November 25, 2016, 9:00 am
Building trust between youth and police officers can have a preventative effect on juvenile crime and victimization, while improving quality of life in neighborhoods. Creating these relationships with youth has been a focus of Santa Cruz Police Department’s Community-Oriented Policing for years.Reaching new heights! SCPD invests in school youth programs.
More than six years ago, SCPD launched the Personally Responsible Individual Development in Ethics (PRIDE) program in conjunction with Santa Cruz City Schools. The multi-faceted approach to early gang prevention engages with middle school-age kids, usually 11-15 years old, to educate, mentor and guide them in how to make healthy choices.
“The PRIDE Program gives us the opportunity to build lasting relationships with students, which can positively change the way they interact with law enforcement for a lifetime,” SCPD Deputy Chief Rick Martinez said. ![]()
“I think this is an unbelievable bridge for the police department because they are forming personal bonds with these kids,” PRIDE volunteer Robert Orrizzi said. “One on one, these kids are great. But they need help, they need to see another way of living.” Robert Orrizzi & Company explore aviation careers at Watsonville Airport
Youth ask to be in PRIDE following a police presentation at their school. Their parents also must agree to let the student participate in the free program.
The biweekly classes are geared toward considering good and bad choices. Good choice classes introduce kids to positive activities and show them options for their future, should they stay out of gangs. Field trips to UC Santa Cruz and Google, bowling, horseback riding and a day trip to San Francisco are among the highlights for kids.PRIDE Students and Mentors on Field trip to Google Complex
Bad choice classes depict a different, darker future. Kids tour San Quentin State Prison, write their own obituaries, visit a cemetery, go through the jail booking process —including handcuffs and shackles — and do volunteer work at Salvation Army.
As part of PRIDE, youth in the class also are paired with a mentor, most of whom are UCSC students. The mentors help keep the kids accountable and encourage them toward pro-social activities.Mentor recruitment seminar at UCSC
“Most of these kids are lacking in attention,” said Orrizzi, who has personally mentored five youths since he started volunteering with PRIDE. “They just want someone to know them and be interested in them.”
Around the same time as PRIDE started, BASTA (Broad-Based Apprehension, Suppression, Treatment & Alternatives) expanded from Watsonville into North County. BASTA is a countywide collaborative formed for the purpose of keeping schools and the community safe by reducing and preventing youth gang violence, school truancy, suspensions, expulsions, and alcohol and drug abuse.The BASTA Operation Team, comprised of law enforcement and school officials, shares information and works together on anti-gang strategies and programs. A second BASTA group engages in case management of at-risk youth who have been identified by school representatives, law enforcement and probation. Their aim is preventing gang involvement before it starts.
BASTA creates a network of support around the youth and works to find the teen a “pro-social” activity, such as joining a sports team or getting a job, as well as working with a mentor. The collaboration works with about 20 kids each year.![]()
“One of the things that works is noticing the first sign – the first drawings on their Pee-Chee folder or wearing gang colors,” said Michael Paynter, student services manager at the County of Office of Education, a BASTA partner. “Connecting them at that point with a sports program can be the simple solution.”
A few years ago, BASTA added a free summer sports camp in partnership with Santa Cruz City Schools that serves about 30 kids, many of whom are also case-managed through BASTA. Participants try out a new sport every week, and practices are led by local high school coaches with help from some of their student athletes who serve as teen mentors for participants. BASTA looks at the needs of the at-risk youth on case-by-case basis. Sometimes an action as simple as paying a sports team fee or buying cleats for a youth is all the intervention needed.
“I think for the right kids that small dose can turn things in the right direction,” Paynter said.
Beyond targeted programs like PRIDE and BASTA, SCPD officers connect with youth through the summer Teen Public Safety Academy.![]()
SCPD also has a dedicated school resource officer who divides time between Harbor and Santa Cruz high schools, and Branciforte and Mission Hill middle schools. The officer presence on campus deters criminal influence while also developing positive relationships and open communication with students and school staff.
