About Us
Our Story
SAL was founded in 1997 by former Sheriff Don Horsley with the purpose of strengthening relationships between youth, deputies, and communities to aid in the intervention and prevention of juvenile delinquency in San Mateo County through positive, dynamic programs. The program was in North Fair Oaks and had a small presence on the coast, serving approximately 1,000 youth per year. In 2009, former Sheriff Greg Munks expanded the SAL program to 12 locations throughout the county, increased deputy support, and established a community policing substation that was a permanent home for SAL programs. The program grew to serve approximately 3,500 youth per year.
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Today, under the leadership of Sheriff Christina Corpus, the SAL program continues to thrive, and we have served over 11,000 youth per year in programs, presentations, and special events throughout San Mateo County. SAL also has safe programming space on the coast in Pescadero! In light of events in 2015, President Obama called for law enforcements agencies to engage in community policing to build relationships with their communities. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, thanks to our leadership, has been engaged in community policing practices for over 20 years and continues to be a progression organization that adapts to the needs of our communities.
Our Core Values
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Health & wellness
Our health and wellness programs offer hands-on activities and education. Participants gain practical knowledge and skills to promote healthy habits, aiming to reduce juvenile diabetes and related diseases.
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Bond between deputy & youth
All of the SAL programs have the goal of building the bond between deputies and youth.
Mentoring
SAL’s programs are aimed at building fundamental life skills, increasing self-confidence, teaching teens leadership skills, and empowering youth to make a positive impact in their community and schools.
Academic Achievement
Our academic achievement programs include tutoring, literacy, STEM, and academic mentoring. Our programs provide resources specific to the individual student’s needs in an effort to facilitate learning and to develop critical thinking skills.
Leadership
Our leadership and character development programs include our Teen Leadership Council, Empowering Young Women, Mentoring, and Early Stage Intervention and Diversion programs.
Community Policing
Community policing is a philosophy that promotes police and community partnerships with a problem-solving approach that is responsive to the needs of the community. A bond of respect and trust between the people and their law enforcement allows for an environment where a cooperative effort to solves problems results. By working together, law enforcement and the community can reduce the fear and incidence of crime and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods countywide.
Picture with names from left to right
Deputy James Hajik (School Resource Officer) , Deputy Joaquin Moreno (School Resource Officer),
Deputy Andrea Dion (School Resource Officer), Deputy Danielle Martinez (School Resource Officer), Ben (Therapy K9), & Maverick (Therapy K9)