Sign up for OCSD updates
Sandra Hutchens
Sheriff
Categories
Tags
Blogroll
Download OPML file 
|
March 31, 2008 13:16 by John
Harbor Patrol Fireboats from the Newport Beach and Sunset Beach stations rendezvoused off of the Huntington Beach Pier on Monday morning to give a water salute to the graduates of Basic Academy Class 183.
The two boats blasted geysers of water into the air to honor those who will graduate tomorrow night after what some call the toughest law enforcement training course anywhere.
The graduates paused near the end of the pier to give a demonstration on how pushups are to be performed. More...
March 31, 2008 11:33 by Ryan
Acting Sheriff Anderson's rebuttal was published in the Orange County Register Sunday, March 30. Here's what the Acting Sheriff submitted:
As the Acting Sheriff, I believe it is paramount that there be a full public airing of the special grand jury proceedings that investigated the 2006 jail death of John Chamberlain at the hands of fellow inmates. No one is more aware than I of our society’s right to full disclosure of the actions of our law enforcement officials. I have been and continue to be an advocate of transparency in all aspects of Sheriff’s Department’s operations, having placed video cameras in our patrol cars a decade and a half ago. I also recently recommended, and the Board of Supervisors approved, the expenditure of $4.4 million to increase the number of cameras in our jails.
In order to retain the public’s confidence in their government, and specifically their public safety officials, I believe that we should pull back the drapes, shedding daylight on our operations. It is important not only to spotlight the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department and their first-rate accomplishments but to candidly acknowledge the areas where we can improve.
Accusations of “secrecy” from the media continue to focus on the past administration. These assertions fail to acknowledge that the actions we have recently taken are principled, and for the sole purpose of ensuring, to the extent possible, that legal protections for individual and public safety are appropriately applied prior to the release of the special grand jury’s transcripts and exhibits.
The Register’s editorial stated that the Sheriff’s Department, “moved secretly to bar release of documents.” In actuality, our motion, along with the District Attorney’s response, was filed under seal because grand jury proceedings are legally required to be confidential. The proceedings were not opened until Judge Stotler’s order earlier last week. When the Judge asked if any party objected to opening the proceedings, my attorneys, as well as the District Attorney and the attorney for the press, all agreed that opening the proceedings to the public would be beneficial.
The Sheriff has a responsibility to protect the innocent and to ensure the safety of everyone involved in law enforcement investigations. We must do this to the best of our ability, even for those who are by definition criminals. Our legal motion was filed to protect information that could not be disclosed without endangering lives and public safety. This information would never be disclosed to the public as it is specific to certain jail polices, security procedures, witnesses and peace officer personnel files. I am gratified that Superior Court Judge Stotler carefully reviewed this matter and has ordered a prompt release of the grand jury transcripts and exhibits with very limited redactions of material that would have compromised public safety or violated statutory protections. This will allow the full public debate that I, the Register and its readers welcome.
The “culture of secrecy” your editorial refers to will never be tolerated under my watch. It is my expectation that the grand jury transcripts will be made available to the public and all the facts leading up to, during and after John Chamberlain’s death will be revealed.
As the facts of the Chamberlain case are fully revealed, I can assure our residents that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will continue to move toward increasing transparency in our operation. Such an evolution is no longer a choice for us – letting in the sunlight is essential to restoring confidence in our organization.
The public can rest assured that a new era has dawned at the Sheriff’s Department. We welcome the exposure of our humanity, illuminating our strengths, blemishes, hopes and potential.
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson was responding to this Register Editorial, published Wednesday, March 26th.
March 30, 2008 12:46 by John
Two members of the Department were invited to services with the Redeemer Church in Newport Beach and the congregation donated about 1,500 Bibles for distribution to inmates throughout the county jail system.
Deputy Ray Guerrero and Correctional Programs Supervisor Daniel J. Connelly told members of the church that the Bibles would be available to all that ask for them.
They predicted that the demand would be great. The version donated is the Life Recovery edition of the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. It has a reference guide for those struggling with the problems of addiction to find sections of the text for help.
