Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Play It Safe This Cinco de Mayo! Don’t Drink and Drive
DATE/TIME:	Cinco De Mayo Weekend 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Maria Pena, Traffic Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                    May 3, 2013

CONTACT: Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

Play It Safe This Cinco de Mayo!
Avoid the 14 – Ventura County DUI Task Force Working to Reduce
Impaired Driving Crashes, Fatalities

[Ventura County, CA]— As many look to celebrate Cinco de Mayo many will also indulge with their favorite beverages of choice. Unfortunately, some will then choose to get behind the wheel and drive. That’s why this year the Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force – Ventura County is joining with others across the state and nation to encourage everyone to plan ahead this Cinco de Mayo—and to never drink and drive.

“With Cinco de Mayo celebrations on the rise across the country, alcohol-impaired crashes, injuries and fatalities will also rise,” said Chief Jeri Williams, Oxnard Police Department. “But buzzed driving is drunk driving, and is never safe or acceptable. So people should plan ahead now to avoid the temptation on the big day.”

Special DUI Saturations Patrols will be deployed this weekend in several cities within the county looking to identify and stop suspected impaired drivers. Additionally, every routine traffic and patrol officer assigned to duty will be on heightened alerted to prevent senseless tragedies.

From 2007 to 2011, 38 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities that occurred each year around May 5^th involved impaired drivers or motorcycle operators with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 and above, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

During the 2011 Cinco de Mayo holiday alone, 35 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 and above. A disturbing 80 percent of the alcohol impaired fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator with nearly twice the legal limit, showing a BAC of .15.

Chief Williams said that people can still enjoy the holiday and celebrations without putting their lives or the lives of other innocent victims on the line.

“When people start celebrating, they often aren’t thinking of how they will get home from the restaurant or a friend’s house, and they don’t realize how much they’ve had to drink and make a bad choice that ends in tragic consequences,” said Chief Williams.   “That’s why we are reminding people to play it safe and plan ahead, designate a sober driver.”

Death or injuries are not the onlyconsequences from impaired driving. When caught and arrested, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s license and it could cost up to $10,000 in fees, fines, and higher insurance rates.

“You should always designate a sober driver before the party begins,” said Sergeant Randy Latimer (Oxnard Police Department). “But, if you don’t plan ahead, and you’ve been drinking, do not get behind the wheel.   There are plenty of other alternatives that will keep you and others safe and out of trouble.”

Party-goers can call a friend, cab, or use public transportation.

Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds you – ‘Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!’

# # #

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Oxnard Fire Department and Police Department will receive a State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant at Oxnard City Council, tomorrow
DATE/TIME:	Tuesday, May 14, 2013 / 7:00pm
LOCATION:	City Council Chambers, 305 West Third Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805)385-7631 or [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Same as above.

DETAILS:

Oxnard Fire Department and Police Department will receive a State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant.

On Tuesday May 14, 2013, State Farm Insurance will present Oxnard Fire and Police Departments with “Good Neighbor Citizenship Grants” totaling over $10,000 during the Oxnard City Council Meeting at 7:00 PM. The Oxnard Police Department will receive $5,150 to purchase a Crash Data Retrieval System and training. The Oxnard Fire Department will receive $5,000 to refurbish water vacuums used by the department.

State Farm’s Grant to the Oxnard Police Department will allow the Department to purchase a Crash Data Retrieval System that will help our Traffic Unit and Department serve our community better. The grant will cover the equipment and training that will allow officers to download and read critical information from vehicle black boxes. “We’ve never had the capability to do this ourselves in the past,” said Oxnard Police Senior Officer and Collision Investigator Maria Pe?a. “The gift to purchase this equipment and receive the required training will give our department the capabilities to download and read any information from U.S. made cars,” she said.

The Oxnard Fire Department will receive $5,000 to repair and refurbish the departments 8 aging water vacuums. The Oxnard Fire Department responds to homes and businesses in the community that have experienced flooding. Flooding occurs when plumbing is damaged or when due to weather related conditions water enters homes or businesses. The water vacuums are used by firefighters to remove water during these types of emergencies and greatly reduces property damage.

State Farm has previously presented grant funding to the Oxnard Fire Department to assist with promoting ocean safety awareness and to purchase the Rosetta Stone program designed to assist firefighters with learning to speak Spanish.

State Farm Insurance representative Eddie Martinez will make the presentations to Police Chief Jeri Williams and Fire Chief James A. Williams on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 7:00 PM at the Oxnard City Council meeting.