Full house of family & friends show up to support students at PRIDE graduation
“These programs are proven and successful thanks to strong partnerships and a lot of people who care deeply about young people, year in and year out,” said Deputy Chief Martinez. “Building trust between police and our youth is an investment in kids’ futures, as well as the future of our whole community.”LT. Flippo with Youth Grad/ Future Mentor and Officer Gomez at PRIDE graduationIf you'd like to learn more about SCPD's youth programs or become a mentor, visit www.santacruzpolice.com or contact Community Services at (831) 420-5952 or email: lgomez@cityofsantacruz.com
↧
November 27, 2016, 2:30 pm
Perfect for holiday gift-giving!
![]()
The stuffed likeness of the adorable police dog comes complete with customized protective vests, just like our K-9 officers.
![]()
These huggable K-9’s are available for a $10 donation at the front desk of the Santa Cruz Police Department.
Proceeds from the sale of SCPD mini fluffy K-9’s help offset incidental costs associated with caring for SCPD's working K-9s.Your tax-deductible donations will be put towards:
· Funding of replacement K-9’s
· Supplemental funding of community education
· Purchasing protective equipment
· Funding specialized K-9 schools
· Funding of medical expenses for retired K-9’s
· Defraying K-9 burial or cremation costs
· Health insurance for current K-9’sAnyone interested in purchasing an adorable stuffed K-9 for a $10 donation, please come to the SCPD Lobby at 155 Center Street. Lobby open Monday - Thursday 9 am - 4 pm.![]()
Thank you to local veterinarian Dave Shuman, this fundraiser originated with a generous sponsorship from Westside Animal Hospital.
↧
↧
December 4, 2016, 4:30 pm
Online holiday shopping has many of us have ordering gifts for friends and loved ones. Packages are being delivered by the truckload on front porches numerous homes in the Santa Cruz.Packages that are left unattended make for easy targets for criminals. These thefts commonly occur during normal working hours, since many people are not at home. This is a crime that occurs in virtually community in our country.Image: www.august.com
SCPD recommendations to avoid becoming a victim of package theft:1. If your employer will allow it, have packages delivered to your office.
2. Request that the shipper hold your package at their pick-up facility so you can pick it up in person at your convenience.
3. Have packages delivered to a place where they can be received in person, such as the home of a trusted neighbor who stays home during the day, or a retired relative.
4. If purchasing something from a large retailer, request that your package be delivered to a local branch of the store so you can pick it up in person at your convenience.
5. Request a specific delivery date and time from the shipper when you know you will be home.
6. Provide delivery instructions to the shipper so that packages can be left at a safe location at your home that is out of sight from the street.
7. Sign up for delivery alerts (text messages or e-mails) from the shipper; call a trusted neighbor when the packages are delivered, and ask them to take the packages inside for safekeeping until you get home.
8. Request that the shipper require a signature confirmation upon delivery; this will prevent your package from being left at an unattended home.
9. Check out other secure delivery options. For example, Amazon.com has an option for purchases made on their website called "Amazon Lockers," which delivers your package to a secure site. There are three Amazon Locker locations in Santa Cruz. For more info on finding an Amazon Locker location near you, see https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html…).This is a great time of year to get to know your neighbors and encourage them to keep eye out for suspicious behavior. Call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity immediately in your neighborhood.If you see a theft in progress do not attempt to stop the suspect on your own. Call 911 and give the operator a detailed description of the individual, including clothing description, physical description, vehicle description, and direction of travel.
SCPD Blog and Facebook are two of the many ways we provide crime prevention information to our community. Encourage your neighbors to connect with SCPD on social media to learn about crime prevention tips for your neighborhood (like package theft!).
Happy holidays!
↧
December 5, 2016, 4:30 pm
On Monday December 5, 2016, the Santa Cruz Police Department became the first law enforcement agency in the county to issue Naloxone aka Narcan to trained officers.Naloxone can be used by SCPD officers to provide emergency treatment to people who are suffering from a potential opioid overdose (i.e. heroin or opiate based pharmaceutical pills). The Santa Cruz Police Department and Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency have partnered to provide patrol officers with Naloxone (Narcan) an intranasal naloxone application.
