Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On Wednesday, March 7, 2012 the intersection of Rice Avenue and Fifth Street will be closed for a railroad track replacement project. Union Pacific Railroad will do the work and Farwest Paving will handle the redirection of traffic around the project. The shutdown will begin at 6 a.m. and last until about 10 p.m.
 
Motorists will be asked to avoid the area by using alternate routes. Oxnard PD traffic officers will be available in the event there is a significant traffic issue in the area.
 
The plan is to divert traffic eastbound and westbound on Fifth Street from northbound Rice. Southbound Rice Avenue traffic will be diverted to Camino Del Sol, Sturgis Road and Eastman Avenue.  
 
Any questions regarding the repair work should be directed to either Terri Metzler
(714) 630-4856 or John Tovar (714) 231-0145 of Farwest Paving.
 
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On March 15, 2012 at about 6:40 p.m., Oxnard PD officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Wagon Wheel Road regarding a robbery at Acu-Therapy. When officers arrived they found a 65-year-old woman who had been physically assaulted and robbed. The victim sustained injuries from the assault but did not receive medical treatment for her injuries.
 
The victim was inside the business when two Hispanic males entered her business and demanded money. The victim was held at knife point as the two suspects took money and some video equipment from inside the business. Both suspects were armed with weapons. One of the suspects left the business and fled on foot to a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The suspects’ car was a gray Honda or beige Infiniti four-door. The other suspect physically assaulted the female victim and threatened to rape her. The victim struggled with the suspect and he eventually ran out of the business to the car waiting in the parking lot. Both suspects drove away from the scene in towards the Highway 101.
 
The suspects are described as two Hispanic males. The first one is about 23-24, 5’5” bald, heavy build, wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans. The second suspect is about 23-24, 5’8” with a thin build wearing a black jacket.
 
If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Jose Velazquez at (805) 385-3982. 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.
 
 
 
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On Thursday, April 19, 2012 the Kiwanis Club of Oxnard will host the 44^th annual Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon. The event starts at noon and will be held at the Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive (22^nd floor). Members of the public are welcome to attend, but reservations are required. The cost is $30 per person and can be paid at the door on the day of the event. To reserve your seat, contact Sandra Jacinto at (805) 385-7624 or email [email protected].
 
For more than 40 years the Kiwanis Club of Oxnard has partnered with the Oxnard Police Department to recognize outstanding employees. The nominees for the 2011 Police Officer of the Year are: Officer Rachel Burr, Officer Mike Thomas and Sergeant Alex Arnett. The criteria for this award are: must have achieved the rank of police officer II or senior police officer; performance of duties in an exemplary manner; strong academic credentials or evidence of an earnest effort to obtain a higher degree; activity beyond the normal scope o duty as in voluntarily engaging in the community affairs of Oxnard in a significant way.
 
In addition to the Officer of the Year recognition, Chief Jeri Williams will present the following awards to OPD employees: supervisor of the year; civilian employee of the year; MADD award; dispatcher of the year; chief’s award of excellence; and volunteer of the year / Clancy Nieland award.
 
The Kiwanis Club of Oxnard was founded in 1947. It is part of Kiwanis International and supports many local and national events each year.
 
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

On 5/17/12 at about 3:30 p.m., Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Fremont Way regarding a stabbing victim.
 
Oxnard police officers arrived on scene and were unable to locate the victim. The victim was later found to have been transported by a private party to St. John’s Hospital. Officers contacted the victim and additional witnesses at the hospital. Officers were advised that several subjects initiated contact with the victim and a confrontation occurred. During the confrontation, gang slogans were shouted out and the incident escalated into a stabbing. The suspects then fled. The incident appears to be gang related and an investigation is continuing.
 
Investigators believe there are numerous witnesses to this incident. If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to Detective Mike Johnson at (805) 385-7645.  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.
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On May 30, 2012 at 8:10 p.m., officers from the Oxnard PD responded to a report of shots fired in front of the trailer park located at 1853 Ives Avenue. Upon officers arrival they located evidence of a shooting and located the suspect in a nearby trailer. Officers were unable to locate any victims.
 
The suspect, Robert Henry, 26, has a prior felony arrest that made it illegal for him to possess weapons. Officers located a weapon and ammunition at Henry’s trailer that matched evidence at the scene.
 
The suspect was arrested for discharging a weapon in public, felon in possession of a firearm, and under the influence of a controlled substance.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. 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.
 
 
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On June 9, 2012 at about 9:20 p.m., Oxnard PD officers were on patrol in the 700 block of Cooper Road when they heard shots being fired in the area. Officers checked the area and located an 18-year old male who had been shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
 
At this time we have no information about the suspect in this case but an investigation is underway.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Jose Velazquez at (805) 385-7688. 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.
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) On Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 1 p.m. eight participants of the Oxnard PD Explorer Academy Post #9286 will graduate. The event will take place at the Pacifica High School Performing Arts Center. 
 
The Explorer academy began on June 11, 2012 with ten participants. These Explorer recruits spent many hours in the classroom, taking tours of law enforcement facilities and meeting with local law enforcement professionals.
 
The curriculum at the Explorer academy included: report writing, traffic laws, traffic investigation, cultural diversity, crime scene preservation, juvenile laws, search & seizure procedures, the criminal justice system, crime prevention, ethics and patrol procedures. The recruits were also introduced to various units at OPD via tours and presentations. In addition to academic instruction the recruits participated in physical conditioning.  
 
 Explorer recruits are mentored by Oxnard PD officers, some of whom also started their law enforcement careers in the Explorer Program. The recruits learn character development, law enforcement history, community investment and patriotism. The Explorer Program is an excellent opportunity for high school aged youth to invest in their futures through involvement in many types of police and community activities. 
 
For any questions related to the OPD Explorer Program or the graduation, please contact Officer Jason Rodriguez at [email protected].
 
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

(Oxnard, CA) There has been an increase in the number of bicycle collisions in the city of Oxnard in recent months. Between January and June in 2011 there were a total of 25 collisions involving bicycles. Between those same months this year, there have been 49 bicycle collisions.
 
As a result of this increase, Oxnard PD patrol officers and traffic officers are conducting directed bicycle enforcement which includes educating the public on bicycle safety and proper choices while riding a bicycle on city streets.
 
The primary collision factors in these crashes are wrong-way riding and signal and stop sign violations. Officers are enforcing these violations and bicycle equipment violations for example: riders under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet and all bicycles must be equipped with functioning brakes. Helmets are strongly recommended for everyone when riding a bicycle.

Bicycle riders are to follow the same rules of the road as those driving cars on our roadways. Here are just a few rules and tips for safe bicycle use –
 

• Travel in the same direction as cars and stop for all stop signs and obey all signal lights.
• Oxnard city ordinance 7-132(d) prohibits people over the age of 12 from riding their bikes on the sidewalk.
• Make eye contact and make sure a driver sees you before crossing in front of a car.
• Wear light clothing so that drivers may see you more easily at night.
• A front white headlight and a rear reflector are required when riding at night. A red light on the rear is strongly recommended.
• Stay focused and stay alert… do not ride with headphones in both ears.
• Use extreme caution when making turns in traffic.
• Ride far enough away from parked cars so you can avoid suddenly opened doors.

Follow these links for bicycle safety information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Office of Traffic Safety http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/BicyclePedSafetyBrochure.pdf  
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles
 
 

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