specialist at (858) 521-5216.
Learn more about the Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Program
Senior Volunteers
Our dedicated volunteers provide many valuable services to the community including:
- Make vacation home security checks
- Visit the homebound (You Are Not Alone – YANA)
- Enforce handicapped parking regulations
- Patrol in marked SVP vehicles
- Assist Crime Prevention with public presentations
- Conduct residential and business security survey
- Assist in location Alzheimer’s patients
- Assist Crime Prevention in alerting the community of recent crime waves in particular areas
- Assist with traffic control
Volunteers undergo a background check, receive training to perform their duties, and are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week. Volunteers are always needed. If interested, contact the Sheriff's Senior Volunteer Patrol at (858) 232-8000.