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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT: | Santa Clara River Homeless Encampments Assessment |
| DATE/TIME: | June 20, 2017 7:00 a.m. |
| LOCATION: | Santa Clara River Bottom |
| PREPARED BY: | Dale McAlpine, Senior Officer
Dale.Mcalpine@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600 |
| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: | Jeff McGreevy, Sergeant
Jeff.McGreevy@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600 |
DETAILS:
On June 20, 2017, at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team, Homeless Liaison Officers and the Simi Valley Police Department assessed several homeless encampments along Ventura Road in the Santa Clara River bottom near the Riverpark, Wagon Wheel and Southbank neighborhoods in the City of Oxnard.
During the detail, Officers arrested Andrew Lamont Brown, 42, for false impersonation, identity theft, petty theft and three outstanding warrants. Officers also arrested Aurelio Junior Salazar, 48, Arturo Pena Hernandez, 43, and Christopher Otho Willis, 27, for outstanding warrants. The subjects arrested were booked into Ventura County Jail.
The number of people living illegally along the Santa Clara River has grown significantly since authorities last cleared out the permanent encampments along the Ventura River. Officers were aware that the number of illegal encampments had been growing. Officers also talked to an additional six people and warned them about illegally camping.
This area of the river bottom has caused growing concern for authorities and nearby residents in the recent months due to thefts and vandalism of property in the adjacent communities.
During the assessment, representatives from St Vincent De Paul were on site to provide outreach services for our homeless population. Several large homeless encampments were also found were no one was contacted, but showed signs of recent use.
We would like to remind the public that while the City of Oxnard does not provide any direct homeless services or emergency housing, the City does provide funding to several agencies and non-profit organizations that do provide such services. Below is a list of service agencies and places that provide assistance:
EMERGENCY HOUSING
If you are facing homelessness or are already homeless and need emergency housing:
Homelessness Prevention Program
Rapid Re-Housing Program
County of Ventura Human Services Agency
805-385-8585
The Kingdom Center
(women and children only)
805-487-3400
Turning Point Foundation
(services for homeless with mental illness)
805-652-0000
www.turningpointfoundation.org
RAIN Project Transitional Living Center
805-389-3308
OTHER SERVICES FOR HOMELESS PERSONS
Community Action of Ventura County
Day-time One-Stop Center; mail drop, counseling, job resources, showers
621 Richmond Ave., Oxnard CA 93030
805-436-4000
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Housing and utility assistance, health care, employment resources
Assistance hotline: 1-888-552-7872
“Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org. to submit at tip via text or email.”
DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 21, 2017 / 1630 Hours
