| San Diego County Sheriff - April 2015 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
April is full of observances that you should be aware of. In this month's e-newsletter, you will learn about several campaigns designed to keep you and your loved ones safe.
I encourage you to read about Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month and much more. By being informed and proactive, you can help us ensure criminals won't target your communities.
When a loved one with a mental or physical disability wanders away or gets lost, our deputies jump into action to try and find them. Read about how you can register your loved ones for the Take Me Home Program online for FREE. The database will ensure we have the important information we need to bring them back home safe.
We rely on you to be our eyes and ears in the community. If you see anything suspicious, call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200. We are here to serve you.
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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| Distracted Driving Awareness Month
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| April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. A driver that texts or uses a hand-held cell phone can cause a crash that leads to serious injuries or even death. All month long, the Sheriff's Department will have a "zero tolerance" policy toward drivers caught using a hand-held cell phone. Click on the video below to see how dangerous distracted driving can be. You can also watch the video by following us on VIMEO
If you are caught violating California's cell phone laws, you will be cited and face a minimum fine of $161 with subsequent violations being higher. Distracted Driving ... IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT! |
| Take Me Home Program Now Online
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| It's a situation no one ever wants to go through. A loved one suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or another physical or mental disability gets lost or wanders away from home.
The Sheriff's Take Me Home Program is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service that can help deputies and other law enforcement officers locate an at-risk missing person. And now, you can register online by going to the Sheriff's website: www.sdsheriff.net/tmh. The Take Me Home Program is a database accessible by all law enforcement agencies in San Diego County. In the event an at-risk person who is registered gets lost or wanders away, deputies can obtain important information such as photographs, physical descriptions and emergency contacts from the Take Me Home Program database. During the early stages of a missing person search, information provided by the Take Me Home Program can prove critical in locating a loved one. Deputies will know what the missing person looks like and what places they might have gone to. If a loved one can't communicate very well, deputies will know what to call them to get their attention while searching for them. For more information on the Take Me Home Program and to register online for FREE, visit: www.sdsheriff.net/tmh. |
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 Sheriff's recruiter on:
Friday, May 1
10:00 a.m. to noon
 @SDSheriff
Just type your questions on our Twitter page 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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| 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 35-year-old Jason Evan Prather. He is wanted on charges of domestic violence and sexual assault. Prather also failed to comply with the terms of his probation.
Prather has multiple tattoos on his stomach, chest and right arm. He also frequently shaves his head.
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| Prather's last known address was in Alpine. He should be considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
Anyone with information on Prather'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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| Where Is Rafael Valles Moreno? |
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| The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants your help in the suspicious disappearance of a man more than 30 years ago. 37-year-old Rafael Valles Moreno was last seen with three Hispanic men on August 30, 1982 at the Pastime Bar in Escondido. A few days later, Rafael's van was found in a field in Poway. At the time of his disappearance, Rafael Valles Moreno stood about 5'10" tall and weighed around 160 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. Rafael also went by the nickname, "Chino." If you have any information on the disappearance of Rafael Valles Moreno, call the Sheriff's Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321.
You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Call the
Crime Stoppers
anonymous tip line at
(888) 580-8477
.
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| April is National Volunteer Month. We want to salute our hundreds of Sheriff's Department volunteers. They are selfless individuals from all walks of life who are dedicated to making our communities safer.
Whatever your age, whatever your interest, the Sheriff's Department has various volunteer opportunities for you:
- Citizen Volunteers
- Chaplains
- Dive Unit
- Explorers
- Law Enforcement Reserves
- Mounted Unit
- Off-Road Enforcement Team
- Search and Rescue
- Senior Volunteer Patrol
Applicants will be required to undergo a comprehensive background check. To learn more on how you can become a volunteer with the Sheriff's Department, click here.
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| Search and Rescue Sergeant Retires |
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| He spent nights, weekends, holidays searching for the missing and finding answers in cold cases. After serving San Diegans for more than 25 years, Sheriff's Search and Rescue Coordinator Don Parker is calling it a career. We wish him and his family well.
Click on the video above to watch CBS News 8 profile Sgt. Parker's incredible career. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO.
The Sheriff's Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues and search for missing and at risk persons. Teams are available 24 hours a day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests.
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|  Stay Safe San Diego. |
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Child Abuse Prevention Month
 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Sheriff's Department takes every report physical and sexual abuse against children very seriously. One way you can prevent child abuse of any kind is by taking an active role in a child's life. Pay close attention if you see any signs of physical abuse or sudden changes in a child's behavior. To learn more about signs, symptoms and resources, visit the child abuse section of the Sheriff's website by clicking here. To report any case of known or suspected child abuse, call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200. You can also report anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. |
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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Every year, the Sheriff's Department investigates hundreds of sex crimes investigations.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Now's a good time to remember that sexual violence should never be tolerated.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, sexual violence is defined as any kind of unwanted sexual contact.
If you are a victim, report the incident by
calling the Sheriff's Department at
If you witness a situation that could lead to sexual assault, do the right thing and intervene.
To learn more about sexual violence, including prevention and resources, click
here.
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Dispatcher Week
When a call for help is made, the person on the other end is a Sheriff's Dispatcher.
They can be counted on to think clearly during stressful situations and send help to people in need of emergency services.
We want to recognize our Sheriff's Dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators
Week in April.
The Sheriff's Communication Center is located in Kearny Mesa. Dispatchers handle nearly 2,000 calls per day and use complex communications equipment to keep the system running 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
We are always looking for Emergency Services Dispatchers.
For more information on how you can apply for a job, click here.
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Bike Rodeo - Ramona
The Ramona Sheriff's Substation is proud to be a part of a fun event for the entire family.
The Health, Wellness and Safety Fair will feature a Bike Rodeo.
Kids can bring their bikes and ride on a safe and exciting obstacle course.
There will also be a raffle for 20 bikes!
Join us on:
Saturday, April 18
9:00 a.m. to noon
Collier Park
626 E Street,
Ramona
For an event flyer, click here.
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Sheriff's Blood Drive
 Give the gift of life and donate blood. The San Diego Blood Bank will be holding a blood drive at Sheriff's Headquarters in Kearny Mesa. Please come out and make difference on: Wednesday, April 22 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sheriff's Headquarters, Parking Lot 9621 Ridgehaven Court Kearny Mesa To learn more about the blood drive, including making an appointment, click here. |
| Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
A public ceremony is planned to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of Sheriff's Deputies and other law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in San Diego County.
Nearly 100 deputies and officers have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our county and its people.
Join us for the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on:
Wednesday, May
6
Noon
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway,
West Side
For an event flyer, click here.
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