DETAILS: 
The Oxnard Police Department has been named the winner of the prestigious California Law Enforcement Challenge Award. This award is sponsored by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the California Office of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).

The California Law Enforcement Challenge is a competition between similar sized and types of law enforcement agencies. This award recognizes and rewards the best overall traffic safety programs in California. The areas of concentration include efforts to enforce laws and educate the public about occupant protection, impaired driving and speed. Agencies submit an application which documents their efforts and effectiveness in these areas. The winning safety programs are those that combine officer training, public information and enforcement to reduce crashes and injuries within its jurisdiction.

A panel of traffic safety experts from across the country review each application and assign points based on the criteria. After the judging, the scores are averaged and a final score assigned. After all of the applications are scored, the agencies are ranked in their categories. A minimum of 50 points must be earned to receive an award. There may be categories where no awards will be presented due to either a lack of entries or not enough agencies achieving a minimum score. All judges are independent members of the law enforcement community, public safety, and corporate partners who have demonstrated advance knowledge of highway safety initiatives.

The California Law Enforcement Challenge program allows law enforcement agencies to set comprehensive goals, to strive to reach new heights in traffic safety, to share their experiences with others, and to be recognized for their traffic safety accomplishments; in short, to make a difference in the communities their officers serve each day. This competition has no losers – only winners: for saving lives and reducing the frequency and severity of injuries are the true rewards of law enforcement’s efforts.

The Oxnard Police Department captured first place in the category for departments with 161 to 250 sworn personnel. Second place went to the Moreno Valley Police Department and third to the Ontario Police Department. All agencies who receive traffic safety grant funding are required to submit an entry to the Challenge. In 2006, the Oxnard Police Department captured third place.

Beginning in April of 2008 Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit officers used a community oriented policing and problem-solving (COPPS) approach to traffic collision reduction. Officers focused on locations experiencing a high incidence of traffic collision, conducted analysis as to why these locations were problematic, and crafted responses that utilized not only enforcement but public education and engineering as well. Also key was the Patrol Division’s emphasis on traffic enforcement; again in problematic locations. Subsequently, Oxnard has experienced significant reductions in collisions, injury collisions and DUI-related collisions.

2 years ago the agency won the coveted James Q. Wilson Award for its efforts in COPPS (read story). It is with a great deal of pride that the men and women of the Oxnard Police Department accept the California Law Enforcement Challenge Award for 2008.

DETAILS:  

On November 23, 2009, between the hours of 5:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI saturation patrol. Officers patrolled the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

During the operation, officers conducted 63 traffic stops and arrested three drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. One of the drivers arrested for DUI had a blood alcohol level of .24, three times the legal limit.

Officers also issued 32 traffic citations for various vehicle code violations and five vehicles were towed during the operation. Seven of the drivers who were stopped were unlicensed. Owners of the towed vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI saturation patrols on various nights of the week in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. These operations are funded through grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

By: Senior Police Officer Brian Woolley
Oxnard Police Department Traffic Coordinator
(385-7749)

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on November 21, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Channel Islands Boulevard from M Street.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard at Citrus Grove Lane.

Officers screened 1025 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted five DUI investigations that led to the arrest of one driver for DUI. 33 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 33 vehicles were towed and the owners of the vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI enforcement and Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints in 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. The checkpoints are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

By: Senior Police Officer Brian Woolley
Oxnard Police Department Traffic Coordinator
(385-7749)

Oxnard, CA

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on November 19th, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. till Midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Ventura Road north of Seventh St.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Victoria Ave. south of Fifth Street.

Officers screened (926) motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted (2) DUI investigations during the checkpoints. (8) Drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. (8) Vehicles were towed and the owners of the vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI enforcement and Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints in 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. The checkpoints are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

DETAILS: 

On 9/5/09, at about 1700 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a robbery that occurred at 250 East Pleasant Valley Road. The victim was selling ice cream from a cart when he was approached by the suspect. The suspect displayed a handgun in his waistband and demanded the ice cream cart. The suspect fled the area with the cart which contained ice cream and cash made from sales. As the suspect fled, he told the victim not to call the police or he would harm his family.

