Here's the video of yesterday's press conference. Sheriff Hutchens gives a preview of her CCW policy for the first four minutes and forty seconds (4:40). The video will allow you to scroll ahead if you desire: 

 

 

The Fourth of July always provides additional challenges for law enforcement, and this one was certainly no different.

The shooting of Gynnae Ramos and the abduction of her 9-year old son Ryan Ramos pulled 50 investigators into the field, supported by uniform deputies and a wide range of non-sworn personnel.  An Amber Alert was put out for Ryan and his father Lonnie Ramos. Over the holiday weekend, I met with Gynnae and briefed her on the search for her son and her estranged husband.  While public attention was primarily focused on the kidnapping, most of our Department was busy keeping the peace at holiday parades, public BBQs and fireworks displays in virtually all of our contract cities. Harbor Patrol helped host a Newport Harbor cruise for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, where many of us spent our Friday morning.

On Saturday, I met with the Ramos family at a press conference organized by our Department Public Information Director Jim Amormino.  The family made a public plea for help finding young Ryan.  Those efforts proved effective as a tip came in that the RV in which the boy and his father were believed traveling had been left near the Mexican border.  On Sunday, word came that the boy had been dropped safely at a Mormon Church in Juárez.  Within two hours, Investigators Mario Gutierrez and Mike Starnes were on their way to Juárez, aboard a private plane owned and piloted by Department Professional Services Responder Tim Reynolds. Reserve Deputy Al Pregler served as co-pilot. The investigators worked with the U.S. Marshals and Mexican authorities to have the boy released to them. They returned the next morning and mother and son were reunited.

By Monday, July 7, we were putting the finishing touches on the investigation and returning to “normal” operation. The caliber of police work I observed over the holiday weekend makes me proud to be one of you. Thank you for your extraordinary efforts.

Here's video of the ceremony:

Here's the transcript of her speech: More...

Sheriff Sandra Hutchens will be sworn in as the 12th Sheriff of the County of Orange today, June 24th  at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place on the steps in front of the Old County Court House, located at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, in Santa Ana. 

The Honorable Carolyn Kirkwood, Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Panel of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange will administer the oath of office.

Members of the Board of Supervisors, dignitaries, along with city and county officials will be in attendance to witness this historic event.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recognized the Department's Emergency Management Bureau, along with emergency managers from coastal cities in Orange County, for the achievement of completing the Natonal Weather Service StormReady and TsunamiReady programs. Orange County has become the nation's most populous county to earn the Weather Service honor.

To read the Board of Supervisors staff report on the issue click here.  

To see the National Weather Service press release on the county's achievement click More...

 RETIRED LASD CHIEF SANDRA HUTCHENS PICKED AS ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF 

Today the Orange County Board of Supervisors selected Retired Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Division Chief Sandra Hutchens as Sheriff. She will command the second largest Sheriff’s Department in California, with 4,000 employees, including more than 1,700 sworn deputies. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a budget of more than $700 million.

“My appointment as Orange County Sheriff signifies a time for reform; a time of change for the people of Orange County and this department,” said Hutchens. “It is an honor and privilege to serve, and I am resolute in my commitment to bring about transformation, restoring integrity and the public’s trust in our law enforcement agency.”  

A longtime Orange County resident, Hutchens emerged from a pool of 48 contenders for the job. Hutchens brings more than 29 years of high-profile law enforcement experience, including jail operations, patrol, investigations and administrative assignments. Throughout her career, she successfully moved through the ranks of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department from deputy to chief – experience that offers her intimate knowledge of a Sheriff’s Department and what a Sheriff’s organization truly needs from its leadership. 

Hutchens has identified the Department’s jail system as her first priority for change. Her experience includes working in the Los Angeles County jail system for more than six years at the rank of deputy, sergeant and lieutenant. Her experience has prepared Hutchens for the myriad of issues facing the Orange County jail system, including: overcrowding, supervision, efficient management of limited resources and accountability. This keen insight into the system has driven her desire to implement new solutions – including the application of technology and proven “best practices” in the worldwide law enforcement community.  

She visited the Department headquarters shortly after her appointment and was welcomed by the Department members she met during her visit. She also met with the Departments Command Staff to discuss the transition.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad held a demonstration this week to alert parents to the dangers of explosives that their children can make from materials found around the home.

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson told the members of the press who came for the demonstration that as summer approaches and children are out of school, the Department wants to make sure parents, teachers, neighbors and friends are aware of this very real danger posed by homemade explosives.

