New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Public Safety

Driver crashed head on into an SAPD police cruiser on Saturday night on Bristol

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD Police Cruiser crashes in Santa Ana

Photo from a video shot by Joel Gonzales

An SAPD police cruiser driving northbound in the 600 block of South Bristol Street, crashed head-on into another vehicle, in an intersection, while racing to respond to an alleged shooting on Saturday night, at around 6:10 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.

The patrol car had its lights and sirens on at the time of the crash, according to the SAPD. The police officer was turning westbound on West Willits Street when a driver heading southbound on Bristol did not stop at the intersection. Continue reading→

2015 Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony set for 5/28 in Tustin

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Entertainment, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Todd Spitzer, Tustin Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

2015 Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony

Law enforcement officers representing 40 Orange County agencies pay tribute to our fallen officers

TUSTIN, CA – (May 22, 2015) – Charged with protecting those they serve, police officers put themselves in harm’s way to enforce the law. Unfortunately, some officers pay the ultimate price, laying down their own life in valiant service of others. In honor of these fallen heroes, the Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council and the Orange County Chiefs’ of Police and Sheriff’s Association (OCCPSA) each year sponsor the Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony.

WHAT: Memorial Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil at the Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument

To include: Continue reading→

O.C. Sheriff’s Department operation aims to improve motorcycle safety

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Motorcycles, Orange County, Public Safety Leave a comment

NEWS,FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840. EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Operation Aims to Improve Motorcycle Safety

Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny

SANTA ANA, Calif. (May 21, 2015) – Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation during the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous infraction.

Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37% from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 23% by 2012. These operations are aimed at curbing further rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. Continue reading→

Young man from Santa Ana missing since a trip to Anaheim on May 17

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Robert Estrada has not been seen or heard from since Sunday May 17th around 6:45 PM in Anaheim, CA. He was on his way back home to Santa Ana and hasn’t been heard from since.

Robert is 5′ 5″ Tall, 120 lbs, with short brown hair. His DOB is 3/27/1995. Continue reading→

Click It or Ticket Campaign now underway in Orange County

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Click It or Ticket Campaign Starts May 18th

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Will Show Zero Tolerance

SANTA ANA, Calif. (May 19, 2015) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. As part of the national seat belt enforcement campaign, law enforcement agencies around the country will be stepping up enforcement May 18, 2015 to May 31, 2015, just prior to one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

“Every day, unbuckled motorists are losing their lives in motor vehicle crashes,” said Deputy Manuel Cruz of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “As we approach Memorial Day weekend and the summer vacation season, we want to make sure people are doing the one thing that can save them in a crash, buckling up.” Continue reading→

Coffee With a Cop set for May 27 at the 4th Street Market in DTSA

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Coffee, Entertainment, Neighborhood Associations, Public Safety 1 Comment

Join your friends and neighbors and our local Santa Ana police officers for coffee and conversation on May 27, 2015, from 6 to 8 pm, at the 4th Street Market, located at 201 E. 4th St., in Downtown Santa Ana.

The 4th Street Market is essentially a food court featuring a number of different eateries and Portola Coffee. There is seating both indoors and in the outdoor patio. City parking is available for a few bucks next door. Continue reading→

OC Sheriff’s Department’s 27th Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony set for 4/23

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in irvine, Orange County, Public Safety, Sandra Hutchens Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042,JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

OC Sheriff’s Department’s 27th Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony

WHAT: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will honor 37 of their own at the 27th Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon and Ceremony. This signature event recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department. The deputies and employees who will be honored have demonstrated exceptional Courage, Merit and Lifesaving. The event is underwritten and hosted by the Sheriff’s Advisory Council. Continue reading→

The SAPD will host community forums about the use of body cameras by our police

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Entertainment, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be hosting a series of Community Forums on the Benefits and Challenges of Body-worn Camera Systems

