Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Make the right play to save your life and others.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. On Super Bowl Sunday 2009, there were 105 alcohol-related injury collisions in California with 11 fatalities. Last year, there were 79 alcohol-related injury collisions with four fatalities.

The Oxnard Police Department is reminding football fans to drive safely and drive sober this weekend. Several officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct strict enforcement of impaired driving. The enforcement starts Friday night, February 4th, with a driver’s license and sobriety checkpoint. The checkpoint is scheduled to start at 6:00 P.M. and end at approximately 2:00 A.M. During and after the checkpoint, several more officers will be dedicated to DUI enforcement until 3:00 A.M.

The weekend enforcement will continue on Saturday night as additional officers will be deployed to search for impaired drivers. On Super Bowl Sunday, several officers will be patrolling the streets of Oxnard conducting DUI saturation starting at 3:00 P.M. Over the 2010 Super Bowl weekend, the Oxnard Police Department arrested 16 drivers for DUI. Seven of those drivers were arrested on Sunday following the game. Fortunately, there were no DUI related collisions over that same weekend and we want this year to have the same result.

Enjoy the game but remember, impaired driving crashes can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list. Oxnard PD is dedicated to arresting impaired driving; to help, we ask everyone; ‘Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!’”

These DUI enforcement activities are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

• Alcohol Involved Collisions – Any Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision where a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist had been drinking (HBD).
• *Property Damage Only

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On January 31, 2011, a nine year old female Oxnard resident received unsolicited text messages on her cellular telephone from a person unknown to her. The text messages continued for several hours and the Suspect persuaded the Victim to send him a partially nude photograph of herself via text message. The Victim’s mother discovered the situation when she checked her daughter’s cell phone that night and reported the incident to the Oxnard Police Department. The Oxnard Police Department investigated the crime and detectives were able to identify the Suspect, who was an 18-year old Oxnard resident, Nicholas Ortega. Upon contact with the Suspect, he was found to be in possession of child pornographic images of a fourteen year old female Oxnard resident. The Suspect was arrested for several counts of child enticement and luring and possession of child pornography. The Suspect was booked into Ventura County Sheriff’s Department jail with a bail of $50,000.

Parents are reminded to monitor their children’s computer and cellular telephone usage. Children are reminded not to communicate with strangers online or on cellular telephones. Parents and children may find additional resources at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com or 1-800-843-5678. The investigation is continuing in relation to any other children who may have been persuaded to send the Suspect nude images of themselves with assistance from the local Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members including investigators from the Oxnard Police Department, FBI, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Contact Oxnard Police Department Detective Erica Escalante at (805) 385-7759.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Over the 2011 Super Bowl Weekend, the Oxnard Police Department conducted additional DUI enforcement. The weekend started with a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, February 4, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard at Third Street. The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard at Fifth Street.

Officers screened 984 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Fortunately, no DUI arrests were made. One driver was arrested for failing to have a court ordered ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle. This driver had three prior DUI arrests and was also driving with a suspended driver’s license.

At the checkpoint, citations were issued to 29 drivers for various drivers’ license violations. Twenty-four drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and three drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Six vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

During and following the checkpoint, additional officers patrolled the City of Oxnard searching for impaired drivers until 3:00 A.M. This enforcement resulted in the arrest of four drivers for DUI.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit conducted another DUI saturation patrol. After several traffic stops were made, one driver was arrested for DUI. This driver was located by officers after he fled the scene of an injury collision. The driver was unlicensed and his blood alcohol level was found to be .18, over double the legal limit of .08. He was booked into county jail on suspicion of felony drunk driving. The injured driver in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Over the weekend, a total of 14 drivers were arrested in Oxnard for DUI.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, February 26, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue @ Ives Avenue. The second checkpoint was held in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue @ Gonzales Road.

Officers screened 1004 motorists who passed through the checkpoint locations and conducted two DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol. No DUI arrests were made as these drivers were found to have alcohol levels below the legal limit of .08. A 34 year-old female driver who entered the checkpoint was arrested after she was found to have a suspended driver’s license following two prior DUI convictions. She was also in violation of failing to install a court-ordered ignition interlock device in her vehicle. Her vehicle was towed from the checkpoint.

Citations were issued to 37 drivers for various drivers’ license violations at the checkpoint. Twenty-five drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Seventeen vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several more DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

During the evening hours of March 8th, 2006 Carlos Prado was seen by friends leaving on his bike in the area of Channel Islands and “J” St. Minutes later after some type of confrontation Carlos was chased to the 3400 block of Jackson St. The suspect(s) then shot the victim and fled the area.

We are coming up on the 5 year anniversary for this incident. By all accounts from family members Carlos had no ties to any gangs, he has lived in Oxnard for years. Investigators have no idea what the motive was for this senseless shooting. The city is offering a $10,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for this act.

Please contact Det. Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Reward flyer

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, February 26nd, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The checkpoint will be held throughout the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So far this year, officers have made 130 DUI arrests in the City of Oxnard. In comparison to 2008, the Oxnard Police Department’s continued efforts in DUI enforcement have resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of alcohol related fatal collisions and an 8% reduction in injury collisions involving an impaired driver.

How to Report a Drunk Driver

1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver. **You do not have to give your name.
2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver. Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On March 30, 2011, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting the phase one training class of the “Crime Free Multi-Housing program”.

The Oxnard Police Department introduced this crime prevention program in November of 2005. This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making properties more profitable, and increasing the quality of life for many tenants.

This program has been very successful in the City of Oxnard. The reduction in crime in most apartment communities in the program is above 70 percent.

This class is open to all apartment community employees in the City of Oxnard. This class is recommended for all property owners, on site property managers, property management representatives, leasing agents and maintenance employees.

The hours of the class are from 8a.m.-5p.m. in the Fillmore room at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 800 South Hobson Way, in Oxnard.

If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the training please contact Detective Marty Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him at martinennis@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On February 13, 2011, at approximately 1547 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the intersection of Saviers Road and Wolff Street after receiving a call of an injury traffic collision involving an SUV and a motorcycle. Once on scene, officers found that a motorcycle, ridden by a male driver, 20 years old of Oxnard, had collided with a Chevy, Tahoe, driven by Maria Bernardino, 43 years old of Oxnard.

Based on a preliminary investigation, the SUV made a left turn from northbound Saviers Road to westbound Wolff Street in front of the motorcycle which was traveling southbound on Saviers Road. The motorcyclist was unable to stop in time and broadsided the SUV.

The motorcyclist sustained serious head injuries along with several broken bones and a partially severed leg. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was immediately rushed to surgery and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the SUV and her passenger were transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol or speed was a factor in this collision. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 385-7750.

An investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

According to information we have, the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme has only one gate open today, on Victoria Ave. Traffic is backed up on Victoria Avenue between the entrance of the base up to Wooley Road. Oxnard officers are on scene and directing traffic.

Motorists are asked to take alternate routes if they are able.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: