Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS: On August 15, 2013 at approximately 2:00 P.M, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested 20 year old Carlos Eduardo Hernandez of Oxnard for the murder of Edwin Herrera.  Hernandez was later booked into Ventura County Jail for murder.  Hernandez’s bail is set at $4,000,000. 

                              
Herrera’s murder occurred in the 2000 block of San Benito Street, on February 29, 2012.  Members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit have been actively investigating this murder since the night it happened.  Investigators suspect that the crime was gang motivated but don’t believe the victim was a gang member. Oxnard Police are continuing to investigate this crime and additional arrests are likely.  Members of the public are asked to call Detective Jeff Kay at 805-385-8174 with any information.        
 
In addition to this arrest, the Oxnard Police Department’s task force, that was formed to address several unsolved homicides in the Lemonwood neighborhood over the last several years, has made arrests on four additional homicide cases.
 
 
 
  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  08/15/13 1600 Hours. 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Thursday August 22, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 71 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  It is unknown how many DUI arrests occurred during the same seven (7) day time period in 2012.
 
Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)
 
For the second weekend of the campaign, Avoid the 14 will deploy several DUI Checkpoints and DUI Saturations Patrol. DUI Saturations Patrols will be deployed during the weekend in the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, and the campus of California State University of Channel Islands (CSUCI). On Saturday, DUI Checkpoints will be deploying in the cities of Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Camarillo, and by the California Highway Patrol.
 
The checkpoint being conducted by the city of Camarillo will be held in memory of Kim Hemminger.  On July 22, 2012, Kim died as a result of a DUI traffic collision.  Kim was a passenger in a vehicle when the alcohol impaired driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over.  Kim died from her injuries.  The driver, Christopher Blankenship was later convicted of vehicular manslaughter.  The Camarillo Police Department wants to take this opportunity to share Kim’s story and her beautiful life, a life that was cut too short because of an impaired driver.   
 
All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.
 
Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer:  Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.  Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013.  Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.
 
MEDIA NOTE:  The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 8/23/13 at approximately10:40 pm, Oxnard police officers responded to the 100 block of South McKinley Avenue reference a fight. When officers arrived they located a victim with numerous stab wounds. EMS quickly arrived and transported the victim to the Ventura County Medical Center. The victim was rushed into surgery and is listed in critical condition. The police have not been able to identify the victim since the victim was not in possession of identification.
 
According to residents in the area, a possible fight involving unknown persons took place. The reason for the fight or what provoked the incident is still unknown.
 
The investigation is continuing.
                                                                                                                             
If anyone has information about this incident or knows the identity of the victim, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. at (805) 385-7665.  If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
 
You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email. 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:8/24/13 0252 Hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department would like to notify residents that the community is experiencing fumigation burglaries. To date, we have seen a total of 26 such burglaries, with 24 coming in the last 6-months—an average of one per week.

 
Fumigation burglaries have occurred throughout the city, with a higher concentration occurring in the Cal-Gisler, Kamala Durley Park, and Bartolo Square neighborhoods on the south end of Oxnard.  
 
Primary property targeted and removed from these burglaries include: Electronics (TV, computers/laptops/tablets, Gaming systems, and DVD players), jewelry, tools, cash, clothes, purses, and firearms in 3 separate incidents.

Thieves are increasingly targeting tented homes, putting their health and safety at risk especially during the exposure period.  Entering any tented home is hazardous, because extermination companies use deadly gases to eradicate termites and other pests from properties.
 
Open and unlocked doors and windows have been the primary method and point of entry in almost half of the fumigation burglaries in Oxnard—most likely during the ventilation period of the process when homes have to force out air.  In other cases, however, doors and windows have been pried, smashed, or used bodily force to gain access.
 
This problem is not unique to the City of Oxnard.  Earlier this year, Ventura Police also warned residents about residential burglaries at homes that are tented for fumigation.  Similarly, cities throughout Los Angeles County have experienced similar crimes in the last 18-months.
 
There are a number of steps that residents can take to further protect themselves and their property.  The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to remove small valuables such as money, jewelry, keys, personal documents, flat screen televisions and small electronics.  Residents are also encouraged to advise neighbors so they can be vigilant and help report suspicious people or activity during planned fumigation dates. Furthermore, residents can ask fumigators about installing alarms and sensors at jobs, such sensors can alert fumigators’ cellphones if anyone enters a tented building.
 
The Police Department has taken actions to reduce the number of these types of burglaries. We also ask that you assist by taking a proactive approach to deter such criminal activity. We can all take small steps to help our neighbors and one another avoid becoming a victim.
 
Help keep our homes and neighborhoods in Oxnard crime-free and safe.  We remind residents to be extra aware and vigilant. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740, or dial 911. Anonymous information and tips can also be made with the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805)385-8255.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
(OXNARD, Calif)– Oxnard Police Code Compliance and City Corps members came together last week for an abatement cleanup of the Halaco site, in the process, showing the general public what a small group of dedicated people can do when they come together.
 
“This really is a labor of love.  We cannot simply walk up and start cleaning up on a project like this.  The process can be long and arduous, but we received an Abatement Warrant from the Superior Court, and started our cleanup efforts on Monday.  By the weekend, our work at the site was complete,” said Oxnard Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein,
 
The old-Halaco Engineering Company was added to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List in 2007.  The former Halaco Engineering Co. metals recycling facility off Perkins Road operated from 1965 to 2004, when the company shut down after filing for bankruptcy protection.
 
During its 40-years of operation, Halaco produced a large quantity of waste (i.e., slag) containing residual metals from the smelting process. From about 1965 to 1970, Halaco discharged waste into unlined settling ponds in or adjacent to the Oxnard Industrial Drain. From about 1970 to 2002, Halaco deposited wastes into unlined earthen settling ponds east of the smelter. More than 700,000 cubic yards of waste and radioactive material still remain on-site.
 
“The before and after are drastic,” says Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager. “Keeping up with their standard of hard-work and attention to every detail, Code Compliance and City Corps came in and got the abatement job done—cleaning up overgrown brush and providing overdue graffiti-removal safely.  The team’s attitude, commitment, and hard-work needs to be recognized and commended,” Lopez added.
 
In 2006, after Halaco ceased its operations, the bankruptcy was converted to a Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy. Members of the Haack family retain ownership of the 11-acre smelter area, but in 2006, Alpha and Omega Development LLC purchased the 26-acre waste management area. The future use of the property remains uncertain.
 
The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein, Officers Johanna Garcia and Christina Galindo; as well as, Efren Gorre, Maria Chavez, and the City Corps team who provided invaluable support. “We hope visitors to Ormond Beach are able to enjoy the beach and natural wetlands a little bit more, after our best efforts at a temporary cleanup,” said Silverstein.
 
[Note: small sample of before/after pictures attached.  Additional photos will be uploaded to our Oxnard Police Facebook Page.]

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco1.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco2.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco3.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco4.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco5.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco6.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco7.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco8.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco10.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa1.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa2.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa4.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa6.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa8.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa13.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa16.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa18.jpg
 
https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa200.jpg
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS: Oxnard, CA – Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on November 22, 2013 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.   

 
The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes.  Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.
 
Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by impaired driving. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 211 injury crashes harming 298 of our friends and neighbors,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown. During the same three year period, there were 1,699 persons arrested in Oxnard for driving while impaired.
 
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily.  When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. 
 
Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems.  A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).  Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.  Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.
 
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.
 
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
 
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to The Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.