LOUD MUSIC/PARTY ORDINANCE REVISED

On December 16, 2010, Ordinance No. 2834 goes into effect and changes how the Oxnard Police Department deals with repeat calls for service related to loud parties, gatherings or assemblages on private property.

Complaints related to loud music and/or loud parties make up the second most common police call for service. In 2009, the Oxnard Police Department handled 5,630 of these disturbance calls, representing roughly 1 in every 16 police calls.

Locations where repeat loud music/loud party calls originate are particularly problematic. Last year, police responded to 3,957 different locations for loud music/loud party calls. Less than a quarter (899) of the locations were responsible for almost half (2,562) of all loud music/loud party calls. One location had 49 such calls in 2009.

Loud music/loud party calls consume an exorbitant amount of police resources. Weekends are rife with these call types. During the summer months it is not unusual for police to have 30 such calls queued for more than an hour as officers handle higher priority calls. Our experience indicates that the longer a loud music/loud party call waits for police intervention, the higher the likelihood a criminal act will occur. Criminal activities associated with parties include battery, vandalism, drunk driving, sexual assault, underage drinking, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Existing processes to dissuade repeat loud music/loud party calls are ineffective. Currently, when a police officer determines that a party, gathering, or assemblage (“the event”) is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the police officer issues a written warning to the person responsible for the event. This warning states that if the police are required to return to the location within a 48-hour period for another disturbance, the responsible person may be required to pay for all direct and indirect costs attributed to the subsequent response to the event, up to $500.

The proposed ordinance uses the civil citation process and holds rental property owners accountable for the actions of their tenants. Under the proposed ordinance, the officer issues a warning to the person in control of the location of the event and/or the person responsible for the event. In the case of a minor (a person under the age of 18 years), the warning is issued to the parents or guardian of the minor. If the person does not own the property where the event was held, a written warning may also be mailed to the property owner.

If police are required to return to the location of the event within a 72-hour period, the person receiving the written warning may be issued a civil citation. The written warning mailed to the property owner contains information about the incident and warns the property owner that if police personnel are required to return to the location within one year because of loud noise, a civil citation may also be issued to him or her.

For additional information, refer to the full-text ordinance by clicking <here>.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	11-26-2010 0744 Hours
LOCATION:	Jack in the Box 550 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard Ca.
VICTIM(S):	Fidencio Hernandez 35yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Detective Mike Marostica
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Marostica 486-6228 mike.marostica@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-26-10, at approximately 0745 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to Jack in the Box, located at 550 S. Victoria Ave. reference a stabbing victim. Upon arrival, officers contacted Fidencio Hernandez, who was suffering from a stab wound to the neck. Hernandez was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he is listed in serious but stable condition.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Mike Marostica at 486-6228 mike.marostica@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic stop leads to hazmat response; Man arrested
DATE/TIME:	11-22-2010 at 0803 hours
LOCATION:	1200 block of Mercantile Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard police officer
SUSPECT(S):	Gerardo Tapia Aguilar, 27 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 2002 Nissan Altima
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Tom Chronister 805-385-7746 or tom.chronister@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Today at 8:03 A.M., Oxnard police stopped a silver 2002 Nissan Altima in the 1200 block of Mercantile Street for illegal window tint. The driver, Gerardo Tapia Aguilar, of Oxnard, was the sole occupant. Officers determined Aguilar was driving on a suspended driver license. While preparing to impound the vehicle for the license violation, officers conducted an inventory search of the vehicle.

One officer opened a plastic bag found in the car and inadvertently dispersed a powdery substance contained in the bag. The officer immediately became ill when the powder came in contact with his face. Another officer on scene immediately transported the ill officer to St. John’s Regional Medical Center for treatment. The vehicle was isolated and a hazardous materials unit from the Oxnard Fire Department responded to assess the powder and decontaminate the scene. Streets surrounding the traffic stop were closed to traffic until 10:17 A.M.

Oxnard Fire could not positively identify the powder as there was only a residual amount in the bag. The affected officer was treated at the hospital and released. He is expected to return to work later this week.

A subsequent search of the vehicle located methamphetamines, narcotics paraphernalia and a loaded handgun. Aguilar was arrested and transported to the Oxnard police station for booking.

Aguilar, who was out on bail for two previous felony arrests for drugs and weapons violations, faces fresh charges of possession of methamphetamines, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and possession of a loaded .22 caliber handgun. He will be booked into the Ventura County later today. Bail is estimated at $100,000.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	11/28/10, 0230 hrs
LOCATION:	First St. and Harrison Ave
VICTIM(S):	25 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, approx. 25 years old, 6’0”, thin build, white baseball hat, white hooded sweatshirt, blue pants
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Wallet containing identification and currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

The victim was walking in the area of First St. and Harrison Ave when he was confronted by the suspect who was brandishing a knife and demanding money. The victim refused to comply with the suspect’s demands, at which time the suspect physically assaulted the victim, then stabbed him once on the arm and once on the leg, causing minor wounds. The suspect then removed the victim’s wallet and cell phone from his pocket and then fled on foot.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

UPDATE:
Fire and police have cleared the incident on Mercantile. A press release will be issued later today once the investigation has concluded.

Oxnard police and fire units are on scene of a traffic stop conducted by Oxnard police around 0800 hours in the 1200 block of Mercantile Street. Officers located an unidentified substance inside of the vehicle. As a precautionary measure, the area surrounding the vehicle in question has been cordoned off and Oxnard Fire Hazardous Materials Unit was dispatched. This incident is underway and the substance has yet to be identified. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to stay clear of the area as road closures are in effect in the surrounding area.

Updates will be provided via press release as they become available.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	11-20-2010 2245 Hours
LOCATION:	Little Caesars Pizza 3460 Saviers Road, Oxnard CA
VICTIM(S):	Rogelio Zavala 18yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	2 Hispanic Males in their late teens to early 20’s. No further description
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Williams
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Marostica 486-6228 or email Mikemarostica@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-20-2010 at approximately 2245 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a stabbing that had just occurred at Little Caesars Pizza, located at 3460 Saviers Road. Upon arrival, officers located victim Zavala, who was suffering from multiple stab wounds. Zavala was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent surgery, but is expected to survive. During the investigation, it was learned that the two suspects and the victims confronted each other and a fight ensued. During the confrontation, Zavala was stabbed.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Mike Marostica at (805) 486-6228.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hit and run with injuries while driving under the influence
DATE/TIME:	November 18, 2010/ 7:56 PM
LOCATION:	Bard Road at J Street
VICTIM(S):	5 month old female baby, name not released
SUSPECT(S):	Sherre Savala, 51 years, of Oxnard
INJURIES:	Minor Injuries
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Traffic Investigator 805-385-7750

DETAILS:

On November 18, 2010 at about 1956 hours, officers were dispatched to a collision at Bard and J. When the officers arrived they learned that a 5 month old female baby was being pushed in a stroller by her mother southbound across Bard Road. The mother and baby were in the cross walk. Sherre Savala, 51 years of Oxnard, was driving in a motor vehicle east on Bard Road when she struck the stroller, knocking the stroller to the ground and causing the baby to strike her head. Savala stopped, contacted the mother, returned to her car and fled.

Officers observed Savala fleeing and stopped her. She was arrested for the hit and run. The baby was transported by emergency personnel to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center. It was determined that the baby received minor injuries to her head as a result of the collision.

Officers suspect that Savala was driving while under the influence of narcotics, and she was also arrested for that charge.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Senior Investigator Maria Pena at 805-385-7750.