For further information, please contact Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Department or Rod Thorp, Oxnard Fire Department.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Summer/Labor DAY AVOID DUI campaign – SATURDAY update 1
DATE:	August 17, 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected] Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:

Summer/Labor DAY AVOID DUI campaign – SATURDAY update 1
DUI Arrests are unknown if they are Up or Down & DUI Fatalities Remain the same – No Fatalities

The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Friday August 16, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested eight individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012 it is unknown how many DUI arrests occurred during the same 24 hour time period, the data will be provided on a future press release.

Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

On August 16, 2013, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints. The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue just south of Tiesa Lane. Officers screened 1,140 motorists who passed through the checkpoints and conducted four DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol. Of those investigations, one driver was arrested for DUI alcohol. Citations were issued to 11 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. seven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, no drivers was cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and two vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

Saturday, August 17^th a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted in the city of Simi Valley extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Oxnard. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013. Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	January 24, 2014 / 2000-0300 Hours
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, January 24, 2014 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

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.

Recent statistics reveal 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.

In 2013, there were 1,519 collisions in the City of Oxnard. Of those collisions, 745 involved an injury to one or more persons. Also in 2013, there were 149 collisions involving an impaired driver which resulted in 60 injured persons and 1 death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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: January 22, 2014 / 1730 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, June 8, 2014 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a multi-location DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Oxnard. The first location was in the southbound lanes of Ventura Road south of Devonshire Drive. The second location was southbound Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road. These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions.

The results of tonight’s checkpoint are as follows:
·         1,476 vehicles through
·         1,051 drivers screened
·         Three DUI investigations
·         Two DUI alcohol arrests
·         Six citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         One citation issued to a driver with a suspended/revoked license
·         19 total citations issued
·         Three vehicles towed

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6/8/14, 2215 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	Monday, August 18, 2014 at 11:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	500 Block of Hill St
SUSPECT(S):	Valadez, Alexandro, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Scott Hebert, Commander

DETAILS:

On Tuesday August 18, 2014, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Oxnard police officers responded to the 500 block of Hill St. regarding subjects drinking and disturbing. When officers arrived on scene, Alexandro Valadez was contacted and found to be in possession of a concealed handgun. Valadez is also a convicted felon, which is an additional violation.

In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons in the City. The objective of the initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 19, 2014 at 2:00 a.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Eric Sonstegard
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	July 16, 2015, 6:25 a.m.
LOCATION:	Lemonwood Park, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Unknown male subject, 20’s
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas, (805) 385-7756 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Bob Eckman, (805) 385-7760 [email protected]

DETAILS: On July 16, 2015, at approximately 6:25 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a dead body call in Lemonwood Park. Upon arrival, officers were contacted by personnel from the Oxnard Fire Department who had pronounced the unknown male subject dead. It appears that the victim died from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to a next of kin.

This is Oxnard’s seventh homicide of the year. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Bob Eckman (805) 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:
July 16, 2015, 1000 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	January 22, 2016 / 8:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Friday

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday January 22, 2016, 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 DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI checkpoints 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, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years, Oxnard officers have investigated 568 DUI collisions which have claimed 10 lives and resulted in another 380 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.

Recent statistics reveal 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.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	3/10/09 at 2242 hours
LOCATION:	Fifth Street and “F” Street
VICTIM/S:	43 year-old male from Oxnard
SUSPECT/S:	20 year-old Hispanic male
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Chris Williams

DETAILS:

On 3/10/09 at approximately 2242 hours, Oxnard police received several phone calls regarding a shooting victim in the area of Fifth Street and “F” Street. When officers arrived they located a 43 year-old male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

At the time of this writing, the motive for the shooting had not been established.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7796 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

An investigation is continuing.

DATE: 3/11/09

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking, Robbery, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Arrests)
DATE/TIME:	December 12, 2009 8:54 PM
LOCATION:	600 Block Guava St
VICTIM/S:	34 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT/S:	Guadalupe Celedon 27 year-old, Oxnard resident Damian Guzman 20 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS/ES:	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE:	None
LOSS:	Taxi stolen and recovered
PREPARED BY:	Sgt Terry Burr

DETAILS:

On 12-12-09 at 8:54 PM, Officers responded to a call of an injured subject near the intersection of Guava and “G” Streets. When they arrived they located the victim suffering from several stab wounds. The victim said that two suspects had assaulted him and when he jumped out of his taxi the suspect’s drove away in it. The victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he was later released.

Moments after the incident officers located the stolen taxi in the 600 block of West Fir Street. Two suspects were detained in the area and identified by the victim and witnesses. Both suspects were arrested for Carjacking, Robbery, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Investigators are not releasing any additional information because the investigation is still being conducted.