The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station prepares for a new captain.

By Mary O’KEEFE

After about four years of leading the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff Captain Bill Song will be moving on.

There is an intention to promote [him] to commander, said Majory Jacobs, operations lieutenant at the CV Station.

It has yet to be announced where Capt. Song will be transferred once the promotion is official; however, Jacobs speculates this information will probably be available the first week in April. Likewise it has not been announced who has been recommended to fill the CV Station’s position of captain. That information was not available at press time.

Song took the position of captain at the CV Station in May 2013. He replaced Capt. Dave Silversparre who had been at the station for five years. Like Silversparre, Song was raised in La Crescenta.

“I grew up here, went to Rosemont Middle School and CV [Crescenta Valley] High School,” Song said in an interview with CVW at the time he began his tenure at the CV Station.

The CV Station covers a large area stretching from Lake View Terrace to La Cañada. Deputies also patrol the Angeles National Forest.

Song’s previous assignment had been as the executive aide to now retired Assistant Sheriff Cecil Rhambo. Song has been with the LASD for 26 years.

Although the CV Sheriff’s Station area is relatively quiet compared to other areas patrolled by LASD, there have been issues of concern raised by residents, mostly focusing on burglaries, both vehicle and residential.

In 2015, spurred by social media comments, Crescenta Valley residents were concerned about recent burglaries in the area. Song and Community Dep. Cynthia Gonzales went to a community meeting to answer questions about the burglaries and to share statistics.

Capt. Song could be found at many community events as well, often speaking at CV Town Council and La Cañada City Council meetings.

“He has always been very professional. He has always been supportive in the community and he always picks up the phone when we call,” said CV Town Council President Harry Leon.

Leon said he liked that Song was responsive to issues like burglaries in the area. He also liked that he was an active member of the community. Song brought back the Haunted Jail, which had been a popular event held at the sheriff’s station for years before ending when the deputy in charge of the event left the station.

“He brought organizations like Prom Plus Club together with the [Los Angeles] County Parks to do the Haunted Jail,” Leon said.

He also praised Song for his ongoing support of the station’s annual rummage sale and toy and food drive.

When asked what he would like to see in the new captain, Leon said, “Community policing. This community is very close and we want to see our [deputies] and captain.”

Leon added the community is very active with local events and by supporting each other.

“I would like to see the new captain adopt our traditions,” he said. “And for there to be transparency [in communication].”

  Mary Okeefe