The suspect was stopped by officers in the area and identified. An imitation firearm was recovered during the investigation.

The suspect was also identified in an attempted robbery that occurred earlier in the 2600 block of Samuel Ave. In that incident, the suspect approached the victim on foot and displayed a handgun in his waistband. The suspect demanded the victim’s wallet and cellular phone. When the victim ran towards a group of people, the suspect fled the area.

There have been several robberies in the area with similar descriptions. Investigations are continuing.

The Oxnard Police Department is urging the public to help keep the streets safe this Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season. The number one killer on our highways is the impaired driver. In 2008, alcohol attributed to 1,029 deaths in California with more than 30,000 injured, many still suffering with life-long disabilities.

The Oxnard Police Department will begin its crackdown on DUI drivers this holiday season by conducting multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints on Thursday, November 19th, from 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. and on Saturday, November 21st, from 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. The checkpoints will be held at various locations throughout the City of Oxnard.

In addition to the checkpoints, officers from the Oxnard Police Department will also be out in force on Monday night, November 23rd, 2009, conducting a DUI saturation patrol. These officers will patrol the streets of Oxnard specifically searching for impaired drivers.

The added DUI enforcement on Halloween night this year was proven to be successful with 10 DUI arrests and no alcohol related crashes.

The DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Oxnard Police Department wants everyone to have a wonderful holiday season and if you choose to celebrate with alcohol, we recommend the following tips:

• Plan a safe way home before your celebration begins
• If you plan to get a ride home with someone else, designate a sober driver before any drinking begins
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate – Call 9-1-1
• If you know someone who is about to drive his/her car or ride a motorcycle while impaired, take away the keys and help make other arrangements for a safe ride home

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints and saturation patrols over the upcoming holiday season in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer.

In addition to our DUI enforcement, The Oxnard Police Department is strictly enforcing seatbelt violations during our Click it or Ticket campaign that started November 17th and runs through November 30th.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

DETAILS: 

On 09-07-2009 at 5:13 p.m., several witnesses reported a fight involving a gun in the 1100 block of Rigging Place. Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the location.

The alleged victim on Rigging Place was uncooperative with the investigation; nevertheless officers initiated traffic stops on both suspect vehicles. One stop was conducted at Isleton Street and M Street; the second stop at Wooley Road and J Street.

No weapon was located in either vehicle. One of the vehicle occupants was arrested on an unrelated parole violation. Hiram Madrid Ramirez, 38 years, of Oxnard, is being held without bail at the Ventura County Jail.

Persons with additional information about this incident or any crime are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

An investigation is continuing.

GET HOME SAFELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS BY BUCKLING UP

Oxnard, Calif. – Make sure everyone in the family gets home safely this holiday season by buckling your seat belt every trip, day and night. That’s the message that the Oxnard Police Department is telling drivers as part of the 2009 holiday Click It or Ticket mobilization, November 17 – 30. Officers will be out in force looking for anyone – driver, passenger or child – not properly restrained.

Given the years of public awareness campaigns, including hundreds of Click It or Ticket highway signs, no warnings will be given out. The Click It or Ticket campaign relies on heavy enforcement and education as a means to help save lives on California’s roadways.

"There is absolutely no question that seat belts save lives," said John Crombach, Oxnard Chief of Police. "Buckling up will not only save you a heavy fine, it can also save your life."

Currently California has a seat belt usage rate of 95.4 percent, but that still means over 1.5 million people in the state are not buckling up. Properly restrained drivers, passengers and children have a 50 percent better chance of surviving a crash than unbelted occupants. Those ejected from vehicles in crashes or roll-overs are up to 35 times more likely to die than restrained occupants.

"There are no excuses. Nothing is worth risking the lives of you or your family," said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "This should be the season of joy and thanksgiving, not tragedy."

More than 175 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the CHP will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization. Funding to support California’s Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.