Brazilian TV to Feature SCPD's Predictive Policing

For all of you fluent in Portuguese, Globo TV  sent a crew in from New York to feature the SCPD predictive policing program. The program will run as a feature broadcast in Brazilian in the coming week. The reporter met with Dr. George Mohler of Santa Clara University to discuss the algorithm and Zach Friend and Lt. Larry Richard of Santa Cruz Police to understand its operational implications.

Department Begins Preparations for Halloween

While it is more than a month away the Santa Cruz Police Department has been setting the ground work for this year's Halloween. As with previous years, downtown will face road closures and a safety enhancement (triple fine) zone. The Department focuses on a very proactive enforcement of laws to attempt to maintain a peaceful environment in the area. Here is an overview of enforcement from last year:

▪ 40 total arrests on Pacific Avenue

▪ 23 triple fine violations

▪ 80 percent of total arrests were for public intoxication

▪ Over 200 calls-for-service outside of downtown on Halloween

We encourage anyone interested in coming downtown for Halloween to play safe and stay sober. Overwhelmingly, the issues we face are alcohol-fueled on that evening.

A map of the triple fine zone can be found below:

Sounds of SCPD - 3rd Installment!

Since this has become one of the most requested elements of our blog we are going to keep tracking down officers to see what music they are listening to while at the PD. Here we go!

Deputy Chief Steve Clark

• Save me San Francisco (Train)
• Love Done Gone (Billy Currington)
• Valerie (Bruno Mars Tribute to Amy Winehouse)

Officer Erik Peabody

• The Trance is in the Motion (Static-X)
• Wormwood (Callisto)
• Syndic Calls (Isis)

Officer Joe Hernandez

• Maria (Ricky Martin)
• Fuego (Menudo)
• Baraja de Oro (Ramon Ayala)

Want to see what others are listening to? Here are the first and second installments.

Jax - Police K9 Retires

The longest serving member of the Santa Cruz Police Department (at least in dog years) will be recognized in a retirement ceremony today at the 2:30 pm City Council meeting. Jax, one of our police K9s, served alongside Officer Karina Cecena for over eight years (at least 56 dog years).  He has said that he plans to spend his retirement years with his family and walking on West Cliff Drive; one of his favorite locations.

Jax, a German Shepard, was born in 2003 and joined Officer Cecena’s family soon after.  While at the Police Department he located burglary suspects, weapons used in serious crimes, narcotics and even aided in missing person searches. In addition, Jax would travel to neighboring jurisdictions to aid other law enforcement agencies while he was on duty. 

At today’s City Council meeting Jax and Officer Cecena will receive a proclamation deeming it “Jax Day” in the City of Santa Cruz. He will collect a hefty pension of dog bones, squeaky toys and treats courtesy from his friends and family at SCPD. He is retiring well over the minimum age of 50... 

SCPD Most Wanted: Week of September 26th

Santa Cruz Police Most Wanted: Week of September 26th 

Name: Jonell Cesar Dyer

Description: 23 years-old, 5’09”, 150 pounds

Santa Cruz Resident

Felony warrant (possession of controlled substances)

Note: Dyer has several arrests for possession of controlled substances.  Call 911 if you need an officer response. You can leave a tip by calling 831-420-5995 or via our iPhone app or on our website. You can also call Police Investigations at 831-420-5820 with information.

SCPD Honor Guard Participates in Memorial Event

The Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard joined hundreds of friends, family, city officials and police representatives in a moving memorial event for Deputy City Attorney Celestial Cassman Saturday at Lighthouse Point. Celestial was a good friend of SCPD and will be deeply missed. 

Here are some photos from the event courtesy of Brad Kava of Patch.com. For an article on the memorial please click here.

Join SCPD and SC Neighbors for Neighbor Night Out - Oct. 2nd!

Join Santa Cruz Police, Santa Cruz Fire, UCSC and members of the City Council as we join with Santa Cruz Neighbors for the annual Neighbor Night Out block parties on October 2nd. Forty neighborhoods will be hosting free block parties from Noon-8 pm complete with food, events, music, children's games and more.

