Welcome Our 3 Newest Officers - SCPD Graduates 3 From the Police Academy Today

The Santa Cruz Police Department is proud to introduce our 3 newest Police Officers:

Jared Johnson

Elliott Rock 

Frederick Yoon

All three graduated today from the Basic Police Academy Class #SB133, at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium. 

Their graduation culminated more than 880 hours of intense training over a 22 week period.   During the Academy, the recruits completed testing on 43 different learning domains, as well as physical and scenario-based testing. Chief Vogel conducted their official "swearing-in" administering the Oath of Office.  

The new officers will now undergo a couple of weeks of orientation before they are assigned to our 18-week Field Training program.  During this program, they will be paired with a Field Training Officer and evaluated each day on their performance.  Upon completion of the Field Training program, the new officers will be assigned to a patrol team to work as a solo beat officer. 

We are proud of their accomplishment and we are excited to see them working in our community!

Please join us in a hearty welcome for our three newest Santa Cruz Police Officers. 

Mail Thief Arrested – SCPD Tips for Protecting Your Mail

Yesterday afternoon, a community member observed a woman opening and looking into mailboxes along Bixby Street. This friend to the neighborhood called 911 to notify SCPD of the suspicious activity.

Lillian Norman, 30 years old from Santa Cruz

A SCPD Officer quickly located the woman matching the description walking nearby. Lillian Norman, 30 years old from Santa Cruz was contacted. In her hand was mail that belonged to a resident on Bixby Street.

Lillian Norman also had several warrants for her arrest in the system. When Ms. Norman was taken into custody, she had a syringe and needle loaded with heroin in her pocket.

 

She was arrested for mail theft, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

In a separate case, Lillian Norman has been identified as the suspected mail thief from a video SCPD posted to social media and SCPD Blog. Video surveillance clearly captures a woman taking mail from a residential mailbox on Escalona Drive on 3/15/16. Here is the video we previously posted: 

SCPD would like to thank our alert citizens for providing information which led to the apprehension of a mail thief. 

Since January of 2015, Lillian Norman has been arrested 7 times by SCPD for crimes that include Burglary, Drug Possession, Possession of Stolen Property, Theft, and Possession of Another Person's Identification.  Ms. Norman is also a suspect in a number of other SCPD theft and burglary cases.  Detectives are working to locate additional mail and stolen property that has been taken by Ms. Norman. 

PROTECTING YOUR MAIL 

Here's what you can do to protect your mail from thieves:

• Install a locking mailbox.
• Use the letter slots inside your Post Office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.
• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight.
• Mail thieves look for bank statements and credit card bills, which can be used to create counterfeit checks or fake identifications. Sign up for Online Banking and Paperless Statements, access your account, statements and history online.
• If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
• If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
• Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.

If you see a mail thief at work or suspect suspicious mailbox activity, call 911 .

The SCPD Online Reporting Tool - It Really Works!!

The SCPD Online Reporting System offers a way for you to make quick reports that do not necessarily require a police officer to witness or take the information from you. This system is being provided for your convenience. If this is an emergency, do not file your report online. Please dial 911.
Our Online Crime Reporting System allows you to report the following crimes: Theft - Lost Property –Vandalism - Identity Theft - Hit & Run - Vehicle Burglary - Vehicle Tampering - Harassing Phone Calls

The SCPD Online Reporting System is a tool to assist SCPD with solving crimes. Reports that include detailed descriptions, serial numbers (crucial for bikes) and other valuable property information are important. When provided the brand, model, and serial numbers, the SCPD Team is able to list and quickly identify missing property in our stolen property systems. That information is then accessible by SCPD Officers in the field. It can speed up the process to return property and develop probable cause to make an arrest.
Click direct to SCPD Online Reporting System 

Success Story with SCPD Online Reporting System

This man lost his wallet and eventually got it back. He used the SCPD Online Reporting System to make a quick report on 3/22/16. Perfect timing….because on 3/23/16 an alert SCPD Officer arrested John Walkenbach for an outstanding bench warrant on another matter. In Walkenbach’s possession was the wallet and credit cards of our visitor. The online report included essential details so that the arresting officer could quickly connect the wallet back to the owner. In the short time the wallet was missing, a new cell phone was fraudulently purchased on one of the credit cards. Mr. Walkenbach went to jail with the added charge of theft.Thanks for taking the time to fill out an online report.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. We are committed to reducing crime in the City of Santa Cruz. Anyone with information regarding suspicious or criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Congratulations Spring 2016 Citizens Police Academy

This week SCPD celebrated the graduation of two concurrent Citizens Police Academy classes!

