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Virtual Ride-Along with Santa Cruz Police #ridewithSCPD on 9/30/16 Noon to 8:00pm

September 29, 2016, 4:30 pm
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Virtual Ride-Along Presented by the Santa Cruz Police 

Join in by following #ridewithSCPD or follow us @SantaCruzPolice
Get a glimpse into the work being done on patrol by following Santa Cruz Police Department’s Twitter account for a virtual ride-along on Friday September 30th from Noon to 8:00pm. 
The Santa Cruz Police Department will be “tweeting” on its Twitter account calls for service, police activity, and photographs in what is being called a Virtual Ride-Along. This will be a unique inside view as to the activities of the Police Department and the types of calls SCPD Officers respond to. In addition to providing information on the type of calls, twitter followers can keep up with the scope and pace of the SCPD workday.
Follow us in real time on the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Twitter account @SantaCruzPolice to experience in a “Virtual Ride-Along” with the men and women who proudly serve and protect the citizens of Santa Cruz. Follow us on Twitter using the hashtag #ridewithSCPD .
The ride-along not only will provide an inside view of an officer’s day on patrol, but will be a platform for crime prevention tips and facts to enhance the quality of life in your neighborhood.
During the virtual #ridewithSCPD ride-along, we will also include information, tips, and facts about crime prevention and how to best assist officers and dispatchers by reporting crimes and suspicious activity.

Building community partnerships is an ongoing goal of the Santa Cruz Police Department. Social media has helped improve those partnerships by providing an outlet for crime information, education and awareness.

Follow the department on Twitter @SantaCruzPolice and join in by following #ridewithSCPD.
Virtual Ride-Along
Friday September 30, 2016 from Noon to 8:00pm

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SCPD Host Annual Multi-Agency Motorcycle Recertification

October 4, 2016, 12:30 pm
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The Santa Cruz Police Department Traffic Unit hosted an annual multi-agency motorcycle recertification training day on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016. Officers are required to successfully complete this intense training each year. After the training is completed, officers participate in a skills competition. Winners get their names added to a trophy that is displayed at the winning agency until the next year’s competition. The trophy is a source of pride for the winning officers and their respective agency.  (Similar to the Stanley Cup).
However, this year, every agency forfeited their right to compete in order to honor California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Enox. Sgt. Enox tragically passed away on July 12, 2014. Sgt. Enox was well respected and a mentor to most of the officers participating. California Highway Patrol Captain Paul Vincent and Mark Riggins, Sgt. Enox’s family members, graciously accepted the trophy to honor Sgt. Enox.
The trophy will be displayed at the Santa Cruz CHP office for the next year and the memorial plaque will be permanently displayed on the Sgt. Kevin Enox memorial trophy.

In addition to Santa Cruz Police officers, Santa Cruz CHP, Monterey CHP, Redwood City CHP, Watsonville PD, Scotts Valley PD and Capitola PD all sent representatives. In total, there were 40 motorcycle officers in attendance.
SCPD would like to extend a thank you to all agencies that participated and would like to send a special thanks to CHP Officer Sam Courtney for the incredible multi-surface training ride.
We would also like to thank retired SCPD Chief Belcher, Deputy Chief Locke, and Lt. Vlassis for returning to duty temporarily to provide us with an amazing lunch.
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Help SCPD Identify TWO Suspect Bike Thieves Caught on Video

October 5, 2016, 3:30 pm
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Do you recognize these two suspect bike thieves caught on video?  If so, please notify SCPD. 
SCPD YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/K1MfZO128yA
The bicycle was stolen from a locked enclosure in the 1400 block of Mission Street.  Check out this video of two suspects stealing the bicycle.  The surveillance video shows the bike theft that occurred on 9-22-16 in the 1400 block of Mission Street.

The video shows suspect #1:  A white male adult; approximately 5'11'' and 180lbs; wearing a dark hat with a neon lid and "Cali" on the front and back. He climbs over and enters the enclosure and proceeds to struggle to get the bicycle over the fence.  Suspect #2 then comes on scene, and proceeds to assist suspect #1 get the bicycle over the fence.

Suspect #2 is described as a white male adult, between 25 and 35 years of age, approximately 5'9'' tall, 170lbs, blond hair, and wearing a green ball cap with a feather in it and gray T-shirt.   He has a goatee beard approximately 3" long.

The stolen bicycle is a blue Town & Country 3 speed, men's style cruiser.  SCPD would like to get this bike back to the rightful owner. The bike was the victims transportation to and from work.

Anyone with information about either suspect’s identity or the location of the bike is encouraged to contact SCPD (831) 420-5820. Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/police/how-do-i/leave-a-crime-tip/report-a-crime-tip

SCPD recovers hundreds of bikes, but since many aren't registered by serial number, the police have no way to track down the owners. Help improve the chances of your bicycle being returned by registering it with SCPD’s Online Bicycle Registration program. It’s FREE! 
 http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/police/bicycle-license-registration


Bike Theft: Realities & Risks

http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2015/11/bike-theft-realities-and-risks.html

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820 or Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995.
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Santa Cruz Police Department Highlights Community-Oriented Policing Tradition

October 12, 2016, 4:30 pm
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Santa Cruz Police Department Highlights Community-Oriented Policing Tradition

The Santa Cruz Police Department today announced it will mark the 10th annual Officer Jim Howes Community Service Award presentation through an upcoming series of articles exploring the department’s longstanding commitment to Community-Oriented Policing.

The five-part series will delve into the strategies and practices Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) officers utilize to engage and collaborate with residents and business owners to reduce and prevent crime, build trust and create mutual respect.

“Community-Oriented
Policing helps us align the department’s values with those of Santa Cruz,” Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez said. “Policing isn’t just about making arrests, it’s about partnering to find long-term solutions on issues affecting our city.”

SCPD has been on the forefront of Community-Oriented Policing since the department first enacted the philosophy more than 20 years ago under the direction of then-Police Chief Steve Belcher. Many of the progressive programs and policies SCPD has employed for decades also are recommended by the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing Report, which was finalized in 2015.

“We wanted to work with the community more. The department should be an open book,” said Belcher, who helped institute a proactive problem-solving response to neighborhood issues that emphasized community partnerships.
Up until that point, SCPD had been a traditional police department focused on response times and making arrests. But rising crime rates coupled with tensions locally — shootings, immigration raids, out-of-control beach parties — and around the country, including the 1992 L.A. riots, led Belcher and SCPD to reassess their policing model.

Community-Oriented Policing looks at the root cause of an issue. Rather than repeatedly deal with the same call for service, officers gave new attention to problem solving in order to prevent the issues from reoccurring.