The dangers include pipe bombs, fireworks, bottle rockets and other devices that young people have been known to make and explode.

On hand for the demonstration and to talk to the press was Vanessa Viramontes, a victim of an explosion and Dr. Mike Lekawa, UCI Medical Center Trauma surgeon who has treated numerous cases of injuries due to explosions.

For pictures of a watermelon blown apart by an M-80 firecracker click More...

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

PRESS RELEASE#4                                                                                                                      

Date:  May 22, 2008

Time:  2045

  

EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

  Voluntary evacuations orders have been lifted for Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyonsbut road closures in Williams and Live Oak Canyons remain in force for non-residents.  

Road conditions throughout Orange County may be hazardous due to the storm and motorists are cautioned to drive with care. Access to Modjeska Canyon is unrestricted but Williams and Live Oak Canyons are open to residents only. Santiago Canyon Road remains closed between Loma Ridge Road and Silverado Canyon. 

Cautionary signs are being placed at Modjeska and Santiago and Live Oak to remind motorists to slow down. 

Severe rain that caused mudslides in the canyons is believed to have damaged at least two homes and one business. There was one injury in a rain related traffic accident.  

The County of Orange issued a Proclamation of a Local Emergency Thursday afternoon.  The rain caused slides and damage to areas that were burned by the Santiago Fire in October and November 2007.  

The National Weather Service warned that similar rain and thunderstorms could return tomorrow afternoon. 

If residents have any questions, they can call the Orange County Emergency Operations Center hotline at (714) 628-7085 until 10 p.m. 

Press updates after 10 p.m. can be obtained by calling the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Watch Commander.

John Moorlach, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors has issued a Local Emergency Proclamation to help in storm response.  

ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  PRESS RELEASE # 3
  Date:  May 22, 2008
  Time:  1745

PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY

Severe rain that caused mudslides in several canyon areas along with evacuations and property damage prompted the County of Orange to issue a Proclamation of a Local Emergency Thursday afternoon.

The Proclamation was issued by John Moorlach, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He acted in the absence of the County Board of Supervisors being in session in at the request of the Orange County Director of Emergency Services.

The Proclamation noted that there had been significant rainfall and it caused flooding, debris flows, mudslides and related damage in the areas burned by the Santiago Fire in October and November 2007.  The weather conditions and the short term weather forecast constitutes conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property in Orange County, the Proclamation said. The conditions are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the County of Orange and require the assistance from other political subdivisions.

The Proclamation is intended to reopen the county’s claim for emergency compensation for damages and expenses related to the Santiago Fire. It will also help county emergency workers in seeking outside help if necessary.

Voluntary evacuations orders remain in force for Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyons.

The Orange County Fairgrounds (88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa) can accept large animals from residents.  Residents must call ahead to (714) 708-1588 to inform OC Fairgrounds that they are coming and to receive directions about which gate to enter.  Residents are expected to bring any necessary supplies for their large animals.

If residents have any questions, they can call the Orange County Emergency Operations Center hotline at (714) 628-7085.

Mud flows have been reported in Modjeska, Williams, and Live Oak Canyons.

Any residents requiring shelter please contact (714) 628-7085.

To view the proclamation click here: Orange County Local Proclamation Storm May 22 2008.pdf (105.92 kb)

The Orange County Emergency Operations Center is currently monitoring the situation. 

The Register reports:

Torrential rain falling in the canyon areas this afternoon has created mud and debris flows with unconfirmed reports that people are trapped in homes and at a park.

Modjeska, Williams, Live Oak and Trabuco canyons are under mandatory evacuation order as rain continues to fall. About 1,000 people are reportedly affected in these areas. Large animals are to be moved to the Orange County fairgrounds.

"The first reports of mud flows in Modjeska Canyon began at 12:25 p.m.," Orange County Fire authority Capt. Mike Blawn said.

"Williams Canyon is unpassable," Blawn said, "with reports of residents trapped in their homes. Debris is reported to spread from canyon wall-to-canyon wall, but people will be fine if we can get a grader in there."

Read the story and updates here.

 

The Orange County Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony was held this morning at the Plaza of the Flags in Santa Ana. The Orange County Register's Doug Irving and Denisse Salazar attended:

Colleen Sowma said a quick prayer Wednesday at the bronze plaque that bears the name of her husband. She always does during Orange County's annual Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony.

He was a Cypress police officer, but she remembers him as the great father who always took the kids to Little League and Cub Scouts. He was shot during a burglary investigation in 1976, one of 48 officers and deputies killed in the line of duty in Orange County history.