Santa Cruz Police officers will be there to show off their cars to the kids (and those young at heart), participate in some of the games and possibly even grab some BBQ! Last year's event was a tremendous success. It's a great way for neighbors to get to meet neighbors in a supportive and open environment. It's also a great opportunity to interact with city and university officials in your neighborhood.

Want more information? Click here for the Santa Cruz Neighbors website. Want to see where there is an event near you? We've put together a map below. The map is subject to change (times and locations) but should give a general overview.

SCPD Wins Prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

At today’s League of California Cities Annual Conference in San Francisco the Santa Cruz Police Department was selected as a winner of the Helen Putnam Award of Excellence. The department received the prestigious award from the League of California Cities for developing the first consumer-focused police mobile application in the nation. Deputy Chief Steve Clark received the award on behalf of the department. “It is essential that law enforcement makes its information as transparent and readily accessible as possible for their communities,” Deputy Chief Clark said, “this app is one step toward that goal and we’re honored to be recognized as a statewide model.”

The Santa Cruz Police Department, worked with EZ Axess, a company started by two recent graduates of the University of California, Santa Cruz, to develop the application. The free mobile app is available via iTunes and the Apple store and provides access to the department’s scanner feed, online crime maps, videos, photos and a departmental blog. In addition, consumers can submit crime tips from their mobile phone and view alerts.

Established in 1982 by the League of California Cities, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by California's cities. According to the League, the winning cities have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses, contributions which have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. The purpose of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program is to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments to:

• Improve the quality of life in local communities
• Implement efficiencies in service delivery and operations
• Provide services responsive to the local community

"We believe that applications like this build bridges between the community and their local government," EZ Axess CEO Kushyar Kasraie said. "We are excited to play a role in connecting the community with their police department and assuring there are no barriers to access of information."

The mobile app is part of focused social media and web-based outreach strategy over the last year. During that time the department has created a blog, Facebook page, online crime maps, online tips, Nixle alert system and more. 

PRIDE Program Enters Second Year!

Tonight marks the first night of the second PRIDE program. The PRIDE Program (Personally Responsible Individual Development in Ethics) is overseen by Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez of the department's Community Services Section.

Working in conjunction with Santa Cruz City Schools and the County Office of Education, the program is a multi-faceted approach to early gang prevention for local intermediate school-aged kids.

The nine-week program is designed to educate, mentor and guide troubled youth in the decision-making process.  Through guest speakers, trips and activities, participants will focus on positive and negative impacts of decision making. For example, during the course on bad decision making, participants may hear from former gang members, drug users and gang investigators. They will tour a state prison, police department and even a local morgue.

The second part of the program focuses on positive decision making. Speakers in this section will highlight successes as a result of avoiding gangs and drugs. These speakers will include successful sports players, business people, police officers, elected officials, educators and others. Upon completion of the program the teens will participate in a formal graduation with local police officials, family and friends.

The program is modeled after a successful program in Southern California that has shown participants to improve school test scores, graduation rates, engage in less violent or negative behavior and avoid gang/drug use.

Most Wanted: Week of September 12th

SCPD Most Wanted: Week of September 12th

This week the SCPD Most Wanted are the two suspects wanted in conjunction with felony assault on a police officer. We need your help in locating these two suspects. We have received a number of tips, including some as far as San Francisco, regarding their whereabouts. It is possible they have fled the area.

Wanted: Ryan Mang and Shivhan Armstrong

Details: On September 14, 2011 at approximately 10:00 pm, a Santa Cruz Police Department officer spotted a suspicious truck in a residential neighborhood in the 200 block of Jackson St.  The officer pulled-up and spoke to the two occupants.  He began to run a preliminary check on them as well as their vehicle.  The vehicle had paper dealership plates (it appears that the actual license plates had been removed).  Just as the officer was receiving information from dispatch advising him the truck was stolen, the driver started the truck and pulled away.  The officer was standing at the driver’s door and was dragged approximately 30 feet as the truck pulled away.  He was eventually thrown from the side of the truck, narrowly escaping being run over. 

Additional officers responded and eventually located the stolen truck abandoned on Isbel Court. Witnesses reported the occupants were picked up by another car and driven from the scene.  Officers processed the stolen truck and located heroin and property believed to have been stolen. Based on information collected during processing, and statements from the officer, police have identified the suspects as Ryan Mang and Shivhan Armstrong. Both Mr. Mang and Ms. Armstrong have extensive local criminal histories.

