| San Diego County Sheriff - February 2016 |
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Welcome to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Newsletter
This month, the Sheriff's Department is rolling out a pilot program that will put body-worn cameras on dozens of our deputies across the county. This is an important trial to determine how best to utilize this new technology to better serve and protect you. This is part of our ongoing commitment to make San Diego County the safest urban area in the nation.
The Super Bowl promises to be an exciting match-up between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. While I want everyone to enjoy the game, I also want to stress the importance of not drinking and driving. Deputies will be conducting additional DUI patrols on Super Bowl Sunday to make sure our roadways are safe. If you see any impaired drivers, call 9-1-1 immediately.
There are plenty of important events the Sheriff's Department is holding this month that I'd like you to come out and join us for. Enjoy the rest of the newsletter and thanks for your support.
Stay safe,
Bill Gore, Sheriff
San Diego County
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| Body Camera Pilot Program
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Beginning February 5th, 75 patrol and court deputies will be wearing body cameras as part of a 90-day trial period.
Deputies will test cameras from three different vendors for 30 days each.
Those taking part in the testing phase are assigned to five stations and substations all over the county.
Deputies assigned to work court security and field services on behalf of the court are also participating in the pilot program.
County jails and courtroom deputies are not part of the test group.
Plans for the trial period started in August 2014. The Sheriff's Department consulted with law enforcement agencies across the country to develop an interim policy and procedure that deputies will follow during the trials.
Sheriff Bill Gore said, "It's big step. We want to make sure we get it right. Videos posted online don't show the whole story. It doesn't explain what provoked the incident or the context of the investigation. Hopefully, this will foster trust between the community we serve in law enforcement. "
Deputies will make thorough notes of what works and what doesn't work with each body camera. Information collected during the trials will be used to select a vendor. Updates will be also be made to the policy and procedure.
The Sheriff plans to issue the body cameras to all patrol deputies by the end of the year.
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The Sheriff's Department is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to keep impaired drivers off San Diego's roadways on Super Bowl Sunday.
Watch for increased DUI patrols by Sheriff's Deputies across the county beginning on Sunday, February 7 at 3:00 p.m. and lasting through 5:00 a.m. the following day.
Deputies will also conduct a DUI checkpoint in the City of Poway on Friday, February 5 between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.
The Sheriff's Department's goal is simple: to remove impaired drivers from roadways and prevent crashes that can cause serious injury or death.
In 2015, the Sheriff's Department arrested 1,516 people for DUI. In 2014, deputies arrested 1,610 people for impaired driving. In 2013, 1,888 people were arrested for impaired driving.
The Sheriff's Department has these tips for a safe Super Bowl Sunday:
- Plan a safe way home before the game begins
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
- If you're impaired, use a taxi, ride sharing service, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 immediately
Click on the above video to learn more about the high cost of drinking and driving. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on
VIMEO.
Remember:
Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
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Fallbrook Active Shooter Drill
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Calls for help were made. Shots fired at Fallbrook High School. It was a chaotic situation with many people wounded. Deputies from the Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation responded along with firefighters from the North County Fire Protection District and other local fire agencies and paramedics.
It was all part of an Active Shooter Drill held at Fallbrook High School on January 9th. Click on the above video to see highlights from the drill. You can also watch the video by following us on VIMEO.
The scenario involved a stranger who just came to campus and opened fire. The scenario was repeated several times to accommodate deputies with various shifts to take part in the drill.
An active shooter by definition is someone who displays the ability and willingness to shoot people indiscriminately and without regard to his or her safety. It's a scenario that no one wants to think about, but law enforcement is ready to respond in the event a real emergency occurs.
The goal of the exercise is to practice positions in clearing rooms, rescue the wounded and evacuate potential victims while communicating with emergency personnel.
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| Are You Prepared For "El Nino?"
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| This winter, San Diego County has seen heavy rain and flooding caused by storms brought on by the weather phenomenon known as "El Nino." The Sheriff's Department wants to remind everyone to be prepared for these storms. Click on the above video to hear Sheriff Bill Gore talk about what you can do to protect yourself, especially if you plan on going to our local mountains to see the snow caused by the storms. No matter where you live in the County, there are things you can do during storms to protect yourself from the elements:
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down. Two feet of water can sweep your car away.
- In the event of flash flooding, head to higher ground immediately.
- If you are caught in a flash flood, but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. NEVER leave the car and enter moving water.
- Drive slowly and give yourself extra time when driving in the rain.
For more information on how to prepare for "El Nino" and to register for the "Alert San Diego" regional notification system, visit www.readysandiego.org. |
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 23-year old Janice Macedonio. She is wanted for murder and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Macedonio stands 5' tall and weighs about 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She is known to hang out in the Vista area of San Diego County, but detectives say that she may be hiding in Mexico.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Janice Macedonio is urged to call
Crime Stoppers
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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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Getting Rid Of Prescription Drugs
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Prescription drug abuse is a serious problem across the nation.
The Sheriff's Department is proud to be a part of the San Diego County Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. We invite you to take a short survey about how you get rid of unwanted medications.
To take the survey, click here. Your responses will remain anonymous and help us come up with solutions to combat prescription drug abuse.
If you have any unwanted or expired medications, you can always bring them to any Sheriff's Station or Substation.
