| San Diego County Sheriff - June 2012 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
Welcome to our June Newsletter and the kick-off to summer. The San Diego County Fair starts in just a few days and we're very involved with crime prevention tips, Internet safety, and fun things for children to do. Please stop by and visit us while you're enjoying your time there. This month's newsletter also explores some of the more recent 'scams' against seniors, who can sometimes be our more vulnerable victims. A good mantra to remember: "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is." If you have doubts when approached about a contest, lottery, or sales gimmick - you NEVER have to act on it that minute. Reputable entities will always let you wait and contact a trusted friend. Take that moment and do so.
I hope you have a wonderful time at the fair this year and see you next month!
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County |
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Senior Scams
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Scammers have started posing as Sheriff's Deputies to target seniors. The con-artist calls saying he or she is a Deputy Sheriff and can share winnings from a sweepstakes or lottery, but you must wire some money first. Another trick up their sleeve is to pretend to be a grandchild in jail or in a car crash and in need of money to go home. When someone asks you to wire money, it's a RED FLAG. Stop and think before wiring money. Please remember, the Sheriff's Department does NOT ask for donations or participate in any sweepstakes, lotteries or other money-transfer schemes. If you have been a victim of a scam, please call our Elder Abuse Unit at (858) 974-2322. For more tips on protecting yourself from fraud click here. |
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Secrets Burglars Don't Want You To Know
 | | Tips on Why Burglars Choose Your Home |
The FBI says a burglar breaks into a home anywhere in the United States once every 15 seconds. There are some things that make your house a prime target, but you can take steps to limit access for the bad guys. Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialist Jessica Turner gives us an inside look into a criminal mind to show you how to protect your family and your home. Click on the image above to watch the news story or follow us on  .
The Sheriff's Department offers FREE vacation checks. Crime Prevention Specialists can also visit your home for a FREE SECURITY CHECK to make you aware of vulnerabilities in your home. Please call your local Station or Substation, for a complete list click here or call our non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200. |
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Automatic License Plate Reader Car
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The Sheriff's Valley Center Substation is now using a brand new Automatic License Plate Reader or ALPR car to keep you safe. It uses cameras that scan roadways and parking lots for wanted or stolen cars day or night. A computer runs the license plates against a California database. The database may contain plates of stolen cars, cars of wanted felons, cars with stolen plates, cars wanted for certain crimes, missing persons or AMBER Alerts. If a license plate matches an entry on the database, the system will alert the deputy. A grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation funded the car. There are ten active casinos in San Diego County, four of which are located in Valley Center. To see more photos of the car, follow us on  . You can also watch a video story about the car on . |
Start Smart
 | | Mother Shares Story of Losing Daughter to Drunk Driving |
Cindi Aguirre got the call every mother fears. Her 17-year-old daughter Veronica was killed in a roll over crash in December of 2009. The Poway High cheerleader and honor student had been drinking and texting when she drove home from a party. Mrs. Aguirre is now sharing her story of loss at Sheriff's Start Smart classes so teens think twice about drinking or texting while driving. The Sheriff's Department is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on the roads. Since June 2010, free Start Smart classes have been regularly offered to new drivers and their parents/guardians so they clearly understand their responsibilities when a teen starts to drive. Click on the image above to watch a recent class for Poway students. To learn more about the next Start Smart class in your neighborhood, click here. |
It's prom and graduation season. If you are planning a party, remember it is illegal to serve alcohol to minors. Two sisters were recently arrested for hosting a party in San Marcos where nearly 100 teens had access to alcohol and even drugs. Their parents were out of town at the time. Under Social Host rules, there are serious consequences for parents/adults who allow teens and their friends to consume alcohol in their homes. A social host does not have to be 21 years of age to be in violation of the law. The homeowner or property owner can be held liable for cost recovery. Social host violations may carry a fine of up to $1,000 on the first offense. Subsequent violations carry a fine of up to $2,000 or up to 32 hours of community service or up to 6 months in jail. You may also be held liable for injuries sustained by third parties as a result of the minor guest's negligence. A social host can also be liable for the cost of responding law enforcement services. To watch a news story about this case, follow us on .
Remember the legal drinking age is 21. Know your responsibility as a social host. Don't be a party to teenage drinking. It's against the law. |
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See You at the County Fair
We invite you to visit the Sheriff's Department Crime Prevention booth at the San Diego County Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. starting June 8th to July 4th. You can find Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialists, Crime Analysts and Senior Volunteers as well as representatives from Internet Crimes Against Children or ICAC at the Infield San Diego Pavilion near Kiddieland. The fair's theme this year is "Out of this World." Information and handouts about cyber safety, social websites and bullying are available for parents and children. Kids can also interact with McGruff the talking Crime Dog and explore a patrol car. Giveaways include "Be a Friend, Not a Bully" wristbands, "No Bullying" dog tags and Sheriff's Department pencils.
The Sheriff's Department also wants to remind fairgoers to celebrate responsibly and to designate a sober driver. Deputies will be patrolling the fair and surrounding cities to ensure fair attendees have a safe and enjoyable time at the fair. |
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Coffee with the Community
The Santee Sheriff's Station is holding a Coffee with the Community on
TUESDAY, June 26
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The Breakfast House
1464 Graves Ave.,
El Cajon
This gives the public a chance to chat with deputies, Crime Prevention Specialists and Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Detectives in a casual setting and exchange ideas and concerns over a cup of coffee. *Please note this event is not hosted. For more information, call Crime Prevention Specialist
Nancy Ortiz at
(619) 956-4022. |
Cold Case File
San Diego Sheriff's Homicide Detectives want your help in finding the person/persons responsible for the murder of Demetrio Bautista in Vista three years ago. The 57-year-old was found dead inside his pickup truck on April 24, 2009 in the parking lot of the Vista Transit Center on Olive Avenue. The autopsy later revealed Bautista's death was the result of foul play. Although an extensive investigation was conducted, no viable suspects were identified. The motive remains unclear and the case remains unsolved. Anyone with information on the identity and or location of the person/persons responsible for this crime is asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321. To submit a tip online, click here. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $1,000 reward by calling (888) 580-8477. |
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Spring Valley
Bank Robber
The Sheriff's Lemon Grove Station and the FBI want your help in identifying a man who robbed a Bank of America branch inside an Albertson's grocery store in the 500 block of Sweetwater Road on June 4, 2012. Just before 10:30 a.m., the man approached a teller and handed her a demand note. The note threatened to shoot the teller if she did not provide him with money. The robber walked out of the store after receiving the money. If you recognize the clothing or demeanor of this man, please do not approach him; call 911. Anyone with information about this case that leads to an arrest is eligible for a $1,000 reward. You can remain anonymous. Call
at
(888) 580-8477.
To see bigger photos of the suspect, click here. |
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
 The Santee Sheriff's Station is partnering with the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Department of Parks and Recreation to put toxic waste in its place. You can get rid of household hazardous waste, electronics and unwanted or expired medication on
Saturday, June 16
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lindo Lake County Park
12660 Lindo Lane
Lakeshore Drive Parking Lot, Lakeside
If you can't make it to this event, you can always drop off your unwanted prescriptions at any Sheriff's Station or Substation Monday to Friday during business hours. For more information, click here.
Products labeled CAUTION, WARNING, DANGEROUS, POISON, TOXIC, FLAMMABLE or CORROSIVE will be accepted.
Please do not bring business waste, tires, ammunition, explosives, radio active material, air conditioners or large appliances.
To print a flyer, click here. |
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