01/19/2017
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux announces a new silent, invisible witness to help prevent agricultural crimes in Tulare County and to protect the interests of agricultural partners.
SmartWater CSI is an innovative, high-tech tool that links criminals and stolen property directly back to victims. It reunites victims with their stolen property and links thieves to the crime scene.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is the first law enforcement agency in the western United States to publicly launch SmartWater CSI.
“We will use this tool to protect our agricultural partners,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.
Tulare County farmers may sign up for this forensic tracking program next month at the Sheriff’s booth at the World Ag Expo at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. The Agricultural Crimes Unit will be on hand to answer questions throughout the farm show Feb. 14-16.
SmartWater CSI is a proven crime deterrent in more than 1,500 cases over the last 19 years in the United Kingdom and other parts of the United States.
In areas where it’s been implemented, SmartWater CSI has achieved double digit reductions in property crime averaging between 35-45 percent. Several agencies with continuing programs, including the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Boynton Beach Police Department in Florida, have seen consistent reductions in property crimes averaging in the 72-75 percent range.
This invisible and odorless application can only be seen with a special long-wave ultra-violet light. The unique DNA-like fingerprint can last for years and only a micro-speck is needed for analysis.
The Tulare County agricultural community is going to be forensically protected by SmartWater CSI.