Residents, local officials and county law enforcement gathered last week to celebrate the grand opening of the Discovery Bay Sheriff’s annex.

Sheriff Warren Rupf welcomed the public to the new offices, located next to Aladino’s Pizza on Discovery Bay Boulevard, and thanked residents for their ongoing support and commitment to community safety.

“The evidence is that this town, at least on this issue, has come together in all ways,” said Rupf. “Thank you to each and every member of the community for their hard work. This facility represents all that is good with Discovery Bay.”

Rupf also welcomed Supervisor Mary Piepho, and thanked her and the entire Board of Supervisors for their role in getting the office opened.

“It’s an honor to be here to help dedicate this facility,” she said, offering praise for the Sheriff and the “dedicated partners” in the community that helped bring it about.

Rupf also thanked the Hofmann Company for its donation of the office space, as well as Resident Saves volunteers Gary and Edie Rubin and Elizabeth Munoz. Rupf commended community members Terri Everheart, Greg and Nancy Knoksen and Diane Stevens for their donations of office furniture, appliances and a child safety identification system, respectively. The child safety system was christened during the event and dozens of IDs were created.

The printer and CD discs for the safety system were provided by Sasville Properties – a donation owner Chris Sasville was only too happy to supply. “We’re happy to help,” he said. “We welcome them (deputies) here with open arms. We have a great community and we’re glad to see them here.”

The grand opening was also an opportunity to officially introduce the town’s two new resident deputies, Byran Michaud and Mark Spaulding, as well as Crime Prevention Specialist Tony Fontenot, “The only guy without a gun, but that doesn’t make him not important,” quipped Rupf.

According to Lt. Mike Burton, the man in charge of the Sheriff’s Office presence in the area called Delta Station, which includes Discovery Bay, “I think this was a nice turnout and I’m thrilled that Discovery Bay has a place they can be proud of.”

The grand opening was co-sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor Piepho, the Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD).

“On behalf of the business community, I would like to thank you (Sheriff’s deputies) for all the efforts they do to take out the bad guys and make it our community better,” said Chamber President Chris Steele.

CSD President Ray Tetreault agreed. “It’s a great celebration and a good turnout,” he said. “This is certainly a positive event.”

The resident deputies, crime prevention specialist and additional patrol car were paid for with P6 zone funds – more than $500,000 per year earmarked for enhanced police services and collected from residents living the specialized P6 tax areas.

“This is a wonderful thing,” said Piepho during the event. “I’m glad to see the town finally getting the services they deserve.”

Food and beverages were provided by the Sheriff’s Posse, Aladino’s Pizza, the Boardwalk Grill, Discovery Bay Steak House and Safeway.