During the service, a list of four members of the congregation or their family, were read aloud and prayers for them were requested.
The idea to donate the Bibles began when the son of a couple who is active in the Congregation was sent to jail for a drug related crime.
Another member of the congregation said before the service that addiction often results in the addict turning away from his or her family and friends. They find themselves alone and unable to cope with their addiction. It was hoped that the Bibles would give those in jail hope that new friends are to be found and loved ones can be rediscovered.
Both Deputy Guerrero and Mr. Connelly talked with members of the congregation after the service and told them about some of the rehabilitation programs that are available to inmates at the county jails.
"Let us pray that these Bibles will turn a life around," Redeemer Church Pastor Jim Belcher said during the service. "Let them reweave the worn fabric of lives." The church is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of America.
March 28, 2008 09:20 by Ryan
This video was featured at the Medal of Valor luncheon last Friday. The Register covered the ceremony here.
March 27, 2008 14:06 by Ryan
Eugene W. Fields and Ellyn Park write:
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson disputed the city of Orange's claim that housing 292 state inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility would see hardened criminals paroled directly to the streets of the city.
The bid to house state prisoners at Theo Lacy is part of a $100 million plan to expand the James Musick jail near Irvine that was approved by the county Board of Supervisors on March 11 over objections from city officials in Orange. Orange contends that the proposed arrangement would violate an agreement the city has with the county that any changes at the jail would require city approval.
In a letter to Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and on his blog at www.blog.ocsd.org, Anderson said that the state inmates would be the same classification as inmates already being released from Lacy. In a phone interview, Anderson said housing state inmates at Lacy as part of the state's Re-Entry Program would not violate the city-county agreement.
Read it all here.
March 27, 2008 10:46 by Ryan
From the OC Register:
Ladera Ranch residents seeking tips on protecting their families in an earthquake, fire or other emergencies have a new resource in town.
The first Community Emergency Preparedness Academy class is Tuesday, April 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Oak Knoll Village Club. Classes continue every Tuesday for eight weeks.
[...]
The academy is presented by The Orange County Sheriff's Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Medix Ambulance Service, American Red Cross, Santa Margarita Water District and Mission Hospital.
Read more here.
March 27, 2008 09:25 by John
The Aliso Viejo City Council honored Deputy Cruz Alday on Tuesday as the city's Deputy of the Year. The honor was well deserved. This blog reported Deputy Alday's achievement last month and to see our account click here.
The Orange County Register profiled Deputy Alday in today's paper. The Register story can be accessed by clicking here.
March 26, 2008 17:40 by John
Superior Court Judge James A. Stotler ruled today that information on jail security and deputy personnel files will remain sealed but transcripts and non-confidential evidence in the Chamberlain grand jury probe will be made public.
The Department went to court to block the release of information that would endanger the lives of staff and inmates and personnel information that is protected by law.
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson’s statement on the decision:
Superior Court Judge James A. Stotler should be commended on today’s ruling. The court spent several days carefully examining the numerous legal issues involved in this proceeding. Today the court recognized that if certain limited information is released to the public it could cost human life and that security and confidentiality of certain jail records is critical to the safety and security of inmates in the jail.
Although we have been the subject of unwarranted criticism by members of the media for acting to protect these limited records, today’s decision reaffirms our responsibility to legally protect information regarding the safety and security of our inmates as well as personnel records.
It has always been our expectation and desire that these transcripts would be released promptly. I welcome the disclosure of these transcripts and look forward to a full public review of John Chamberlain’s death and the investigation that followed.
The Orange County Register has a story online about the decision. To read it click here.
March 26, 2008 16:26 by John
At 7:00 pm on February 5, 2008, 155 people formed as the Ballot Transportation Team in support of the Registrar of Voters (ROV) office for the Presidential Primary Election.
A total of 1118 precincts brought electronic ballots to 23 collection centers located throughout Orange County. Forty three (43) vehicles driven by members of our team were dispatched to the various collection centers and transported over 4750 boxes and bags of Judges Booth Controllers (JBCs containing the electronic ballots), precinct supplies, and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) printers from those sites back to the Vote Talley Center (VTC) in Santa Ana within a seven-hour period.
