Beginning in 2006, the City of Palm Desert added a new Business District Team (BDT)
comprised of two officers specifically assigned to the business district area referred
to as the 30 beat. The business district area includes the El Paseo corridor, the
Westfield Mall, the Highway 111 corridor, and the Desert Crossing shopping center.
While their primary responsibility is to conduct high visibility patrol in this
area, they also handle many of the calls for service generated in the business district.
The BDT utilizes several different methods to patrol this area, including bicycle,
Segway EPAMD (Electronic Personal Assistant Mobility Device), plain unit, foot,
and golf cart patrol.
The BDT is a valuable asset to the City of Palm Desert as the officers work a flexible
schedule that allows for their shifts to be adjusted according to the needs of the
city. Their schedules are created using crime trend analysis, peak shopping times,
and high profile events to determine when officers are most needed. In the course
or patrolling the business district, the BDT often handles calls for service that
are specific to the business district such as theft and vandalisms. This in turn
allows the patrol deputies to remain available for other calls for service. Further,
the BDT conducts undercover operations in conjunction with the Alcoholic Beverage
Control (ABC) and Palm Desert City Code Enforcement.
Officer Denise Hignight
Officer Denise Hignight has been employed by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department
for almost ten years. She worked at the Indio Jail for two years before being transferred
to the Palm Desert Station. Officer Hignight served the communities of Palm Desert,
Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells for over five and a half years while on patrol, and
she has been assigned to the Business District Team for almost two years. You can
e-mail Officer Highnight at DHignigh@riversidesheriff.org.
Officer Mike Vasquez
Officer Mike Vasquez has been employed by the Riverside Sheriff's Department for
three years. He has been assigned to The Palm Desert Station since his hiring. Officer
Vasquez was assigned to patrol for two years where he served the communities of
Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. He is currently assigned to The Business
District Team. His assignment consists of assisting businesses and the public within
the "111 and El Paseo Corridors." You can e-mail Officer Vasquez at
Mcvasque@riversidesheriff.org.
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