San Diego County Sheriff - April 2014
San Diego County Sheriff
Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter   
 
   
 
By working together, we have the strength to meet challenges and accomplish our goal of making San Diego the safest urban county in the nation. Our nearly 900 volunteers propel us closer to our mission every day. This month, the national spotlight shines on volunteers for doing extraordinary things to improve our communities. I encourage you to get involved.  Check out various volunteer opportunities with the Sheriff's Department. 
 
April is also dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse and sexual assaults.  Deputies respond to these calls every day. You don't have to wear a badge to make a difference. Visit our website so you can learn about the common signs of abuse and what you can do to help intervene. Our e-newsletter also offers tips on how you can stay safe so you can avoid becoming a victim of a sexual assault. 
 
The second week of April is devoted to honoring our emergency dispatchers. They are the first line of defense against crime and disasters. They may not see what's happening, but dispatchers are the eyes and ears of deputies who help people during emergency. We want to thank our dispatchers for the critical services they provide behind the scenes. 
 
We strongly believe in community interaction. I invite you to take part in the many crime prevention events featured in this e-newsletter.  By being aware, we can work together to keep our neighborhoods safe. 
 
  
Sincerely, 
  
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
Chat with a Recruiter 
Chat with a Recruiter April 1st
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is hiring. Recruitment for sworn positions opens during the first business day of each month which is Tuesday, April 1st.   
If you have questions about the hiring process, you can chat with a recruiter. 
 
Tuesday, April 1st 
10:00 a.m. to noon 
 
Just type your questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages and a recruiter will 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. 
KidzWatch
The Alpine Sheriff's Station is offering children an opportunity to gain first-hand information about the role of Sheriff's Deputies in keeping them and their families safe.  This little citizen academy is called KidzWatch.  It's a FREE program for kids between 7 and 11 years old. Participants must live in Alpine.  

Friday, April 11th  
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
Alpine Sheriff's Station Community Room  
2751 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine 
RSVP required 
Contact Crime Prevention Specialist Holly Conroy at 
(619) 659-2608
KidzWatch includes: 
  • Sheriff's K-9 demonstration
  • Presentations from Sheriff's Deputies, Sheriff's Bomb/Arson, Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT), Sheriff's Crime Lab, CHP Officers, and the Alpine Fire Protection District
  • Patrol cars, Search and Rescue trucks, fire trucks, ambulance
  • Learn about bullying, personal safety, fire and life safety, bike safety
  • FREE lunch from Alpine Kiwanis and kids receive certificates and t-shirts from Alpine Stagecoach Lions at the end of the class
Prescription Drug Thefts 
If you are putting your house on the market, you may want to clean out your medicine cabinet.  

Open houses in the county are becoming targets of drug abusers looking to get their hands on free prescription drugs. They pose as potential buyers rummaging through medicine cabinets and stealing medications to feed their addictions. 

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department partnered with public safety agencies and the Safe Homes Coalition to get the word out on this trend.  Watch the public safety video above or follow us on  View our videos on YouTube.     

If you are having people over for a party, or are selling your home - lock away your medications.  You can ask a realtor for zippered bags for storing prescription drugs.  Place that bag in a safe or locked cabinet. 
Take Back Day 
It's time to clean out your medicine cabinet and get rid of old and unwanted prescription drugs.  The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will collect and safely dispose unwanted and expired medicines as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 
 
This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. We cannot accept sharps or needles. 
 
Prescription Drug Take Back Day 
Saturday, April 26th
10:00 a.m. to noon 
For drop-off locations, click here 
 
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 through Friday during business hours.  For more information, visit our website.  
U Text. U Drive. U Pay.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. 

Driving is a task that requires eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and the brain focused on the task of driving.  

Distracted driving is the leading cause of crashes and near-crashes in the United States.  The most common distracted driving actions include: 
  • cell phone use
  • reaching for an object inside the car
  • looking at an object or event outside the car
  • reading 
  • applying makeup  (Source:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
The Sheriff's Department is joining law enforcement agencies in California for a Zero Tolerance Campaign on distracted driving this April.  The fine for first offense of texting or using a hand-held cell phone while driving is $159 plus court fees with subsequent violations being higher. 

This April and every day, help keep our roads safer. Don't use a cell phone while driving and encourage others to do the same. Remember, one text or call could wreck it all.  It's not worth it. 
Ribbon Cutting 
Construction at the Pine Valley Sheriff's Substation is almost finished.  Sheriff Bill Gore cordially invites you to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility on:

Friday, June 6th
 10:00 a.m. 
28696 Old Highway 80, Pine Valley 
(619) 473-8774
For a flyer click here. 
 
Parking and free shuttle to and from the substation is available at Pine Valley County Park, 28810 Old Highway 80.  Light refreshments will be served and members of the community will get a tour of the substation after the ribbon cutting. 
 
The $3.3 million building will more than triple the size of the old building. The Pine Valley Sheriff's Substation serves an area of more than 400 square miles including Pine Valley, Guatay, Descanso, Mount Laguna, Boulevard and Jacumba. 
Most Wanted 
Wanted Fugitive Robert Nowlin
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 ROBERT RANQUL NOWLIN.  He is wanted on child endangerment, domestic violence and burglary charges. He has a tattoo on his right wrist with the letters "GD."  

Nowlin is known to hang out in Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, Lakeside, El Cajon, Chula Vista areas, as well as with Skyline gang members in Southeast San Diego.  

If you see  Nowlin, do not approach him.  He should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.  Call the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200.  