One CPA course was presented in Spanish and the other in English. The CPA provides an up close and personal look at police work and SCPD.

SCPD has been proud to offer CPA to our community since 2000. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, discuss issues, and perform some of the tasks that SCPD Officers do as part of their regular duties.

SCPD's 16th year presenting CPA! Thank you to everyone who has participated in this and previous classes. 

Citizens Police Academies participants spend 11 weeks learning all about SCPD through a dynamic mix of presentations and hands-on activities including driving a police car, the popular K-9 demo, and police investigations.

The next session of CPA starts in the September 2016. For more info click here http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/…/pol…/citizen-police-academy

SCPD Arrest Two Suspects for Drugs & Stolen Property -Thanks to Alert Citizen!

On Friday 3/18/16, at approximately 10:05 am, an alert citizen called 911 to report a suspicious person sitting in a white Mazda Miata in the 200 block of First Street. The concerned citizen suspected drug activity was occurring when two women approached the car and made a “hand to hand” transaction. One of the women in the suspected drug interaction was described as wearing hospital scrubs.

Tilden Ball, 31 years old, transient from Santa Cruz 

Responding SCPD Officers arrived and contacted the occupant in the car, Tilden Ball. Mr. Ball who was sitting in the driver’s seat said that the car belonged to friend. He claimed to be waiting for her return. As it turns out, Tilden Ball, 31 years old, transient from Santa Cruz had a parole hold warrant for his arrest. Tilden Ball had multiple knives and methamphetamine on his person when SCPD Officers detained him.

Photo of some of the  drugs, drug paraphernalia, and suspected stolen credit cards including an embosser machine used to alter credit/debit cards.

SCPD Officers searched the car and located 100’s of syringes, drug paraphernalia, checks, credit cards, gift cards and other stolen or forged property. Officers also discovered an embosser machine used to alter and manufacturer credit cards in the car.

Elizabeth Escamilla, 30 years old from Watsonville 

While SCPD Officers were searching the car, Elizabeth Escamilla approached them and stated the Mazda Miata was her car. Elizabeth Escamilla, 30 years old from Watsonville was wearing hospital scrubs that matched the description given in the initial report to the police. SCPD Officers found in the car numerous articles of evidence that link together Tilden Ball and Elizabeth Escamilla. 

A large amount of suspected stolen property including mail, passports, drivers licenses, checks, credit/debit cards, credit card making devices, drugs, and drug paraphernalia were located and collected from the car. SCPD Detectives are currently working on sorting through the evidence to identify a number of victims.

Tilden Ball and Elizabeth Escamilla were arrested for multiple charges including a parole hold, forgery, fraud, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics, paraphernalia and conspiracy to commit a crime. Ms. Escamilla's car was impounded.

Thank you to the alert citizen for watching out for their neighborhood & calling 911.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department at (831) 420-5820 or Anonymous Tip Line (831) 420-5995.

Appreciation Day at Sunshine Villa

On Wednesday, March 16th, Sunshine Villa hosted an “Appreciation Day” honoring City of Santa Cruz Police Officers, Firefighters, and Paramedics. Sunshine Villa residents gave heartfelt testimony of their personal experiences when they were helped by first responders. 

 

Deputy Chief Clark, Elwood Beckman and Chief Vogel at Sunshine Villa Appreciation Day. The very talented Elwood Beckman played the piano to a packed house. He also regaled the audience with his historical and amusing experiences with SCPD.

This is the very lovely Venus Nienow. Thank you for your heartfelt words of support for SCPD, SC Fire and Medical Emergency Response teams.

Chief Vogel and SCPD Officers spent time interacting with the elderly community members and thanked them for the kind words. We are so appreciative that the staff and residents of Sunshine Villa took time to celebrate the service and contributions of the SCPD Team.