SUPPORTING PERSONNEL: Employees from several County of Orange agencies: RDMD (Transportation, Facilities Operations, P&DSD), Sheriff-Coroner Department (Control One, Communications, Emergency Management, Transportation, Reserves, Financial, Research & Development), OCRACES, Hospital Disaster Support Communications System (HDSCS) and various city RACES organizations composed the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election Ballot Transportation Team. More...
March 25, 2008 11:29 by Ryan
Sent Friday, March 21:
The Honorable Carolyn V. Cavecche, Mayor
City of Orange
300 E. Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92866
Dear Mayor Cavecche:
First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak before your Honorable City Council on March 11, 2008 regarding the County of Orange’s application for State funding of up to $100 million for the purpose of constructing additional jail facilities at the James A. Musick facility. Additionally, I am in receipt of the City of Orange draft Resolution No. 10274 which articulates the City’s opposition to our proposal to operate reentry programs for State inmates at Theo Lacy. The purpose of this letter is clarify our proposal for State reentry programs, repeat my offer to work with the City of Orange as the County moves forward through the application process, and to offer comments on the draft Resolution.
Historically, the County has struggled to keep pace with the rising demand for jail beds. From 1996 through 2000, an average of about 18,000 inmates were released early from jail, each year, due to the lack of jail beds. Addressing the shortage of jail beds has been a multi-pronged approach. The most obvious approach was expanding the Theo Lacy facility to its maximum capacity as defined by the revised MOU between the City of Orange and the County that was approved by the Board on March 24, 1998. In addition, the County’s criminal justice system conducts a wide variety of alternatives to incarceration that have shifted low level offenders to out-of-custody programs such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, home confinement, and community work programs. However, even with the efforts of the past, the Orange County jail system is overcrowded and expected to need an additional 3,217 rated beds by the year 2011. The opportunity to compete for up to $100 million for jail construction at Musick is something I believe is critical to the County being able to add jail beds to help keep Orange County a safe place to live, work, and play.More...
March 25, 2008 10:39 by Ryan
Officers team up to catch killer who may have started spree in Visalia, BY HILLARY S. MEEKS:
[...]
Detective Larry Pool of the Orange County Sheriff's Department has hung onto this case since 1998, when he was working as an unsolved-homicide detective. He was investigating a series of murders that started in Orange County in 1980.
Now, he believes the man who committed those murders is the same man Whitmeyer is chasing.
The Orange County unsolved-homicide department has closed, but Pool was allowed to keep investigating the case.
"You can't just walk away from it," he said.
Pool was hooked by one major aspect of the case: The serial killer was the boldest he has heard of in the United States. While most attempt to lure their prey into the killer's world — such as their car or house — this man would go into his prey's world and attack there, Pool said.
Those he brutalized thought they were locked safe inside their homes, Pool said. He would even target couples.
"He puts himself at risk time and time again," Pool said. "This guy is so brazen, and he likes terrorizing so much. I think it's that extra quality that haunts you."
Read the whole story here.
March 25, 2008 10:36 by Ryan
From their website:
[...]
Dogs were used in the training exercise and are also used in real-life disasters.
"We are a team," said Lisa Samsel from the Orange County Sheriff's Department in California. "He (dog) leads me sometimes and I lead him sometimes."
The team worked together, learning how to communicate.
"This job would be so much easier if we were able to talk to the dogs," added Captain Ingledue.
It may only have been a training exercise, but it's training that will someday save a life.
There are 28 teams from across the county in town for the training. Teams say they never want to use the training they get, but they need to make sure they're prepared.
March 21, 2008 09:38 by John
More than 900 supporters of the Sheriff’s Department gathered at an Irvine hotel Friday to honor 38 members of the department for acts of valor, courage, merit and lifesaving.
It was the Department’s 20th Annual Medal of Valor Luncheon.
Some of those attending were members of the Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, Contract Police Services Partners and family and friends of those receiving awards.
The Master of Ceremonies was once again television personality Ed Arnold.