The Santa Ana Police Department will be hosting a series of Community Forums on the Benefits and Challenges of Body-worn Camera Systems on Thursday, April 30th at 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room, located near the front lobby of the Police Department, 60 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of this forum is to get input from the community and provide information related to the current research being conducted by the Santa Ana Police Department. A short presentation will be made on benefits and challenges related to the use of Body-worn Camera Systems in law enforcement with the majority of time being allocated to community input. Continue reading→

Missing man with medical condition took the train to Santa Ana from Fallbrook

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

For Public Release: April 6, 2015

San Diego Sheriff’s Missing Person Case #15117208

On April 5, 2015, at 1200 hours, 78 year old Pete Ybarra walked away from his residence in Fallbrook. Mr. Ybarra went to Oceanside and eventually boarded a train northbound. Mr. Ybarra road the train to Santa Ana, Orange County where he exited the train at about midnight. Continue reading→

Does DTSA’s Top Acid have a license to party?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, music, Planning, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Top Acid is supposedly a vintage clothing store, located on Downtown Santa Ana’s supposed “East End,” which used to be called the “Fiesta Marketplace” until developer/landlord Ryan Chase turned it into a hipster hangout. However my sources tell me they hardly have any clothes for sale.

So what exactly is going on at Top Acid? Well, judging from their Facebook Page and Blog, as well as their Instagram account, it sure looks like what they are really doing at Top Acid is hosting mini-concerts. Continue reading→

Grant will help the OCTA to search for O.C. sidewalk gaps

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Grant Will Help Search for O.C. Sidewalk Gaps

The $163,333 state grant will allow OCTA to establish a countywide inventory of sidewalks

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority has been awarded $163,333 in Active Transportation Program grant funds to complete the Orange County Sidewalk Inventory Project.

The grant is from the Southern California Association of Governments, in partnership with the California Department of Transportation. It allows OCTA to establish a countywide inventory of sidewalks that will identify the gaps, obstructions and amenities that may block pedestrian activity and access. Continue reading→

The Public Safety Committee will consider police body cameras at tonight’s meeting

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Police officers from the SAPD will apparently be discussing the possible use of body cameras on SAPD officers at the City Council’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Improvement Committee meeting tonight at 5:30 pm, at the conference room 1600 that is located inside the City Hall Ross Annex, at 20 Civic Center Plaza, according to the O.C. Register.

There have been a slew of officer-involved shootings over the past month – just as gang violence has also been rising throughout the city. Continue reading→

Tustin Police Department Use of Force Town Hall meeting set for 3/25

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Tustin Leave a comment

Tustin, CA Police Department

Community Alert: A Candid Look at Law Enforcement Use of Force

On Wednesday, March 25, 2015, The Tustin Police Department will be hosting a Town Hall meeting at the new City of Tustin Community Center in the Tustin Market Place. The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and members of the community are encouraged to attend.

The topic of this Town Hall Meeting will be “A Candid Look at Law Enforcement Use of Force.” The presentation will be conducted by members of the Tustin Police Department. Continue reading→

Water main break at Grand and 17th results in street closure

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic, Water Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: ALTERNATE ROUTES SUGGESTED DUE TO PARTIAL STREET CLOSURE AT GRAND AVENUE AND 17TH STREET

SANTA ANA (February 26, 2015) – Crews are responding to a reported water main break this morning near the intersection of Grand Ave. and 17th Street.

In order to begin repair work, 2 northbound lanes on Grand Ave. just south of the intersection will be closed. Continue reading→

Poll – Should the SAPD put video cameras on their police officers?

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The SAPD is considering requiring police to wear cameras that record video and audio of interactions with the public, according to the O.C. Register.

In Santa Ana, there was one officer-involved shooting in 2014 that did not result in a fatality. In 2013, there were seven officer-involved shootings, five of which were fatal, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

The City of Santa Ana will have to come up with about $1 million dollars to pay for the cameras and there is some debate at the SAPD about privacy issues and whether the cameras might discourage residents from talking to police for fear of being tape recorded. Continue reading→