| San Diego County Sheriff - September 2014 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
Keeping San Diego County safe is a responsibility I take very seriously. But the Sheriff's Department can't do it alone. That's where YOU come in.
In this month's e-newsletter, you will learn about several upcoming events that you can take part in to ensure the safety of your family and make a positive difference in your community.
If you have an unwanted gun, bring it to the Guns For Gift Cards event. You can exchange that weapon for a gift card worth up to $200. All guns collected will be destroyed and kept off our streets.
If you have expired or unwanted prescription drugs in your medicine cabinet, join us for Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Deputies will be at several locations across the county to collect prescription drugs. No questions asked. I hope many of you will take advantage of this great service designed to help stop prescription drug abuse.
Our Sheriff's volunteers are a perfect example of our commitment to serving the community. In this e-newsletter, you will read about how our Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers saved the life of a hang glider pilot who crashed in the same area where they had just wrapped up rescue training for such an emergency.
All summer long, deputies have been hitting the streets for several probation and parole sweeps. Read about our Operation Safe Communities crime-fighting initiative and learn how we are making San Diego County a safer place to live.
Enjoy this month's e-newsletter!
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff San Diego County
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Prescription drugs are killing more San Diegans than ever before. A Medical Examiner report shows the leading cause of accidental deaths in the county in 2013 is prescription drug overdose.
It's time to clean out your medicine cabinet and get rid of old and unwanted prescription drugs on:
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, September 27th
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
No sharps or needles
Various locations For a full list of drop off locations, click here. If you can't make it to this event, you can always drop off your unwanted and unused medicines at any Sheriff's Station or Substation Monday through Friday during business hours. For more information click here. Sharps and needles will not be accepted. For proper disposal of these items, contact your nearest hazardous waste facility. |
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Got unwanted guns? Get a gift card, no questions asked. The Sheriff's Department is participating with the United African American Ministerial Action Council for a Guns for Gift Cards event.
Guns for Gift Cards
Saturday, August 30th at 8:30 a.m.
Bryco Business Park Building and adjacent lot (west)
5275 Market Street, San Diego
$100 for hand guns, rifles and shot guns
$200 for assault weapons
Limit one gift card per person
Questions? Call (619) 264-1213
The Sheriff's Department is using asset forfeiture funds to purchase $15,000 worth of gift cards. Since the collaboration started five years ago, 1,012 weapons with ammunition have been taken off the streets of San Diego County.
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The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is hiring. Recruitment for sworn positions opens during the first business day of each month. If you have questions about the hiring process, you can chat with a recruiter on:
Tuesday, September 2
10:00 a.m. to noon
 facebook.com/sdsheriff  @SDSheriff
Just type your questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages and a recruiter is available to explain the application process to you.
Are you ready to put a star in your future? Join the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Visit www.joinsdsheriff.net
or email recruit@sdsheriff.org.
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Talk about being at the right place at the right time.
The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Team had just wrapped up a technical rescue training in the East County when they saw a hang glider crash right before their very eyes.
Click on the image above to watch the nail-biting rescue unfold on video.
It happened on August 17th along Mount Laguna's Pacific Crest Trail. The SAR volunteers were packing away their gear when they saw a hang glider take off and crash on a nearby cliff.
SAR volunteers had been practicing their cliff rescue skills moments before the crash. Those skills proved invaluable as the Search and Rescue Team quickly jumped into action to rescue the injured pilot.
Once they reached the 69-year old pilot and put him on a stretcher, the SAR volunteers used a rope system to carefully hoist him back up to safety. Firefighters treated the pilot for minor injuries.
Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues, as well as search for missing and at-risk persons. Teams are available 24 hours per day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests.
To learn more about the Sheriff's Volunteer Units, visit: www.sdsheriff.net/volunteers.
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Operation Safe Communities
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Public safety is always a top priority for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
This summer, the Sheriff's Department has been conducting parole and probation checks across the county as part of a crime-fighting initiative called Operation Safe Communities.
In Lemon Grove, 43 people were arrested during "Operation Lemon Drop" on August 15th. Click on the image above to watch a video on the successful operation.
Meantime, four people were arrested during a similar operation in Imperial Beach on August 14th. Click here to watch a video on Operation Safe Communities in Imperial Beach. To see photos, follow us on .
The goal of Operation Safe Communities is to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of their release and track down known offenders and their associates.
If you see something suspicious, say something. Call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
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Every month, the Sheriff's Department works with the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force (FTF) and Crime Stoppers to find and arrest people wanted for committing crimes.
Be on the lookout for Tavarris Deshawn Garcia. He is wanted on charges connected with a purse robbery in Vista in 2013. A felony warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Garcia has been known to frequent many areas in San Diego County, including El Cajon, La Mesa, Logan Heights, Oceanside and Vista. Investigators say he may also be in Las Vegas.
