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)– The Oxnard Police and Fire Departments and Via Marina Neighborhood Council are partnering to bring National Night Out (NNO) to Oxnard.
 
Last year, the event in Oxnard was hosted at Target at The Collection.  “This year, our staff wanted to honor the spirit of this National event and work in partnership with a neighborhood council and see the potential for what a neighborhood could do in organizing this event. We were excited to partner and host National Night Out 2013 along with the Via Marina Neighborhood Council,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.
 
National Night Out is designed to: (1) heighten crime prevention awareness, (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs, (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized, vigilant, and fighting back.
 
“The Via Marina Neighborhood Council is proud to join with the Oxnard Police Department in this national effort to bring community participation to public safety in Oxnard.  It furthers our efforts to bring neighbors together to strengthen our partnerships in making our neighborhood a place that we are proud to live in,” said Richard Duarte, Via Marina Neighborhood Council Chairperson.
 
“We are looking to expand and grow this program and event across the City of Oxnard next year, and moving forward.  A win-win for our Department, our community-based policing strategy, and the neighborhoods and community we serve,” said Chief Williams.
 
Along with traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most cities and towns celebrate National Night Out with a variety of special citywide and neighborhood events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals. Visits from local officials and law enforcement, safety fairs, and youth events.
 
This event will bring the District Team who patrol and serve the neighborhood, they focus solely on crime, traffic safety, and quality of life issues at the neighborhood level.   Also accompanying the District Team will be units from the Police Department to meet with local residents and provide crime-prevention information—a great opportunity for local residents to meet one another and the officers assigned to the Via Marina Neighborhood.  Confirmed units include, the Bike Unit, K-9, Code Enforcement, SWAT, DRAGG Car, VIPS’s, and Police Explorers.  Also participating in the event is the Oxnard Fire Department who will be offering free smoke-detectors to seniors in the community.
 
“We’d like to thank the Oxnard Police Department, Fire Department, Target, Mc Donald’s, Coffee Bean at Seabridge, City Corps and Neighborhood Services, the City of Oxnard, National Night Out 2013, and the volunteer residents of the Via Marina Neighborhood Council for all of their support in organizing and making this event happen,” said Duarte.
 
“This is a good night to get to know your neighbors, and help build a stronger and safer community while promoting awareness, safety and neighborhood unity.  It further highlights the importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight for a safer Oxnard and community. We hope this year’s event serves as model for what more neighborhoods in our community can organize next year” said Police Chief Williams.  
 
NNO is a national effort of cities, law enforcement agencies, crime prevention organizations, community groups and neighborhoods.
 
National corporate sponsors for National Night Out 2013 are Target, Associa, and NextDoor.com.   Last year, NNO 2012 involved 37.5 million people in over 15,000 communities from all 50 states.
 
 
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DATE / TIME PREPARED:  August 1, 2013, 11:45 AM

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
The FBI gathers crime statistics from law enforcement agencies each year as part of their Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The UCR Program collects data on four violent crimes and four property crimes. The purpose of the program is to generate a reliable set of crime statistics for use by law enforcement. The Oxnard Police Department is a participating UCR agency and believes it is important to share the crime data with our residents.
 
The City of Oxnard has experienced an increase in reported crime for the first six months of 2013. Reported crime began to rise in 2012 and has continued on this trend for the first half of 2013. The UCR crime categories and the reported crime data for the first six months of 2012 and 2013 are listed below.  
 

 
Under the crime categories of Violent Crimes, there was a 13% increase in aggravated assaults and a 7% increase in robberies. The city also experienced two more homicides in first six months of 2013 than in the same time period in 2012. The crime category for rapes shows a negative number for the first six months of 2012 because several previously reported rapes were unfounded during that period.
 
Property crimes had the biggest category increase, with reported larcenies (thefts) up nearly 37% in 2013, as compared to 2012. The numbers of reported burglaries increased by 29% throughout the city and motor vehicle thefts were up 19%.
 