![]()
Intranasal Naloxone Application
While opiate related deaths are prevalent nationwide, a large amount of Police Agencies on the east coast are trained in the use of Naloxone. In general many law enforcement agencies within the state of California have not trained officers in the use of Naloxone. The Santa Cruz Police Department will be the first in the county of Santa Cruz to initiate this program.The Naloxone was provided to the Santa Cruz Police Department by Janus of Santa Cruz who received the Narcan through a Substance Abuse Block Grant.The Santa Cruz Police Department also would like to express its appreciation to “DEFIB THIS” for their donation of training equipment.
↧
December 6, 2016, 4:30 pm
The fifth article in the series about Santa Cruz Police Department’s longstanding commitment to Community-Oriented Policing.
Decades ago, the Santa Cruz Police Department equipped patrol cars with dashboard cameras and installed VCRs in the trunks to record officer interactions during calls. While it sounds archaic now, at the time, this was cutting-edge technology.Fast forward 20 years and SCPD remains a leader in adopting new technology, in large part because use of technology and social media is a key element of the department’s Community-Oriented Policing.
Implementing new technologies gives SCPD the opportunity to engage with residents about their expectations for transparency, accountability and privacy. It also builds community trust and offers police officers additional communication channels to educate residents.![]()
“We’ve made a lot of different technological advances over the years, starting with our mobile app, social media and predictive policing,” SCPD Chief Kevin Vogel said. “Anytime you can find a better way to engage it puts you at an advantage with serving your community.”
SCPD was the first law enforcement agency in the United States to develop its own branded community engagement mobile app. Launched in March 2011, the app provides access to the police department’s live scanner feed, interactive online crime maps, videos, photos, social media and the police department’s blog.
“Really, their goal was ‘How can we take all of our services and make them available in the way our community wants to access them?’” said Jamieson Johnson, a UC Santa Cruz graduate and Vice President of Business Development at MobilePD, the app developer. “What the application does is centralizes a lot of different important services for the community to access.” VIDEO message from the app developer, Jamieson Johnson, a UC Santa Cruz graduate and Vice President of Business Development at MobilePD. Since SCPD launched its app, hundreds of law enforcement agencies have created their own mobile platforms. “But at that time it was unheard of and they were the first ones to do it,” Johnson said.
The department also was the first law enforcement agency in the county to utilize Nixle, an open communication forum that connects the police department with businesses and residents through text, email, a mobile app and more.
SCPD was an early adopter of social media, engaging with residents through multiple platforms to increase community awareness and access to department activities. The department’s current social media platforms include:
· Facebook– used to distribute press releases, request the public’s help in solving a case and share other items of community interest.
· Twitter– used for real-time updates during urgent situations and to share day-to-day activity with the public. Earlier this year, SCPD tweeted a “virtual ride-along” during a Friday shift to exhibit the scope and pace of a regular workday.
· Instagram and Pinterest– used to connect crime victims with their missing property. SCPD posts photos of lost, found and recovered property; proof of ownership is required to claim items.
· YouTube– used to share messages about safety with the public and help identify suspects in open cases where video surveillance is available.
SCPD also posts police logs online and shares updates about cases via its blog. Residents appreciate the access to information.
“The Santa Cruz Police Blog has been awesome,” said Deb Elston, co-founder of the community networking organization Santa Cruz Neighbors.
“People love the blog, especially because neighbors do want to help find the bad guys.”When crimes occur, SCPD’s online crime reporting portal allows residents to report minor incidents, like car break-ins, online. This saves officer time for more serious incidents and also gives a crime victim the option to file the report when he or she has time to do it and from the comfort of their own home. The SCPD website also accepts public comments and acclamations about officers.
A recent — and well-received — addition to SCPD’s wide range of tech advances has been the development of the online bike registry. This program encourages cyclists to register their bicycles online and tags each registered bike with a blue and white California bike license.The registry, the first in the county, is free and never expires.
Since the online bike registry program began in July 2016, more than 1,200 bicycles have been licensed through SCPD. Many are registered when they are sold at local bike shops, all of which have partnered with the police department to grow the program.“It’s going great,” said Linda Robinson, a SCPD records technician who leads the program. “It’s nice to see the enthusiasm.”| Linda with Bike Shop Owner Demonstrating Online Bike Registration |
↧
↧
December 9, 2016, 10:30 am
Community-Oriented Policing requires constant adaptation to new needs and changing situations. The Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) has embraced innovation since it adopted a community policing philosophy in the early 1990s. Just as then, today’s efforts are about building personal relationships, being proactive in addressing community concerns and working with partners to innovate new approaches to police work.![]()
SCPD Police Chief Kevin Vogel
In this spirit, the department is poised to launch three new or expanded initiatives focused on creating transparency and implementing solutions that produce meaningful results in the community.The first initiative provides for all Santa Cruz police officers working in the field to be equipped with body cameras starting in 2017.
