Deputies on horseback patrol the mall.

The Westfield Valencia Town Center has added protection this holiday season.  Deputy Sheriffs and civilian volunteers from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's Reserve and Volunteer Posse have been riding at the town center during various undisclosed hours since the holiday shopping season began.  The goals of the deputies, volunteers and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station are to provide extra eyes and ears to ensure protection, safety and a sense of well being for all the center's holiday patrons and merchants. 

"Of course you have all the added safety and protection that the mounted posse provides, but something just seems right about seeing deputy sheriffs and volunteers on horseback around the shopping center during the holidays," Said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. 

"They seem to go hand in hand and many of the kids out there really enjoy seeing the horses, deputies and volunteers.  Law enforcement started on horseback with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in the Santa Clarita Valley more than 150 years ago.  That tradition continues today with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's mounted posse."           

This Saturday, 10 mounted patrol posse members will be very visible in the parking lots and parking structures of the 860,000 square foot facility, which boasts more than 150 stores, eateries, and family activities.