| San Diego County Sheriff - November 2013 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
True crime prevention is having people not commit the same offense or crimes over and over again. In this edition of our e-newsletter, you will see how the Sheriff's Department is working to keep veterans from circulating in and out of the jail system. Keep reading to learn more about the Veterans Moving Forward housing unit at the Vista Jail, as well as the services available to the inmates to help them transition back into the community.
Crime Prevention is also about community involvement. You play a role in keeping your neighborhood safe. Help catch a wanted fugitive or take part in our many community events this month.
November is a time to give thanks. While celebrating, remember it is ILLEGAL to host a party where alcohol is consumed by minors. Let's do our part in keeping our children and our roads safe during Thanksgiving weekend.
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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Brighten the day of sick children during the holiday season. Take part in a teddy bear drive and get a FREE chicken sandwich. Just bring a new teddy bear or stuffed animal (with tags attached) on:
Thursday, November 14
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chick-fil-A Restaurant
3570 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego
Displays from Sheriff's ASTREA, Bomb/Arson, Dive Team, Search and Rescue (SAR), Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT) & Off-Road Enforcement Team (ORET).
Meet McGruff the Crime Dog and
"Simon" the bloodhound puppet!!
To print a flyer, click here.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is proud to co-host this year's San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive. All the toys collected will be donated to Rady Children's Hospital during a law enforcement caravan in December. If you can't make it to this event, you can drop off a teddy bear at any Sheriff's Station or Substation and county courthouses from November 18 through December 5 during business hours.
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Guns for Gift Cards

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If you have an unwanted gun, you can turn it in, no questions asked. Save the date for the next
Guns for Gift Cards
Saturday, November 30
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mira Costa Community College - San Elijo Campus
3333 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff
$100 - handgun, $150- rifle
There's a limit of three gift cards per vehicle
Questions? Call (760) 966-3526
To print a flyer, click here.
Place unloaded firearms in the trunk of your car. Follow the instructions of deputies or officers at the event.
All weapons collected will be destroyed. This event is being held in partnership with the District Attorney's Office, Carlsbad Police, Mira Costa Community College, San Diego Police, and Oceanside Police. |
Most smart phones and cameras made today are equipped with geotags. Geotags are embedded in the photos and use the same concept as GPS. When you take pictures, the exact longitude and latitude coordinates of your location are digitally embedded in the photo. Once that photo is emailed or posted online, the geotag reveals your exact location or address right down to your bedroom.
There are many stalkers, pedophiles, rapists, robbers and burglars out there looking for opportunities. It's most dangerous when you take photos from your home because you're showing the exact location of the person in the photo and items to steal.
Sergeant Mark Varnau with the Computer and Technology Crime High Tech Response Team (CATCH) shows us how you can turn off this feature on your phone. Click on the image above to watch the video or follow us on .
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Every month, the Sheriff's Department works with the Fugitive Task Force (FTF) and San Diego County Crime Stoppers to find and arrest people wanted for committing crimes.
Be on the lookout for Jaime Margarito Reyes. He is wanted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, stolen property and felony vandalism.
Reyes is a known gang member and goes by the name "Shady." He frequents the Fallbrook area. If you see Reyes, do not approach him. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Reyes is urged to call Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call (888) 580-8477. To print a flyer, click here.
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Off-Road Adventures

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San Diego County's back country offers rock-hopping, dune-driving, mud-plugging destinations for 4x4 enthusiasts. Off-roading in San Diego will turn your adventure into an experience of a lifetime. It's now peak season for off-roading.
The Sheriff's Off-Road Enforcement Team (ORET) provides the county with law enforcement services for the off-highway and rural areas. ORET is made up of twelve volunteer reserve deputies, three patrol deputies and a sergeant. ORET's fleet consists of SUVs, 4x4s, dune buggies, quads, fixed wing aircraft, motorcycles and ASTREA when needed. They can travel in sand, mud, rugged terrain or thick brush; areas not accessible to patrol vehicles.
