Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff's Department use new database to track down 11 suspected taggers.

LAKE FOREST – Eleven teenagers accused of tagging public property were arrested this morning in a sweep by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, the latest effort to curb vandalism in the city through the use of a new electronic database.

Deputies served four search warrants in two South County cities this morning, as well as one in Los Angeles County, in an effort to rub out vandalism in Lake Forest, which officials say has been experiencing an increase the dollar amount of costs associated with graffiti in the last three months.

Using an electronic database called Tracking Automated and Graffiti Reporting System, or TAGRS, sheriff's investigators tracked down the 11 minors, who are believed to be responsible for 68 cases of vandalism on public property, causing about $10,000 in damages, said Lt. Don Barnes.

"We want to significantly reduce the number of incidents of graffiti," Barnes said.

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The California Peace Officers Association has bestowed its highly coveted Sherman Block Award on Assistant Sheriff Michael Hillmann. Chief Hillman was given the award earlier this year for his work with the Los Angeles Police Department, where he served as a Deputy Chief.

The citation said in part:

Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann has dedicated his life to raising the standards of the law enforcement profession, and the entire Los Angeles Police Department has benefited from his presence among their ranks.  As a pillar of the Los Angeles Police Department, and the entire Los Angeles community, as well as being the personification of excellence in police work, Deputy Chief Hillmann is highly worthy and deserving of receiving the Sherman Block Law Enforcement Professional of the Year Award. 

On the award:

The Sherman Block Law Enforcement Professional of the Year Award is designed to recognize California law enforcement professionals who, like Sheriff Block, have distinguished themselves through dedicated service to their departments, their community and to the law enforcement field. It is the most prestigious award for which a law enforcement professional can be nominated. There will be only one recipient each year.

To see the full text of the award criteria and the citation for Assistant Sheriff Hillmann click: Sherman Block Award.pdf (176.35 kb)