John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On July 1, 2010, at about 1430 hours, members of Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit and Special Enforcement Unit served a search warrant on Cesar Reyes at his residence in the 700 block of Teakwood Street in the City of Oxnard.  Reyes is a known member of the Southside Chiques street gang.  The search warrant was the result of a one month investigation into Reyes for sales of methamphetamines.

During the search of the residence, detectives located a 9mm Uzi assault rifle, several rounds of 9mm ammunition and a quantity of methamphetamines.  Reyes was arrested without incident at the residence.  Reyes was subsequently booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of methamphetamines for sale, possession of an assault rifle and child endangerment with his bail set at $50,000.

The investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  July 2, 2010 / 1500 hours

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 
On 6-30-10, at approximately 9:07 P.M., a subject entered the Jack in the Box Restaurant, 550 South Victoria Avenue, and ordered food from the clerk. When the clerk opened up the cash register, the suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and ordered the clerk to hand over all of the money. The clerk placed the money on the counter and the suspect picked it up. The suspect was seen running eastbound through the parking lot and it was unknown if he left the area in a vehicle.  

On 7-1-10, the clerk met with officers and a composite sketch was completed of the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7688 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  7-1-10 / 1840 Hours

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

In 2009 the 238-officer Oxnard Police Department deployed 128 officers on July 4^th. Between May 1^st and July 5^th 2009 there were 303 total fireworks disturbance calls. 175 of those were received on July 4^th. Officers issued $28,950 in civil fines for the use or possession of fireworks. 125 pounds of fireworks were seized.

As staggering as those numbers are, the last three years has witnessed a decrease in fireworks-related disturbances. Fewer citations have been issued. And, the number of fireworks confiscated has decreased. 

However, residents are still intolerant of fireworks in their neighborhoods. They cite being surprised by the “loud pops,” fireworks-related noise at late hours, and the terror pets and other animals experience. Coupled with the potential for human tragedy, Oxnard residents have made a compelling case for the continued ban of fireworks.

Visitors and residents are encouraged to attend the spectacular Fireworks by the Sea in the Channel Islands Harbor Sunday night, July 4^th and not possess or otherwise use fireworks.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  7-1-10

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On July 4th, the Channel Islands Harbor District will be hosting its 13th annual 4th of July event.  The event will begin at 8:00 A.M. with a 10K & 5K Fun Walk along Sunset Lane and Mandalay Beach Road.  This will be followed by the July 4^th Children’s Parade on Harbor Boulevard.  The parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. and take place on south Harbor Boulevard between Cabezone Way and Albacore Way.  Harbor Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic during the parade.  Motorists can use Sunset Lane or Ocean Drive as an alternate route.  

Activities and entertainment are scheduled throughout the day at the Fisherman’s Wharf and Marina.  There will be vendors with booths as well as a farmer’s market.  This will be a family oriented event with fun for all.  The event will end with a fireworks show that begins at 9:00 P.M.

No alcohol, fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, or flare ignition will be tolerated.  All of the involved law enforcement agencies will be conducting strict enforcement of all related offenses.

This event is expected to draw a large crowd and traffic delays are expected following the fireworks show.  The Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control to expedite the flow of traffic surrounding the event site.  Starting at 7:00 P.M., all intersections on Victoria Avenue and Harbor Boulevard from Fifth St. to the harbor area will be controlled by traffic officers.

If you live in the area of any of these intersections, we apologize for any inconvenience. The roads will be re-opened as soon as possible.

These traffic flow modifications are taking place to assist in relieving the traffic congestion from this event in a timely and orderly fashion, with caution for pedestrians.

Please have a safe and enjoyable 4^th of July holiday.

For any questions related to road closures or any of these events on July 4^th, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  6/30/10, 1730 hours

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting several DUI operations over this July 4^th weekend.  Starting on Friday night, July 2^nd, officers from the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will be deployed for a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Oxnard.  The checkpoint will begin at 6:00 P.M. and end at 2:00 A.M. 

On Saturday, July 3^rd, officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be participating in an “Avoid the 14 Ventura County” DUI checkpoint hosted by the California Highway Patrol.  This checkpoint will begin at 6:00 P.M. and end at 2:00 P.M.  Officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Ventura Police Department will also be working at this checkpoint scheduled to be held in the city limits of Oxnard.

In addition to these checkpoints, several officers throughout Ventura County will be deployed this weekend in the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Fillmore, Moorpark, Camarillo, and Port Hueneme searching for impaired drivers.  These officers are also part of the “Avoid the 14 Ventura County” DUI campaign.

The goal of these DUI operations is to arrest impaired drivers and warn people of the dangers and consequences of driving while impaired.  Over the Limit, Under Arrest is all around the state and Ventura County!  According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-related collision every 45 minutes and 32 times a day. 

In 2009, during the July 4^th holiday period (July 3^rd to midnight July 6^th), 30 people lost their lives in California due to alcohol-related collisions.  There were an additional 363 people injured on California roadways as a result of an impaired driver. 

Last year in Oxnard, during the July 4^th holiday, the Oxnard Police Department investigated over 30 traffic collisions.  12 of those collisions involved injuries to motorists and three of those injury collisions were caused by a DUI driver.   So far this year, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 475 DUI drivers and remains committed to its ‘Zero Tolerance, DUI Campaign.’ 

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these checkpoints and DUI enforcement operations which are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.   

We also remind everyone that if you see a Drunk Driver, Call 911.  This is an easily preventable crime – drive sober, and drive safely!

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  6/29/10, 1700 hours

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

The popular and effective Oxnard Police Department Mounted Unit will be deployed Saturday, July 3^rd and Sunday, July 4^th as part of the Agency’s fireworks suppression strategy.

Officers Larry Eklund, his partner “Clinton,” and Officer Jim Evans and his partner “JJ,” will be deployed on Oxnard beaches Saturday, July 3^rd alerting the public that Oxnard continues it zero tolerance approach to fireworks especially over the 4^th of July weekend. These officers and their partners have similarly been deployed each of the last two years in an effort to gain public compliance. July 4^th fireworks-related disturbance calls have been significantly reduced in Oxnard from 410 in 2007 to 216 in 2008 and 175 in 2009.

The Mounted Unit will expand its mission Sunday, July 4^th, focusing on fireworks suppression in, and around the Oxnard Shores and the Channel Islands Harbor. Much of their deployment will be during nighttime hours.

Clinton and JJ have been asked to, and will participate in Channel Islands Harbor Children’s Parade. This marks the first time this “working unit” has participated in a parade.

Residents and visiting beachgoers are reminded that possession and use of fireworks is prohibited in Oxnard with violators facing fines as much as $1,000.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  6-30-10

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

Arnold Road will again be closed on Sunday, July 4^th, from 4 PM to 2 AM. This continues a practice begun years ago to not only protect the wetlands and wildlife located there, but to discourage the use of illegal fireworks in this fragile environment. Local neighborhood groups and members of the Audubon Society suggested this measure and it has proven to discourage pedestrian and vehicular traffic and eliminate the use of illegal fireworks.

Residents are reminded that possession and use of illegal fireworks is prohibited. The Oxnard Police Department is continuing its “zero tolerance” policy as it relates to fireworks.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  6-29-10

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

Members of the media have inquired about the driver’s name.  The driver of the SUV was Suisami James Faasua, age 22, of Oxnard.  He was wearing his seatbelt and both of the vehicle’s front airbags deployed.  He sustained only minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene by Oxnard firefighters and Gold Coast Ambulance paramedics.  Alcohol is not a factor and no citations were issued.  The collision is still under investigation.  The roadway remains closed at this time while Edison crews make repairs.