If you have any information regarding this incident you are encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820, leave a tip via www.santacruzpolice.com, or via our smartphone app

The Moose is Loose

Special thanks to JD Sotelo and The Loyal Order of Moose - Santa Cruz Lodge #545 for their donation of “Tommy Moose”.  JD is the Community Service Chairman for the local Lodge.  JD recently presented Chief Kevin Vogel with a dozen Tommy Moose stuffed dolls.  This week, Tommy Moose will hit the streets ready for duty.  The Police Department will provide Tommy Moose to children that are victims of crime, or found in another situation where Tommy can bring comfort.     

The Tommy Moose Program is an extension of Moose to help emergency responders and children in our community.  The Police Department is extremely thankful to our community partners like The Loyal Order of Moose - Santa Cruz Lodge #545.  Their continued care and support improve the quality of life for all in our community.  More information about the Tommy Moose Program can be found at http://www.tommymoose.org 

Sgt. Erik Swannack Retires

After nearly 23 years of distinguished service with the Santa Cruz Police Department Sgt. Erik Swannack has decided to spend more time surfing, travelling and being with his two daughters. Today is his final day with our agency. Sgt. Swannack has served in a remarkable leadership role for the Santa Cruz Police Department including winning Officer of the Year two times during his career and receiving the Medal of Honor for helping rescue a woman from the rubble at the Ford's Department store downtown during the earthquake.

During his tenure, Sgt. Swannack served as a Field Training Officer (mentoring young officers), was a member of the Firearms Team, worked downtown and in the original Street Crimes Unit. Additionally, he attended untold number of community events and meetings evening donning the McGruff costume for events and parades. He will retire as one of the sergeants in the Investigations Section - overseeing property crime investigations.

He embodies community-oriented policing and his dedication to our community is unsurpassed. Sgt. Swannack will be missed. If you see him out and about please thank him for his dedicated service!

Officer Injury - Help us Locate These Suspects UPDATE ARRESTS

SECOND UPDATE: On October 6, 2011 Shivhan Armstrong turned herself in to Santa Cruz Police. Both suspects wanted in this case are now in custody. Thank you for your tips and support!

FIRST UPDATE: On October 2, 2011 San Francisco Police arrested Ryan Mang. Mr. Mang was arrested while in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. Ms. Armstrong still remains at-large. 

We need your help locating these two individuals - Ryan Mang and Shivhan Armstrong. Both are wanted in conjunction with an officer injured last night during a traffic stop. The officer was dragged for approximately 30 feet before being thrown from the truck they are believed to have stolen. The officer has been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries. If you see these suspects please call 911.

Santa Cruz Police Celebrate With Dominican Hospital

This week the Santa Cruz Police Department joined Dominican Hospital in celebrating its 70^th anniversary.  The hospital has served as the primary emergency medical facility for officers injured in the line of duty from bumps and bruises to serious injuries.  For the Police Department, the hospital has served as more than just a medical facility.  The Police Department interfaces with Dominican Hospital in many ways.  The hospital has been involved in many important community issues that cross lines with police services.  For example, Dominican Hospital dedicated thousands of dollars for the county-wide Serial Inebriate Program to help keep chronic alcoholics off the street, and get the necessary treatment.  Additionally, Dominican Hospital has housed the Behavioral Health Unit, where officers take individuals with mental health issues, for assessment and treatment  when they are a danger to themselves or the community.  

As part of the celebration, Deputy Chief Rick Martinez and other SCPD officials attended a ceremony at the hospital.  Additionally, the Santa Cruz Police Department was treated to a bag of goodies that included among other things a living well book and honey from the hospital’s organic garden.  The bag was presented by Sister Beth Butler and Sister Mary Ellen Leciejewski on a tour at the department with Deputy Chief Steve Clark.  Congratulations to Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz and her team at Dominican Hospital.  Together we celebrate their, "Spirit of Giving and Mission of Service."

Get to Know Sgt. Jack McPhillips!

