What's Up in Stallion Springs?

It's that time of year for harvesting in the Grimmway fields along Banducci and Pelliser Roads in Cummings Valley. As you leave or come in to Stallion Springs, watch for workers cutting between the cars, entering or exiting their cars that are parked along the road.

Bear and California Condor sightings in Stallion Springs

Residents have reported multiple sightings of a small black bear in the southwest area of (lower) Stallion Springs.  As a reminder, please DO NOT approach or feed the bear and contact the Stallion Springs Police Department if you do see a bear creating a nuisance or becoming hazardous.

Additionally, residents have also reported sightings of California Condors in the upper western portion of Stallion Springs.  As a reminder, the California Condor has been protected as an endangered species by federal law since 1967 and by California state law since 1971.  Please do not harm or harass the animal. It is a crime.  DO NOT approach or feed the Condor, but if you are experiencing property damage, please contact the police department and the Department of Fish and Wildlife for assistance.

Visit California Fish and Wildlife website for additional information on bears http://www.wildlife.ca.gov/keep-me-wild/bear and condors wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/California-Condor.

Tips for bear-proofing your home: Do not toss food scraps out into the yard. Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container. Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day. Do not leave trash, groceries or pet food in your car. Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia. Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use. It is advised to not hang bird feeders in bear country. If you must, only do so during November through March and make them inaccessible to bears. Keep in mind bears are excellent climbers. Do not leave any scented products outside, even non-food items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles. Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied. Consider installing motion-detector alarms and/or electric fencing. Bring pets in at night. Provide safe and secure quarters for livestock at night. Consider composting bins as opposed to open composting. Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings. Do not spray bear spray around property – when it dries, it can serve as an attractant. Do not feed deer or other wildlife – this will attract bears to your home. Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.

If a bear breaks into your home, do not attempt to confront the bear. Give the bear an escape route. If the bear cannot make its way out, go to a safe place and call 911.

Catalytic Converter thefts

The Stallion Springs Police Department has recently seen a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in Stallion Springs.  Catalytic converters are attached to the vehicle's exhaust system and are located underneath the vehicle. The catalytic converter connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust and if it is missing, you will see signs of the piping being sawed off. Thieves are generally targeting vehicles with a high ground clearance like pickup trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles.

These types of thefts have been popular with thieves throughout Kern County due to the relative ease of removal of the device.  Catalytic converters contain precious metal components and do not have identifying marks like serial numbers.

To help prevent catalytic converter theft, park in a well-lit area when possible, or park in your garage or close to a building entrance.  A local mechanic may be able to install a catalytic converter protection device on your vehicle to help deter thieves from removing it.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Stallion Springs Police Department at (661) 861-3110 or online via the Stallion Springs Police Department's website www.stallionspringscsd.com/police-department and clicking on "File a Police Report" link.

Police Report

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. The Stallion Springs Police Department is dispatched through the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

For non-life-threatening issues, please call (661) 861-3110. You may contact us by email or using the contact information provided on the CSD website http://www.stallionspringscsd.com. If you wish to make an appointment to speak with an officer, contact the CSD at (661) 822-3268. Appointments may be canceled at any time due to limited police staffing.

The Stallion Springs Police Department encourages our residents and guests to sign up for our Nixle public notification alerts and to create a Smart911 profile. These safety communication systems are free for you to sign up. Please visit www.nixle.com or www.smart911.com now.

Stallion Springs Board of Directors

The Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. normally in the CSD Boardroom. The next meeting on Aug. 18 will be held in the CSD Boardroom or at the Community Center subject to the restrictions created by COVID-19.