Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On May 16, 2014, at about 2:18 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Rose Avenue and Ives Avenue reference an injury collision involving a police unit and a silver Lexus IS250.
 
The preliminary investigation indicated that the police vehicle, driven by an on duty peace officer, was traveling northbound on Rose Avenue towards Ives Avenue in a marked black and white police unit. The silver Lexus IS250, driven by Anthony A. Reagan, was traveling southbound on Rose Avenue in the left turn lane to Ives Avenue. As the police unit neared the intersection of Rose Avenue and Ives Avenue, the Lexus made the left turn directly in front of the police unit causing the unit to broadside the Lexus.
 
Upon contacting Driver Reagan, officers noticed signs and symptoms of impairment. Officers conducted a DUI investigation on Driver Reagan and subsequently arrested him on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol.
 
Driver Reagan suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision. The officer driving the police unit suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision and is in stable condition. An on duty officer that was a passenger in the police unit was not injured as a result of the collision.
 
If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750. The investigation is continuing. 

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  May 16, 2014 at 0650 hours    
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind motorists, Click It or Ticket.  In order to enforce this reminder, beginning Monday, May 19th, officers will bejoining in the 2014 national seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

Even with a seatbelt usage rate of 97.4 percent, California still has 800,000 or more who aren’t buckling up.  In a crash, they stand a 50 percent greater chance of being killed than those who have taken the two seconds to buckle in.  In an on-going effort to reach those remaining safety hold-outs, police, sheriff and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) departments across the state will be taking part in Click It or Ticket from May 19 through June 1.
 
“The approaching Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer vacation season and we want to ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safe and sound,” said Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant for the Oxnard Police Department. “If motorists fail to follow the rules of the road, including not buckling up, they will be ticketed.  Seat belts save lives!”
 
According to new data released from the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities are up nationwide for the first time in five years. In 2012, 10,335 people who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing their seat belts. NHTSA data also details how more traffic vehicle deaths occur at night. In 2012, 61 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed during the nighttime hours of 6:00 p.m. – 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts.  
 
“Wearing a seat belt is one of the easiest and best things you can do to protect yourself in the event of a car crash,” said Rhonda Craft, Director of the California Office of Traffics Safety. “Taking a few moments to properly secure yourself and all your passengers before going on your way could mean the difference between life and death.”
 
The cost for a seat belt violation in California for unbuckled vehicle occupants over age 16 is a minimum of $161 for a first offense. The penalty fees for failing to properly buckle up any child under the age of 16 is a minimum $490 per child for a first offense, plus a violation point will be added to the driver’s record. If the parent is not in the car, the driver gets the ticket.
 
For more traffic safety information, visit the California Office of Traffic Safety at www.ots.ca.gov or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Click It or Ticket mobilization, www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.
 
 
 
  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  May 17, 2014 / 1030 hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 5-28-14, at about 4:30PM, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Street Narcotic Team along with the Probation Department responded to a residence in the 400 block of South G Street. As they proceeded to the residence from the alley, they recognized one of the occupants in the rear yard as Paul Torres and knew that he had an outstanding felony warrant. The officers attempted to contact Torres who then ran into the garage of the residence. Moments later, Torres emerged from the garage and was taken into custody. The officers also contacted suspect Jose Petris who was hiding in the garage along with a 15 year old female juvenile who was a reported runaway from Camarillo.

Officers searched the garage and located a discarded semi-automatic handgun. Torres was later arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of that firearm. Petris was arrested for narcotic violations and the female was later returned to a responsible party.

Torres is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011.  This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison.  The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.
 
In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, Oxnard Police launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of the initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.
 
Persons with additional information are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the websitehttp://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to leave an anonymous tip.