Anyone with information on Nowlin'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. 

For a wanted bulletin, click here.  To learn more about wanted fugitives in San Diego County, visit our website. 
Tax Scams 
Scammers are on the prowl this tax season.  Remember, the IRS will never contact you by phone or email.  
 
The scare tactic begins with a claim that you owe the IRS money.  If you don't pay, the caller will threaten you with an arrest, deportation, or loss of a business or driver license.  If you get a call like this, HANG UP. 
 
Click on the image above from our Financial Crimes Unit to watch a video about tax scams or you can follow us on View our videos on YouTube.
Cancer Fighters 
Sheriff's Deputies took it all off--the top of their heads to help fight childhood cancer.  We partnered with St. Baldrick's Foundation for a Shave-A-Thon.  Click on the image above to watch video of deputies transform from crimefighters to cancer fighters. 
Stay Safe San Diego
 Stay Safe San Diego 
Issue: 38
Sheriff Bill Gore
In This Issue
Chat with a Recruiter
KidzWatch
Prescription Drug Thefts
Take Back Day
U Text. U Drive. U Pay.
Ribbon Cutting
Wanted Fugitive
Tax Scams
Cancer Fighters
Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook  
Follow us on Twitter  
View our videos on YouTube  
  
  
      Poway Bank Robbery 
      
Poway Wells Fargo Bank Robber
Take a good look at this surveillance photo.  The man you see here is wanted in connection 
with a bank robbery in Poway.  
It happened at a Wells Fargo branch in the 14800 block of Pomerado Road on March 18th.  

The man approached a bank teller and handed a note demanding money.  He left after receiving the cash.  No weapon was shown and no one was hurt. 

If you recognize this man, you are 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.  

To see bigger photos of the suspect, follow us on Like us on Facebook. 

 

Speak Up  
Sexual Assault Prevention Month
April is an opportunity  to focus attention on sexual violence and its prevention with the observance of Sexual Assault Prevention Month.  
 
The Sheriff's Department opened 623 sex crime investigations in 2013. 

This type of behavior is not expected, accepted or tolerated.  If you are a victim, silence won't make it go away.  There is power and healing in reporting the attack.  

We all can make a difference in preventing sexual assaults.  Be an active bystander. Step in and intervene if you see a situation that could lead to sexual assault.  

For more tips on reducing your risk of becoming a victim, click here.  
 
Prevent Child Abuse   
Child Abuse Prevention Month
 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Five children die every day in America from abuse and neglect.  (Source:  Every Child Matters) More than half a million American children suffer neglect or abuse every year.  (Source:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).  In the fight against child abuse, knowledge is our strongest weapon.  The more you know about it, the more you can do to help those who have already been victimized and prevent it from happening again.    
Doctor Alfred Joshua, the Sheriff's Chief Medical Officer, who also works at a local emergency room, says it's important to learn about the symptoms and signs of abuse.  He says child abuse has serious physical consequences for children both during abuse and later in life.  Sudden changes in a child's behavior  such as acting out or being more withdrawn should prompt questions to assess for abuse.  Welts, bite marks, bald spots, burns, cuts, abrasions, or unexplained bruises are some typical signs of abuse.  

Take a pledge to help out parents in your neighborhood.  If the situation is more serious than you can handle, report known or suspected child abuse to the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200) or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. 
 
If a child's life is in danger, call 911.  

To learn more about the symptoms of child abuse, click here.  To watch a video about abusive head trauma or shaken baby syndrome, click here. 
Cold Case 
Murder Victim Jerrad Fletcher
Jerrad Lee Fletcher
Detectives with the Sheriff's Homicide Detail want your help in solving the murder of Jerrad Lee Fletcher.  

On September 1, 2007 at around 9:00 a.m., deputies with the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station responded to a call at a house in the 1800 block of Hillsdale Drive in the unincorporated area of El Cajon.   When they arrived, they found a man in the living room with a gunshot wound on his back.  Fletcher died at the scene. 

Anyone with information about this cold case is urged to 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 Stoppersanonymous tip line at 

To learn more about  Jerrad's case and other cold cases, click here. 

Dispatcher Week 
National Telecommunicators/Dispatchers 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.

 There are 100 dispatchers at the Sheriff's Communication Center in Kearny Mesa.  They handle 1,600 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 Radio Trainees and Emergency Services Dispatchers.  For more information on how you can apply for a job, click here.

Saluting Volunteers 
April is Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month. We want to salute our nearly 700 volunteers in the Sheriff's Department.  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. 


San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
Honoring San Diego County Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

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.  85 deputies and officers 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 on: 

Wednesday, May 7th
Noon
County Administration Center 
1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego West Side
Stolen Dog 
Dog Stolen in San Marcos
A $2,000 reward is now being offered to find a stolen dog.  "Schroeder" wandered away from his home on March 19th.  

A man found the five month old puppy on the street and took him to a nearby doggie day care in the 900 block of West San Marcos Boulevard. 45 minutes later, another man walked into Dogtopia claiming to be the dog's owner.  The man then walked out of the doggie day care with Schroeder.  

The owners paid $4,000 for the English Bulldog.  

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Dogtopia and Schroeder's owner are each offering a $1,000 reward. Just call (888) 580-8477. 

To see bigger photos of the suspect and Schroeder, follow us on Like us on Facebook.

 

  Jan Caldwell, Public Affairs Director

Melissa Aquino, Public Affairs/Media Relations
San Diego County Sheriff's Department 

"Keeping the peace since 1850"