“Officers became responsible not just for responding to calls, but for solving the problems the calls reported,” Belcher said. “It was an evolutionary process.”

Early Community-Oriented Policing initiatives in Santa Cruz included:
· Specifically assigned beats for officers so they could get to know neighborhoods and residents could become familiar with them.
· Launching the first Citizen Police Academy classes to offer transparency about how policing works in Santa Cruz.
· Installing dashcams in patrol cars to record police work.
· Establishing civilian oversight for enhanced accountability.
· Partnering with other agencies — such as the City Parks and Recreation Department, State Parks, the state department of Alcohol Beverage Control and more — to find creative solutions to problems.
· Starting Neighborhood Watch programs, led by the Community Policing Coordinator, who was Officer Jim Howes.

“We had to close that missing link,” Belcher said. “It sounds very simple but it was revolutionary and it paid dividends.”

Officer Jim Howes served as a Santa Cruz Police Officer for 26 years and was known throughout the City for his positive approach and partnership building between the City and community. The Officer Jim Howes Community Service Award was established in 2007 when he retired, and is given annually to one city employee and one community member for outstanding service to the community. Nominations are open through Thursday, Nov. 3.

SCPD’s progressive approach to Community-Oriented Policing has changed the culture of the police department over time, and many of the programs started under Chief Belcher continue today. The five-part series to be shared on the SCPD blog (http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/) and will explore the many Community-Oriented Policing programs developed and implemented by SCPD, such as:

· Youth initiatives to connect with kids and prevent crime, while building trust.
· Intervention programs that support community-based partnerships to reduce crime and address vulnerable populations.
· Policies that provide transparency, accountability and opportunities for community engagement.
· The use of technology, including social media, to build community interaction, trust and legitimacy.

The final installment of the series will discuss the department’s ongoing efforts to be responsive and relevant to the community it serves, including new and expanded programs that are in the works.
ABOUT SCPD
The Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) is committed to working in partnership with the community to enhance public safety, prevent crime, enforce laws and protect the rights of all people through innovative problem-solving approaches. A progressive, professional organization, SCPD officers are dedicated to conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards and the department is accountable to the community. SCPD has 94 sworn officers and 29 civilian staff to protect and serve Santa Cruz’s 64,000 residents and millions of annual visitors. Learn more at www.santacruzpolice.com, http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com, or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterset.
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Statements from Police Chief and Mayor regarding the police officer-involved shooting incident on 10/16/16

October 17, 2016, 3:00 pm
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Statement from Police Chief Kevin Vogel Regarding Police-involved Shooting
I want to acknowledge the thoughts expressed by the Santa Cruz community in light of the tragic shooting involving our Police Officers in the early morning hours of October 16th. An event like this impacts a community leaving questions, concerns and emotional scars.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is committed to transparency and independence in the investigation of this tragic shooting. Santa Cruz Police management met with the District Attorney and Sheriff’s Office and immediately invoked the countywide Critical Incident Protocol. This process was put in place years ago by the law enforcement leaders in this county to address such circumstances. The Santa Cruz Police Department requested the District Attorney’s Office take the lead role in the investigation to ensure a transparent, thorough and independent review. At the conclusion of the investigation, the District Attorney will issue a finding.

In addition to the District Attorney’s investigation, the police department will conduct an administrative investigation. This investigation will examine if the officers acted within the department’s use of force policy. This investigation will be subject to oversight by the City’s Independent Police Auditor and ultimately the City Council’s Public Safety Sub-committee who
will report back to Council.

The Police Department is communicating with the suspect’s family and offered them support through our full time Victim Advocate. We are committed to supporting and communicating with the family throughout this investigation.

We also recognize that our officers are affected by their involvement in this tragic situation. We are taking measures to reach out and care for our staff. All of the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave to allow us the opportunity to conduct the investigation and care for their needs before they return to duty protecting our City.

As more details of the event become available, we will release information to keep the public informed.
-- Police Chief Kevin Vogel

Statement from Mayor Cynthia Mathews Regarding Police‐involved Shooting
By now, most of our community has learned about the officer‐involved shooting that took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 16th. Several of our Police Officers responded to a very dangerous situation that ultimately resulted in the use of lethal force. This is a very rare
occurrence in our City and we are treating it seriously, with particular attention to the handling of the investigation.

Above all, I, along with the entire City Council, mourn the loss of a Santa Cruz community member and recognize the greater impact of this event on all of us. Regardless of the circumstances or if we personally knew or did not know the individual, it is tragedy to lose a
fellow community member.

The investigation into the exact events that led to this outcome will be the work of the next several days and weeks. We are grateful that the District Attorney was willing to take the lead on an independent and objective investigation, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office. Our
officers are lending every possible resource to this work and we thank the Police Department for its suggestion of outside agency support for the investigation. Finally, we want to recognize the toll that this incident has taken on all members of the Police Department.

As the investigation proceeds, more information will be provided to the public. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we balance providing up‐to‐the‐minute information to the community with protecting the integrity of the investigation. -- Mayor Cynthia Mathews
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SCPD Press Release Update #1 Officer Involved Shooting

October 18, 2016, 10:00 am
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In the interest of transparency, SCPD issued a media release yesterday afternoon that contained known details of the circumstances surrounding the tragic officer involved shooting. Additionally, we included photos of the actual rake used in the attack on the officers. The text of the press release is below and also available on SCPD Facebook and Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/police/press-releases

SCPD Media Release Update #1 Officer Involved Shooting
The Santa Cruz Police Department is updating details on the circumstances involved with the shooting in the early morning hours of October 16, 2016. As a reminder, the investigation is a continuing work in progress. The police department will release details as they become available.

The deceased suspect has been identified as 32 year old Santa Cruz resident Sean Arlt. Mr. Arlt’s family has been notified and the police department has provided support to the family through our full time Victim Advocate.

Early Sunday morning (3:30 AM) on October 16, 2016, Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1 received an emergency call from a male resident at the Chace Street home. The caller reported that “someone is trying to break into my house”. The caller further indicated that he knew the suspect and stated he was pounding on the front door of the home. The caller emphasized to the dispatcher, “I want someone here in a hurry” and further told the dispatcher, “everyone’s scared”. The dispatcher took the information and the call ended.

As police officers were responding, the caller contacted our dispatch center a second time. The caller stated, “Where are you? There’s someone at my door screaming about killing us”. The caller also expressed concern for a female tenant living in the detached garage of the home. The caller reiterated Mr. Arlt’s threats to kill the occupants. The caller then hung up on the dispatcher. We later learned that the caller had armed himself with a large frying pan to defend himself and his family should Mr. Arlt get into the home.

In all, 4 SCPD officers were dispatched to the call. As SCPD officers arrived, they saw Mr. Arlt near the back door of the home which is accessed from Getchell Street. Mr. Arlt was in a small yard area between the back door and a fence.