If you see Garcia, do not approach him. He may be ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Anyone with information on Garcia's whereabouts is urged to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. You could be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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The San Diego County Sheriff's Department's Missing Persons Unit wants your help in obtaining leads to help locate Mickey James Guidry.
Mickey was last seen on November 27, 2009. He was 16 years old at the time he disappeared. Mickey's family says he had spent several days with friends in an encampment at the Mobiland RV Park in Borrego Springs. Mickey's Jeep Grand Cherokee was found abandoned near Pinion Mountain.
Take a good look at the photos above. The photo on the left shows Mickey when he was 15 years old. The photo on the right is an age progressed photo, which shows what Mickey would look like now.
Anyone with information on Mickey James Guidry's whereabouts is urged to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. You could be eligible for up to a $3,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
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Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. To keep everyone safe, the Sheriff's Department will be out in force looking for drunk drivers.
The Sheriff's Department is joining a nationwide effort to crack down on drunk driving. The Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over enforcement runs through the Labor Day holiday on Monday, September 1st.
Deputies will be taking part in DUI checkpoints and patrols across San Diego County leading up to Labor Day.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people are killed each year in drunk driving crashes across the nation.
"There's no excuse for drunk driving in San Diego County," says Sheriff Bill Gore. "There will be zero tolerance for anyone caught drunk driving, especially during the Labor Day weekend. Remember: DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER!"
If you do drink, here are some sober ride options:
To watch a Sheriff's Department public safety video on drunk driving, click here. Driving Under the Influence, It's Just Not Worth It.
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Sheriff's Deputies risk their lives every day in the line of duty. On February 28, 2010, Deputy Ken Collier was killed while trying to stop a drunk driver who was going the wrong way on Highway 52 in Santee.
Help us stop drunk driving by joining our team in the Walk Like MADD. We will walk in honor of Ken and deputies who took the oath to serve and protect our communities at all costs.
Saturday, October 18th
NTC Park
2455 Cushing Road, San Diego
Registration at 7:00 a.m.
Walk at 8:00 a.m.
To learn more about Ken and other deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice, visit our In Memoriam.
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Light The Night Against Crime
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You can make a difference in making San Diego County safer. Join us for Light the Night Against Crime on
Saturday, October 25
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Park Boulevard, Balboa Park
1549 El Prado, San Diego
(619) 275-8240
Register here
Your participation at the run or walk will help catch criminals. Money raised at the event will be used for the anonymous tip line, community events and school programs.
This year's theme is "Cops and Robbers." Participants can dress up as a cop or robber. The run will start with the sound of an alarm followed by robbers making a break for it. Three minutes later cops will start the race after receiving a call about a robbery in progress. Jaywalkers will then follow the cops. There are prizes for the top finishers.
You can also dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and win prizes. For more information, click here. |
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| Standing Tall: The Sheriff's Honor Guard |
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They honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities and keep our families safe. We take a moment to thank the men and women of the Sheriff's Honor Guard.
The Sheriff's Honor Guard is a fixture at law enforcement funerals, parades and other ceremonial events.
The team is made up of talented men and women from throughout the Sheriff's Department. Each individual performs their regular Sheriff's duties while serving on the Honor Guard.
The members of the Honor Guard are proud to represent the Sheriff's Department, its deputies and their families.
To see photos of the Sheriff's Honor Guard at a recent memorial service, follow us on .
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Stay Safe San Diego.
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WANTED:
Vista Bank Robber
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Take a good look at the man in this surveillance photo. He is wanted in connection with a bank robbery in Vista.
The robbery happened at a California Bank and Trust located at 140 Civic Center Drive on August 1st just before 2:30 p.m.
He approached the teller and pulled out a gun from his backpack. He told the teller: "I know all the 100s are in the bottom of the drawer. Give me all your money." He then left after receiving cash. No one was hurt.
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The man was wearing a blond wig during the robbery, but surveillance photos clearly show his face.
If you see this man or recognize him, DO NOT APPROACH HIM. He should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
You could be eligible to receive up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Just call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.
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To see a bigger photos of the suspect, follow us on .
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WANTED:
Spring Valley Bank Robber
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The Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation wants your help in identifying and finding a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery in Spring Valley.
It happened on July 30th at a U.S. Bank branch inside an Albertson's in the 9800 block of Campo Road.
He approached a teller and demanded money. He started using expletives and threatened to shoot the teller in the head. The teller complied and the robber left after receiving money.
Take a good look at the robber's face and pay attention to what he is wearing. To see bigger surveillance photos of the suspect, follow us on .
