| San Diego County Sheriff - April 2016 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
I'd like to take a moment to thank our hundreds of volunteers. They donate their many skills and talents to some of our most important units, including Search and Rescue, Reserves and the Senior Volunteer Patrol. They support our deputies in the field and provide an invaluable service. My sincere gratitude and appreciation goes out to our Sheriff's Volunteers during National Volunteer Month.
Inmates deserve a second chance to succeed in life. In this month's newsletter, you'll learn about our new Job Center at the East Mesa Reentry Facility. Find out how inmates are learning important job and social skills that will help them succeed when they are released from jail.
Join us at one of our many Sheriff's event across the county this month. We are always happy to meet you and learn how we can better serve you. Hope to see you soon.
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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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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Job Center Gives Inmates Fresh Start
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A new job center is now open at the East Mesa Reentry Facility in Otay Mesa.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Labor pays for the program. The job center is a collaboration between the Sheriff's Department, San Diego Workforce Partnership and County Probation, as well as community program Second Chance.
Click on the above video to see how the Job Center is helping inmates prepare for a life outside of jail. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on
VIMEO.
The goal is to prepare inmates for their return back to the community. Six months before their release, participants learn how to use a computer, email, write resumes, practice interview skills, as well as find and apply for jobs online.
Inmates also receive other services such as a free suit for job interviews, a bus pass, California ID, housing and links to substance abuse programs or services.
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It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive. All vehicles are potential targets of theft. Car burglary is one crime you can help us prevent.
The Sheriff's Department wants to remind you to guard against car break-ins while running errands, going to the park, hiking trails or the beach.
Click on the above image to watch our "Lock It or Lose It" public safety video. You can also watch it by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO.
Help stay off the radar of car burglars by following these simple tips:
- Lock your doors and windows.
- Never leave your car running and unattended.
- Keep your car tidy. Don't leave anything valuable in plain sight.
- Stash before -- not after -- you park. Thieves linger in busy parking lots looking for valuables being moved out of sight.
- Park in a busy, well-lit area.
For more safety tips, check out our "Preventing Car Burglaries" flyer by clicking here.
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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. 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.
Click on the above video to watch our public safety video on why you should always keep your eyes on the road when driving. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on
VIMEO.
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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 29-year old Lenny Johnson. He is wanted for domestic violence and making criminal threats. Johnson has a long criminal history and is a known street gang member.
Lenny Johnson stands 5'8" tall and weighs about 245 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes. He is known to frequent Spring Valley, Mission Valley and the Mid-City area.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lenny Johnson 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
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| Become A Sheriff's Dispatcher  |
We want to recognize our Sheriff's Dispatchers during
National Public Safety Telecommunicators
Week in April.
24 hours per day, seven days a week, Sheriff's Dispatchers answer emergency calls from all across San Diego County. They stay calm under pressure and save lives by getting help out to those calling 9-1-1.
The Sheriff's Communications Center is hiring for the following positions:
EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER TRAINEE (Entry level position)
As an Emergency Services Dispatcher Trainee, you will respond to 9-1-1 emergency and non-emergency calls and be responsible for dispatching deputies in the field. Applications for the Emergency Services Dispatcher Trainee position will be accepted until SUNDAY, APRIL 10th.
EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER (Lateral position)
Sheriff's Emergency Services Dispatchers are responsible for handling a full range of radio and telephone emergency and non-emergency communications involving a variety of local governmental operations (law enforcement, fire, medical, etc.). Recruitment for the Emergency Services Dispatcher (Lateral) position will remain open until further notice.
Applicants will be required to undergo a comprehensive background check.
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Put A Star In Your Future
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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 Sheriff's recruiter on:
Monday, May 2
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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Meet Magic: Our Newest K9
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The Sheriff's Department's newest crimefighter is reporting for duty. He is a two-year-old German Shepherd named "Magic."
Click on the above video to watch CBS News 8 spotlight Magic and the training he is going through right now. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on
VIMEO.
A generous donation from a citizen allowed "Magic" to become a Sheriff's K9. The cost of purchasing a Sheriff's K9 depends on the vendor, but is estimated at nearly $11,000.
"Magic" has to undergo 12 weeks of intensive training before he can earn his badge to patrol the streets of San Diego County. His location or assignment is yet to be determined.
The Sheriff's K9 Unit was established in 1967. It has a total of 33 dogs. They are trained in protection, article searches, tracking suspects or evidence, as well as detecting drugs. Handlers bring home their partners and are responsible for their care, grooming and training.
To become a K9 Handler, a deputy must have at least 18 months of patrol experience.
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WANTED
Stabbing Suspect - Vista
Take a good look at this sketch of a suspect wanted in connection with a stabbing in Vista.
It happened just before 10:00 a.m. on March 21, 2016 at a home located near the intersection of E. East Drive and N. Santa Fe Avenue in Vista.
That's where a male suspect entered the house without permission and stabbed a 15-year-old female with an unknown weapon.
The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital.
If you know who this suspect is, 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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WANTED
Burglary Suspect - Solana Beach
The man in this surveillance photo is wanted in connection with a burglary in Solana Beach.
It happened on Monday, March 28th just before 5:00 p.m. at an AT&T store in the 100 block of Solana Hills Drive.
A clerk was helping another customer when the suspect walked into the store and ran off with a silver Apple iPad Air 2 and gold iPad mini 4. Loss is estimated at nearly $1,200.
To see more surveillance photos, click
here.
If you recognize the man in the surveillance photo, call Crime Stoppers 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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Coffee With The Community
Community outreach is a top priority for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
You're invited to join us at the following Coffee with the Community events:
Tuesday, April 5
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Chick-fil-A
194 N. El Camino Real,
Encinitas
Tuesday, April 12
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Poway Fire Station 1
Lower Level Classroom
13050 Community Road,
Poway
Tuesday, April 19
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Dolci Café Italiano
2650 Jamacha Road, #121,
Rancho San Diego
Coffee with the Community gives the public a chance to chat with deputies in a casual setting and exchange ideas and concerns over a free cup of coffee.
Come out and make a positive difference in your community. For tips on how to stay safe, visit:
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Reading Day
Reading is an important part of a child's life. It teaches them everything from their A-B-C's to incredible stories filled with fun and wonder.
The North Coastal Sheriff's Station invites children of all ages to attend a special "Reading Day" event on:
Wednesday, April 20
Reading starts at 10:00 a.m.
Barnes & Noble
1040 N. El Camino Real Drive,
Encinitas
A Sheriff's Deputy will read to children and teach them the importance of reading. There will also be a Q&A with the deputy after story time.
Come out and join us for this family-friendly event!
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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) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The event is on:
Saturday, April 30
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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"Don't Get Hooked"
Scammers are always looking to take advantage of people of all ages.
Among the most vulnerable victims are the elderly.
Join the Sheriff's Elder Abuse Unit, along with Supervisor Dianne Jacob and other local law enforcement agencies and watchdog groups at the "Don't Get Hooked" presentation:
Thursday, May 12
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Poway Community Park Auditorium
13094 Civic Center Drive,
Poway
Registration/Check-in begins at
8:30 a.m.
RSVP by May 9 by clicking
here
Seniors will learn from experts and victims all about protecting themselves from scammers.
Come out and enjoy this FREE event.
To learn more about the Sheriff's Elder Abuse Unit, including safety tips, click
here.
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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
4
Noon
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway,
West Side
For an event flyer, click
here.
For more information on the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial, click
here.
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