You will find Prescription Drug Drop Boxes where you can leave your unwanted drugs. For more information and locations, click here.
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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:
Monday, March 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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| Become A Sheriff's Dispatcher  |
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. This requires a candidate who can assess a situation accurately, make quick decisions, and use good judgment to ensure the safety of patrol deputies.
Recruitment for the Emergency Services Dispatcher Trainee position will remain open until
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH.
For more information on the education, experience, licenses, skills, and abilities needed for this vacancy, as well as salary, visit: http://goo.gl/7JcKYo.
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.
For more information on the education, experience, licenses, skills, and abilities needed for this vacancy, as well as salary, visit: http://goo.gl/s8bqj8.
All applicants will be required to undergo a comprehensive background check.
Apply for these positions by visiting the County of San Diego's Human Resources Job Postings webpage:
http://goo.gl/75S1Ck. Simply search the "911 Telecommunications" category.
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Deputies, Volunteers Clean Up Ramona
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| The Sheriff's Department is always proud to partner with the community to make a positive difference where people work and live. On January 16th, deputies with the Ramona Sheriff's Substation and volunteers joined forces to clean up the Santa Maria Creek. In the past, the area has been known as a homeless encampment, as well as a dumping ground for trash. Click on the above video to see deputies and volunteers at work on cleaning up Ramona's Santa Maria Creek. You can also watch the video by following the Sheriff's Department on VIMEO. When deputies see homeless people in this area, they are given information about county services to help get their lives back together. For more information, click here. The Sheriff's Department wants to thank everyone who made the Santa Maria Cleanup a big success.
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Holiday Closure
San Diego County Sheriff's Department Stations, Substations and Headquarters will be closed for the following federal holiday: Monday, February 15 Presidents 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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WANTED
"The Hipster Bandit"
Take a good look at a new surveillance photo of the "Hipster Bandit." Someone out there knows this bank robber.
He is dubbed the "Hipster Bandit" for the outfit and sunglasses he has worn in other bank robberies.
He robbed a U.S. Bank inside an Albertson's grocery store in Fallbrook back on September 25, 2015.
He is also suspected in other bank robberies in La Mesa and within the City of San Diego.
If you recognize the "Hipster Bandit," 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
ID Theft Suspects - Solana Beach
Do you recognize them? Take a good look at this surveillance photo of two people who were caught using a stolen credit card at a Wal-Mart.
The credit card was stolen from a car parked in a condominium complex in the 900 block of Via Mil Cumbres in Solana Beach sometime between December 29th and December 30th of last year.
On December 30th, two people were seen on surveillance video using the stolen credit card at a Wal-Mart in the Serra Mesa area of the City of San Diego.
The card was declined and the transaction was cancelled. They were seen leaving in a four-door Ford Taurus, but the color is unclear from the surveillance video.
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
Suspects In Jacumba
Construction Vehicle Theft
The Boulevard Sheriff's Office wants your help in identifying and locating suspects wanted in connection with a home burglary and construction vehicle theft in Jacumba.
On December 14, 2015, the suspects broke into a home located in the 43000 block of Old Highway 80.
They stole about $5,000 worth of tools, as well as a construction backhoe loader that was parked in the front yard.
The backhoe loader is worth about $30,000.
Detectives say a tow truck may have been used to transport the backhoe loader.
The stolen construction vehicle is described as a yellow, 2001 JCB backhoe loader with a cracked windshield.
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:
Wednesday, February 3
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Santee Library
9225 Carlton Hills Boulevard #17,
Santee
Tuesday, February 23
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Fallbrook Public Library
124 S. Mission Road,
Fallbrook
Tuesday, March 29
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Imperial Beach Community Room
825 Imperial Beach Boulevard,
Imperial Beach
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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"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, February 11
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
College Avenue Baptist Church
4747 College Avenue,
San Diego
Registration/Check-in begins at
8:30 a.m.
RSVP by Feb. 7 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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Meet Wishbone The Beagle
The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Team plays a valuable role in locating missing people across San Diego County.
When he's not busy assisting Sheriff's Deputies and SAR Volunteers, Wishbone the Beagle loves meeting children.
Join Wishbone and SAR K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst for a special reading of a short book on this talented dog:
Thursday, February 25
10:00 a.m.
Fallbrook Public Library
124 S. Mission Road,
Fallbrook
In "Wishbone The Beagle: The Smell And Tell Game," we learn about Wishbone's special talents and how he became a member of the Sheriff's SAR K-9 Team.
It's a story children of all ages will love.
To read a PDF copy of Wishbone's book, click here.
During this event, children will be able to meet Wishbone and get their own free copy of his book.
Come out and say hi to Wishbone on February 25th in Fallbrook!
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Reading Day With
North Coastal Sheriff's Station
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:
Saturday, February 27
11:00 a.m. to noon
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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Finish Chelsea's Run
Chelsea King was an avid cross country runner who lived in Poway. She went missing on February 25, 2010 after going for a run at Lake Hodges.
Chelsea was the victim of a sex offender and the Sheriff's Department was in charge of the massive search for the teen and the case investigation.
Join the Sheriff's Department Team to Finish Chelsea's Run:
Saturday, March 5
Race starts at 7:30 a.m.
Balboa Park
Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the run will be used by the Chelsea's Light Foundation to help support and eliminate harm to children by sexual predators through community activism, legislative reform and education.
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