The Officers called out to Mr. Arlt and ordered him out of the backyard. Mr. Arlt did not respond to their attempts to communicate with him. Meanwhile, Mr. Arlt armed himself with a wood handled metal bow rake, and emerged from the backyard holding the rake. The officers immediately ordered Mr. Arlt to drop the rake.
Mr. Arlt ignored the officers' repeated commands and walked rapidly toward them holding the rake in a threatening manner over his head as if he was preparing to swing it. Officers repeatedly ordered Mr. Arlt to drop the rake. One of the officers had an audio recorder capturing the confrontation. In the recording, Officers can be heard ordering Mr. Arlt to drop the rake no less than 8 times. Mr. Arlt continued toward the officers. Officers can also be heard ordering Mr. Arlt to “stop” a number of times as he continued toward them while still holding the rake over his head.
The officers retreated back from Mr. Arlt as he continued toward them. At this point, 2 separate officers deployed Tasers at Mr. Arlt in an effort to stop his attack. The Taser deployments were not effective and they did not stop Mr. Arlt's advance. One of the officers deployed a second Taser round which was also ineffective. A total of 3 Taser attempts were made to stop Mr. Arlt’s attack.

Simultaneously, officers continued to retreat until they were backed against parked cars. Mr. Arlt continued toward the officers with the rake held up in the previously described threatening manner. Mr. Arlt got within approximately 10 feet of the officers when lethal force was deployed.

A single officer fired two shots to stop the attack of Mr. Arlt. No other shots were fired. The officers immediately provided Mr. Arlt with medical aid. Mr. Arlt continued to fight with the officers as they attempted to render aid to him. The officers provided medical aid to Mr. Arlt until emergency medical crews arrived.

Two of the responding officers are part of the department's Crisis Negotiation Team specially trained in de-escalation and addressing persons in crisis. In spite of the officers' attempts to communicate with Mr. Arlt, his behavior was erratic and he was not responsive.

Based on the audio recording, once Mr. Arlt emerged from the backyard, this situation unfolded in approximately 20 seconds. Because of the rapid succession of events, the officers did not have the opportunity to dialogue and negotiate with Mr. Arlt.

In addition to the officer’s statements and audio recording, there was a civilian student ride along accompanying one of the officers. In his interview, the student ride along gave an account that is consistent with the statement of the involved officers.

The rake used by Mr. Arlt was approximately 5 feet in length with a metal head containing 14 metal tines. A photo of the actual rake is attached to this media release.
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Update #2 Officer Involved Shooting – Community Questions

October 19, 2016, 4:52 pm
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The Santa Cruz Police Department has heard questions and concerns from the community regarding the tragic incident of October 16, 2016, and we would like to provide some clarity on key aspects of this event.

In the early morning hours of October 16th, the majority of the nightshift was dispatched to the emergency incident at the home on Chace Street. The officers were aware that Mr. Arlt had a prior incident of crisis intervention involving our officers on October 11, 2016. During the October 11th incident, our officers attempted to detain Mr. Arlt, who became violent. He was subdued and safely taken into custody after a prolonged struggle. As a result of the October 11th incident, Mr. Arlt was left in the care of the mental health professionals to ensure his safety. The specific details of this incident are being withheld out of respect and consideration to the family at this time.

Each of the officers that responded to the emergency call on October 16th had all completed training in the last year on the Santa Cruz County mental Health protocol. Additionally, those officers had completed training on crisis communication and de-escalation tactics. Those very tactics were deployed during the October 16th incident and had no effect on Mr. Arlt, as he was unresponsive and uncooperative with the verbal commands. Mr. Arlt was also not affected by three separate Taser deployments. Despite these less lethal interventions, Mr. Arlt continued toward the officers raising the metal bow rake over his head in a swinging position, until lethal force was used to stop Mr. Arlt’s advancing attack. This incident unfolded in the span of only 20 seconds.

In relation to the Santa Cruz Police Department’s training for mental health interventions, we exceed State standards for in-service officer training by training in excess of 80 hours annually. Over the past 12 months, all officers received 3 separate trainings specifically related to crisis communications and mental health. The department’s training is overseen by a civilian with 38 years of education experience, including serving as the Deputy Superintendent for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. The training schedule is attached to this release.

Immediately following this incident, the Santa Cruz Police management convened with the District Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The Santa Cruz Police Department requested the shooting be investigated by the District Attorney’s Office to ensure a thorough and independent investigation into the use of force. At the conclusion of the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office will issue their legal finding on the use of force. Also, in conjunction with the independent criminal investigation, an internal administrative investigation will be completed. Upon completion of the internal investigation, the City’s Independent Police Auditor will review the incident followed with a review by the City Council Public Safety Sub-Committee.

Requests have been made for the audio and video evidence from the incident on October 16th. Any of this evidence could be released by the District Attorney’s Office at the conclusion of their investigation.
2015-2016 Training Year Schedule
October- All County Training (5150 protocol, Coroner’s Cases, Crime Lab Update)
7th- Investigations, Parks, Net
14th- A-Team
21st- B-Team
28th- ESU Training
This training was an all-county training hosted at the Sheriff’s Office. The training was conducted by County Mental Health and the SCSO Crime Lab. The Mental Health portion covered state law mandates and county protocols regarding the evaluation and 72 hour placement of persons in mental health related crisis.

November- (Cultural Diversity, Firearms, Taser)
4th- ESU Training
11th- A-team
18th- B-team
25th- Overlap Day, B-team has the field
Cultural Diversity training taught by recognized and certified instructors from the South Bay Regional Training Consortium. Two hours of Basic handgun training and a two hour Taser update which included some scenario based discussions was also taught.

December- Driver Training PSP, ACT PSP
2nd- ESU Training
9th- A-team
16th- B-team
23rd- Overlap Day, A-team has the field
30th- Overlap Day, B-team has the field
Training fulfilled state POST mandated training requirements for defensive driving and arrest and control. Arrest and control includes hands on training regarding officer self-defense, searching techniques, and ways in which to establish and maintain control of a combative individual both as a single officer and with a partner.

January- (Domestic Violence PSP, Tactical Communications PSP, CPR)
6th- ESU
13th- A-team
20th- B-team
27th- Overlap Day, A-team has the field
State requirements only require two hours of training each for both domestic violence and tactical communication. Tactical Communication was taught for 4 hours instead of the mandated two. This training focused on de-escalation techniques and communication skills necessary in dealing with people in mental health crisis, who are suicidal, or are highly emotional at an event.      This course was taught by an expert recognized by the South Bay Regional Training Consortium. The CPR training was taught by outside expert and fulfilled American Red Cross requirements.