Today we sat down with Sgt. Jack McPhillips to see if we can get inside the man behind the Professional Standards Unit. After a few questions we learned there is less mystery than The Wire would lead us to believe. Sgt. McPhillips is a state-recognized leader in traffic safety and accident investigations, a big believer in community-oriented policing and has recently joined the Professional Standards Unit. Here are a few questions so you can get to know him better!

As baseball season winds down and football season starts what is your favorite football team?

Sgt. McPhillips.  I don’t follow football.  Giants, Giants, Giants!

What is your favorite thing about working for Santa Cruz Police?

Sgt. McPhillips: Every day that I come to work at Santa Cruz Police Department there is something new and interesting occurring. It is true, every day is a new day at Santa Cruz Police Department.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Sgt. McPhillips: I am most proud of being able to balance my work schedule with my family time and being able to juggle both.

When you're not hanging out at the PD where do you like to vacation?

Sgt. McPhillips: Kauai, Hawaii

Tell the world about your background...

Sgt. McPhillips: I was born in Lemoore, California (Lemoore Naval Air Station) and raised in Santa Clara/San Jose. I started at Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office 1986, Santa Cruz PD in 1989 and have held a number of positions here at the department. I have worked in Detention (For the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office), Patrol, Traffic, Downtown Unit (DTU) and Investigations. I was promoted to Sergeant in 2000, and in this capacity I worked Patrol, Traffic, DTU, Training and Professional Standards.

 

Crime Snapshot: January-August 2011

We have posted the first eight months of crime stats for Part 1 crimes on our website.  What are Part 1 crimes?

Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Larceny (Theft), Auto Theft and Arson.

Why do we report Part 1 crimes? We are one of 17,000 agencies across the country that provides these specific crime stats to the FBI. As part of the Uniform Crime Reporting program, this information provides a general snapshot of communities across the country. While there are a number of issues with using this data as a pure comparison tool, it does provide a general snapshot. Here is a comparison of January 1 - August 30, 2010 versus January 1 - August 30, 2011. Also, did you know you can view crime stats for the last 8 years on our website?

Comparing the first eight months of 2010 versus the first eight months of 2011...

• Homicide (-83%)
• Rape (-16%)
• Robbery (-3%)
• Agg. Assault (-7%)
• Burglary (20%)
• Petty Theft (19%)
• Auto Theft (-5%)
• Arson (-38%)

Most Wanted - Week of September 12th

Santa Cruz Police Most Wanted: Week of September 12th

Suspect:  Shannon Mifflin

Description: 54 years-old, 5’06”, 155 pounds, blond hair, blue eyes. 

Frequents lower eastside of Santa Cruz 

Crime:  Felony warrants for burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine and heroin.

Note: Mr.Mifflin has an extensive criminal history with the Santa Cruz Police Department and has failed to appear in court in relation to the above charges. If you see Mr. Mifflin, please call 911 for an officer response or contact (831) 420-5820 (Police Investigations). You can also leave at tip via our iPhone app or online by clicking here.

SCPD Featured on NBC Bay Area Show Press: Here

The Santa Cruz Police Department's predictive policing program was featured on NBC's Press: Here program. You can watch the show here.

September 11th Memorial Event - County Fair

A ceremonial ceremony commemorating victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will be held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds’ Ocean Speedway today from noon until 3 p.m. The hour long opening will honor those who died in the tragedy and emergency responders who heroically gave their lives. Members of the Santa Cruz Police Department will be participating in the event.

Music, food, and a chance to talk with all the first responders follows the opening. It all begins this Sunday, Sept. 11 at noon, and is free to the public. More details can be found here.

Help us Locate this Suspected Thief UPDATE - IN CUSTODY

UPDATE: Thanks to your tips and great work by the investigating officer the suspect in this video is in custody. 

We need your help locating the male in this video. He is suspected of stealing from this computer store. It is the white male with a gray shirt.

Please note that the female in the video is not associated with the crime.

If you know who this male suspect is please call 911 for a police response or Investigations at 420-5820. You can also leave a tip via our iPhone app or website, or you may call and leave an anonymous tip at 420-5995.

Photos from Cookies for Courage Event!

Check out the photos from today's wonderful event at Holy Cross Elementary School.