San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus has responded to comments made by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman regarding regional crime. In a statement, Sheriff Dicus emphasized the proactive measures taken by San Bernardino County law enforcement in addressing organized crime and gun violence.
Dicus highlighted the county’s success in seizing ghost guns, noting that in 2023 alone, they confiscated 1,563 such weapons, which translates to a rate of 7.16 per 10,000 residents—the highest in California. He contrasted this with Los Angeles County’s seizure of 1,914 ghost guns but at a lower per capita rate of 1.93 per 10,000 residents.
The sheriff also mentioned the dangers posed by ghost guns, citing incidents where deputies were shot with these weapons. “This issue is not theoretical to us – it’s personal,” he stated.
Dicus referenced the prosecution of a group known as the Justice 8 as an example of cross-county crime. This group allegedly engaged in violent activities under the guise of social justice advocacy but was arrested and prosecuted upon entering San Bernardino County.
Sheriff Dicus underscored his department’s commitment to protecting children through collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. He noted their involvement in a recent operation led by the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that resulted in 265 arrests.
In closing, Dicus expressed appreciation for District Attorney Hochman’s efforts to restore trust in law enforcement and indicated his willingness to collaborate on cross-county cases requiring coordinated enforcement efforts.
