Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

A Call for Community Action
 

Community Meeting

In response to a recent series of gang-involved violent crimes, Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams held a special meeting on Monday, March 9, 2015 with members of the Chief’s Advisory Board as well as a number of faith-based leaders from throughout the community. The purpose of the meeting was to brief community leaders about a recent string of gang-involved shootings, share the police department’s response to the violence, and facilitate a roundtable discussion focused on how the community can help curb the violence.  
 

The Situation

During the meeting, attendees were briefed about eleven (11) shootings involving thirteen (13) victims that occurred in Oxnard between January 14th and March 9th. Three (3) of these shootings were homicides.  It is believed that all of the below-listed incidents involved Oxnard gang members as suspects.  In at least four cases, persons who are not believed to have been involved with gangs were shot.  In two cases, persons not believed to be involved in gangs were killed (noted below with an asterisk*).

 

• 
  January 14, 2015: 5100 block Perkins Road – Victim, Jose Escobar (24 years old)*
• 
  January 21, 2015: 200 block Balsam Street – Victim Luis Amaro (41 years old)
• 
  January 31, 2015: 1300 block Freidrich Lane – Victim Joseph Tamayo (28 years old)
• 
  February 15, 2015: 4600 block Cloyne Street – Victim Carlos Medina (21 years old)
• 
  February 24, 2015: 5300 block South J Street – Victim Benjamin Dixon (21 years old)
• 
  February 28, 2015: 700 block Berkshire – Victim Hector Galeas (23 years old) and Bibiana Chavez (39 years old)
• 
  February 28, 2015: 100 block Eliza Court – Victims Albert Mendoza (22 years old) and Michael Andrade (22 years old)*
• 
  March 1, 2015: 5400 block South J Street – Victim Miguel Lopez (21 years old)
• 
  March 4, 2015: 5300 block South J Street – Victim Edgar Avitia (26 years old)
• 
  March 5, 2015: 1200 block South G Street – Victim Daniel Franco (32 years old)
• 
  March 9, 2015: 400 block Palm Drive – Victim Daniel Reyes (22 years old)

 

Oxnard Police Department’s Response

The Oxnard Police Department has reallocated a variety of resources aimed at stopping the cycle of violence as well as providing an increased uniformed presence to reassure neighborhood residents. The Field Services Bureau has increased bicycle patrols in the impacted neighborhoods and enhanced the staffing levels of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) with the intent of targeting the most dangerous gang members believed to be responsible for the violence. The Investigative Services Bureau has shifted the responsibilities of several investigators with the express purpose of working with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to identify and arrest the suspects in the above-listed incidents.

Oxnard Police Officers have made twenty-four (24) firearms-related arrests since the beginning of the aforementioned cycle of violence after making one-hundred and six (106) in 2014. The Oxnard Police Department seized two-hundred and forty (240) firearms in 2014 and we will continue to focus on prohibited persons in possession of firearms through the efforts of the Firearms Strike Team (F.A.S.T.).

It is encouraging to note that the City of Oxnard has not experienced a gang-related shooting since the community meeting was convened on March 9th.
 

Community Members Demand That Violence Must Cease

“A strong community needs a strong police department, and a strong police department needs the support of our community. We cannot do this alone,” Chief Jeri Williams said to the assembled group of community, business, and faith-based leaders on March 9th.

The community leaders in attendance were passionate about developing ways to be more proactive in the community.  Suggested courses of action ranged from peace marches to peace cruising to prayer vigils. Several community members offered strong words for those involved in the violence and those affected in our neighborhoods:

“Violence within our community should never be tolerated. Our community needs to demonstrate its intolerance equally against all perpetrators. We all share in the responsibility of ensuring a safe Oxnard,” –Harry Cortez, Longtime Oxnard resident and community leader

“It’s not okay that my children are not safe to play at the neighborhood park, or go for a bike ride before or after dinner because its dark and dangerous outside. It’s not okay that I don’t feel safe in the surrounding areas where I live. It’s not okay to live in FEAR. Now is the time that we as a community can do something about it… Imagine feeling safe in Oxnard? It can definitely happen. We just need to care enough to change it and no longer accept it,” –Theresa Quijano

“This is not a new problem in our society and certainly not in Oxnard but only if the community comes together and stands up with ONE VOICE will we be able to stop this domestic war that uses as a battleground our very own cities, counties and states right here in our good old USA!” –Pablo Ortiz

“We the faith-based community along with the citizens of our city are tired of hearing about all the violence that has been going on these last few weeks!! It’s time to take our streets back!! We need to be out there in the front lines showing our concern for our youth!!! It’s times for action!  We can make a difference one life at a time!!” –Pastor Lou Trinidad
 

The City of Oxnard’s Youth Safety Coordinator, Ken Klopman, was also in attendance at the meeting and will work with the group to determine what type of events/marches will be held in the future. A Community Peace March has tentatively been scheduled for the month of May as an opportunity for anyone interested to participate and show those responsible for the violence that it will not be tolerated in our community. The exact date will be announced in the coming days. If you wish to help by participating in or helping to organize neighborhood forums or events to address youth violence, please contact Ken Klopman at the Office of Youth Safety at (805) 385-7471 or [email protected].

What The Public Can Do

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating all of the incidents to bring justice for the victims of these senseless crimes. We encourage our community to always remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity. As neighbors, we are the first to recognize activity that does not look or sound right. The public can report any suspicious activity by calling (805) 385-7740 from any phone, or 911. Spanish translators are available, and callers can remain anonymous.

Persons with additional information about any of the incidents listed above are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crimestoppers at (800) 222-8477.  Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to leave an anonymous tip.

The City of Oxnard offers up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  4/1/2015 at 1600 hours