On Wednesday, hundreds of law-enforcement officials gathered at the county's Peace Officers' Memorial Monument in Santa Ana to pay tribute to the fallen. They watched in silence as a riderless horse clopped past, and sat in silence as each of the 48 names was read out loud.

This year, Anaheim Police Chief John Welter provided the keynote address, as he is currently serving as the President of the Orange County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association. His address follows: 

Good Morning.  It is a true honor and a privilege for me to speak today on behalf of the Orange County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association.  It is customary for the President of the Association to speak, unless an Orange County peace officer has fallen in the previous year.  When that occurs, the honor is bestowed on the Chief Officer of the agency in which the fallen officer served.  I’m grateful that this is the third year that the President of our Association is speaking.   We have gone three years without losing a peace officer in Orange County.   We all pray that we continue that trend for years to come. More...

Newport Harbor, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday, May 12, 2008.  The agreement delineates the specific responsibilities of each agency when responding to maritime incidents in Orange County, Calif.

 

To read the Coast Guard press release click here.

Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson gave brief remarks to the media today. Tomorrow morning he will address the Board of Supervisors.

Here's a rough transcript of his remarks to the media:

“I’d like to start by thanking the District Attorney and the Special Grand Jury for their work and the time they put into this investigation.

Just like the District Attorney, I am outraged by the actions of some members of this Department. Not all though. Remember this and I have to remind those who work every day that this is not representative of those who work hard every day and provide an ethical days work.

As you are aware, we only received this document today and we’re taking our time to go through it thoroughly so we can be accurate in our review of the investigation. However, let there be no mistake. I will take firm and appropriate action wherever necessary. 

I can assure the members of the public, the media and our Board of Supervisors that a new culture has arrived at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, starting today. 

Tomorrow I will be speaking before the Board of Supervisors for what I believe will be a series of times I will speak keeping them apprised of what’s happening as we move forward in this investigation of our own on this matter.  I want to try to make this effort so we can reassure the public that they can have confidence in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The Acting Sheriff also answered a few questions. One member of the media asked if it was unfair to characterize any of our personnel as "lazy". Here's his repsonse:

"I am offended by what I read in this document. This is behavior that I’m not familiar with.  Coming up through the organization,  I worked with men and women who did an honest day’s work everyday and went home with pride knowing they made a difference in the community. What’s being revealed to me in these pages in regard to people being remiss and not doing their duty I find offensive .  I truly do. That’s why I’ll be moving forward with the investigation and take firm action regarding those actions.  I disapprove of those who were engaged in that type of behavior. 

The following press release was just issued from our office: 

Inmate Jason Gomez, 35, of Anaheim died at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

He had been involved in an incident on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Intake Release Center.  The incident is still under internal review by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is investigating to determine if any criminal conduct was involved in the death.

The facts gathered by the Sheriff’s Department at this time indicate that an Orange County Health Care Agency mental health nurse’s arm was injured by inmate Gomez.  The inmate’s continued erratic behavior caused jail staff to enter his cell and a struggle ensued. Tasers were deployed. Several jail staff suffered minor injuries. Injuries to deputies included a bitten finger, bruising and blood exposure when the inmate spat at the deputies.

Gomez was restrained but later stopped breathing while awaiting the arrival of medical transportation. CPR was administered by jail medical staff and deputies. Paramedics were summoned and Gomez was rushed to a local hospital by ambulance. The extent of injury to the inmate was at first unclear and it was initially reported that he would survive. Further tests revealed more complications. His next of kin were notified last week.

On Friday, March 28, when it appeared that the inmate was in a life threatening condition, the District Attorney’s office was briefed and informed. The District Attorney, with the support of Sheriff’s investigators, then initiated an investigation into the incident.

On Tuesday April 1st, Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson placed several personnel on paid administrative leave, pending the Sheriff’s Department’s internal review of the incident. Administrative leave is not a disciplinary action and does not reflect any finding of wrongdoing.  The administrative review will continue during the Sheriff’s Department’s internal affairs investigation.

Mike Gennaco, executive director of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Office of independent review met on Monday with the Department’s officials to review what is known and what needs to be done in the probe.  Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson retained Gennaco to help review Department policies and procedures in the effort to prepare for the Office of Independent Review that is being formed in Orange County.

This is the first time that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has included an outside monitor for an internal investigation.

The Sheriff’s Department will have no further comment, pending the outcome of the District Attorney’s investigation and the Sheriff’s internal review.

This video was featured at the Medal of Valor luncheon last Friday. The Register covered the ceremony here.

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.

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...