RIO LINDA, CA — Faced with looming fiscal adjustments that could reshape local public safety, neighborhood leaders across the northern tier of Sacramento County are officially uniting.
The Rio Linda Elverta Neighborhood Association (RLENA) has joined forces with the Foothill Farms Neighborhood Association (FFNA) and the Del Paso Heights Community Association (DPHCA) to announce the formation of the North Area Neighborhood Alliance. The newly minted coalition’s immediate focus is mobilizing residents to confront proposed budget cuts to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department—reductions that community advocates warn could heavily impact localized policing initiatives.
The alliance will host its inaugural public summit on Thursday, June 4th, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Family Community Church in North Highlands.
Proactive Policing Programs on the Chopping Block
The primary catalyst for the emergency meeting is a shared concern over how standard department-wide budget contractions will trickle down to specialized, boots-on-the-ground community teams. Specifically, alliance organizers are sounding the alarm on two critical programs that operate heavily in unincorporated Sacramento County:
- The POP Program (Problem-Oriented Policing): Unlike traditional patrol units that respond reactively to 911 calls, POP officers are assigned to targeted areas to investigate and resolve long-term neighborhood nuisances, chronic crime hot spots, and persistent code enforcement issues. Local leaders argue that losing these dedicated officers will severely hinder proactive neighborhood stabilization.
- The HOT Program (Homeless Outreach Team): A vital resource for the Rio Linda and North Highlands areas, the Homeless Outreach Team pairs deputies with social service clinicians to directly engage with unhoused populations, navigate individuals toward local shelters, and clear illegal encampments strategically rather than punitively.
A Domino Effect on Local Schools
The alliance is also highlighting the potential ripple effect these county-level cuts could have on local education safety frameworks. The agenda for June 4th explicitly includes an analysis of how a reduction in Sheriff’s Department resources will impact its ongoing, daily operational collaborations with the Twin Rivers Unified School District (TRUSD) Police Department.
Because TRUSD campuses span across multiple jurisdictions—including Del Paso Heights, North Highlands, and Rio Linda—the logistical and tactical support provided by county sheriff deputies is considered a cornerstone of regional campus security.
Meeting Logistics: Get Involved
Organizers emphasize that this meeting is not just an informational briefing, but a call to civic action aimed at unifying the distinct neighborhoods of the north area under a singular banner: “Your Voice. Our Community. Our Future.”
- Event: North Area Neighborhood Alliance Public Safety Summit
- Date: Thursday, June 4th, 2026
- Time: 6:00 PM sharp
- Location: Family Community Church, 6331 Watt Ave., North Highlands, CA
- Admission: Free; all regional community members, business owners, and property managers are welcome and highly encouraged to attend.
For more background on the alliance layout and the specific language regarding the budget items being discussed, residents can reference the document “Flyer – North Area Neighborhood Alliance 6-4-26 Meeting.pdf” distributed by the participating associations.
Rio Linda Online will provide full follow-up coverage, including statements from neighborhood directors and county representatives following the conclusion of Thursday’s summit.
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