For reporting purposes, the crime category of theft is divided into eight classifications: Bicycles, Coin-Operated Devices, From Building, From Motor Vehicle, Purse-Snatch/Pick Pocket, Shoplift, Vehicle Parts, and All Other.  Listed below is a comparison by type of theft from 2012 to 2013, January through June.
 

 
The increases in crime coincide with the enactment of Asembly Bill 109, which created California’s Realignment plan. The Realignment plan came about after a federal court order to the state to reduce overcrowding in the state’s 33 prisons. “While the prison reduction plan has focused on offenders that are considered low level, many of them are habitual offenders. All other things being equal, when chronic offenders spend less time in custody, they have more opportunities to commit crimes,” said Assistant Chief Scott Whitney. He added, “the biggest challenge with the prison Realignment Plan is reducing recidivism.”
 
Since the enactment of Assembly Bill 109, there have been approximately 255 individuals released from the California Department of Corrections (CDC), under the Realignment plan, that reside, or are transient within, the City of Oxnard.  The Oxnard Police Department works collaboratively with other agencies in Ventura County, including the Probation Agency, to minimize the potential negative effects that this program has on the city’s crime rate. An Oxnard police officer is assigned, full-time, to work with the Probation Agency to monitor these post release offenders. Data shows that the City of Oxnard has the most Post Release Offenders in the County of Ventura.
 
The Oxnard Police Department has made approximately 375 arrests for sections directly related to the Post Release Offender program from November 1, 2011 to July 31, 2013. Of these Post Release Offenders 138 (36%) had additonal charges, the majority of which were narcotic, other, and property related.
 
“The Oxnard Police Department encourages community members to remain vigilant, secure property, and report any suspicious activity. Much of the increase in property crime can be prevented by not leaving valuables in your vehicle, and securing our doors and windows when one is not home,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.  “We have a collective responsibilty to work to reduce crime and increase public safety in our City, and look forward to working with and empowering our neighborhoods to address these concerns that we all share,” she added.
 

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 a recent increase in stolen vehicles throughout the city.  The south end of Oxnard has had a notable increase in activity, with a significant number of vehicles stolen since July 1, 2013. Neighborhoods in South Oxnard have seen a particular increase, including: Cal Gisler, Blackstock North and South, Pleasant Valley Estates, Southwinds, Cypress, and Villa Capri.

 
Vehicles that appear to be targeted are mid-90’s Honda’s, Nissan’s, and Toyota’s.  Of these thefts, keys were available in 22 of the thefts, and an additional 5 were left with the engine running. 
 
We ask that you assist by taking a proactive approach to deter future stolen vehicles and avoid becoming a victim. We remind you tomake sure to lock your vehicles and remove the keys.  We can all take small steps to avoid becoming a victim.
 

• DO NOT leave your keys in your car, on or off. 
• If your car is left on to warm up, stay with your car—your car can easily be stolen if you are not there to watch it.

·         DO NOT leave any valuable items in your car.  These items are a temptation for someone to break your window and steal your things.  
 
To help prevent vehicle thefts, the Oxnard Police Department is offering a limited quantity of Club’s (automotive steering wheel locks) on a first come-first served basis to owners of high-targeted vehicles, including mid-90’s Honda, Nissan, and Toyota cars.  To determine if you are eligible or availability, please contact Senior Officer Crystal Walker at 805-431-3215.
 
Furthermore, we want to remind community member across the City that if you feel, see, or hear anything that does not seem right, please do not hesitate to contact the Oxnard Police Department.  Many residents, after the fact, have indicated suspicious activity in the days and weeks prior to these types of thefts. 
 
“The Oxnard Police Department encourages community members to remain vigilant, secure property, and report any suspicious activity. Much of the increase in property crime can be prevented,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.  “We have a collective responsibility to work to reduce crime and increase public safety in our City, and look forward to working in partnership with every member in our community to address these concerns that we all share. If you see something or hear anything, please contact Oxnard Police” she added.
 
Help keep our vehicles 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 tips and information can also be made with the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805)385-8255.