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“Break the Silence! Stop Gun Violence!” Tip Reward Program

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

 

INCIDENT: “Break the Silence!  Stop Gun Violence!” Tip Reward Program
DATE/TIME: 05/26/17, 8:21 a.m.
LOCATION: Citywide
PREPARED BY: Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND  CONTACT INFO: Detective Crystal Walker, crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org or

(805) 385-7668

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County Crime Stoppers are partnering to launch a new and innovative program to solicit crime tips from the public:  “Break the Silence!  Stop Gun Violence!” Tip Reward Program.  The program asks residents to anonymously come forward and report the felonious possession of firearms.

Why Is The Oxnard Police Department Doing This?

Last week, Oxnard suffered its ninth homicide of the year; the third within three (3) days due to gun violence.  Since March 5, 2017, there have been twenty-four (24) gun related arrests within the city of Oxnard.  Of the twenty-four (24) confirmed arrests for weapons violations, thirteen (13) were attributed to persons prohibited from possessing firearms.  Below are other statistics:

  • Ten of the 24 arrests were of convicted felons;
  • Twenty-three of the 24 arrests were of adults;
  • Five of the 24 cases resulted in multiple arrests.

In response to these incidents, the Oxnard Police Department has increased its patrol presence, increased overtime and reallocated resources.  The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Port Hueneme Police Department and the California Highway Patrol have also offered their assistance.  In addition, Oxnard Police Department will also be creating a special investigative workgroup to focus on the recent violence. This workgroup will include personnel from the FBI and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Does The Oxnard Police Department Need My Help?

That being said, the Oxnard Police Department can’t do it alone and we are asking for YOUR help.  The “Break the Silence!  Stop Gun Violence!” Tip Reward Program asks the public to provide information on illegally possessed guns.  Through a partnership with Crime Stoppers, callers relay information to the Oxnard Police Department in a safe and completely anonymous way.  Callers whose tips are verified can receive up to $100 per firearm recovered.

Who Is Prohibited From Possessing Firearms?

There are different sub-categories of Firearms Prohibiting Categories set forth on the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms webpage (https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/prohibcatmisd.pdf).  To be clear, the “Break the Silence!  Stop Gun Violence!” Program targets felonious possession of firearms.  A few of the descriptions are below:

  • Any person who is convicted of a felony, or any offense such as murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, etc.;
  • Any person who is ordered to not possess firearms as a condition of probation or other court order such as listed in Penal Code section 29815, subdivisions (a) and (b);
  • Any person who is found by a  court to be a danger to himself, herself, or other because of a mental illness; or
  • Any person who is addicted to the use of narcotics.
  • For further information, visit the CDOJ Bureau of Firearms webpage at https://oag.ca.gov/firearms.

How Can I Report An Illegally Possessed Firearm?

You can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477), Text “BUSTED” plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or visit their website at        http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/.  Remember to mention the code “OPDGUNS” to make sure your tip is routed directly to the Oxnard Police Department “Break the Silence!  Stop Gun Violence!” Program.  You can also visit www.OxnardPD.org and click the Crime Stoppers tab on the home page or call the Gun and Gang Hotline at (805) 982-7043.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing gun violence through public education and enforcement.  As always, we continue to encourage residents to be “Partners in Public Safety” and anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600 or in case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  05/26/17, 8:21 a.m.