February- (OC/Chemical Agents/Baton/Taser)
3rd- ESU
10th- A-team
17th- B-team
24th- ESU
The course focused on the legal requirements, effects, first aid, and decontamination requirements when using pepper spray or chemical agents (such as tear gas). The use of less lethal tools such as the baton and the Taser were taught with some scenario based learning and hands on practical applications.

March- (Use of Force Scenarios @ CDF)
2nd- ESU
9th- A-team
16th- B-team
23rd- Overlap Day, B-team has the field
30th- ESU (Joint training with HNT)
Training hosted by department instructors. Officers completed six scenarios which focused on armed confrontations, use of force situations where deadly force was not an option, subjects in mental health crisis or wanting to commit suicide by cop, and focused on tactical decision making, planning, and applications of the appropriate type of force to be used.

April- (State Mandated 16 hour firearms course)
6th- ESU
13th- A-team
20th- A-team
27th- Overlap Day, A-team has field
This training day fulfilled a legislative mandate regarding firearms training and use.

May- (State Mandated 16 hour firearms course)
4th- ESU
11th- B-team
18- B-team
21st- Major shift change
This training day fulfilled a legislative mandate regarding firearms training and use.

June- (State Mandated 16 hour firearms course)
16th- Investigations, Parks, Net
17th- Investigations, Parks, Net
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Murder Suspect Kasey Gaskell In Custody

October 21, 2016, 12:30 pm
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Kasey Gaskell was located and taken into custody in Kansas City, Missouri The Santa Cruz Police Department is announcing the arrest of Kasey Gaskell, the suspect in the 9/26/16 homicide of Shannon Magner as Kasey Gaskell, 43 years old from Santa Cruz. The Kansas City Police Department arrested Mr. Gaskell without incident last night. Kansas City Police notified Santa Cruz Police immediately afterwards at approximately midnight Friday October 21, 2016. Kasey Gaskell was located at a homeless shelter in Kansas City, Missouri.

Santa Cruz Police issued a special press release yesterday on 10/20/16 notifying the media and public in the region that SCPD had been tracking Mr. Gaskell’s movements. His last known location as of 09/23/2016 was Kansas City, KS. It was believed that Mr. Gaskell may have been travelling toward the Green Bay/Greenleaf area of Wisconsin.

Shortly after the press release on 10/20/2016, a call was made to the Kansas City Police Department that a person matching Kasey Gaskell’s description at a local homeless shelter. The tipster had just seen Gaskell’s picture shown on a news broadcast. The arrest was a direct result of that tip.

The Santa Cruz Police Department would like to give special thanks to the Kansas City Police Department for their assistance and the media outlets for sharing the information and the public. Because of the public’s help, law enforcement was able to arrest a fugitive who has been on the lam since 9/21/16.

Kasey Gaskell, 43 years old from Santa Cruz Suspect wanted in Homicide discovered 09/26/2016
Surveillance photo from ATM of Kasey Gaskell
Background:
On Monday September 26, 2016 at 4:59 a.m., Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to report of a deceased female in an apartment in the 800 block of Front Street. SCPD Detectives responded to investigate and determined the death to be a murder.

The victim, Shannon Magner, 66 years old, is the suspect’s mother. She was discovered in the apartment rented by Kasey Gaskell. It is believed she was killed on 09/21/2016. An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Gaskell in connection with the homicide.

At that time, it was believed that Mr. Gaskell fled the area. SCPD Detectives tracked Mr. Gaskell’s movements after the murder. His last known location as of 09/23/2016 was Kansas City, KS. It was believed that Mr. Gaskell may have been travelling toward the Green Bay/Greenleaf area of Wisconsin when the trail went cold. SCPD Detectives are actively pursuing leads as to his whereabouts. The motive is still undetermined. 

The Santa Cruz Police Department and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office requested the assistance of the FBI in an effort to locate Kasey Gaskell. A Federal Warrant for Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution has been requested. Anyone with information about Kasey Gaskell’s location is encouraged to call 9-1-1, your local Police or Sheriff’s Department or your local FBI Office.
Kasey Gaskell was located and taken into custody in Kansas City, Missouri 

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2016 Halloween Safety Enhancement Zone

October 24, 2016, 4:00 pm
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Getting ready for Halloween? SCPD preparations for Halloween weekend are ready to go.  We have enacted the Safety Enhancement Zone in the Downtown area to help keep everyone safe.

Annually, Halloween draws large crowds to the downtown during the evening and late night. The department will utilize over 100 uniformed police officers from the Santa Cruz Police Department and neighboring agencies to staff the event. Officers will be using a proactive strategy to minimize problems and reduce the opportunity for alcohol fueled problems and inappropriate behavior throughout the night.

To encourage respectful behavior, the Santa Cruz Police Department has enacted a Safety Enhancement Zone designation in the Downtown corridor for Halloween 2016. The Safety Enhancement Zone begins at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday October 29th and runs through 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 1st.
The Safety Enhancement Zone includes TRIPLE FINES for certain Municipal Code violations committed in the zone during the designated times.  In addition to the Triple Fines, the Safety Enhancement Zone will also dictate road closures and No Parking zones. 
Listed below are the road closures and the times that they will be in effect:
No Parking/Tow Away zone from 10:00 a.m. October 31st to 10:00 a.m. November 1st on the following streets:
  •  Pacific Avenue between Laurel Street and Water Street.
  • Cooper Street between Pacific Avenue and Front Street.
  •  Cathcart Street between Cedar and Pacific Avenue.
  • Soquel Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Frazier Louis Lane.
No Parking/Tow Away zone from 5:00 p.m. October 31st to 3:00 a.m. November 1st, on the following streets:
  •  Front Street between Soquel Avenue and Laurel Street.
  • River Street between South River Street and Front Street
  •  Front Street between River Street and Soquel Avenue 
  •  Front Street between Water Street and River Street.
No Parking/Tow Away zone from 5:00 p.m. October 31st to 3:00 a.m. November 1st, on the following streets:
  • Locust Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
  • Walnut Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street Parking Garage.
  • Cathcart Street between Pacific Avenue and Front Street.
  • Church Street between Pacific Avenue and Double Decker Parking Garage
Temporary road closures from 5:00 p.m. October 31st to 03:00 a.m. November 1st, on the following streets:
  • Walnut Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
  • Maple Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
  • Locust Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
  • Soquel Avenue between Pacific Avenue and Front Street.
  • Front Street between Soquel Avenue and Laurel Street.
  • Front Street between Water Street and River Street. 
  • Church Street between Pacific Avenue and Double Decker Parking Garage.
Temporary road closures from 10:00 a.m. October 31st to 10:00 a.m. November 1st, on the following streets:
  • Pacific Avenue between Laurel Street and Water Street.
  • Cathcart Street between Cedar Street and Front Street.
  • Cooper Street between Pacific Avenue and Front Street.
  •  Lincoln Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
  • Elm Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Street.
The temporary rerouting of Birch Lane from an eastbound one-way roadway to a westbound one-way roadway will occur from 5:00 p.m. till 3:00 a.m. Signage will be posted at each entrance to indicate the proper traffic flow.Please drive safe and smart through our city streets, and beware of little Trick-Or-Treater’s out and about.  Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
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SCPD Halloween Safety Tips