“Body cameras certainly increase the accountability and the transparency of the police department,” Police Chief Kevin Vogel said. “I think that’s the No. 1 benefit.”![]()
The department proposed body cameras during the 2016/17 budget planning process, but financial considerations led the city to delay implementation of body cameras. Data storage alone is estimated to cost $100,000 a year.
“This is a pretty costly expenditure for the city,” Vogel said. “One of the things I want to make sure of is we’re very careful and deliberate in the selection of body cameras.”
In addition to choosing the right equipment, developing policies around data retention and storage, when and how to release footage, and how to preserve privacy all will need to be considered as body cameras are implemented. The timeline for rolling out body cameras for officers will be discussed at the Tuesday, Dec. 13, Santa Cruz City Council meeting.
The second initiative begins this month: police officers will carry Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug. The one-year trial phase of the Overdose Prevention Program, funded through a Santa Cruz County-administered grant, will involve 12 SCPD patrol officers who have volunteered to participate.![]()
SCPD will be the first law enforcement agency in the county to carry a “rescue” drug. The Naloxone is administered through a nasal mist, which is easier to apply and doesn’t require officers to carry needles. Each participating officer will be issued a kit with two Naloxone doses. ![]()
To encourage people to call 911 to seek medical attention for an overdose, California adopted a Good Samaritan law, providing immunity from violations and low-level offenses when a person is either experiencing or observing an opioid-related overdose. People who receive the rescue drug or those with them at the time will be given an outreach card with information about addiction services.
“The hope is they will get help and not use again,” Barry said. “Public safety isn’t just arresting people.”
The third Community-Oriented Policing expanded initiative is the expansion of the Maintaining Ongoing Stability through Treatment Team (MOST) program. The MOST liaison assists with calls involving potential mental health issues and provides mental health intervention and assessment services. Originally a 40-hour-a-week position staffed by one person, the role will grow to include a second half-time liaison working weekends.![]()
Community-Oriented Policing requires constant flexibility to respond to all emerging issues with proactive problem-solving approaches that involve the community as well as police officers. “We have an ongoing commitment to reevaluate our policies and programs, and introduce new initiatives as needed,” Martinez said. “We know Santa Cruz is a special place with unique needs, and we want to be responsive to our community.”Click the articles titles below to read the series about SCPD’s longstanding commitment to Community-Oriented Policing.
1st Highlights Community-Oriented Policing Tradition
2nd Community-Oriented Policing Provides Transparency, Accountability
3rd Community-Based Partnerships Reduce Crime
4th SCPD Youth Programs Help Community Policing Efforts Reach Kids
5th SCPD Use of Technology Supports Community Policing Policies
6th Santa Cruz Police and the Future of Community Policing
↧
December 13, 2016, 4:30 pm
Today Mayor Mathews proclaimed December 13th as "Lobo Day". SCPD Officer Saul Rodriguez and his K-9 Lobo received the proclamation in honor for their years of service to the City of Santa Cruz as our K-9 team.SCPD is also announcing the retirement of Police K-9 “Lobo” from its ranks.Lobo is a black and tan German Shepherd, and is trained in patrol work, tracking, and narcotic detection.
After 5 years of service, and over 250 arrests to his credit, Lobo will be ending his service for City of Santa Cruz and its citizens. Lobo leaves behind a legacy that includes: numerous drug seizures, and criminal apprehensions.
SCPD service dogs are partnered with a human handler to form a K-9 unit. Officer Rodriguez has been Lobo’s handler and full time caretaker since the beginning of his career at SCPD. Lobo will retire to Officer Rodriguez’s home, and live out his days enjoying his family there. Lobo is thankful for the relationships he has made with many of the community members who have attended one of his many public demonstrations.
↧
December 19, 2016, 2:30 pm
SCPD Officers returned the victim’s purse with her belongings including all her money for holiday gifts.
