RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Threats against security personnel, including an armed confrontation during a Fourth of July fireworks call, have prompted discussion about whether future Independence Day celebrations will require additional law enforcement support.

Rancho Murieta Community Services District Security Sgt. Brandon Arino described the incidents during the district's July 9 Security Committee meeting.

Committee members also discussed a possible transfer of security operations to the Rancho Murieta Association, heard about the successful reunification of a special needs child with his mother, and received a report on new aquatic invasive species training.

July 4 Challenges

Following his monthly report, Arino described two troubling incidents during Rancho Murieta’s Fourth of July celebration.

He said security personnel encountered significant problems at North Beach while attempting to disperse a gathering involving underage drinking.

“They trashed the North Beach, per usual, bottles of alcohol everywhere,” Arino said. “I don’t know how many kids tried to say they were going to beat me up, beat Chris up, beat Vitaliy up.”

Chris Smith is the RMA Compliance Supervisor, and Vitaliy Perepelka is a CSD patrol officer.

Arino said security’s goal was simply to clear the gathering. Officers told juveniles that sheriff’s deputies had been called, causing many of the underage youths to scatter while some adults questioned why they could not remain.

Later that night, a CSD patrol and an RMA compliance officer responded to reports of illegal fireworks near the 14th hole of the golf course at Anillo and Guadalupe Drives.

According to the district’s July 5 security incident log, two juveniles fled into the backyard of a nearby residence as officers arrived. While patrol and the compliance officer attempted to investigate, occupants of the residence ordered them off the property. The incident report states that someone inside the residence directed a red laser pointer at both officers. As patrol returned to their vehicles, an adult male confronted them while visibly brandishing a firearm.

Patrol withdrew from the area and notified the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Dispatch advised deputies were committed to a priority call and would respond when available. No deputy responded before patrol cleared the call at 3:30 a.m.

During the committee meeting, Smith said the area’s only on-duty sheriff’s deputy was handling a homicide investigation in Rancho Cordova when the gun incident occurred.

Smith said the Rancho Murieta Association had requested off-duty deputies for the Fourth of July celebration, but none were available.

Instead, RMA hired eight additional private security officers, with Smith and CSD personnel working from 3:30 a.m. until 3:30 a.m. the following day.

Despite the confrontations, Arino praised the joint effort.

“Collectively, between RMA and CSD, I think we did a good job for the Fourth of July,” Arino said. “I just want to give a big shout-out to both our staffs and say thank you to everyone.”

Committee Chairman John Merchant said this year’s celebration appeared larger than any he could remember.

“I’ve never seen that many carts and that many people,” Merchant said.

Merchant said Independence Day falling on a Saturday during a three-day holiday weekend likely contributed to the turnout and questioned whether future Fourth of July celebrations will require additional security and law enforcement resources.

Smith said one of the biggest concerns was the apparent number of non-residents entering Rancho Murieta for the celebration. He said the large number of pedestrians crossing Highway 16 after the fireworks suggested many visitors had walked into the community from outside the gates. Planned fencing near the pedestrian access point is expected to help reduce unauthorized entry during future events.

Child Reunited with Mother

Earlier in his monthly report, Arino highlighted a June 15 incident in which security officers reunited a special needs child with his mother after the child wandered from home and was found alone at the Riverview Park bus stop.

Because the child was unable to identify himself, officers worked with community members familiar with local families to determine his identity and locate his home before contacting the child’s mother. The child was reunited without incident.

Afterward, Arino told the child’s mother about the district’s Bring Me Home Safe program.

“I feel like that program is going to do us some good with incidents like this, so we can get these people home safer and faster,” Arino said.

The voluntary program allows parents and caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities or medical conditions to provide identifying information and photographs that security personnel can use to quickly reunite participants who become lost or are unable to communicate with their families.

Security Transfer Discussed

Committee members also continued discussing a possible transfer of security operations from the CSD to the Rancho Murieta Association.

Merchant said the proposal is being explored because the district’s primary responsibility is operating its utility systems, while security operations require significant management time. He noted security was transferred from the RMA to the CSD decades ago because the district had greater authority to enforce security assessments.

Merchant said CSD officials and an RMA committee are evaluating security assets, funding, employee obligations and public outreach before any decisions are made.

“We want to take this forward with complete accountability and complete transparency so that everybody knows what we’re doing,” Merchant said.

Arino suggested that if gate operations were transferred to the RMA, the CSD should consider retaining some security staff to protect its reservoirs, waterways and other facilities outside the gates.

Merchant agreed, saying the district has an inherent responsibility to protect its reservoirs, water treatment facilities and water supply.

Protecting the Reservoirs

Arino also reported that he, Security Patrol Officer Vitaliy Perepelka and Gate Officer David Labrado completed California Department of Fish and Wildlife training in aquatic invasive species identification, watercraft inspection and decontamination.

The training will help security personnel educate boaters and protect Rancho Murieta’s lakes from invasive species such as zebra, quagga and golden mussels.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional details about the Fourth of July fireworks incident from the Rancho Murieta Community Services District security incident log.