October 28, 2016, 4:00 pm
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SCPD wants all Trick or Treaters to have a safe and fun Halloween. Additional proactive patrols will be assigned throughout the weekend and on Halloween. Here are a few safety tips to help keep everyone safe.
Walk Safely
  • Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  • Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.
  • Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, do not run, across the street.
  • Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  • Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as 
  • possible. 
  • Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
  • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. 
  • Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
  • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
  • Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
  • Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
  • When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive With Caution on Halloween

  • Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
  • Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
  • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  • Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  • Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
Prime trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Annually, Halloween draws large crowds to the downtown during the evening and late night. The department will utilize over 100 uniformed police officers from SCPD and neighboring agencies to minimize problems and reduce the opportunity for alcohol fueled problems and inappropriate behavior throughout the night.
To encourage respectful behavior, the Santa Cruz Police Department has enacted a Safety Enhancement Zone designation in the Downtown corridor for Halloween 2016. The Safety Enhancement Zone begins at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday October 29th and runs through 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday November 1st.
Halloween Safety Enhancement Zone and Road Closures information on SCPD Blog http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2016/10/2016-halloween-safety-enhancement-zone.html
or click here https://goo.gl/zGD6FG

Please drive safe and smart through our city streets, and beware of little Trick-Or-Treater’s out and about. Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!
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Help SCPD Identify Suspect in Hit and Run Collision on 10/30/16

October 30, 2016, 12:30 pm
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The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating a Hit and Run traffic collision which resulted in a victim with critical injuries.
On Sunday morning, October 30th, at approximately 1:55 am, officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian injury collision. The suspect vehicle struck a pedestrian just south of the railroad tracks on southbound Highway 1 between River Street and Mission Street.
The vehicle described as a silver colored Honda CRV fled the scene without stopping. The victim, a 20 year old female UCSC student, was transported to a Bay Area Trauma Center. She is in critical condition.

The victim was struck while crossing Highway 1. The victim was not in a crosswalk. She was walking home from a Halloween event on River St with friends. Release of the victim’s name is pending notification to the family. 

Suspect vehicle is a 2010-2011 Silver Honda CRV with passenger side front bumper damage. Similar to this picture.

Santa Cruz Police Investigators are asking the community to be on the lookout for 2010-2011 Silver Honda CRV (Similar to the one below) with passenger side front bumper damage. If you have noticed anything unusual about a similar vehicle matching the description in your neighborhoods, workplaces and parking lots, please report it.

Call SCPD Investigations at 831.420.5820. If you want to make an anonymous call regarding the incident, please call 831.420.5995

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2016 Halloween Statistics and Case of Interest

November 1, 2016, 4:00 am
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Most celebrated SCPD Halloween Stat is our Records Department victory in City's Halloween group costume contest. They finished #1 and we've got the medals to prove it.
From the Chief on down to our new officers, everyone here thought they looked amazing. SCPD Records team is a hard working group. They know how to represent and have some fun great.
The Downtown Deployment reported the following activity for Halloween night 2016: 

SCPD was kept busy over the 24 hours of Halloween through the night and into the early morning hours of November 1st. From 8:00 AM on October 31st through 8:00 AM on November 1st, we handled 395 calls for service. The downtown crowd size was estimated at 10,000. This was approximately 50% less than last year. Crowds were building as usual until the rain hit at 10:00PM.

Overview Stats
20 Arrests
6 for public intoxication

40 Citations Issued
24 were for Triple Fine violations.
Of the Triple Fine citations, 21 were for open containers of alcohol.

For comparison, in 2015 there were 27 arrests (20 for public intoxication). And a total of 73 citations issued (40 were for Triple Fines. 33 Triple Fines were for open container violations). Overall, downtown Santa Cruz arrests and citations were down from 2015.

The crowd demeanor was relatively calm and celebratory. Police presence included additional officers from most Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies. The Santa Clara County Sheriff provided their gang enforcement team to help identify gang members from outside the area. Additionally, the California Highway Patrol provided a significant contingent of officers. We would like to thank all of the agencies who dedicated personnel and resources to assist the City of Santa Cruz throughout the night.

Proactive patrols included contact and close monitoring of several known gang members throughout the event. In addition to the downtown patrols, officers were added to patrols throughout the remainder of the city to address neighborhood safety and complaints of large parties. We were pleased to see the hard work paid off and there were no significant incidents of violence.

Notable arrest downtown on Halloween Case 16S-09122
Bradley Kellman, 60 years old from Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Police with Santa Clara County Sheriff Deputies contacted Bradley Kellman, 60 years old from Santa Cruz, for smoking heroin in a parking lot on Center and Lincoln Street. Mr. Kellman was in possession of eleven zip-lock baggies containing methamphetamine, heroin and crack cocaine. He also had drug paraphernalia that included pipes for smoking methamphetamine and crack cocaine. In addition, Bradley Kellman had a crossbow pistol and a box containing 14 crossbow arrows on the cargo area the car. Kelleman was arrested for possession of drugs for sale.
SCPD would like to send a special shout out to Joe's Pizza and Subs. Thank you for donating extra candy to our Community Service Team. We had a run on trick-or-treaters so Joe's Pizza brought in more candy for CSO Wilson and PO Deeg to hand out.
 

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SCPD Needs Community's Help to Locate a Missing 2 year old Child

November 5, 2016, 5:00 pm
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SCPD is investigating a missing 2-year old child at risk and the girl's mother. The child pictured here is Ember Perryman. She has sandy brown curly hair and brown eyes. 

On Friday, 11/4/2016, Heather Lara and her two year old daughter Ember Perryman walked away from Friendship Garden in Harvey West Park. Neither have been heard from or seen since Friday morning. Heather Lara, the child’s mother, is not the custodial parent. Ember Perryman is 2 years old and is considered a Missing Person at Risk due to her age. She was last seen wearing light-colored pajama top and bottoms with hearts.

The father of two year girl has been granted full and sole custody of child.

Numerous Santa Cruz Police Officers and City Rangers are searching for the pair throughout Harvey West Park and Pogonip. The mother is familiar with camping in the area. She also mentioned to acquaintances that she wanted to move to Mexico.




