May 18th through May 31st is the “Next Generation Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization.” While the Oxnard Police Department does not have California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant money this year specifically for the 2009 mobilization, the OPD will again aggressively cite individuals who are not in compliance with the State’s seatbelt compliance law. In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration realized its highest national seatbelt usage rate of 83%. California continues to boast a compliance rate of over 90%.

The Traffic Unit will use a number of enforcement strategies aimed at not only gaining compliance, but also increasing the public’s awareness re: wearing seat belts and utilizing child restraint seats where appropriate. 2 more Traffic officers were trained last week in Child Restraint Seat Compliance to help promote “occupant safety.” Additionally, the Traffic Unit will conduct random surveys of our motorists and their passengers to determine Oxnard’s compliance rate during this period.

Patrol plays a critical role in seat belt compliance. Don’t hesitate to contact me with ideas about how the Traffic Unit can support your daily (and nightly) efforts.

Seat belt law compliance will save lives and reduce injuries where traffic collisions occur. Issue citations to those persons observed not in compliance.

The cost of an adult seatbelt violation is $132 and up to $435 for not properly restraining a child under 16.

INCIDENT:	New Oxnard Crime Prevention Signs Unveiled
DATE/TIME:	4/27/09
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Officer Ken Klopman, Downtown Beat Coordinator

DETAILS: 

As an added measure to keep the public informed and aware, the Oxnard Police Department has unveiled its latest tool to combat opportunity crimes. Crime prevention signs reminding drivers to lock their car doors and remove valuables from plain sight have been installed starting in the downtown area of Oxnard. Nine signs have already been posted on N. Fifth St. between B St. and C St. (near the Carnegie Museum) and in the new Oxnard Transportation Center long-term parking lot on East Fifth St. Three more signs will soon be posted at the entrances of the downtown parking structure at Third St. and B St.

“It’s far too easy for criminals when car doors are left unlocked. And even if the thief finds nothing of value in the car, they’ve certainly unnerved the vehicle owner and left them with a sense of intrusion,” said Sr. Officer Ken Klopman, Beat Coordinator for the Downtown Central Business District. “Moreover, motorists unwittingly take away the guess work for criminals when they leave valuables in plain view in their locked cars. Purses, computers, GPS devices, mobile phones, and shopping bags are easy prey for burglars who can easily shatter a car window to reach the goods,” Klopman said. Therefore motorists should not only close their windows and lock their cars, but they should remove valuables, or at least hide them from plain view by securing items under car seats, in the glove box, or in the trunk. “Criminals are far more likely to target vehicles when they can see that the ‘prize’ is a sure thing. They know they’re not risking detection and arrest for nothing.”

While these signs have so far been posted at publicly-owned locales, the crime prevention signs are also available for purchase for business and property owners. “We’d encourage owners and managers of residential complexes, shopping centers, and other businesses to partner with the Oxnard Police Department by purchasing these signs at our cost and posting the signs on their properties to remind their residents, customers, employees, and other visitors of these very simple steps they can take to help combat vehicle crime in the city,” Klopman said.

The 18”x24” signs are professionally screen printed on .063” rust-proof aluminum and are finished with a protective anti-graffiti coating that resists fading and will give the sign a life-expectancy of 10 or more years. Signs are available by contacting Sr. Officer Ken Klopman at the Downtown Police Storefront, 328 S. B St., Oxnard or by calling (805) 385-8212. The cost is $45 per sign excluding installation hardware and labor.

Example signs in English and Spanish.

 Last night (4/13/09) at the Knights of Columbus annual "Public Safety Night Dinner" Oxnard officers made an arrest in a felony battery. 
 
At approximately 9:00 pm last night several Oxnard officers attending dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall (at 6th and D St) were alerted by someone in the back of the hall about an assault taking place in an alley adjacent to the building.  Two Oxnard officers, Assistant Chief Jason Benites and Commander Eric Sonstegard immediately ran outside to offer assistance.
 
As they arrived outside a few seconds later they saw a victim down on the ground and an individual running from the scene. The individual running was identified by witnesses as the perpetrator of the assault. Assistant Chief Benites and Commander Sonstegard, who were both in uniform, gave chase and quickly scaled a fence in the area.  The chase went for approximately two blocks and lasted approximately two minutes.  At that point Commander Sonstegard caught up with the suspect near the intersection of 5th and C Streets. The suspect was taken into custody by Commander Sonstegard at that location.
 
The suspect has been identified as Aaron Lee Hart (age 41, transient). He was arrested and is facing felony battery charges.
 
The victim, identified as Alex George Urratio (age 46, transient), received numerous cuts to his face, and lost at least one tooth in the battery.
 
It is unclear at this time what motivated the battery.

On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 1000 hours, The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department welcome you to the tenth annual Police Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will occur in front of the Public Safety Building, at Third and C Streets, Downtown Oxnard.

This week of May 10-16 is National Police Memorial Week. It has been so designated for the past 47 years.

In Oxnard, California, we pay tribute to all of the Law Enforcement Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but particularly we are here to honor our own fallen, our seven Oxnard Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past century. They each made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly wearing the badge of the Oxnard Police Department while working to keep this City safe.

