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

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

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

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

The fallen Officers are:

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

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

For further information, contact Sergeant Andrew Salinas, at (805) 385-7777, or email andrewsalinas@oxnardpd.org

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

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

CLASSES ARE FREE!

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

Please RSVP by calling Maria Orozco at (805) 385-3947 or via e-mail: maria.orozco@ci.oxnard.ca.us. We encourage you to bring any friends or neighbors who might also be interested.