Ember Perryman is 2’5" tall, 30 pounds with light brown curly hair and brown eyes. Ember was last seen wearing a light- colored pajama top and white pajama bottoms with hearts on legs.
Heather Lara
Description: White female, born 06-10-79. She is 5’5" tall,160 lbs. with blond hair and blue eyes. Heather Lara was last seen wearing long green flowered dress and flip flops. She was on foot and pushing the child in a stroller. The mother has does not have a car or a cell phone. Possible Destination: Los Angeles, Mexico or Idaho.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of the child is encouraged to call Santa Cruz Police Department at 831- 420-5820 or Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995.

Please report any possible sightings. They are crucial to assist in locating the missing child as soon as possible. If you have information that can assist in helping safely locate Ember Perryman, please call 911.

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SCPD Media Release: Update 10/30/16 Hit and Run Collision Results in Fatality

November 6, 2016, 10:30 am
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SCPD Needs Your Help In Identifying A Hit And Run Suspect Vehicle & Driver. We are actively investigating a Hit and Run traffic collision which resulted in the victim passing away from her injuries.
 
UPDATE:
The victim who suffered life threatening injuries in the Sunday October 30th hit and run collision succumbed from those critical injuries on Saturday November 5, 2016. The victim is identified as Alexandria Arceneaux, a 20 year old UCSC student. Alexandria's family is from Los Angeles and has been by her side at the hospital since the collision.
Alexandria Arceneaux, 20 year old UCSC student
Detectives are actively investigating the hit and run incident that occurred on October 30, 2016 at 1:55am After processing the evidence and consulting with local car parts experts, it was confirmed that the vehicle involved in the collision was a 2010-2012 Silver Honda CRV. The suspect’s silver-colored Honda CRV would have passenger side front bumper damage.
Suspect vehicle Similar to photo shown
The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the public’s continued help in identifying the vehicle and driver. Someone in our community knows that Honda CRV and the driver who would have traveled on Highway 1 around 1:55am on the day before Halloween. Investigators have followed up on a number of tips, but none have been the car involved in this collision.

Detectives are encouraging auto repair shops in the surrounding area to assist with identifying a hit-and-run damaged 2010-2012 Silver Honda CRV. If you operate an auto body shop and see damage that looks unusual or is suspect, call the police. The operator of the shop may not have heard of any hit and runs, but the driver could have committed a crime in an entirely different city.

BACKGROUND:
On Sunday morning, October 30th, at approximately 1:55am, officers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian injury collision. The suspect vehicle struck a pedestrian just south of the railroad tracks on southbound Highway 1 between River St and Mission St. The vehicle described as a silver colored Honda CRV fled the scene without stopping. The victim, a 20 year old female UCSC student, was transported to a Bay Area Trauma Center in critical condition.

If you have noticed anything unusual about a 2010-2012 silver colored Honda CRV in your neighborhoods, workplaces and parking lots, please report it. Anyone who has information about the suspect car and driver is encouraged to contact SCPD at 831- 420-5820. Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or on SCPD website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/police/how-do-i/leave-a-crime-tip/report-a-crime-tip
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SCPD Community-Oriented Policing Provides Transparency, Accountability - Part 2 of 5

November 7, 2016, 4:30 pm
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The nation and the Santa Cruz community are going through a historic and needed process of examining the relationship between police officers and those they serve and protect. Events at both the national and local levels continue to drive the discussion.
SCPD aims to help move the discussion forward by re-emphasizing the benefits of community-oriented policing, a proven strategy that focuses on building trust and strengthening the relationship between police officers and community members.
Establishing a culture of transparency and accountability between peace officers and the community they serve is the guiding principle of community-oriented policing (COP). This helps ensure decision making is understood and follows policy.

“In the end, our overarching goal is communication and public trust,” said Deputy Police Chief Rick Martinez.
The annual Neighborhood Block Parties program is one of the most visible activities SCPD does as part of its community-oriented policing program. SCPD worked with Santa Cruz Neighbors to develop and launch the annual program. The event has grown to 48 organized neighborhood gatherings in 2016 promoting community safety, getting to know your neighbors and access to city staff including police officers, firefighters and city management.
SCPD programs extend well beyond Neighborhood Block Parties. For nearly two decades, SCPD has invited community members into the department for the Citizens Police Academy, an inside look at local law enforcement through lectures, demonstrations and discussion.
Dr. William Christie, a dentist in Santa Cruz, was in the first Academy class in 1998.  “It was enlightening,” Christie said. “It’s a nice introduction to law enforcement. It kind of takes down the mystery of law enforcement.”

The 11-week program, offered in both English or Spanish, covers patrol, traffic, police investigations, gang culture, narcotics, use of force and arrest tactics, the court system and more. Over 640 community members have graduated from the Academy since it began.
 
Fall 2016 Spanish Language CPA has 21 participants
Christie recalled community members who entered the program with a negative attitude toward law enforcement but who left with an understanding and respect of the complexities of the role. “That’s what it’s about, letting the public see there is not a blue curtain,” Christie said.
The academy also has helped officers. Christie recalled an early class where an officer described going “code 3 to a 211” for several minutes before a student interrupted to ask what the police jargon meant — driving fast with lights and sirens on to a report of a robbery. For future talks, officers did more to explain topics in laypeople terms. A community’s willingness to cooperate with law enforcement is born out of the level of trust, respect and support they have for their police.

“It pulls down barriers between the public and the police, and opens channels of communication,” Christie said. “It helps the public to know what resources are available to them.”

SCPD was the first law enforcement agency in Santa Cruz County to have civilian oversight, beginning with the Citizen Police Review Board (CPRB) in the early 1990s. That committee evolved into the Independent Police Auditor model of civilian oversight, handled by attorney Robert Aaronson.

Unlike the CPRB, Aaronson has full access to the department’s internal affairs (IA) investigations, including personnel files. His background in law enforcement — Aaronson has spent his entire professional career as a lawyer and currently is the Independent Police Auditor at two other Northern California police departments — also helps him understand the subject matter.  “I bring a level of experience and expertise,” he said. 

Aaronson audits the IA investigations monthly, spending two days reading files, listening to audio recordings and watching videos. He writes reports on all major IA investigations — about seven or eight annually — and makes recommendations. Aaronson’s suggestions range from how the investigations should be conducted to training issues that need to be addressed.

“My number one goal is to help Santa Cruz Police improve its service to the community,” Aaronson said. “What I do is help people be more effective in their roles”
Additional civilian oversight of SCPD occurs in two ways:
· the City Council appoints three members to the Public Safety Sub-Committee.
· the City’s Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women provides comments on police response, policy, procedures and investigation of crimes against women with an emphasis on domestic violence and sexual assault.