The fallen Officers are:

• Deputy Constable Andrew M. McNaughton
• Constable William E. Kelley
• Officer Albert Gasperetti
• Officer Frederick J. Clark
• Senior Officer John Adair
• Officer James E. O’Brien
• Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

More details about these fallen officers can be found on our memorial page.

For further information, contact Sergeant Andrew Salinas, at (805) 385-7777, or email [email protected]

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Oxnard Fire Department and the city’s Disaster Preparedness Division is inviting the community to join us for our next series of FREE Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes. Students will learn how to be self-sufficent in the event of a disaster and will have many “hands-on” training opportunties throughout this six week course. All classes are taught by Oxnard Firefighters and FREE supplies are provided to all participants.

Class starts Wednesday, April 29. All classes are from 6 – 9 p.m. with the exception of the final exercise which will be from 9 a.m. – noon. Dates and locations follow.

CLASSES ARE FREE!

• Class 1 – Wednesday, April 29 – Session #1: Disaster Preparedness
  Learn about disasters and their impact on the community; personal preparedness; emergency kits.
  Oxnard Fire Administration Offices, 360 West Second St.
• Class 2 – Wed. 5/6 – Session #2: Disaster Fire Suppression
  Fire chemistry, hazards, and hands-on training in fire extinguisher use.
  Fire Station 1 – 491 South K Street (corner of 5th St. & K St.)
• Class 3 – Wed. 5/13 – Session #3: Disaster Medical Operations
  Triage, head to toe assessments, establishing a treatment site and simple first aid procedures.
  Oxnard Fire Administration Offices, 360 West Second St
• Class 4 – Wed. 5/20 – Session # 4: Disaster Medical Operations
  First aid treatment strategies, establishing a treatment site and continuation of Session # topics
  Oxnard Fire Administration Offices, 360 West Second St
• Class 5 – Wed. 5/27 – Session #5: Light Search and Rescue
  Rescuer safety, search patterns, lifting and cribbing techniques.
  Fire Station 1 – 491 South K Street (corner of 5th St. & K St.)
• Class 6 – Wed. 6/3 – Disaster Psychology /Terrorism
  Terrorism awareness and disaster psychology for the rescuer.
  Oxnard Fire Administration Offices, 360 West Second St
• FINAL EXERCISE – Sat. 6/6 – 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
  Disaster simulation with YOU as the rescuer!
  Fire Station 1 – 491 South K Street (corner of 5th St. & K St.)

Please RSVP by calling Maria Orozco at (805) 385-3947 or via e-mail: [email protected]. We encourage you to bring any friends or neighbors who might also be interested.

The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce that traffic collision reports can be accessed online through Oxnard Police Department’s website, http://www.oxnardpd.org/.

Persons who were directly involved in a traffic collision, or their insurance company, can access their report with the following information:

1. The report number that was issued by the officer
2. The last name of the involved party
3. The date of the accident.

All traffic collision reports from January 2009 to present are available for online access. Reports will be placed onto the system 7 to 10 days after the report was taken.

To look up your report, begin at http://oxnardca.policereports.us/.

The Oxnard Police Department, like many other police agencies across the country, have received several calls today (March 19) from people concerned about a possible “planned gang initiation shooting at Wal Mart”.

The calls we are getting have a few various themes… However, there is no evidence whatsoever indicating that this is a legitimate threat….by all appearances it is simply a sick joke – an internet hoax meant to stir up fear.

Please do not add to the hysteria by spreading these e-mails and text messages.

Thank you

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified four core cities in Ventura County as the latest Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) site. Called the Oxnard UASI, the cities of Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura, and Thousand Oaks, along with the Office of Emergency Services for Ventura County are working together to determine how approximately $2.5 million dollars in federal grant money will be spent. UASI program funds are used to address the unique planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high threat, high density, Urban Areas, and assist them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from, acts of terrorism.

This is the first time this area has been identified as a UASI site, and the cooperative effort of the stakeholders involved have identified three projects for the grant money. The first project is critical infrastructure/key resource (CIKR) protection. This involves identifying CIKR sites, assessing vulnerability of the sites, and implementing measures to better protect the sites. The second identified project is radiological/nuclear release detection and mitigation capabilities. Through this project, identification and response capabilities for first responders will be enhanced through training and exercises, and the purchase and deployment of radiological/nuclear detection devices countywide. The final project deals with strengthening preparedness planning. This project will focus on catastrophic planning for events that may take place within the county, or events that result with an influx of people from neighboring counties.

For more information on UASI and other Homeland Security Grants visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xgovt/grants/index.shtm

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

With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, directed through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the Oxnard Police Department is eligible to receive a $398,746 grant to support its commitment to public safety.

The funding can be used to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime. JAG funds can be used to assist law enforcement programs with funding for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems. Specific applications of these funds are being carefully considered, and a proposal will be submitted in the next few weeks.

The Police Department is currently exploring additional funding opportunities, many of which are a product of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in February.

Further information about this JAG funding source can be found at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/JAGrecoveryLocal.pdf.