OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME:

March 3, 2017 / 3:30 p.m.

PREPARED BY:

Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292

melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS

This St. Patrick’s Day, Plan Before You Party!

Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s biggest times to celebrate and party. But unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking alcohol. With the excitement of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, partygoers can find themselves “buzzed” after having a drink or two—and without a planned, sober ride home.

That’s why this St. Patrick’s Day season, Oxnard Police Department, is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reach all drivers with an important life-saving message and warning: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Tragically, March 17 has become a deadly holiday due to the number of drunk drivers on the roads. According to NHTSA, 25 percent of those who died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16th – 5:59 a.m. March 18th) died in crashes involving a drunk driver.

In fact, 252 people nationwide lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes just during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2011 to 2015, with more than one-third dying in a crash where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) well above the legal limit of .08.

NHTSA and Oxnard Police Department are hoping to change the way people think about drinking and driving, and help everyone realize that if they’re buzzed, they should not be driving.

Buzzed driving puts you and others on the road at risk of a crash—or worse, death. Even a little alcohol consumption can lead to poor decision-making and impairment that prevents you from safely operating a vehicle.

Many factors determine the effect alcohol has on your body, and it can vary from person to person. For many people, it doesn’t take much alcohol to become too impaired to drive.

Too many people wait until after they’ve started drinking to figure out how they will get home, but by then, it’s too late to make a clear-headed decision.

If you plan on drinking this St. Patrick’s Day, designate a sober driver before you start the party. Planning your ride ahead of time is one of the simplest ways to ensure you make it home safely. Call a taxi, a sober friend or family member.

Drinking after driving is deadly dangerous and never worth the risk.

Not only could you seriously injure or kill yourself or someone else, but if you are convicted of drunk driving, you face significant legal and financial consequences that include jail time, the loss of your driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work. Also, there’s the embarrassment, humiliation, and consequences of telling your family, friends and employers of your arrest.

Drivers convicted of DUI often make up excuses for why they got behind the wheel, but the reality is they failed to plan ahead. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to plan your sober ride, often it’s already too late.

The bottom line this St. Patrick’s Day: Plan Before You Party. Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 3, 2017, 3:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	February 28, 2017 / 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department conducted a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation throughout the city. Officers focused enforcement efforts in areas prone to bicycle/pedestrian fatal and injury collisions such as the Oxnard Boulevard/Saviers Road corridor, south Rose Avenue, and the area of Ventura Road and Second Street. During the operation, officers issued 96 citations related to jaywalking, school crossing guard violations, impeding traffic, riding a bicycle against traffic and on the sidewalk, not wearing a bicycle helmet, and arrested one subject regarding a misdemeanor warrant and a second subject for evading and possession of a controlled substance.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to make everyone aware of the precautions that can be taken to reduce the number and severity of collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians are reminded to obey regulatory traffic signs and only travel in areas where it is permitted and safe to walk. Bicyclists should follow all traffic laws and wear an appropriate helmet at all times to minimize injuries in the case of a collision or fall. Drivers are reminded to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists as they travel on the roadways and remember to “Share the Road”.

In the past three years, Oxnard has had four people who were killed and 235 people injured in bicycle collisions. Also in the past three years, Oxnard has had ten pedestrians killed and 290 persons injured as a result of collisions involving a vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of enforcement operations this year to make our roadways and community safer. These operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officer Phil Flores and Officer Sergio Figueroa issuing citations to bicyclists on Saviers Road

(Officer Sergio Figueroa) (Officer Phil Flores)

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Release of Independent Audit from OIR Group Regarding the 2012 Officer-Involved Shootings of Alfonso Limon, Jr, Jose Zepeda, and Justin Villa (OIR report available at: OIR Independent Audit of the 2012 Garfield Avenue Officer-Involved Shooting)
DATE/TIME:	October 13, 2012 / 10:12 pm
LOCATION:	100 Block of North Garfield Avenue, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Scott Whitney, Chief of Police
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Greg Hebert, Commander Greg.Hebert@OxnardPD.org 805-200-5680

Details:

On October 13, 2012, Oxnard police officers attempted a traffic stop that led to a short vehicle pursuit. The vehicle was being driven by Rafael Hernandez, and was occupied by Justin Villa, and Jose Zepeda, Jr. During the pursuit, Hernandez stopped the vehicle, but the suspects remained in their car and refused the officers’ attempts to safely resolve the incident. The suspects’ behavior, along with specific information received by officers, led them to believe that the suspects were armed and dangerous.

Additional officers arrived on scene and worked on several contingencies, as it was not clear what the suspects were going to do next. Eleven minutes into the stand-off, the driver sped away, leading officers on another short pursuit. After driving a few blocks, Hernandez suddenly stopped the car, and both Zepeda and Villa quickly jumped out of the car’s right passenger side and fled northbound on Garfield Avenue’s east sidewalk.

While running, Zepeda turned and fired a handgun at the pursuing officers. Officers returned fire. Zepeda fired a second time at officers as he continued running northbound on Garfield. Villa separated from Zepeda by heading eastbound. Hernandez remained in his vehicle as officers contacted him.