Citizens also are involved in promoting officers to supervisory and management positions at SCPD. Police officers who have put in for promotions give presentations to a panel of community members and answer questions posed by the panel. Panel members score each candidate and police commanders take the panel’s feedback into account when making promotions.

SCPD’s accountability manifests in other areas as well. The department issued its first annual report in 2015, and dozens of community members volunteer in various roles at SCPD.

David Salinas, a 21-year-old from Capitola, became an SCPD volunteer after participating in the Teen Public Safety Academy when he was a junior at Soquel High School.

“It really inspired me,” said Salinas, who has wanted to be a police officer as long as he can remember. 

Salinas became a mentor in the department’s PRIDE program, completed the Citizens Police Academy and, in January 2015, started volunteering in the records department at SCPD, taking records from police headquarters to the courthouse, city hall and District Attorney’s Office. The volunteer position led to a part time job — Professional Technical Assistant —that utilizes his bilingual skills.

The exposure to police work has helped Salinas as he navigates toward a career.

“Doing all that stuff really opened my eyes,” he said. “Being in these programs, you build connections with these officers. I didn’t understand the kind of stress they went through.”

Salinas is applying to universities, where he plans to study sociology before applying to become an SCPD officer. He’s also starting his third session as a PRIDE mentor this month.

“There are so many different perspectives of our criminal justice system,” Salinas said. “If you go on a ride-along or join the academy, you’ll get a better idea of what these officers are going through.”

The role of the police officer is to do more than just enforce the law and arrest those that break it. Building connections with residents and business owners is a key part of local law enforcement.
Ride-alongs are one of SCPD’s most utilized community programs. Citizens get real-time insight into how situations are handled and what police work looks like in Santa Cruz.
There were 154 ride-alongs in 2015. Through the end of October, there have been 174 ride-alongs this year.

“When people trust law enforcement and they participate in making their community safer, we’re more successful, we’re solving cases,” Martinez said. “We can’t do it alone.”
This is the 2nd segment of a five-part series that highlights SCPD’s Community-Oriented Policing Tradition. The 1st installment in the series is available here https://goo.gl/9OtxGG or on SCPD Blog https://goo.gl/jZerZx

For more information about SCPD’s community programs and to get involved, visit www.santacruzpolice.com.

ABOUT SCPD
The Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) is committed to working in partnership with the community to enhance public safety, prevent crime, enforce laws and protect the rights of all people through innovative problem-solving approaches. A progressive, professional organization, SCPD officers are dedicated to conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards and the department is accountable to the community. SCPD has 94 sworn officers and 29 civilian staff to protect and serve Santa Cruz’s 64,000 residents and millions of annual visitors. Learn more at www.santacruzpolice.com, http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com, or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterset.
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Arrest Made in Fatal Collision Hit & Run - Car Involved Recoved

November 8, 2016, 1:00 pm
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Suspect Arrested in Fatal Hit and Run
Jesus Covarrubias, 26 years old from Rancho Cucamonga
Yesterday afternoon the Santa Cruz Police Department arrested Jesus Covarrubias, 26 years old from Rancho Cucamonga, in the fatal hit and run that occurred October 30, 2016. Santa Cruz Police officers also recovered the 2011 silver Honda CRV involved in the collision. It was located in Boulder Creek on a turnout near Junction Park.

The suspect Jesus Covarrubias presented himself to the county jail and indicated he was responsible for the fatal hit and run collision. When Detectives interviewed Mr. Covarrubias he became uncooperative and refused to give a statement.
The recovered CRV shows damage to the front end passenger side of the vehicle. Investigators are conducting a full inspection of the vehicle for additional evidence.
The victim’s family was immediately notified of the arrest. They expressed gratitude for the community’s support and SCPD’s dedication to the investigation.

Jesus Covarrubias was arrested for felony hit and run. The suspect was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail with a $10,000 bail. Mr. Covarrubias did not sustain any injuries in the collision.

Background:
The hit and run incident that occurred on October 30, 2016 at 1:55am The victim who suffered life threatening injuries in the hit and run collision succumbed from those critical injuries on Saturday November 5, 2016. The victim is identified as Alexandria Arceneaux, a 20 year old UCSC student. The hit and run incident that occurred on October 30, 2016 at 1:55am After processing the evidence and consulting with local car parts experts, it was confirmed that the vehicle involved in the collision was a 2010-2012 Silver Honda CRV.
More background details are available on past SCPD Blog post links: http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2016/11/scpd-media-release-update-103016-hit.html
http://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2016/10/help-scpd-identify-suspect-in-hit-and.html
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Veteran's Day Ceremony at City Hall to Honor All Who Served

November 11, 2016, 10:00 am
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THANK YOU VETERANS for your service to our country.

Mayor Cynthia Matthews and County Supervisor Bruce McPherson presided over a Veteran's Day ceremony at City Hall to honor and thank all who served and continue to serve. Mayor Matthews gave extra thanks to those who continue their service by working for the city or county in addition to their military career.



The Santa Cruz Police Department and Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard teams participated in the Veteran’s Day ceremony at City Hall on Thursday 11/10/16.


Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans Day honors and thanks all the military personnel who served the United States in all wars.



Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.

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Good news! Kendra got her car back!

November 16, 2016, 4:30 pm
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Today, SCPD recovered a stolen car specifically retrofitted to be accessible for a young, paralyzed Scotts Valley woman.
This morning Kendra’s best friend spotted the stolen car in a Santa Cruz neighborhood near 3rd and Cliff Street. She called SCPD. Officers Teaford and Emigh responded immediately and recovered the car.


The fully accessible car has a ramp with ropes and pulleys are visible through the passenger side window. "For someone to do that is so sad. It's designed to help someone more than just a regular car," said Kendra.
In short order, SCPD Officers returned the car to Kendra. We are pleased to report that the car is in working order. Kendra drove her car home right away.

“Miracles do happen!!! MY CAR HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!! Words cannot describe the pure joy I feel to have my independence and my amazing car back ” - Kendra Kannegaard
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SCPD’s Community-Based Partnerships Reduce Crime - 3rd Installment of 5 in SCPD Community-Oriented Policing Series

November 17, 2016, 4:30 pm
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This blog post marks the third in a series of five articles about Santa Cruz Police Department’s longstanding commitment to Community-Oriented Policing.
1st article - HighlightsCommunity-Oriented Policing Tradition
2nd article - Community-Oriented Policing Provides Transparency, Accountability
Santa Cruz Police Department’s Community-Based Partnerships Reduces Crime.
There’s a problem house in the neighborhood. You know the one. People coming and going at all hours, lots of cars parked out front. Maybe there’s trash in the yard or loud music late at night.
On the surface there’s nothing so wrong a neighbor needs to call 911, but it’s uncomfortable for the rest of the neighborhood and seems like it could be dangerous.

