Theres A New Sheriff In Town

  Lieutenant Kevin Fries is a seasoned member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, with a career spanning over a decade. He has held various positions, including Deputy Sheriff and Sheriff's Sergeant. By 2019, he had advanced to the rank of Sheriff's Sergeant. Lieutenant Fries has also been actively involved in training new deputies. He served as a Tactical Staff Coordinator at the Sheriff's Basic Academy, overseeing the training and development of recruits to ensure they meet the department's standards. In addition to his training responsibilities, Lieutenant Fries has represented the department in ceremonial capacities. As a member of the Sheriff's Honor Guard, he participated in national events, exemplifying the department's commitment to honor and tradition. Throughout his career, Lieutenant Fries has demonstrated a commitment to law enforcement and public service in San Bernardino County. His progression through the ranks and involvement in both operational and ceremonial roles highlight his dedication to the department and the community it serves. During an impromptu community meeting regarding the power outage , Sheriff Fries urged residents to utilize the Sheriff Department's non-emergency line to report any suspicious activity or urgent needs. “The quicker you guys are able to let our dispatch know, the sooner those calls can be aired and brought up on their screen in their units, and we can get resources out there for you,” said Sheriff Fries.   He reassured residents that deputies from neighboring areas, including Loma Linda, Highland, and county jurisdictions, are ready to assist when needed. “We have an abundance of resources that we can dedicate to this area if required. We just need to know where to go,” he emphasized. Sheriff Fries underscored the vital role residents play in maintaining safety. “You are the eyes and ears out there in the community for us,” he explained. “If we don’t know what’s occurring, we can’t get those resources out to you. We encourage everyone to make sure that you’re letting us know, so we can start allocating accordingly.” He detailed how every call to dispatch is tracked and logged, allowing law enforcement to analyze trends and allocate resources effectively. By working together, residents and law enforcement can ensure better preparedness for future challenges. The power outage served as a critical reminder for residents to prioritize emergency preparedness. Sheriff Fries noted the importance of having emergency kits, keeping vehicles fueled, and planning for potential evacuations. “This should be a wake-up call for a lot of people to say, ‘Okay, how do I prepare myself and my family?’” he said. Highlighting the area’s vulnerability to earthquakes, wildfires, and other emergencies, Fries urged residents to view this outage as an opportunity to strengthen their readiness. “It’s trying times, but we’re really coming together as a community. It makes us that much stronger to get through these things.” Sheriff Fries also praised the efforts of local leadership, including the city council, city manager, and mayor, for their proactive response to the crisis. “I just appreciate what the city council and the city manager and the mayor have done to get you guys where you need to be today,” he said, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines Grand Terrace.