For a list of those who received awards click this: Medal of Valor.pdf (4.45 mb)
Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson beamed with pride at those who had earned awards.
Following the Department members receiving their awards, Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson made remarks for the occassion. He told those assembled:
“I don’t think it’s a surprise to any of you that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has no shortage of heroes
Our 119-year history is filled with stories of brave men and women running toward harm’s way while others are running away.
In the 20 years we’ve celebrated the Medal of Valor Awards, we have always realized that it takes many men and women doing extraordinary things every single day to make the Orange County Sheriff’s Department successful.
Our success rests, not only on those we honor, but also on the shoulders of our unsung heroes. More...
March 20, 2008 16:01 by John
The City of Lake Forest has recognized two Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies for exceptional performance in providing service to the city’s residents.
Deputy Tony Benfield was named the Lake Forest Police Services’ Deputy of the Year for 2007. The City Council resolution said:
“Deputy Sheriff Tony Benfield has been a member of the Lake Forest Police Services’ patrol staff since October 2005. Tony was selected to be a Field Training Officer this past year, and has trained several new deputies in the city. The quality of the deputies he trains is unsurpassed. In addition, Tony has received recognition for many notable arrests this past year, including the apprehension of several fleeing felons, car thieves, and narcotics violators. Tony also provided information for South Narcotics that resulted in the arrest of several drug dealers.
Tony’s commitment to making the community safer, coupled with his strong work ethic, resulted in 180 arrests, with fifty of those arrests for felony law violations. Deputy Benfield’s work has been exemplary as a patrol deputy and as a mentor to new personnel. It is for these reasons that Deputy Tony Benfield was selected by his supervisors as the Lake Forest Police Services’ Deputy of the Year for 2007.”
The Lake Forest City Council also recognized Deputy Donna Sievers with the city’s Meritorious Service Award. She was being singled out for her contribution making the city’s safer.
The City Council resolution said:
Deputy Sheriff Donna Sievers has been a Motor Deputy in Lake Forest for the past ten years. Deputy Sievers consistently issues the most citations in the Sheriff’s Department. Her dedication to duty and commitment to making Lake Forest a safer place to drive has made a profound impact in the reduction of accidents. For this reason, Deputy Donna Sievers is the recipient of the first Lake Forest Police Services Meritorious Services Award.
Lt. Don Barnes, Chief of Police Services for Lake Forest, said that in the 10 years Deputy Sievers has been with the city, she has issued about 18,500 traffic citations.
March 20, 2008 09:49 by John
A federal jury took just 20 minutes to reach a verdict in favor of Deputies Mark Kent and Adam Moore in a case in which they were accused of using excessive force on an jail inmate on February 28, 2001. The case was on trial for more than three weeks before U.S. District Court Judge Alicemarie Stotler.
For the Orange County Register's story on the verdict click here.
For the Register's story on the beginning of the trial click here.
March 19, 2008 13:11 by John
The Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has honored 14 Deputies for among the best records in the county for making DUI arrests.
This year’s OC MADD award luncheon was held in remembrance of Steven Frank Ambriz, who was killed in a collision with an impaired driver on May 25, 2006. Mr. Ambriz was a manager for the Orange County Health Care Agency where his duties included directing appreciation programs for law enforcement, fire and paramedic professionals. He had also served as a Chief of Staff to former County Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who is now an Assemblyman. Mr. Ambriz was a City Councilman in the City of Orange at the time of his death.
Assemblyman Spitzer was the keynote speaker at the awards luncheon held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birth place in Yorba Linda.
Among those in law enforcement honored by the group was Deputy Will Funk, of South Operatons was given an Officer Volunteer Award for his service on his own time to the MADD chapter.
Two Deputies were identified as among those having made more than 100 DUI arrests in the last year.
Deputy Dallas Hennessey, Lake Forest Police Services, made 111 DUI arrests.
Deputy Peter Mach, Stanton Police Service made 101.
Deputy Brett Gardner, Dana Point Police Services was given an award for making more than 50 DUI arrests.