On Sunday December 12, 2016 at around 1:00 pm, several SCPD Officers responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the area of Pacific and Beach Street. Officers responded to the call within minutes. The victim, a woman, stated that her purse was stolen while she was sitting on a bus bench. The suspect robber grabbed her purse and wrestled it away from her and fled. The purse contained the victims wallet and about $250.00 in Christmas money. Fortunately, she was not physically hurt during the purse snatching.
Quick-thinking witnesses called 911 and also took several photos of the robber as he ran away.
The suspect robber was described as a Hispanic male in his 30's to 40's, 5'4" to 5'6 and of medium build.
SCPD Officers efficiently set up a perimeter and in short order contacted the suspect robber Anthony Rodriguez, 40 years old, from Watsonville.
![]()
Anthony Rodriguez, 30 years old from WatsonvilleSCPD Officers recovered the victim’s Christmas cash hidden within Mr. Rodriguez’s pants. Helpful witnesses positively identified Mr. Rodriguez as the person who stole the victim’s purse.
Great teamwork delivers the best results! SCPD returned the Christmas money to a very sweet and grateful lady. Mr. Rodriguez was arrested and went to jail for grand theft.
↧
December 21, 2016, 4:30 pm
The Santa Cruz Police Department has launched a new webpage dedicated to Cold Cases. We are aimed at taking the forces of communication and community engagement to a new level to solve cold cases in the City of Santa Cruz. ![]()
December 22nd marks the 41st Anniversary of the UNSOLVED HOMICIDE - Case: 75-186030 The victim, Deborah Jean Cargill, lived in Campbell, CA. She was 19 years old at the time she was kidnapped and killed. On 12/21/1975 at approximately 4:30PM just as she was parking her vehicle in the parking lot of the Albertsons grocery store, located at Hwy 9 and Bollinger in the City of San Jose, (where she worked) she was contacted and led away by an unknown male suspect. Her body was found on 12/22/1975 in the San Lorenzo River near the train trestle.
SCPD is always looking for new information on coldcases. Now, we are using social media and our website to reach more audience and share cold case details.The Cold Case webpage and social media post include photos and review facts about unsolved murders under active investigation by the Cold Case Investigator.
“Our goal for the Cold Case webpage and the investigative efforts, said Chief Vogel, is to bring attention to these cases, so they are not forgotten. The Investigations Unit is committed to bringing justice and a degree of closure to the victim’s families.”
To solve a decades-old murder you have to be curious and dedicated in the search for the truth. Meet SCPD Cold Case Detective Ron Truhitte
How do you solve a cold case?
“The only way to solve a decades-old murder is through hard work, thorough analysis of the evidence, and examining and re-examining old witness interviews.”
Why the dedication to cold cases?
“I am an advocate for victims. My primary mission is to bring peace to the family and friends of those that were tragically killed. And, as I do, SCPD recognizes the importance to the community of solving cold cases and bringing those accountable to justice.”
Besides case reports, what do you like to read?
Books by Tony Hillerman he writes about the Navajo Tribal Police. Great combination of history and mystery. John Sandford. He writes the "Prey" series. John Grisham. Everything he writes.
Do you ever stay in touch with your clients after the case is closed?
One homicide victim's family l'm still in touch with is the Karastamatis family. Their father, Father John Karastamatis was murdered in 1985.
SCPD is hoping to have this Cold Case Webpage shared as widely as possible. Even someone with second or third-hand information about what happened may hold the missing piece of the puzzle that helps us to crack the case, solve a mystery, and bring justice to the victim’s family and her friends.
Click SCPD Cold Cases are featured on our website. If you have information about any of these unsolved murders, contact SCPD through our anonymous tipline 831-420-5995 or SCPD Investigations 831-420-5820. Contact Ron Truhitte at RTruhitte@cityofsantacruz.com
↧
↧
December 22, 2016, 1:00 pm
The Santa Cruz Police Department proudly announces the promotion of Lieutenant Dan Flippo to the role of Deputy Chief of Police. Introducing Deputy Chief Dan Flippo
![]()
Deputy Chief Flippo has worked for the Santa Cruz Police Department for 25 years and has filled many roles within the Department. Deputy Chief Flippo was a supervisor for 12 years and a Lieutenant for 4 years. Over his 25 year career, he has served in almost every capacity and assignment either as a patrol officer or Sergeant. He has served in Patrol, Investigations, Training, Traffic, in the Downtown Unit, in Street Crimes, and was a Team Leader and Team Commander in charge of the Tactical Team.
