Land donation is a big win for sheriff’s office

As Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office officials stood looking far beyond a pristine 10-acre parcel of land on Martin Road, one remarked it was a “realtor’s dream.”

With sweeping views of both Mariposa and, on a clear day, the Coastal Range, any realtor would salivate at the chance to sell this property.

But that’s not going to happen.

“It came out of the blue,” said Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese.

“I think it started with an email,” said Kristie Mitchell, the public information officer for the sheriff’s office.

That email led to a phone call.

Even then, it was “interesting,” said Briese.

He said in many cases, when calls come through the old-fashioned landline in his office, a lot of the time he’s doing something else and it goes to voicemail. But in this case, he picked it up. “I thought it was a scam at first,” said Briese. It was no scam. On the other end of the line was Jack Gould, a one-time undersheriff in Mariposa County who now lives in San Luis Obispo.

Way back in the day (in the 1980s), Gould was the undersheriff for then-Sheriff Paul Page. He once had aspirations to become the sheriff, but ended up leaving law enforcement to pursue another career.

But what he didn’t leave was ownership of that 10-acre parcel on Martin Road with those stunning views.

Part of Gould’s role with the sheriff’s office was the development of the Search and Rescue program, one that is critical and has been since it began.

“He had the property,” said Briese.

On that phone call, Gould told the sheriff he had an offer; one that Briese probably couldn’t refuse.

He wanted to gift that property to the sheriff’s office — no strings attached. All Briese had to do was agree.

He didn’t hesitate.

He said Gould envisioned it as a place the sheriff’s office could use to continue to grow the Search and Rescue unit, as well as other benefits. Maybe a little bit of a string, but still, something you can’t refuse.

Briese agreed.

That began the process of the paperwork, which is not an easy task. It took a lot of work, said Briese, but in early September of this year, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of the property. There were four parcels involved.

It is technically owned by the county but for the specific use of the sheriff’s office.

“He has the heart of public service,” said Briese of Gould. “And it will continue for years to come, long after I’m gone. Maybe for the sheriff that’s not even born yet.”

Briese said he really wasn’t even familiar with the property, though it is located close to Mariposa, just a little out of the way.

When he drove up there, the 360-degree views were awe inspiring. He knew not only did they get a crucial piece of land, but that it was stunning to boot.

What’s next

Lt. Jennifer Lobaugh and Capt. Jake Bobman are leading the effort to begin development of the property. Both know it will take some time, but just the fact they can work on it means a lot.

“We want to continue the search and rescue,” said Bobman, saying they are working on plans to make sure that can happen.

That could range anywhere from needed storage to doing actual training on the rugged terrain that is part of the property. It is also connected to county-owned land that then connects to the Mariposa Creek Parkway, so the possibilities are unlimited.

Besides that aspect, the property is also being targeted for large animal rescues and a place to keep and care for the animals.

With the ownership change of the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds, where they used to take animals, this new property will be beneficial. Currently, when necessary, they take large animals to Oakdale.

Lobaugh and Bobman said that happens when they cannot utilize the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. The recent activity at the fairgrounds from the Dome Fire is a prime example of why the land is needed.

“It can get booked up,” said Lobaugh of the fairgrounds. “We do not always have a place.”

The first order of business, said Briese, is to build a perimeter fence around the property.

“We will start small,” said Briese.

Lobaugh said they are now in the process of doing an IFB, or information for bidders. That process will allow companies to assess the needs and give the sheriff’s office some idea of what it might cost.

Bobman said it will require “engineered plans” as the process moves forward.

Certainly, getting a free 10 acres is not something that was planned in the budget, said Briese. But he said they are “looking at” various funds within the department to go toward the project.

Each fiscal year, he said, they will likely be able to add improvements “in pieces.”

Bobman said one of the first goals, after the fence, is to get some corrals installed to use mainly for horses.

Briese said they do have 100 temporary panels stored at public works which they can use until more work is done on the property. They also want to get some of it graded and have some overgrown trees and brush removed.

“This is something we need,” said Lobaugh.

“It is an added resource,” said Bobman. “And it’s close to town.”

Animal instincts

Many people may not realize just how many large animals have to be dealt with, and it varies from year to year, said Bobman.

For instance, in one recent year, they had 12 horses in one case and six in another, along with single horses here and there.

In many of those cases, alleged animal abuse is involved and Mitchell said the sheriff’s office is responsible for caring for the animals and trying to nurse them back to health. All that takes place while court cases wind through the system.

“It can get very expensive,” said Lobaugh, noting that is especially true when they have to be housed in Oakdale.

Now, said Briese, they will have a local place which will cut down on expenses.

Just recently, Briese said they had “two large pigs” that had to be handled. Corrals at the new location would have been beneficial, he said.

Briese called the gift “exciting,” and said he was glad he picked up the phone in his office that day.

He also said getting such a gift “speaks volumes” about his staff, whom he said works hard and as a team at the sheriff’s office.

“We are community involved,” said Briese. “We are one big team.”

As for when they might get things in place on this pristine piece of land, Bobman is hoping to at least have something “by next fire season.”

Briese said the sheriff’s office is hoping to have a formal ceremony in the near future to honor Gould and his contribution.

“I would like to honor him for his heart for public service,” said Briese.

Just before leaving the property, Briese pointed to an area to the west between two peaks. It is there, he said, when the sky is clear, there is a view of the Coastal Range.

In the near future, maybe a large pig or a recovering horse will get that view. Along with the dedicated people who are involved in Mariposa County Search and Rescue.

But there will be no realtor involved.