The following Deputies were given awards for making more than 25 DUI arrests: Deputy Jesse Arellano, Lake Forest Police Services; Deputy John Barbour, Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services; Deputy Christina Brown, Laguna Hills Police Services; Deputy Jonathan Daruvala, Dana Point Police Services; Deputy Jay Elliott, San Clemente Police Services; Deputy Richard Fassel, San Clemente Police Services; Deputy Sherri Gilman, San Clemente Police Services; Deputy Steven Hoffman, Dana Point Police Services; Deputy Brad Kenneally, Mission Viejo Police Services; Deputy Eduardo Macias, Traffic Divison; Deputy Jeff Puckett, Lake Forest Police Services.
March 19, 2008 13:00 by Ryan
 Here are the results for Week 7 of the Battle of the Badges, as of the end of day, Thursday, March 13th:
OC Sheriff has a combined weight loss of 260.7 lbs and a combined percent weight loss of 10.14%.
Santa Ana Police has a combined weight loss of 337.7 lbs and a combined percent weight loss of 13.02%.
- Both teams have lost a total of 598.4 lbs so far!!
- One participant is at 15% and another is at 16%!!!
- 14 participants are over 10% weight loss!
March 18, 2008 14:34 by John
The Department held a press conference this morning to ask for the public to help in the hunt for a bank robber who has struck 10 banks in Orange County in recent weeks.
Those joining Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson at the press conference were FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kevin Blair along with Lt. Patrick Thayer, Sgt. Dan Adams and Sgt. Matt Miller from the Orange Police Department and Inv. William Allison of the Garden Grove Police Department.
Reporters and news crews were given a flyer and several surveillance camera pictures of the wanted bandit.
Wells Fargo has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the bank robber.
To see the flyer click on: Scar Face Bandit Flyer2.doc (1.28 mb)
For Orange County Register story on the bank robber click here.
March 18, 2008 11:57 by Ryan
 Yesterday morning a rambunctious band of preschoolers enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in a beautiful park dedicated to the memory of one of our fallen heroes. While the four and five-year-olds played on the jungle gym and monkey bars, dug in the sand, and played tag, colorful eggs full of candy, temporary tattoos and money were being hidden in the green grass and open space surrounding the playground. Over the last year Sergeant Matt Davis Park has become a great location for parents and children to spend time together and mark the passing seasons.
Last May the City of Mission Viejo and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department officially dedicated this beautiful park to the memory of Sergeant Matt Davis. Sergeant Davis was serving the City of Mission Viejo on the afternoon of September 20, 2002, when he was involved in a traffic collision. Sergeant Davis fought valiantly for two days, but despite heroic medical efforts he succumbed to his injuries on September 22, 2002.
Sergeant Matt Davis’ legacy, his commitment to making Mission Viejo and Orange County a safe place to share and play, continues today. The smiles, laughter and joy exhibited by the preschool class yesterday can be seen everyday on the faces of those who visit this park which bears his name. More...
March 17, 2008 13:56 by John
On the weekend of March 14, 15, and 16, 2008, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Explorer Post 449 sent a team of 10 Explorers and three Advisors to the Imperial Valley Explorer Competition, held in El Centro, CA. The competition was hosted by the Calexico PD, Imperial County Sheriff’s Department, and the US Border Patrol.
Post 449 competed in thirteen events and took honors in the following:
Marijuana Field Raid DUI Scenario – 1st Place
Tubular Assault – 2nd Place Tug-o-war
5150 Scenario Felony Stops
Building Search – 4th Place 5K Run
Active Shooter Scenario – 2nd Place Obstacle Course – 4th Place
Tactical Shoot – 2nd Place Volleyball
Bicycle Course
Best Overall - OCSD Post 449 – 1st PLACE
These events are designed to be challenging. Each Post is graded on officer safety, awareness, ability, firearm discipline, light discipline, and most of all, teamwork. But at the end of the day the most important goal was to have FUN! The following Explorers represented our Department with the utmost integrity:
Mike Grijalva (Lake Forest) Simona Popsecu (Mission Viejo)
Grant Latimore (South) Nick Walsh (South)
Melissa Borjas (North) Rachel Rodriguez (North)
Lorenzo Corona (West) Eddie Pena (West)
Melissa Gorfu (West) Alex Bollman (Tri-cities) More...
