Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies were recognized for keeping low crime rates in the community Friday.

Mayor Marsha McLean led a press conference Friday morning to thank the deputies who protect the Santa Clarita Valley.

“Today, we recognize the men and women of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station for their successful crime-fighting efforts that led to the significant reduction of the city’s crime rates in 2018,” said McLean.

Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Tim Murakami also joined the Santa Clarita City Council members to recognize Captain Robert Lewis and other members from the station.

“Deputies can work hard and fight crime, but what gets the morale is the fact that you guys support them,” said Assistant Sheriff Tim Murakami. “They can go out there with the strength and belief that going out and protecting the community is with the full support of you and that’s critical.”

Captain Robert Lewis and Mayor Marsha McLean stand alongside deputies from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station. KHTS News/Jade Aubuchon

Crime stats for 2018 have shown robberies are down 23 percent, burglaries are down more than 13 percent, grand theft autos are down 28 percent, and assaults are down nearly 19 percent, according to officials.

In a Sheriff’s Department report released in January, part one crimes – which include homicide, rape, robbery, burglary and arson – have been reduced by 20 percent from 2017 to 2018.

Deputies have been targeting crime through special operations, directed patrol tactics, targeted traffic enforcement, specialized deployments, the apprehension of suspects and public education and awareness efforts.

Besides recognizing the deputies’ hard work, the speakers also called attention to the part played by the community in lower crime rates.

“Several years ago we started the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign and it still holds true in Santa Clarita,” said Lewis. “We empower the Santa Clarita residents to watch what is going on, to engage themselves in what is happening and be our eyes and ears.”

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was unable to attend the event, but sent a congratulatory video to the deputies.

KHTS News/Jade Aubuchon

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of the best in the nation and our team in the Santa Clarita Valley, under the leadership of Captain Lewis, is one of the best in the county,” said Barger. “Thank you, Captain, and thanks to all of our dedicated deputies who report to the Santa Clarita Valley station each day with dignity, pride and a community-oriented attitude.”

In 2017, the City of Santa Clarita was named the third safest city in America among cities of population size of 200,000 or more by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.

“Our city has long been hailed as a safe, family-friendly community and thanks to our deputies, Sheriff’s Station staff and vigilant residents we will continue to build upon that reputation,” said McLean in her opening statement.

Related: Santa Clarita Crime Rates Reach Record Low

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station was installed in its current location in the 1970s when the population of the valley and the size of the force was a fraction of what it is now.

KHTS News/Jade Aubuchon

As part of a joint effort with Los Angeles County, a new 46,000-square-foot Sheriff’s Station is being built on Golden Valley Road and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

“When you see us in the community with your sons and daughters, let them know that this is the person who is going to come save us. This is the person who is going to come to protect us,” said Lewis. “Because that is what law enforcement is about, we are here to protect, we are here to take care of the community, and we do the best we can.”

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.