News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 27, 2023

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim

LOCATION: 600 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM: 29-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Ricardo Vega

(805) 385-8291 | ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

On April 27^th at approximately 8:00 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Pacific Avenue regarding multiple calls of a gunshot heard and a subject down in the parking lot. Officers and EMS personnel arrived on scene and located a 29-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the stomach. The subject was immediately transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is listed in critical condition.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Ricardo Vega at 805-385-8291 or by email at ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Due to an active police investigation, East Seventh Street is currently closed between Meta Street to Commercial Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. The closure could last until the late morning hours. We will provide an update once Seventh Street is opened.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 24, 2023

SUBJECT: Reckless Driving Enforcement

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

Three drivers arrested for reckless driving

The Oxnard Police Department continues to enforce dangerous driving behavior to increase safety on city roadways. Within the last five days, officers arrested three drivers who were driving recklessly on city streets. On April 20, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department worked in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, and conducted a Street Racing Enforcement operation. The operation resulted in two drivers arrested for reckless driving, and twenty-seven citations issued.

On April 24, 2023, a motor officer attempted to stop a driver going 95 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. The driver failed to yield and led the motor officer on a pursuit. The motor officer caught the vehicle and arrested the driver for reckless driving and felony evading.

Reckless driving can take the form of street racing, egregious speeding, burnouts, or other behavior dangerous to life. Violators can be subject to arrest and their vehicles impounded for up to 30 days. Additionally, their license may be suspended after the DMV is notified of their driving behavior.

Sadly, Oxnard has already seen traffic fatalities due to reckless behavior. On February 12, 2023, two people were killed when a driver crashed into them while speeding excessively. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to ensuring traffic safety within our communities and will continue the zero-tolerance enforcement efforts to curb these dangerous driving behaviors.

Funding for Street Racing Enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 24, 2023

SUBJECT: Shots fired with multiple victims

LOCATION: 1900 Block Lantana Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Detective Roger Ramirez

(805) 288-3289 | roger.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

On April 24^th at approximately 5:30PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the area of Gonzales Road and Ventura Road regarding several calls of shots fired. Officers contacted the occupants of a black sedan in the area. One of the occupants, a 32-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was transported to a local hospital. He was listed in stable condition. Another occupant of the vehicle, a 27-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his ear and was treated at the scene. Both victim’s injuries were non-life threatening.

Officers checked the area and located evidence of a shooting in the alley of the 1900 block of Lantana Street.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Roger Ramirez at 805-385-7686 or by email at roger.ramirez@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 16, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrol Results

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Six impaired drivers arrested during simultaneous DUI checkpoint and saturation patrol.

On April 15, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office, held a simultaneous DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Victoria Avenue and Fifth Street and a city-wide DUI saturation patrol. The operations resulted in six arrests for impaired driving and nineteen citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 17, 2023

SUBJECT: Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on April 20, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

The Oxnard Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too close to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 17, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video of officer involved shooting incident

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

The Oxnard Police Department is releasing a Critical Incident Community Briefing video of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred at approximately 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 7, 2023.

The public can view the Critical Incident Community Briefing video on the Oxnard Police Department’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/aZUF4koU8mo. The link to the Critical Incident Community Briefing video will also be available on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Viewer discretion is advised.

Chief Jason Benites stated: “The purpose of the video is to provide a general overview of what happened, hopefully answer questions that we realize may exist, as well as help discourage the spread of misinformation.”

The video also provides an explanation of the “less lethal” devices that were used prior to the officer involved shooting, as well as the functions and limitations of the officers’ body-worn cameras. Body worn cameras from all five officers present captured the incident from their respective positions.

Chief Benites added, “This video is in no way intended to offer an opinion or analysis of what transpired. Its scope is limited to presenting facts. It is focused only on the incident itself, and not beyond that…We encourage those watching the video to try to not arrive at a conclusion about the incident, as not all facts, evidence, and information have been corroborated or verified.”

The investigation is still ongoing. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 22, 2023

SUBJECT: DEA National Prescription Take Back

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri, 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

On April 22, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Neighborhood Policing Team, K9 Unit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners collected tablets, capsules, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

Take Back Day offered free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. During today’s operation, about 364 pounds in prescription medication was collected.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police Department “Shoulder Tap” Operation

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-3920 (Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm) | steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department arrest two in Underage Drinking Enforcement Operation

The Oxnard Police Department arrested two individuals during a “Shoulder Tap” operation on April 14, 2023, in Oxnard for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

A “Shoulder Tap” operation focuses on adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

This enforcement operation is designed to create awareness about the dangers of underage drinking throughout California and keep communities safe. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This operation was funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

Anyone requesting information may contact Corporal Steven Ramirez II at (805) 385-3920 or via email at steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org. If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more efficient way to reach the Investigator. Our Watch Commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 13, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department and the California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office will have additional officers on patrol on Saturday, April 15, 2023, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

· Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

· Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

· Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

· Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.