| San Diego County Sheriff - September 2015 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
As parents, we want to protect our children from harm and keep them safe. In this issue of our e-newsletter, we want you to be aware of a man who tried to lure a child into a van in East County.
You can also play a life-saving role in protecting children from injuries by making sure they are using the correct car seat and booster. Read our newsletter to learn about free car seat inspections near you.
Scammers continue to target seniors with the Jury Duty and Warrant Scam. Learn more about our tips so you don't become a victim.
Sadly, drunk driving crashes have taken the lives of more than a dozen people in San Diego County since May. We are no stranger to this heartbreak. A drunk driver killed one of our deputies in 2010. We are honoring his memory through a walk. We hope you can join our team.
We are also stepping up our DUI enforcement before the Labor Day weekend, but we want your help to stop this crime. Be a designated driver or call a cab for a friend or loved one.
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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| Take a good look at the sketch of this man. Does he look familiar to you? For a bigger image, follow us on  . He is wanted for trying to lure a child into a van in Alpine. It happened on August 24th in the 2000 block of Arnold Way. A ten-year-old girl was playing outside an apartment complex when a white van with two men approached her. The man in the sketch got out of the van and ask the girl if she needed a ride. He also offered her candy. The passenger stayed in the van. The girl was able to run away and hide in some bushes. She told her mom and deputies from the Alpine Sheriff's Station responded. The child told deputies the van is white with tinted windows, a pink breast cancer sticker on the back door and two pieces of lumber on the top. Someone out there knows this man. Help us identify and arrest him. Call our non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200. 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 (888) 580-8477. |
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Your phone rings and a deputy tells you a warrant is out for your arrest for missing jury duty. You check the caller ID and the number seems legitimate. The deputy then says he or she is on his or her way to arrest you unless you pay up.
It sounds convincing, but don't fall for it!
RED FLAG: PHONE + MONEY = SCAM.
If you receive a phone call and someone is asking for money, STOP! It is a scam!
FACT: No employee of the Sheriff's Department will ever contact you by phone to ask for money or demand any other form of payment. If you get this type of call, hang up immediately. If we need to contact you, we will knock on your door.
FACT: Outstanding warrants
cannot be resolved over the phone. Warrants can only be cleared through the court. People with outstanding warrants are encouraged to turn themselves in Monday through Friday during business hours at any one of the Sheriff's Court Facilities. To find out more information or to check if you have an outstanding warrant, visit
FACT: Confirm jury service by calling the Superior Court of California at
(619) 450-5757. Press 0 to talk to a person.
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| If disaster strikes in San Diego County, the Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) is ready. SAR's K-9 and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Units recently held a training exercise to prepare volunteers in safely digging out trapped victims in the rubble after an earthquake, explosion, building collapse and other natural disasters. Click on the image above to watch the volunteers go through different scenarios of rescuing a victim. You can also watch our videos on Vimeo. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues and search for missing persons. Teams are available 24 hours per day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests. To learn more about SAR and how you can volunteer, visit www.sdsheriff.net/volunteers. |
| Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
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| It's 100% preventable, but many people still get behind the wheel despite being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. It comes with tragic consequences. Since May of this year, DUI-related crashes have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people in the county. Since July to August of this year, there have been 58 DUI-related crashes within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department. That translates to dozens of injuries which could be you or someone you know. Sheriff's Deputies are cracking down on this reckless crime with increased patrols and checkpoints. The primary mission of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement through Labor Day, September 7th, is to save lives. Checkpoints will be held on:
- Imperial Beach and San Marcos - September 4th
- Vista - September 5th
- Encinitas - September 6th
It is also against the law in San Diego County to host an underage drinking party. Learn more about your responsibility as a social host. Visit www.sdsheriff.net/social-host.
A new study from the National Safety Council is also showing a disturbing trend on our roadways. Traffic deaths and serious injuries are way up in the first six months of this year due to distracted driving. From January to June, 19,000 people were killed in traffic crashes across the U.S. and more than 2.2 million were injured. The numbers haven't been this high since 2007. Remember, One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. It can wait.
With back-to-school season, we also urge parents/guardians to come to a Sheriff's Start Smart class. It's a free class for teens so they and their parents clearly understand their responsibilities as a new driver. To learn more about the schedule and class near you, visit www.sdsheriff.net/startsmart. |
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Put a Star in Your Future
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The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is hiring. Click on the video above to see the varied careers you can have with our agency. You can also watch the video on
Vimeo.
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:
Thursday, October 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.
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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 17th
NTC Park
2455 Cushing Road, San Diego
Registration starts at 7:00 a.m.
Walk at 9:00 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 24 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Park Boulevard, Balboa Park 1549 El Prado, San Diego (619) 275-8240 Register here Flyer 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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If you have an unwanted gun, you can turn it in and get a gift card in return, no questions asked.
The San Marcos Sheriff' Station is hosting a Guns for Gift Cards event in the North County.
Saturday, October 24
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
San Marcos Sheriff's Station
182 Santar Place, San Marcos
$50 per gun, $150 max per vehicle
(760) 510-5200
The Sheriff's Department will utilize asset forfeiture funds to purchase the gift cards. There is a limit of $150 worth of gift cards per vehicle. The gift cards can be redeemed at grocery stores.
