Volunteer Sheriff Members Make their Presence Known

San Diego Country Estates resident and Volunteer Sheriff Randy Fetter has been volunteering for the Ramona Sheriff’s Department for three years and oversees media relations for the volunteers. He is a retired postmaster who enjoys giving back to the community and being valuable to others.

There are 22 volunteers, and their duties include visiting the homebound residents through You Are Not Alone (YANA), Project Lifesaver, traffic control, home vacation security checks and enforcing handicapped parking regulations.

Fetter’s favorite program is YANA, in which the volunteer sheriffs make phone calls to those who signed up for the program and live alone. If the individual chooses, the sheriffs can visit them. The volunteers visit them once a week, though the individuals are not required to accept the visit. The volunteers ensure the person living alone is cared for and has good living conditions. If the individual cannot be reached, a deputy will be sent out. Fetter says they have had people who have fallen and are unable to get to their phone for help. “We check on them.” As volunteers, they cannot enter the premises without being invited in.

Project Lifesaver is another program for at-risk people who wander and need a caregiver. Some examples of those needing this program include individuals with Dementia, Attention Deficit Disorder or Autism. Members of this group receiving assistance need to wear a watch band on their wrist or ankle that helps the Volunteer Sheriff to locate them if they are missing. This program is paid for and sponsored by Ramona Kiwanis, so it is available to Ramona residents through the Sheriff’s Department, not San Diego County.

Fetter says, “We do traffic control for the San Diego Country Estates Fourth of July Parade.” The volunteers also conduct traffic control for accidents and fires, which can be one of the most dangerous jobs for them because the first responders are helping people while the volunteers direct traffic. There can be glass and other hazards on the street while the volunteers are trying to get the drivers safely around the accident or fire.

Volunteers also perform home checks while residents are on vacation. The Sheriff’s Department offers these checks as a free service, though many don’t know about it. “A lot of folks are not taking advantage of it.” The Volunteer Sheriff members check the homes once a day for damage and break-ins. They also check for broken sprinklers, and if they notice anything unusual, they give the resident a phone call. In addition, they remove all newspapers from the driveway, so it’s not obvious that the resident is on vacation. They service all of Ramona, including San Diego Country Estates. On average, the number of home checks ranges from 2 to 9 homes per day and can go as high as 15 per day. Residents can sign up for this service by filling out a form at Sdsheriff.gov. The form must be printed, signed, and returned to the sheriff's station. The signature enables the volunteers to go on the property without it being considered trespassing.

They also check the Clubhouse parking lot to ensure there are no handicap parking violations. According to Fetter, they enforce disabled parking and can write tickets. One can expect a $342.50 ticket if they park in an ADA parking space without a handicap placard.

Fetter enjoys the comradery of volunteering as he is always with a partner; they never go out alone. “It’s a great group.” Volunteers must be 50 years and older and pass a background check; they receive training and are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week. “We are always looking for volunteers.” If you are interested in volunteering, contact 760-738-2466 to get started.