Deputy Chief Flippo has been an instructor in almost every area of training and is a court-recognized expert in the use of force. He has authored policy and assisted with the adoption of training programs for the department and other law enforcement agencies within our county.
“I am truly humbled by this honor to serve our great city, its valued community members, and our Police Department as Deputy Chief,” Dan Flippo said. “I will strive to represent the highest standards of excellence in service to our community.”
Deputy Chief Flippo has established a good rapport and working relationship with a wide variety of stake holders within the community to include members of city and county governments, business owners, community groups, and concerned neighborhood groups. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve with the executive management team and believes that he possesses the skill sets, judgment, leadership, experience and passion needed for the position. He has strong ties with the community he serves and believes that his connections with the community will assist in pushing forward the goals and mission of both the Department and city leadership.
“Deputy Chief Flippo's promotion represents an important step forward in the Santa Cruz Police Department's succession plan” said Chief Vogel. "He demonstrates dedication and leadership skills at the highest levels and will enhance our department's core values of ethics, integrity, and respect.”
Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Deputy Chief Flippo on achieving a significant milestone in his career.
↧
December 26, 2016, 1:30 pm
2017 starts our 20th year presenting CPA! Thank you to everyone who has participated in this and previous Citizens Police Academies.![]()
It is a hands-on program taught by a number of officers in the department. If you've never done a class like this it provides a look at your local police that most haven't seen.
SCPD has been proud to offer CPA to our community since 1998. The CPA provides an up close and personal look at police work and SCPD. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, discuss issues, and perform some of the task that SCPD Officers do as part of their regular duties.
Register now for the Citizen's Police Academy starting on January 24th, 2017, Contact Officer Leo Gomez at lgomez@cityofsantacruz.com to sign up.
Community members spend 11 weeks learning all about SCPD through a dynamic mix of presentations and hands-on activities. The next session of CPA runs from January 24, 2017 to May 2, 2017.
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/…/pol…/citizen-police-academyHighlights from Fall 2016 CPA Classs
↧
December 27, 2016, 12:00 pm
SCPD is ready to ring in the new year and your safety is our #1 priority. We will have all hands on deck working New Year’s Eve.Every available SCPD Officers will be patrolling downtown as well as our neighborhoods to ensure a safe environment for New Year’s Eve. SCPD has enacted a Safety Enhancement Zone designation for the downtown corridor in the City of Santa Cruz.
The City of Santa Cruz Safety Enhancement Zone boundaries and road closures is accessible on our Google Maps http://goo.gl/3VXQ0YWhy create a Safety Enhancement Zone?
Public Safety is SCPD's #1 priority. We want downtown to be a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
What time is the Safety Enhancement Zone in effect?
The Safety Enhancement Zone in the downtown corridor will begin at 5:00 PM on December 31st and end at 5:00 AM on January 1st.
What happens in the Safety Enhancement Zone?
The Safety Enhancement Zone allows for a “Triple Fine” to be levied on certain Municipal Code violations, such as possession of alcoholic beverages in public and other unsafe or illegal behavior related Ordinances.
WHAT is the purpose of the Triple Fines?
The goal of triple fines is to deter unwanted behavior. The fines are very expensive. It's an extra incentive for rowdy people to keep their behavior in check.Parks & Rec is hosting their yearly countdown at the Town Clock, starting around 11:40 PM. The crowd rings in the new year with a DJ and light show.
SCPD Top 5 Safety Tips for New Year's Eve
#1 Don't Drink and Drive!
#2 Always designate a safe and sober ride home.
#3 If you plan on going anywhere for the New Year’s Eve, take friends with you! Stay with your group of friends. #4 Have your cell phone with you and fully charged just in case anything negative occurs. Be prepared!
#5 Above all, go with your gut. If a street or bar feels unsafe, leave. Be aware of your surroundings and report anything suspicious.