Anyone participating should place the unloaded firearms in the trunk of their cars. A uniformed deputy will give instructions at the location. All weapons collected will be destroyed.
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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 25-year-old Nicholas Donald Dean. He is wanted for burglary, reckless driving, as well as various felony drug charges.
Dean has a flower tattoo on his neck and a diamond tattoo below his right eye. He is known to hang out in Cardiff, Carlsbad and Encinitas.
If you see Dean, do not approach him. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If an emergency situation exists, call 9-1-1.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dean is urged to call Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Call (888) 580-8477.
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Holiday Closures
 San Diego County Sheriff's Department Stations, Substations and Headquarters will be closed for the following federal holiday:
Monday, September 7
(In observance of
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 for on-call.
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Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Looking to get rid of unwanted and expired prescription drugs?
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department will collect and dispose of these medicines during the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) tenth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The event is on:
Saturday, September 27
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For a complete list of locations,
This service is free and anonymous. NO SHARPS OR NEEDLES ACCEPTED!
Unwanted or expired prescription drugs can be dangerous to the community by falling into the wrong hands.
You can also drop off unwanted prescriptions at any Sheriff's Station or Substation during normal business hours. For more information, click here
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WANTED
San Marcos Bank Robber
Take a good look at the surveillance photo of a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery in San Marcos. For a bigger image, follow us on . It happened on August 22nd just before 11:00 a.m. at the Pacific Marine Credit Union located at 670 West San Marcos Boulevard. The man entered the bank, approached the teller and gave a demand note for cash. After receiving the money, the robber drove away in a black car. No one was hurt. If you recognize this man, do not approach him. If an emergency exists call 9-1-1. 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 (888) 580-8477. |
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WANTED
Package Thief
Be on the lookout for a woman who was caught on camera stealing packages in San Marcos. Someone who knows the suspect might recognize her and the getaway car.
Click on the image above to watch the surveillance video or follow us on Vimeo.
The theft happened last month in the 1100 block of Ariana Road. The homeowner ordered several items on Amazon.com and when her packages didn't arrive, she checked the delivery status of her order online. She discovered the items had been delivered already. A check of the victim's surveillance cameras revealed the theft. The video shows a woman getting out of a white or gray older model Mercedez Benz with a sun roof. She walks up to the front door and stuffs UPS packages into a tote bag. She then gets back into the passenger side of the car. If you recognize this woman, call the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200. Click here for more safety tips when ordering items online. |
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Keeping Kids Safe
For any parent or caregiver, nothing is more important than ensuring a child's safety.
Whether you are driving around the block or across town for soccer practice or ballet, making sure children are properly secured in the correct car seat or booster should always remain a priority. September is Baby Safety Month and September 13 - 19 is National Child Passenger Safety Week. These serve as an important reminder for this necessary precaution.
- Always read the manufacturer's instructions to familiarize yourself with proper car seat installation procedures.
- Be sure that your car seat's harness adheres to proper fit guidelines.
- To stay safe, always replace a car seat following a moderate or severe car crash.
For more information on finding the right car seat for your child, as well as installation tips and a child car seat inspection locator, click here. There is help for low-income families in San Diego County to get free car seats. To learn more, click here. Remember, it is against the law in California to leave a baby alone in a car. Where's Baby? Look Before You Lock!
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Speak Up, Reach Out
September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every day, family, friends and co-workers struggle with emotional pain. For some, it's difficult to talk about the pain, thoughts of suicide or the need for help.
The Medical Examiner says there were 420 suicides in San Diego County last year.
When an emergency call involves a mental health situation, a licensed mental health clinician responds with a Sheriff's Deputy. It's called Psychiatric Emergency Response Team or PERT.
They help deputies calm the situation and offer mental health services. The county expanded the program and now there are 33 PERT teams available to respond with deputies.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis, help is always available through the County Crisis Hotline.
Trained and experienced counselors are available 24 hours per day to help you . You don't have to suffer in silence. Make a free call.
In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
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Operation Neptune
Deputies work every day to keep us safe. Part of that duty is making sure people who have been released from prison or jail are staying on the right path and don't go on to commit more crimes so we don't become victims. During Operation Neptune in the North County, deputies contacted 44 people on parole or probation. A dozen people were arrested for failing to follow the conditions of their release. The compliance checks were held in Cardiff, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, 4S Ranch, San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, and Carlsbad. Click on the image above to watch video of Operation Neptune. You can also watch our videos on Vimeo. You can always report suspicious activity to the Sheriff's Department by calling our non-emergency line at
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Bicycle Giveaway
Community outreach is also an important aspect of a deputy's job. We want children and teens to know they can always approach deputies on patrol, at schools or local events.
Last month, recruiters with Sheriff's Personnel Division gave away 26 refurbished bicycles and new helmets at an event that aims to help children battling cancer.
Recruiters also answered questions from children about their jobs and what kids need to do if they want to pursue a career in law enforcement someday.
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See You Next Year!
Night Out Against Crime
Thank you to all those who took part in our
Night Out Against Crime
events. We had a lot of fun meeting our neighbors all over the county.
Night Out is a celebration of community partnerships.
Click on the video above or follow us on
Vimeo to watch video of our Night Out events.
We hope to see you next year,
Tuesday, August 2, 2016.
In the meantime, check our website
www.sdsheriff.net
for any Coffee with the Community events.
For safety tips, visit
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