Deborah Elston, founder of Santa Cruz Neighbors, would say, “Call 911.” Not because it’s an emergency, but because Elston’s organization has spent the past 15 years teaching city residents to report suspicious activity, then work with the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) and other city staff to address neighborhood issues.

Santa Cruz Neighbors, an organization representing a citywide network of neighborhoods dedicated to safer neighborhoods, and now-retired SCPD Community Policing Coordinator Jim Howes, came together in 2002 to address quality-of-life issues like drugs, prostitution, harassment, vehicle camping, graffiti and speeding. While these weren’t major crimes, addressing underlying issues could prevent crime from happening or intervene before the situation got more serious.
“We knew we could tackle all the problems together,” Elston said. “I think neighbors realize they are an instrumental part in being the eyes and ears of the police department. When they make those calls, the bad guys get caught.”

SCPD’s partnership with Santa Cruz Neighbors is just one of the many collaborations the department has created to facilitate Community-Oriented Policing over the last two decades. This policing philosophy looks at the root cause of an issue and focuses on problem solving to prevent the issue from reoccurring, rather than repeatedly deal with the same call for service.

“We worked with other city departments to do that: fire, public works, code enforcement,” Howes explained.
“The idea really is community-oriented government.”

Take that problem house described earlier. Through the Community Services Unit, an officer would check any emergency calls to the address and find the name of the property owner. Often, the home would be a rental and the owner didn’t know of any problems at the property. To prevent so many cars from parking at the house, the officer might ask the Public Works Department to take a look at the parking rules for the area. A street light could be installed nearby to deter late-night visits. The city’s Code Enforcement officer could stop by to ensure the living conditions are safe and legal.

“That way, you start sharing, delegating, giving out help,” Howes said. “There was really nothing we couldn’t solve together.”
Should more serious crime be suspected, SCPD’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) could be brought in to investigate drug sales, prostitution, gang activity and more. NET responds to specific, identifiable problems within Santa Cruz and, in 2015, made 272 arrests and issued 246 citations.

“Community policing emphasizes working with neighborhood residents to improve public safety. We do this by working together to identify problems and then implementing solutions that produce meaningful results,” SCPD Deputy Chief Rick Martinez said.

Another SCPD partnership exists with Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency’s Mental Health Services and the Maintaining Ongoing Stability through Treatment Team (MOST) program. SCPD was the first law enforcement agency in the county to implement the pilot program in October 2014.
MOST brings together Probation, Behavioral Health, courts and law enforcement staff to improve mental health counseling, employment and other services to clients, including those in the criminal justice system. The MOST liaison assists with calls involving potential mental health issues and provides mental health intervention and assessment services. In 2015, the MOST liaison made 1,349 contacts and referrals, and 691 mental health assessments while out in the field with SCPD officers.

The Bob Lee Community Partnership for Accountability, Connection and Treatment (PACT) brings together county District Attorney, Probation, Public Defender and Health Services staff, along with Santa Cruz police officers and city attorney staff, to focus on chronic, low-level offenders in Downtown Santa Cruz. In the first 12 months of the program, which started in 2014, 70 clients saw their arrests drop by 70 percent and their ambulance runs drop 80 percent. PACT has proven so successful at reducing recidivism, the program has been expanded to reach clients city-wide.

“We recognize that crime often stems from a social problem and that the greatest impact to crime reduction is addressing the issues at their root cause,” Martinez said.

Another SCPD program integral to its Community-Oriented Policing goals is the Parks Unit, which marks 10 years in existence in 2016. Created to provide dedicated patrols in neighborhood parks, open spaces and waterways to ensure a safer environment, the unit also coordinates and participates in several cleanups throughout the year. One recent cleanup, where Parks Unit officers and city Park Rangers removed more than 20 illegal campsites at Pogonip, yielded enough trash to fill five train cars.
Phil Kramer, executive director of the Homeless Services Center and former head of the 180/2020 Program (formerly the 180/180 Program), has been impressed with SCPD officers’ ability to work with vulnerable populations. When Kramer and upwards of 100 volunteers took to the streets to survey the homeless in 2012, SCPD offered insight, guidance and support for surveyors. They provided tips as to where people might be sleeping and, in many instances, were there to be the relationship bridge.

“In a way, it was both heartwarming and a little bit surprising that they trusted a relationship with people who were on the street and homeless,”
Kramer said. “It helped foster our ability to engage with people.”

Earlier this year, Kramer and his staff identified a need to have a streetlight in front of the Homeless Services Center on Coral Street to enhance safety for clients and staff after-hours. Working with Lt. Dan Flippo, the designated Homeless Services Center liaison, the light was installed in October.

“They seem to treat everyone with real compassion and understanding,” Kramer said. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner.”

Taking the time to look at and address what is causing the crime or nuisance problems in a neighborhood has proven successful for SCPD officers. This problem-solving approach – exemplified by Santa Cruz Neighbors, NET, PACT, MOST, the Parks Units and the 180/2020 program – is a key element of Community-Oriented Policing, requires collaboration with other city and county departments, groups that work with vulnerable populations and neighbors.

“It’s worth doing,” Howes said. “There is really never anything we can’t solve over time with people.”

For more information about SCPD’s community programs and to get involved, visit www.santacruzpolice.com.
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SCPD Dive Team participates in cross-department training with SC Fire, City Wharf Maintenance Crew, Lifeguards and Harbor Patrol. Water Rescue Drills off the Wharf

November 18, 2016, 1:30 pm
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Recap video of the action on SCPD YouTube https://youtu.be/OOgEHH_nJ7k
Santa Cruz Fire conducted water rescue drills off the Wharf this week.  SCPD ESU Dive Team is participating with multiple agencies in rescue exercises involving a vehicle off the wharf.
Training drill scenarios with every SCPD’s Dive Team member are coordinated with SC Fire, City Wharf Maintenance Crew, SC Lifeguards, State Parks and Harbor Patrol.
 “It’s very important that with all the training we do to fine tune operation ability and get our hands on the equipment and practice the different departments,” said LT. LeMoss.

“Water rescue training with a vehicle involved is especially important,” LT. LeMoss added. “Multi- agency training in rescue techniques is valuable. We will all be working together when there is a rescue attempt.”
Water rescues involving a car are a low-frequency event but require knowledge about such things as the science of ocean, proper gear and lifesaving skills for the victim and the rescue team members.

This series of Water Rescue exercises completes SCPD ESU Dive Team's 2016 training calendar. Every member on the team passed with 100% competency.
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