Deputy Chief Martinez chats it up with resident Betty McCray and activity director Karen DeMorro. Betty, the beautiful lady in blue is 102.

Ruth Askanas shared with us her story of the heroic service and support from police departments during her career as an apartment complex manager.

Sunshine Villa is celebrating 25 years in business. SCPD is honored to be of service and support to the Sunshine Villa senior community for the last 25 years and more to come. Congratulations and thank you for the Appreciation Day!

Help SCPD Identify Mail Theft Caught on Video

Attention neighborhood Detectives!  This is amazing video of a suspect stealing mail from a home in the 700 block of Escalona Drive on Tuesday March 15th.  

SCPD is asking for the public's help to identify the woman shown on this video. You can also watch the video on the SCPD YouTube Channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqFrNxZFfgE

On Tuesday 3/15/16 at about 6:00 p.m., a woman walks up to the home and rings the doorbell. When there was not an immediate reply, the suspect removes mail from the mailbox. The woman was surprised when the homeowner’s voice came through an intercom asking what she needed. The suspect claimed to be looking for an Airbnb and then walked away with the mail she took.

The video surveillance clearly captures the woman taking mail from the mailbox. The suspect is described as a woman 20-30 years old wearing a black tank to, jeans and glasses.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may recognize the suspect is asked to contact SCPD (831) 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be sent through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or Online Crime Tip Form
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/…/police/h…/leave-a-crime-tip

City of Santa Cruz 2015 Year- End Crime Statistics

The Santa Cruz Police Department is releasing End-of-Year statistics for 2015. These statistics represent work volumes and crime trends.

2015 represented the fourth year in a row that calls for service surpassed the 100,000 mark. In 2015, the Santa Cruz Police Department handled 103,645 calls for service. On average, this represents one call every five minutes.

In 2015, the City of Santa Cruz experienced a rise in property crime, driven mainly by increases in burglary, auto thefts, shoplifting and bike thefts. The City also saw some decreases in violent crime. Overall, the year-end statistics reflect a 7% increase in crime.
-There were 499 violent crimes reported in Santa Cruz in 2015, about a 5% decrease from 2014.
-There was a significant decrease of 30% for rape reports.
- Aggravated assaults decreased by 4%.
- 1 of the 2 homicides in 2015 was gang related.

Santa Cruz property crime increased in 2015; the city experienced a 9% increase from the 2014 numbers.
- Auto thefts increased by 20% at 300 thefts.
- Larceny, which includes thefts such as bike, vehicle burglary, petty theft, increased by 9%.
- Reported bike thefts have increased by 19% over 2014 totals at 479 thefts.

Following statewide trends on the heels of Prop 47, SCPD made fewer in-custody arrests in 2015. The Department went from an average of 13.7 arrests per day to 11.9 arrests per day.

For the first two months in 2016, the overall crime rate is down 2%.

The Santa Cruz Police Department continues to work together with various City and County programs to create and sustain conditions that promote long-term safety and solutions.

In addition to our Patrol workload, the Santa Cruz Police Department continues to support neighborhoods, community groups and business associations by engaging them in ways to protect themselves and their property.

Monthly Uniform Crime Report (UCR) stats are posted on our Website at www.santacruzpolice.com

For more information on crime trends and a multi-year perspective see our November 2015 Public Safety Study Session presentation to the City Council on our blog here: http://goo.gl/tyXZGv

$10,000 Reward Offered to Solve Home Burglary

A Santa Cruz resident is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for a home burglary in October 2015 and recovery of stolen property. Large amounts of jewelry, a Rolex and other watches, gold coins and family heirlooms were stolen from the home in the Western Drive neighborhood.

The residential burglary occurred sometime on 10/17/15 on the 1100 block of Western Drive. The burglary victim came home to find that an unknown suspect or suspects had broken into the residence and stolen jewelry and valuable keepsakes.

$10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction(s) of any person or persons responsible for the burglary and recovery of stolen property.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be sent through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or Online Crime Tip Form http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/…/police/h…/leave-a-crime-tip
SCPD ask that residents continue to be alert and call 911 to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhoods. We also remind residents to document or photograph their valuables, especially jewelry, and electronics.

