Portola Valley, CA
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The Town of Portola Valley and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office have a longstanding agreement for the County to provide law enforcement services to the town.
The Town’s current contract with the Sheriff’s Office provide for these basic services:
- One patrol deputy available to serve the town 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- Traffic and parking enforcement services
- Criminal investigations, including detective
April 2026 - Sheriff’s Office Releases Q1 Crime Stats for Portola Valley
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has released its quarterly crime statistics report for the Town of Portola Valley. Quarter 1 covers Jan. 1 through March 31.
The data shows that most crime categories have remained stable compared to the same period last year. An increase in larceny and theft is attributed to a series of copper cable thefts from telecommunications infrastructure. The Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in connection with these incidents, and the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the suspect.
2025
Town Annual Report for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
Town Annual Report Presentation to the Town Council for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
If you see something or hear something suspicious, stay calm and report it. For an emergency: call 9-1-1. For non-emergency business, call San Mateo County Sheriff: 650-363-4911
To enroll in San Mateo County's Community Alert System (SMC-Alert), please click here. We encourage all residents to subscribe to this free alert notification system to receive important information via their email and/or cell phones during urgent or emergency situations.
To receive Town updates on public safety, sign up for Town Safety eNotices here.
Town and Sheriff's Office Shares Safety Tips for Preventing Residential Burglaries
The Town and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office are committed to community safety and share the following tips to help prevent residential burglaries:
- The Sheriff's Office offers a Vacation House Watch Program. Fill out an online form to request deputies periodically check on your house, subject to availability.
- If you have a security system, be sure to utilize it. Doorbell and security cameras not only help deter crime, but they also provide important footage that can assist law enforcement in solving cases. The Sheriff's Office has a private video surveillance system program that helps them identify cameras in areas where crime occurs. By registering private cameras, residents can help deter crime and protect the community, while contributing to the overall crime reduction strategy of the Sheriff’s Office. See: https://www.smcsheriff.com/security-camera-registry
- Don't give hideouts. Trim bushes and trees near windows to eliminate potential hiding spots.
- When traveling, hold your mail and deliveries, or ask a trusted neighbor to collect them. Don't leave out garbage and recycling bins for extended periods.
- Don't advertise your travel plans on social media. Avoid posting travel plans or vacation photos until after you return.
- Report suspicious activity. Call the Sheriff’s Office at 650-363-4911 or dial 911 in an emergency.