↧
December 28, 2016, 4:30 pm
This is a sketch of one of the suspects involved in the drive-by shooting on December 26, 2017.The suspect is described as Hispanic, 30-35 years old, light complexion, wearing a dark colored beanie.
The victim is in stable condition and recovering from his injuries in a Bay Area trauma center.
Background:
On Monday night December 26th, 2016 around 8:59 Hrs., Santa Cruz Police responded to the intersection of Raymond St at Leibrandt St. for a report of a drive-by shooting. Officers found one victim who had been shot in the leg. Several witnesses had seen or heard the gunshots and were interviewed by officers while the victim was receiving aid from the Santa Cruz Fire Department and paramedics.
The victim is a 19 year old male. The victim received a significant wound to his upper left leg and was flown to a Bay Area trauma center.
The victim and witnesses said that victim had been approached by occupants of a vehicle and shot at. Several rounds were fired striking both the victim and a concrete wall in Beach Flats Park. One round also struck a vehicle that was unoccupied and parked near the intersection. The shooting appeared to be gang motivated.
The occupants were last seen driving the wrong way on Raymond St towards Beach St.
-Suspect descriptions- 2 to 3 Hispanic males in a light colored 4 door compact with tinted windows.
The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact Det. Brian Warren at 831 420-5837. Anonymous tips can also be sent to the police department through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995, or from our Website www.santacruzpolice.com
↧
↧
SCPD Wishes everyone the best in 2017!
The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that 2017 was welcomed in without any major incidents of violence during the festivities downtown. SCPD deployed additional officers throughout the city as well as a significant contingent of officers on foot in the Downtown corridor.
Officers kept busy throughout the city and in the Downtown corridor.Between 5:00 PM on December 31st and 5:00 AM on January 1st, Officers responded to 160 calls for service. This number is nearly equal to last year’s 161 calls during that same time.Crowds gathered at the Town Clock for a city sponsored Countdown Celebration.Like last year, temperatures dipped to approximately 41 degrees around midnight. The event drew a crowd of approximately 2,000 compared to last year’s crowd of approximately 3,500 revelers.
Overall, downtown Santa Cruz arrests and citations were down from 2016.
The New Year Eve and January 1st early morning deployment reported the following activity:
Total Arrests: 12 arrests total, mostly consisting of public intoxication.
Last year: 28 arrests total
This is a 57% DECREASE from last year
19 Citations Issued; 11 for Triple Fine Cites.
The majority of these triple fines were for open containers of alcohol.
Last year saw a total of 53 cites with 27 of those being Triple Fines cites.
Overall citations were down 64% from last year, Triple Fines were decreased 59% from last year.
New Year’s Eve 2016/2017 turned out to be a peaceful and enjoyable event for the city.
Happy New Year from the Men & Women at SCPD
We wish everyone the best in 2017!
↧
The Santa Cruz Police Department is continuing to look for men and women who are seeking an exciting and rewarding career in law enforcement. Starting today, Jan. 5th, the city is accepting applications for Police Officer Trainee. Application are being accepted from now until February 2nd. Please share this message and help us find qualified men and women who can serve our community.
See flyer below for more information
or Click here
↧
January 6, 2017, 12:00 pm
The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that our policy manual, in its entirety, is now available online. We recognize the importance of transparency in municipal government and have taken this important step to make our policy manual available for public consumption. The policy manual is available by clicking here:
Santa Cruz Police Department Policy Manual
↧
The City of Santa Cruz and the Police Department are preparing for the upcoming winter storm this weekend. Heavy rain is expected Saturday and Sunday. Both the Police and Fire Department's will be monitoring flood zones throughout the weekend. For more information on how to prepare for a storm such as this, please follow this link:
http://cityofsantacruz.com/…/emergency-storm-preparat…/guide![No automatic alt text available.]()
↧
↧
SCPD Proactive Policing Gets 2 Suspects arrested, 9 grams of meth and $4,000 of drug money out of Harvey West Park.