SCPD Crisis Negotiators talks distressed man from jumping off East Cliff Trestle

 

Photo Credit: John F. Hunter

On Monday at approximately 3:30 PM, Officers were dispatched to the East Cliff Trestle for a suicidal person who climbed atop the trestle bridge structure. In addition to the on-duty patrol team, SCPD utilized officers that are part of our Crisis Negotiation Team to interact with the person atop the structure. Meanwhile Fire Department teams were at the ready, both on the bridge and in the water.

Photo Credit: Santa Cruz Police Dept

SCPD Crisis Negotiators spent approx. 30 minutes in negotiation before the person agreed to climb down from the trestle. He was safely secured and brought to the Behavioral Health Unit for observation and evaluation.

Thanks to the great work by our patrol and Crisis Negotiation Teams, we were able to bring this risky situation to a successful conclusion without anyone being injured.

SCPD maintains a fully capable Crisis Negotiation Team to deal with emergency situations of individuals in crisis, as well as hostage taking situations. SCPD Crisis Negotiators have hundreds of hours of specialized training for just such an occasion. Being on the team is an additional duty outside of their regular duty assignment.

Thank you John F. Hunter for recognizing SCPD's efforts and for taking the time to send us the photo. This is a real example of the good work SCPD Officers do.

Six UCSC Students Arrested in MDMA Drug Sales Ring

The Santa Cruz Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) in cooperation with Homeland Security Investigations and the US Postal Inspection Service-San Jose Team has dismantled an organized drug sales ring operated by University of California, Santa Cruz students. The arrestees were members of the affiliated Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity and alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority. SCPD NET worked alongside agents from Homeland Security Investigations and US Postal Service Inspectors-San Jose Team, to develop case information resulting in the arrest of six individuals responsible for the drug sales.

Mariah Dremel, age 21

Mariah Dremel - Conspiracy and Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale

Benny Liu, age 21

Benny Liu - Conspiracy and Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale

Cesar Casil, age 21

Cesar Casil - Conspiracy and Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale

Nathan Tieu, age 21

Nathan Tieu - Charges: Conspiracy and Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale

Hoai Nguyen, age 21

 

Hoai Nguyen - Charges: Possession of Controlled Substance

Cecilia Le, age 21

Ceilia Le - Charges:Possession of Controlled Substance

Over the past few weeks, the Santa Cruz Police Department became aware of several packages of MDMA tablets being shipped through the US Postal Service. The packages were shipped from overseas and were bound for three addresses in the city of Santa Cruz. The investigation revealed that the illegal drug MDMA known by its street names as Ecstasy, or Molly was being imported and shipped to a number of students at Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity and alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority members.

On Friday, March 4, 2016, search warrants were served at three residences after shipments of drugs were delivered. Members of the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team, US Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Service Inspectors and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in the search warrants. More than $100,000 in MDMA was seized. Additionally, SCPD learned of another large shipment that was intercepted by Homeland Security on Friday. The second shipment was destined to the same group.

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team executed search warrants at residences in the 400 block of Locust Street, 200 block of Castillion Terrace, and 100 block of Peach Terrace after the delivery of the MDMA laden packages. A total of 4.1 pounds or about 5000 tablets of MDMA were seized. The tablets have a street value of over $100,000.

MDMA is widely known as “ecstasy” when found in a tablet form and is a controlled substance which is consumed for its euphoric effects. According to the World Health Organization, the use of MDMA is done in a variety of contexts and is commonly associated with dance parties, raves, and electronic dance music.

The proliferation of drugs like MDMA is a serious concern for the Santa Cruz area. The drug alters perception and awareness, as well as increasing emotions of trust and lowering inhibitions oftentimes resulting in sexual exploitation. This dangerous combination undermines the efforts of affirmative consent work undertaken by many college campuses. The drug can have other adverse health effects such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and inability to regulate body temperature.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. 

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) is specialized unit. NET works as a team to focus on mid to long-term issues works focus is on enforcement strategies in order to suppress crimes of violence, gangs and drugs throughout the City of Santa Cruz.