By Derek Timm
One of the greatest privileges of serving as your mayor is having a front-row seat to the dedication and quiet heroism of those who serve our city every day.
This month, I want to highlight the incredible work of the Scotts Valley Police Department — and recognize the leadership of our Police Chief, Steve Walpole Jr., and his dedicated team.
Officers participating in the annual toy drive for Valley Churches United
At the start of 2025, our police department reached a long-awaited milestone: full staffing. For the first time in many years, every one of our twenty sworn officer positions is filled. This achievement not only boosts morale within the department — it also means more officers out on patrol, enhancing crime prevention and traffic enforcement throughout our city.
But the impact of this milestone goes beyond traditional law enforcement. With greater capacity, our officers are finding new ways to serve the community.
One of our patrol sergeants recently applied for and secured a $120,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety — the largest of its kind our department has received in more than a decade. These funds will support DUI and distracted driving enforcement and provide new traffic accident software that will streamline report writing, allowing our officers to focus more time in the field and less on paperwork.
Looking ahead, the department is already preparing for a full slate of summer events — including the Junior Police Academy in June, our beloved Fourth of July Parade, and National Night Out in August. These programs help foster the kind of positive, proactive relationships between law enforcement and the community that make Scotts Valley such a special place to live.
In March, the department also celebrated the graduation of our latest D.A.R.E. classes — an important milestone for our fifth-grade students. Taught by SVPD’s own Patrick Aherns, the program helps equip young people with the tools they need to make safe and responsible choices. The graduation ceremonies were a powerful reminder of the department’s deep investment in prevention, mentorship, and youth education.
Chief Walpole participating in the Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics
Chief Walpole and the entire SVPD team also support a range of other community events, from the Art and Wine Festival and Special Olympics Torch Run to Scotts Valley High’s graduation and the Multicultural Fair. Their presence isn’t just about public safety — it’s about showing up, staying connected, and reinforcing trust.
Recently, we also celebrated National Public Safety Communicator Appreciation Week, honoring the essential role of our 911 dispatchers. These professionals are often the first voice a distressed caller hears, and thanks to their training and quick coordination, our officers consistently arrive at emergency scenes in under three minutes. Their work is the backbone of our public safety response, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment.
At the same time, we’re addressing emerging challenges. Recently, we’ve seen an unfortunate uptick in graffiti and vandalism around town. The City is actively prosecuting those who deface public or private property, and Councilmember Steve Clark — a former Santa Cruz police officer — has been working with city staff on a new ordinance coming to Council in May.
This ordinance will strengthen the Police Department’s ability to respond to graffiti and hold property owners accountable for cleanup when it occurs on private property.
Junior Police Academy — Popular weeklong program with 6th graders teaching skills and providing an opportunity to meet local officers.
Research shows that graffiti left unchecked tends to attract more vandalism, so prompt removal is key. If the new ordinance is adopted, the City will be able to require cleanup — and if a property owner fails to act, the City will have the ability to remove the graffiti and recover the costs involved. If you’d like to volunteer to assist with graffiti abatement, please reach out to us at [email protected]. And if you see graffiti in town, don’t wait — report it immediately to the Police Department.
Given all our Police Department is doing, it probably comes as no surprise that Chief Walpole’s dedication is being recognized by our community. He was just named the 2024 Man of the Year by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, a well-deserved recognition of his tireless efforts to strengthen our community.
As he will tell you, his success is a team effort, so please join me in thanking our officers for all they do when you see them around town. Public safety in Scotts Valley isn’t just about enforcement — it’s about partnership — and that’s something of which we can all be proud.
Derek Timm is mayor of Scotts Valley. Contact him at [email protected]