Having three suspects in three separate locations during a one and a half-minute exchange of gunfire at night added to the disorder and chaos.

At the same moment that this incident unfolded, Alfonso Limon, Jr. and his brother were walking southbound along Garfield Avenue’s east sidewalk. Zepeda ran past Limon, turned into a parking lot, and then took up a position of cover behind a parked car. This was captured by security cameras that faced the parking lot. Zepeda again fired on officers from his position of cover. Horrifically, Limon was caught in the crossfire between Zepeda and the police officers. Several officers mistakenly believed that Limon was the suspect. Tragically, Limon was shot and killed by officers.

Even after being struck by police gunfire, Zepeda continued to manipulate his weapon in an attempt to shoot at the officers. After shooting all of the bullets in his gun, Zepeda stood up and simulated the pointing of a gun at the officers. Zepeda was killed by police officers.

As the above events were unfolding, Hernandez was removed from his vehicle and arrested by officers. A loaded handgun was found within arm’s reach. Approximately 50 minutes after the first attempted traffic stop, Villa was found hiding in a shed and was arrested. Villa had sustained a gunshot wound to his knee.

The night of the incident, then-Chief of Police Jeri Williams requested that the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conduct the officer-involved shooting investigation. Consistent with countywide protocol, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene of the incident and consulted with the investigating officers.

During the days following the incident, the Police Department initiated contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the California Attorney General, and both determined that their involvement was not warranted. The Police Department also contacted the United States Attorney’s Office, and they also chose to take no action. The Police Department also requested the assistance of the United States Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service in facilitating community dialogue.

By November of 2012, Chief Williams sought the services of an independent entity to provide a comprehensive review of the Police Department’s handling of the incident. The Los Angeles-based Office of Independent Review (OIR), led by Mike Gennaco, was retained by the City of Oxnard to perform this task.

The Sheriff’s Department submitted its investigation to the District Attorney in May of 2013. The District Attorney reviewed the investigation, asked for additional follow up work and retained the services of an independent “use of force” expert. In July of 2014, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office issued its report on the officer-involved shooting. The opinion of the District Attorney was that the officers’ actions were legally justified; that the officers acted in defense of themselves, other officers and our residents.

In June of 2014, the City of Oxnard reached a settlement agreement with the family of Alfonso Limon Jr., who had filed a civil federal lawsuit.

The Police Department’s comprehensive review was completed in May of 2015. In regards to the use of deadly force by the officers, the officers’ actions were determined to be ‘In Policy.’ The Police Department also developed an action plan to address performance issues and internal protocols that were identified in the investigations.

The magnitude and nature of this tragic incident was unprecedented in Oxnard Police Department’s history. The Department is a learning organization and the completion of this independent review is welcomed. We have learned, and will continue to learn from this incident. Much of the information presented in the audit had previously been identified and addressed by the Police Department. Many good, additional recommendations were presented in its findings. There were also some recommendations and critiques from the review on which we did not agree. We do commit, however, to a thoughtful examination of all recommendations.

We plan to make a public presentation of the report’s findings at a future Community Relations Commission meeting.

Statement from Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney:

“Our officers were doing the best they could in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances. We had some of our most highly trained officers and best supervisors at that scene. The officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow officers as well as our residents.

The three suspects, Zepeda, Villa and Hernandez, were responsible for this tragedy. They were driving through one of our neighborhoods, armed with handguns, and looking for trouble. They had many opportunities to safely cooperate with the officers. Zepeda initiated the gunfight and fired on our officers multiple times. His continued aggressions created the situation in which Mr. Limon was caught in the crossfire.

Although there were displays of great valor by the involved officers, the incident ended in tragedy. We will always have the highest sympathies for the family of Alfonso Limon, Jr., who was truly an innocent victim.

It is important to recognize that no written report can truly capture the chaos of that event nor the stress and pressure put on those officers. The officers faced multiple suspects and immediate life threats. Their actions required split-second decisions without the benefit of hindsight. Our officers performed their duties with bravery and heroism with the best intentions to protect our community.”

Date / Time Prepared: February 27, 2017 / 1:00 pm

OIR Independent Audit of the 2012 Garfield Avenue Officer-Involved Shooting

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrol Results
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, February 25, 2017 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DUI Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols Nets Seven Arrests

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted DUI enforcement patrols and two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints on February 25, 2017, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Fifth Street west of Hobson Way and the second checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Wooley Road west of A Street. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

High visibility enforcements, which include DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints and DUI enforcement patrols, have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of checkpoints are the deterrent effects it has on those who might drive alcohol or drug impaired, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

The following are the results of the DUI checkpoints and DUI enforcement patrols:

DUI Checkpoints

209 vehicles screened
One DUI-Alcohol driver arrested
Six drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
22 citations issued
Four vehicles towed

DUI Enforcement Patrols

Four DUI/DUID arrests (One of the drivers was also arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and illegal transportation of marijuana)
One driver arrested for participating in a speed contest
One misdemeanor warrant arrest
Six citations issued
Five vehicles towed

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

The checkpoints and enforcement patrols were funded 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’.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 02/26/17 2:00 a.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	February 28, 2017 / 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Traffic Enforcement Operation Planned this Tuesday in Oxnard

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on February 28, 2017, with focused enforcement on collision causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

The Oxnard Police Department has mapped out locations over the past three (3) years where pedestrian and bike collisions have occurred along with the violations that led to those crashes. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bicycle and pedestrian traffic and crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life-changing injuries. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or any other dangerous violation.