On January 5, 2017 at 5:22 pm, an SCPD Officer was on active patrol and spotted a known drug dealer in the area of Harvey West and Dubois. The Officer witnessed the suspects, Calvin Carlson and his associate Suzanne Winchel, parked in a car and appeared to be engaged in narcotic activity. Groups of people came up to the vehicle for short periods of time and then would walk away. Calvin Carlson 52 years old from Santa CruzThe Officer pulled up behind the suspect’s car and contacted Carlson and Winchel. While the Officer was speaking with the suspects, a group of people who had been speaking to Carlson tried to interfere and prevent the officer from searching the vehicle. Additional officers were called for backup and the group of transients dispersed.![]()
Calvin Carlson 52 years old and Suzanne Winchel 40 years old are both from Santa Cruz. The suspects were recognizable to the Officer because of their long criminal history and contacts with the PD. The Officer also confirmed through the Santa Cruz County Court website that Mr. Carlson was recently out on bail and had search terms for controlled substances, paraphernalia and drug sales.A search of the suspect’s car and possessions produced 9 grams of meth and $4,000 in cash.Calvin Carlson and Suzanne Winchel were arrested for possession of controlled substance for sale.
SCPD is working collaboratively with neighborhood groups such as; the Harvey West Business Association, Homeless Service Center, and Parks and Recreation, in order to address neighborhood concerns and safety issues within the Harvey West area.
Shooting Investigation
On Saturday January 7, 2017 at 11:37 am, SCPD Officers responded to reports of several shots fired near the 1300 block of Soquel Avenue. Santa Cruz Police Officers were patrolling the area and quickly identified that the gunfire came from Soquel Avenue and Darwin Street. When Officers arrived at the scene they located several shell casings. Officers canvassed the immediate area and surrounding blocks and did not find where the rounds struck. Local hospitals were contacted and none of them reported any victims with gunshot wounds.
Currently, there is no information regarding suspects on the shooting. Detectives are continuing to follow up leads and looking for video surveillance. The police department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the shooting to contact investigators 831- 420-5820.
Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood.
SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.
↧
January 10, 2017, 4:30 pm
![]()
Both Teams recently graduated from their month long K9 Handler Patrol Course, and will begin working the streets in December 2016. Each K9 teams received training in the following:
· Area & building searches
· Handler protection & apprehension
· Article searches & tracking/trailing
· Narcotic detection.
After the K9 Patrol course both the handler and their K9 partner were certified by an evaluator prior to work in the field.
“Cash” is a 2 year old male Belgian Malinois and “Luna” is a 2 year old female Dutch Shepard. Both K9s have been imported from overseas, and in October 2016, the K9’s were introduced and moved in with their handlers. After the bonding period both teams began the K9 Patrol Course and are now certified K9 Teams.
The City of Santa Cruz community’s appreciation and gratitude extended to the Santa Cruz Police Department’s K9 Unit has been nothing short of extraordinary. Police K9 “Cash” was purchased through a community member’s donation of $8,500.00. The City of Santa Cruz resident, who wished to remain anonymous, donated the money in memory of their child.
When asked about such a gracious offer, they replied, “It’s an honor to memorialize my late son, while helping provide support that protects our officers and community.” The donor was allowed to name the K9, and they chose the name “Cash” upon their first meeting. The Santa Cruz Police Department is grateful for the community’s participation in its K9 Unit.
The Santa Cruz Police K9 Unit has had a long successful history in enhancing our police services. Our K9 Unit is primarily used for locating people, contraband and apprehending criminal offenders.
Congratulations to K9’s Cash and Luna.
↧
January 11, 2017, 4:30 pm
![]()
LT. Escalante and SGT. Vasquez
“This leadership training opportunity is the perfect forum to help develop the skill-sets of our line-level supervisors, giving them the tools needed to interact with and mentor other officers,” said Chief Kevin Vogel.
After completing the 9-month course, Sergeant Vasquez joins many other SCPD supervisors and managers who have attended this valuable program.
Sgt. Vasquez, a 17 year veteran SCPD officer, successfully completed the intensive leadership development program. It is an ongoing goal of the Santa Cruz Police Department to consistently provide the training necessary for effective public safety leadership.
Congratulations to Sergeant Arnold Vasquez on his achievement.
↧
“One of the things that works is noticing the first sign – the first drawings on their Pee-Chee folder or wearing gang colors,” said Michael Paynter, student services manager at the County of Office of Education, a BASTA partner. “Connecting them at that point with a sports program can be the simple solution.”