March 17, 2008 11:40 by Ryan
From the Orange County Register:
For more than a year the Orange County Sheriff's Department has had specially-trained deputies screening county jail inmates for immigration status. Arrestees who are determined to be in this country illegally are detained and turned over to federal immigration authorities after their criminal cases are resolved.
Out of about 68,000 arrestees who were screened between Jan. 2007 and January of this year, 4,683 were found to be illegal immigrants, or about 7 percent of all screened arrestees. (About 3,000 of them had been arrested for non-immigration-related felonies, the rest for non-immigration misdemeanors.)
Read it all right here.
March 17, 2008 11:30 by Ryan
From the Community Services blog:
We are saddened to inform you that on Saturday, 3-15-08, at approximately 1415 hours, David Edgar was drag racing in an organized event in the Fontana area when he collided with the wall at the finish line. He was traveling at approximately 118 MPH at the time of the collision. He was taken to Arrowhead Regional Hospital in the Fontana/Rialto area and placed into a medically induced coma.
David Edgar and his family are responsible for the Edgar fund; a generous endowment for the support of OCSD Law Enforcement Officers and programs.
The family is requesting no visitors at this time. Although David is expected to recover from his injuries, he is still in need of our prayers.
March 17, 2008 10:47 by John
The Juvenile Services Bureau (JSB) works to provide comprehensive investigative, counseling, rehabilitation and referral services to area youths that come in contact with law enforcement. In concert with the goals of the Juvenile Court System to rehabilitate youthful offenders, the Juvenile Services Bureau of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department works in a collaborative effort with the Orange County Juvenile Probation Department to divert selected juvenile offenders away from the criminal justice system into alternative programs.
As part of their service to the community, JSB presents "Is Your Teen At Risk?" programs at local high schools and service centers. Some of those who help with presentations have Websites that provide information help parents of troubled youngsters. Among those Websites are:
For more information on Gil and Flo Mulhere’s presentation on teen substance abuse please visit http://www.calyouthservices.org/.
For more information about Gillian Sabet or to see information related to teen distracted driving please visit http://www.journeysafe.com/.
For more information about the CHP “Start Smart” teen driving education please visit www.chp.ca.gov/community/startsmart.html More...
March 14, 2008 13:28 by John
Deputies Chris Corn, Sean Scoles and Bert Copeland were underway in a Department fireboat on a routine patrol in early March.
The sea was calm and sky was clear. The weather was warm enough for Deputies Corn and Copeland to wear shorts for the first time this year. Deputy Scoles was still in long trousers; winter is technically still with us. All three know that the relatively quiet winter season will soon end and the busy spring and summer boating season will begin.
Throughout the year the Department’s Harbor Patrol provides all law enforcement services on the water and they serve as the only marine firefighters in the county. In winter they also provide the services undertaken during the summer by city and state lifeguard boat crews. If there is a winter rescue requiring that requires a boat, it is Harbor Patrol responds.
The patrol area for the Department vessels based in Newport Beach from the Huntington Beach Pier south to Main Beach in Laguna Beach. The county is responsible for anything that happens up to three-miles offshore.
In summer, the entrance to Newport Beach harbor is often clogged with boats.
“You name it. We are out here with everything ranging from multi-million dollar vessels to boats that barely float,” said Corn, the senior deputy aboard. More...
March 14, 2008 13:20 by Ryan
 Each year the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary recognizes outstanding local police, deputy sheriff and fire fighters for their accomplishments. On Thursday, March 06, 2008 Deputy Monte Huotari was recognized as the 2007 North Patrol Deputy of the year.
The highlights noted in his nomination were his 19 years of service to the Sheriff’s Department, where he has excelled in all aspects of law enforcement. He is an experienced, knowledgeable patrol deputy who has trained numerous patrol deputies. He is a dedicated public servant who represents the department well.
Monte is a mentor to the less experienced deputies and respected by his peers and supervisors alike for his work ethic and abilities.
|
|