To see the Sheriff's Off-Road Enforcement Team in action, follow us on  .
To learn how you can volunteer as part of the Sheriff's Off-Road Enforcement Team, click here.
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A jail dormitory that will specifically house inmates who are military veterans is now open at the Vista Detention Facility.
Veterans Moving Forward is a partnership between the Sheriff's Department, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community providers.
The Veterans Moving Forward housing unit can hold up to 32 inmates. They will receive a variety of services such as behavior change classes, substance abuse and vocational programs, employment readiness, as well as receiving counseling to help them adjust to re-enter into the community. The housing unit could be compared to military barracks with buddies who can relate to one another's situation.
Sheriff Bill Gore says: "This initiative brings the resources to the veterans, while they're in our facilities and then assists in their transition back to the community."
Click on the video above to watch the opening of the new housing unit at the Vista Jail or follow us on  .
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Operation Clean Streets
The Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station is inviting the community to make a positive difference where they live by taking part in "Operation Clean Streets."
Saturday, November 16
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Meet at Fireman's Park at 7:00 a.m. for refreshments
3062 School Lane,
Lemon Grove
Volunteers will be sweeping, picking up trash, painting curbs and removing graffiti between the 7000 and 8400 block of Broadway. The goal of "Operation Clean Streets" is to clean up Downtown Lemon Grove for the holidays.
A local recycling company will be providing cleaning tools, gloves, reflective vests and trash bags to volunteers. Please join the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station in helping make the community a better place for everyone.
For more information, contact Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station Crime Prevention Specialist Jim Wieboldt at
(619) 337-2039. |
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Underage Drinking
Mothers Against Drunk Driving calls Thanksgiving Eve the biggest night for underage drinking. Surprisingly more so than prom or graduation. The fridge and liquor cabinets are stocked; parents are distracted by relatives and dinner preparations; and older siblings or college-age friends are around. There's also concern about minors getting behind the wheel after a night of partying, only to crash and possibly kill.
The Sheriff's Department
doesn't want to see this happen especially when it's 100% preventable. Remember, it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors. There are also laws in the county against underage drinking parties.
Know your responsibility as a "Social Host." A Social Host is anyone who knowingly hosts underage drinking parties on property that they own, lease or otherwise control. Social Host Ordinance assigns responsibility to those who knew or should have known a drinking party was occurring on their property. Learn more on our new Social Host page here. |
Rescue Fees
Every year, dozens of people are lost or injured in San Diego County's vast back country. Ill-equipped and reckless hikers put a strain on Sheriff's Department resources and budget. When deputies and ASTREA are tied up in a Search and Rescue call, they are not able to respond to other emergencies or follow up in their own investigations.
There is a county ordinance that allows for reimbursement of costs during Search and Rescue operations. It means you could be billed for emergency costs if you become lost or injured as a result of violating federal, state and local laws.
To be clear, the fees only apply to those who break the law, for example a rescue operation as a result of illegal drinking.
For more safety tips, follow us on . |
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Opening of Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station
You are invited to the
opening of the new Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
11486 Campo Road
Spring Valley
There is a ribbon cutting ceremony. Meet Sheriff Bill Gore and the deputies who will be patrolling your neighborhood.
The station will open with approximately 90-100 staff moving from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station to a more strategic and accessible location within the unincorporated county.
It will serve the communities of Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, La Presa, Jamul, Casa de Oro, Mt. Helix, and unincorporated areas within La Mesa and El Cajon. The Lemon Grove Station will remain with a smaller contingent of staff contracted to serve the City of Lemon Grove. To see photos of the construction,
follow us on . |
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Champions Camp
Click on the image above to watch a video about a special camp for middle school students. The Sheriff's Department
teamed up with the San Diego Hall of Champions for the two-day program. The program aims to promote friendships, confidence, leadership and positive life choices. The camp also provides an opportunity for interaction with law enforcement role models so campers know they can turn to deputies for help and support at school or on the streets.
You can also watch the video by following us on
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