The History of Sierra Falls:
Located in Santa Maria County, approximately equidistant between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, Sierra Falls was founded in 1789 in what is now the central coast of California as a port for export of silver mined in the Sierra Madres. Its population remained small, especially after the hills were mined out. After the silver was gone, S.F. became an important mission center for the Franciscans, who found the narrow valley between the ocean and the mountains to be rich farmland. The coves provided waters rich in fish and the white water streams in the hills provided trout.
In the 1850's the small outpost found itself in the growth in tumult of the rapidly growing territory. Its port became a safe haven for immigrants who had heard rumor of the anarchy in San Francisco. While many proceeded up the coast to greener pastures, others stayed and settled in the temperate climes of Santa Maria County. In the summer, the high averages around 82-degrees Fahrenheit, 28 degrees Celsius. In the winter, lows are an average of 42 degrees Fahrenheit, 4 degrees Celsius
In 1879, the town was largely destroyed by earthquake. It was quickly rebuilt. As science and engineering advanced, Sierra Falls was among the first municipalities in California to adopt more scientific standards of construction.
During the Second World War, the population of the area exploded as both the Navy and Army Air Corps set up training camps outside of town. After the war ended, many returning servicemen resettled there, taking advantage of the aeronautic boom, which to this day remains one of Sierra Falls major industries.
Tourism plays another major role in the economy of the region. Between the beaches, which are not as crowded as those in San Diego or Los Angeles, and the mountains, there is plenty for the nature lover to see and do: hiking, climbing, surfing, sailing, white water rafting.
The racial makeup of the county is 65% White, 5% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 4% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 18% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race, and 6.5% other or multiple ethnicities. Sierra Falls has seen its share of racial strife, most recently in large-scale riots in the early 90s, but the SFPD has been making efforts to increase representation of ethnic and religious minorities in its ranks.
Click here for more detail on Sierra Falls attractions and facilities.
Sierra Falls Police Department Organisation
Sierra Falls Police Department consists Metropolitan Division and Pineville Division. There are 5 primary precincts in the area.
The Metropolitan Division polices the entirety of the city center and surrounding population, where Pineville Division patrols the outlying towns of Pineville, Discovery City and Wakefield, along with the smaller towns around the vicinity of Sierra Falls.
Metropolitan Division is operated from 3 precincts:-
- Ash Street Precinct, situated in Downtown Sierra Falls;
- Meersbrook Precinct, situated in Meersbrook, north of the city center;
- Westbrook Precinct, situated in The Falls, south of the city center.
Pineville Division has 2 precincts:-
- Pineville Precinct, in Pineville town center;
- Discovery City Precinct, in Discovery City center. |
