| San Diego County Sheriff - August 2015 |
|
Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
Summer is almost over, but our job making sure San Diego County is the safest urban area in the nation never stops.
Knowing how to protect yourself from criminals is the best tool at your disposal. I invite you to join the Sheriff's Department at several
National Night Out Against Crime events across the county on August 4th.
In this newsletter, find where you can meet deputies and crime prevention specialist who will talk to you about staying safe. There will be giveaways and fun activities for the entire family.
Please join us in sending a message to criminals on
National Night Out Against Crime.
Please continue reading for valuable information that will keep you and your loved ones safe.
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
|
|
| Send criminals a message by joining forces with the Sheriff's Department for National Night Out Against Crime. Click on the above video to learn more about our Night Out Against Crime events across San Diego County on Tuesday, August 4th. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO. Night Out Against Crime is a celebration of community relationships. Come out and meet deputies who patrol our neighborhoods, learn about the many services the Sheriff's Department provides and get crime prevention/safety tips.  Join us at a Night Out Against Crime event near you. Click on a city on the list below for more information and to download a flyer: Alpine Encinitas Fallbrook Imperial Beach Lemon Grove Poway Ramona Rancho San Diego San Marcos San Marcos (Hidden Meadows) Santee Valley Center Vista If you can't attend one of the Night Out Against Crime events, leave your porch light on as a show of solidarity on National Night Out. |
| Don't Leave Children In Hot Cars  |
| Where's baby? Look before you lock. We want parents and caregivers to ask themselves this question every time they get out of the car: Where's baby? Look before you lock. Even the best of parents can overlook a sleeping baby in a car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says one child dies from heatstroke nearly every ten days from being left alone in a hot car. On an 80-degree day, a car's temperature can reach deadly levels in just ten minutes. A child dies when his or her temperature reaches 107 degrees. Under Kaitlyn's Law, it's illegal to leave a child under the age of six alone in a car anywhere in California. The law is named in memory of a six-month old Kaitlyn Russell. Her babysitter left her alone in a hot car nearly 15 years ago. Here are some safety tips to keep your children safe:
- NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A CAR even if the windows are partially opened, even for just a minute.
- Make it a habit to check the back seat every time you leave the car.
- Keep a teddy bear or stuffed animal in the back/car seat. Move the teddy bear to the front seat when you place the child in the seat as a visual reminder.
- Place your purse, briefcase or something else you'll need in the back seat so you'll be sure to see a child left in the car.
- If it's your turn to drop off a child at daycare, ask a partner/spouse/friend to call you to make sure the child was not left in a hot car.
- Always lock the car and keep the keys out of reach.
- Teach children that a car is not a play area.
- If you see a child left alone in a hot car, call 911 right away.
Remember: Where's baby? Look before you lock. |
|
Put a Star in Your Future
|
|
|
|
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:
Tuesday, September 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.
|
| Back To School Safety Month
|
| August is Back To School Safety Month. The Sheriff's Department, along with the California Office of Traffic Safety, want to remind you about important tips to keep your children safe as they go back to the classroom. If your children walk or ride their bikes to school:
- Make sure they know the safest route.
- Remind them to pay close attention to all traffic signs and signals.
- Always make sure they stop and look both ways to make sure no cars are coming before using crosswalks.
Click on the above video to watch Simon the Safety Bloodhound talk about walking safety. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO. If you drive your children to school:
- ALWAYS MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS WEARING THEIR SEAT BELT!!!
- Plot your route and give yourself a few extra minutes to account for possible traffic delays.
- Always follow the posted speed limit in school zones and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Keep an eye out for any children in the area.
- When a school bus stops to load or unload passengers and its red lights are flashing, all vehicles must stop in both directions.