Additionally, enforcement will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists. All riders are reminded to always wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law. Pedestrians should cross the street only at marked crosswalks or at corners.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising in California as more people use these non-motorized means of transportation. Locally, the Oxnard Police Department has investigated 14 fatal and 506 injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past three (3) years. In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 25, 2017 / 6:00 p.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Neighborhood Policing Team Enforcement Detail
DATE/TIME:	February 24, 2017
LOCATION:	South District, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant Marc.amon@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Marc Amon, Sergeant Marc.amon@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On February 24, 2017, the Oxnard Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team conducted an enforcement detail in the city’s South District. The Neighborhood Policing Team is responsible for reducing crime, improving traffic safety, strengthening community partnerships, and increasing neighborhood problem-solving. Tonight’s operation was focused on reducing the number of violent crimes and thefts to neighborhoods south of Channel Islands Boulevard.

A total of 18 people were contacted, six were arrested and one was cited.

The Neighborhood Policing Team is dedicated to keeping Oxnard safe and address issues in all 43 pre-defined neighborhoods in the city by partnering with neighborhood councils, businesses, and individual community members. To learn more about the Neighborhood Policing Team, visit OxnardPD.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/24/17, 2350 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE: Sexual Battery Arrest (2/24/17)

INCIDENT:	Sexual Battery Arrest
DATE/TIME:	February 24, 2017 at 1:40 p.m.
LOCATION:	1200 blk. Camino Del Sol, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers (805) 385-7778 bakari.myers@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Bakari Myers (805) 385-7778 bakari.myers@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On February 24, at approximately 1:40 p.m., officers responded to the 600 blk. of Nina Dr. reference a sexual battery. Officers contacted the female victim who stated that she was walking in the 1200 blk. of Camino Del Sol when a male suspect sexually battered her. The victim stated that the suspect physically restrained her during the assault. The victim pulled away from the suspect who then fled northbound into the West Village Neighborhood.

A resident in the area heard the victim’s cries for help and observed the suspect fleeing the area. The witness followed the suspect until an officer arrived on scene and detained the suspect. An infield show up was conducted and the victim positively identified the suspect, 25 year old Oxnard resident Luis Borunda. Borunda was booked for felony sexual battery and later transported to the Ventura County Jail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 24, 2017 at 6:25 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 25, 2017 / 8:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Saturday

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug-impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

DUI checkpoints like this one 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.

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Over the course of the past three years, Oxnard Police Department officers have investigated 667 DUI collisions which have claimed 10 lives and resulted in another 447 injuries.

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, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Studies of California drivers have shown 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. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspensions and 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’.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 23, 2017/ 5:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 23, 2017 9:20 AM
LOCATION:	4900 block S. C Street
SUSPECT(S):	Edward Yusef Salaan 34 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant Brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jonathan Ballow jonathan.ballow@oxnardpd.org 805-288-3289

DETAILS:

On February 23, 2017, at approximately 9:20 AM, a witness called to report a fight with shots being fired in the 4900 block of South “C” Street, Oxnard. The witness observed two males fighting. One of the males displayed a handgun and fired two shots at the other male.

An Oxnard Violent Crimes Task Force (OVCTF) investigator was in the area of the shooting and observed the shooting suspect riding a bicycle. He was identified as 34 year old Oxnard resident Edward Salaan. Salaan was detained and later arrested. Oxnard Violent Crimes Task Force investigators served a search warrant at Salaan’s residence where they located the outstanding firearm.

Salaan was charged with three (3) separate firearm related felonies and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7796. 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

Oxnard Union High School District Press Release

February 21, 2017

Today at 8:57am, in partnership with the Oxnard Police Department, Channel Islands High School will conduct an ‘Active Assailant Drill’ on campus at 1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard.

The drill simulates an armed assailant entering the campus during the school day and the best possible responses of staff, students, and law enforcement.

The purpose of today’s drill, and of all emergency drills conducted during the school year, is to understand how to better protect students and staff in the case of actual emergencies on campus. Historically, actual emergencies are few and far between on campus and the ability to participate in drills provides important practice and debriefing opportunities for all concerned.

Students and Staff received training and information on today’s drill beginning in late November 2016. Parents have been notified with calls and letters home in both English and Spanish, and community members were notified with handouts delivered throughout the neighborhood by school staff.

As part of the training, information from the US Department of Homeland Security on how to react in this type of situation, including the ‘Run, Hide, Fight’ response has also been reviewed with students and staff.

Following the drill, students will participate in a debriefing activity led by CIHS faculty. The Oxnard Police Department will also debrief the drill with CIHS staff and information from today’s drill will further inform training protocols and serve to further strengthen the partnership between OPD and OUHSD schools in the best interests of student safety

During the drill the office at CIHS will be closed from 8:40am – 9:40am