If you see or recognize this man, DO NOT APPROACH HIM. He should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Anyone with information about this robbery is urged to call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff's non-emergency line at
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at
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WANTED:
Risky Business Bandit
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Take a good look at the photo of a man who has been dubbed the "Risky Business Bandit."
He got the nickname because he typically wears t-shirts, sunglasses and a baseball cap during the bank robberies. He also uses his cell phone to show his demand note.
The "Risky Business Bandit" has robbed four banks between April 18th and July 25th.
Two of the robberies happened in the 4S Ranch area on April 18th at the Point Loma Credit Union along Craftsman Way and on May 13th at the Wells Fargo Bank also on Craftsman Way. The two other robberies happened in the Rancho Bernardo and Carmel Mountain areas.
No gun was ever seen during the robberies. No one was hurt.
There are more surveillance photos of the suspect. To see them, follow us on .
If you see or recognize this suspect, DO NOT APPROACH HIM. He should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Anyone with information on the "Risky Business Bandit" is urged to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at
Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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Encinitas Assault Investigation
Sheriff's Detectives want your help in identifying and locating persons of interest in an assault case that happened in July 2013.
It was just before 1:30 a.m. on July 12th when two men were attacked by three other men near South Coast Highway 101 and West F Street. One of the victims suffered a broken jaw.
So far, no arrests have been made.
Surveillance video from an Encinitas bar shows several people prior to the assault that are considered persons of interest. To see bigger surveillance photos, follow us on .
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200.
Call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
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Watch Out For Phone Scammers
It's a phone call you never expected to get: "There's a warrant out for your arrest."
The Sheriff's Department wants to warn you about scammers calling people to tell them a warrant is out for their arrest due to a failure to pay taxes or to appear for jury duty.
The caller is aggressive and poses as an employee of the Sheriff's Department. To make the pitch convincing, the scammer will:
- give the actual phone number of a Sheriff's Station or Substation
- threaten you with jail time or taking away your driver's license
- ASK FOR MONEY either with a credit, debit or prepaid card
Recent cases in the East County have involved the scammers using a technique called "Caller Spoofing." What this means is the scammer will call their intended victim and make the incoming call appear to be coming from the Sheriff's Department or another legitimate government agency.
Impersonating a Sheriff's Deputy is a violation of state law. REMEMBER, no deputy or employee of the Sheriff's Department will ever contact members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment. If you get this type of call, hang up IMMEDIATELY.
To learn more about this scam, follow us on . To watch a Sheriff's safety video about warrant scams, click here.
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National Suicide Prevention Week
National Suicide Prevention Week is the week of September 8th. Mental health experts say untreated depression could increase the risk of suicide.
Some warning signs of suicide include:
- Isolation from family and friends
- Divorce, separation or some kind of family stress
- Loss of health
- Talking of hurting or killing oneself
- Loss of job, home or personal security
- Increased alcohol or drug use
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
For more information about suicide prevention, click here. To speak with a trained professional, call the San Diego Access & Crisis Line at
(888) 724-7240.
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Baby Safety Month
September is National Baby Safety Month. The Sheriff's Department is committed to keeping everyone safe, especially newborns and children.
The week of September 14th also marks Child Passenger Safety Week. Parents, make sure your newborn is properly secured in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents do this until at least the child's second birthday or up to the height or weight limit of the seat.
NEVER leave a baby or child alone inside a hot car. There are many things you can do to ensure a child is not forgotten in the back seat. For more safety tips, watch this video from Sheriff's Lieutenant Julius Faulkner. Remember, look before you lock.
Always make safety a top priority for your family.
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Don't Run Around, Stay Found
All year long, Simon the Safety Bloodhound visits schools and libraries across San Diego County to teach kids what to do if they ever get lost or approached by a stranger.
During the fun "Don't Run Around, Stay Found" presentations, Simon is joined by his best friend, Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst.
Afterwards, children get to meet Simon and a SAR dog and receive free goodies, including pencils and stickers.
Join Simon and Pam at these upcoming "Don't Run Around, Stay Found" presentations :
Wednesday, Sept. 17th
10:30 a.m.
Alpine Branch Library,
2130 Arnold Way
Friday, Sept. 19th
3:45 p.m.
Descanso Branch Library
9545 River Drive
Wednesday, Sept. 24th
Fletcher Hills Branch Library
(El Cajon)
576 Garfield Avenue
For more safety tips, videos and fun activities, visit Simon's webpage at www.sdsheriff.net/simon. |
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Labor Day Holiday
San Diego County Sheriff's Department Stations, Substations and Headquarters will be closed for a federal holiday:
Monday, September 1st
Labor Day
All detention facilities will remain open. The closure to the public of business offices will not impact deputies in the field or employees scheduled or on-call.
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