Click on the above video to watch Simon the Safety Bloodhound talk about car safety. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO. Taking a few extra seconds to make sure you and your children are safe could save a life. |
|
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
.
|
| 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 30-year-old Zaruen Gonzalez Hernandez. He is wanted for attempted murder after shooting a man during a family dispute in San Marcos. Zaruen also put his son's life in danger during the shooting. Zaruen Gonzalez Hernandez has a tattoo with the letter "Z" on his shoulder. He has lived in San Marcos and other areas in the North County. Zaruen may have fled to Mexico. If you see Zaruen, do not approach him. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If an emergency situation exists, call 9-1-1. Anyone with information the whereabouts of Zaruen Gonzalez Hernandez is urged to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line .
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
|
|
|  Stay Safe San Diego. |
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Annual Report
 Take a look back at the accomplishments of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in 2014 and learn more about our programs. To read the annual report, click here. |
|
Who Murdered William Gibbs?
The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants your help in solving the murder of William Napoleon Gibbs in Lemon Grove more than 10 years ago. On March 19, 2005, deputies were called to the 8000 block of Lemon Grove Way. When they arrived, they found Gibbs lying in the driveway after being shot. Witnesses say Gibbs and some friends were talking in front of an apartment complex when they were approached by two men with guns. Gibbs was shot while trying to get away. He died from his injuries. The suspects took off on foot. They are described as: Suspect #1: African American man around 18-years-old standing 6' tall, weighing 185 pounds with a short hair cut and goatee. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Suspect #2: African American man around 18-years old standing 5'10" tall and weighing 160 pounds with a short hair cut and clean shaven. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Help us bring Gibbs' killers to justice. Anyone with information 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
Crime Stoppers at
Help us find answers in other cold case murders.
|
|
Fighting Childhood Cancer
The Sheriff's Department recently teamed up with St. Baldricks and other law enforcement agencies to raise money for childhood cancer research. Watch the above video to see highlights from the "Shave A Thon" at Sheriff's Headquarters in Kearny Mesa. You can also watch the video by following us on VIMEO. Dozens of deputies and police officers from across San Diego County showed up to get their heads shaven in solidarity with young cancer patients. Through their efforts, law enforcement raised more than $14,000 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. The volunteer driven charity is committed to funding research to find cures for childhood cancers and help young victims live long and happy lives. Thanks to everyone for making this great event such a success! |
|
Deputy of the Year
Congratulations to Sheriff's Deputy Cedric Palencia for being named the San Diego Scottish Rite Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2015. Before joining the Sheriff's Department in 2010, Deputy Palencia had a successful career as a Correctional Officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for more than a decade. There's no better example of Deputy Palencia's bravery and dedication than the time he pulled a family out of burning apartment complex in Imperial Beach in November 2014. For his incredible actions, Deputy Palencia was given the Sheriff's Medal of Valor. He also received a Meritorious Unit Citation as a member of the Sheriff's SED/SWAT Team for their response to a possible hostage situation along State Route 52 in Santee. Deputy Palencia is a former Marine who served proudly in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Sheriff's Department is proud of Deputy Cedric Palencia. He is a shining example of our agency's commitment to protect the community. Put a star in your future! Become a Sheriff's Deputy. For more information, visit: www.joinsdsheriff.net.
|
|
Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival
The rain may have soaked this year's Sun & Sea Festival in Imperial Beach, but it didn't dampen the spirits of Sheriff's Deputies who made sure beachgoers had a fun and safe time.
Deputies from the Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation patrolled the sand castle competition on foot and on all-terrain vehicles.
From the skies, Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) kept a watchful eye over the beach.
There were no major problems reported at this year's Sun & Sea Festival.
We want to thank everyone for the warm welcome and their support in Imperial Beach.
To learn more about the Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation, click
here.
|
|
Search and Rescue Beagle Retires
It has been a long and satisfying career for Sheriff's Search and Rescue Beagle, Snickers.
For 13 years, Snickers used his valuable tracking and search skills to find missing people and help with other emergency operations.
Now, Search and Rescue K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst says it is time for Snickers to enjoy a much deserved retirement.
She says Snickers' energy and drive will not be forgotten and set the benchmark that the other Search and Rescue K-9's strive for.
The Sheriff's Department thanks Snickers for his years of service and dedication. Enjoy your time off!
The Sheriff's Search and Rescue 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 how you can become a volunteer, visit:
|
|
