NAACP Santa Cruz Shares An Invite with SCPD & The Community

Members of the SCPD spent Sunday afternoon meeting and talking with people from our community at the NAACP Peace Party. The day was beautiful, the people were great, and the event was a success.

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

 

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

The event was planned by Santa Cruz Branch of the NAACP and hosted by Garfield Park Community Church. The goal for the day was to raise awareness for organizations committed to racial justice. The day was also a huge success in bridging the gap between police and the community they serve.

                            

 Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

Deputy Chief Police Rick Martinez - “Everything circles back to communication. What we see happening right here is collaboration and engagement which is essential for a healthy community.”

 

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

Spontaneous Q&A took place throughout the afternoon. The questions and conversations from the community included topics about racial profiling, transparency and building relationships. Deputy Chief Rick Martinez along with several officers answered questions on the spot. 

 

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

SCPD uniformed officers socialized with community members at the NAACP Peace Party gathering.

 

                                   Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography
The day was fun for everyone. Adult and kids played games, jumped in bounce-houses and blew bubbles and danced together. While the day was fun for everyone, it was also a priority at the NAACP table to register voters.

 

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

NAACP Santa Cruz Peace Party put into action community building at its best!

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

This event was an opportunity to have conversations, make introductions, and build relationships. We all have a role and responsibility in creating a better community.

 

Photo Credit: Allison Garcia Photography

SCPD sends out special thank you to the Santa Cruz Branch of the NAACP, Garfield Park Community Church and all the people who made the day possible. It was a good day, Thank you!

Two Suspects Arrested in Homicide Investigation

On August 23, 2016, at approximately 8:20 am, Santa Cruz Police responded to a report of a victim of a shooting on the levee pathway, near the 400 block of Front Street. Officers arrived within minutes of being dispatched and found a male victim lying in the levee pathway. The victim was suffering from gunshot wound in his upper torso. The officers provided medical attention until they were relieved by medics. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Within 4 hours, SCPD had detained the suspect shooter and an accomplice Detectives connected to the murder. 

Nino Ruiz, 27 years old, transient from Santa Cruz County

Nino Ruiz has been identified and arrested as the suspect shooter in the homicide on 8/23/16. Jenessa Kic was also arrested for murder and conspiracy to commit a murder. Nino Ruiz is 27 years old, a transient from Santa Cruz County and Jenessa Kic is 31 years old from Santa Cruz. SCPD Detectives spotted Ruiz in the 300 block of Liebrandt Avenue late yesterday morning. Nino Ruiz and Jenessa Kic were detained at 12:10 pm, coming out of a residence on Liebrandt Avenue.

Jenessa Kic, 31 years old, recent Santa Cruz resident

Detectives worked continuously to interview multiple witnesses and track down numerous leads that directed the investigation to the two suspects. Jenessa Kic is the girlfriend of Mr. Ruiz and was determined to be associated with the murder. Both suspects were in custody within four hours after the shooting. SCPD Detectives have served search warrants on several of the homes that Ruiz has visited. 

In this month alone, Mr. Ruiz was arrested twice for the possession of methamphetamine. Ms. Kic also has a history with law enforcement. She has been arrested in past for camping violations and burglary.
The gun used in the murder has not yet been recovered. The motive for the murder is still under investigation.

The identity of the victim is being withheld until proper notification to family members can be completed. This is the second homicide of the year.

Nino Ruiz was arrested for murder. Jenessa Kic was arrested for murder and conspiracy to commit a murder. 

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information is asked to contact SCPD Investigation at 831- 420-5820.

SCPD Back to School Safety Tips

Santa Cruz City Schools start this week and that means more cars, bicyclists and pedestrians will be on the streets and sidewalks. To prepare for the busy school commute, here are a few SCPD Back to School Safety Tips and Reminders.

 

The new school year can create traffic congestion on the roadways, so please plan ahead. Leave your home earlier than normal to allow enough time to reach your destination without rushing.  Let’s all do our part to help keep our children safe. It is everyone’s responsibility to know the rules of the road whether walking, bicycling, skating or driving.

School zones are designated 25 mph and it is important that everyone takes extra care

when driving in or near one. SCPD will have additional enforcement patrols around schools during the opening weeks of the school year.

SCPD Reminders for Motorists:
· Slow down. Observe the speed limit in school zones at all times. At Stop signs, drivers must come to a complete STOP and proceed with caution. Be especially careful when driving on neighborhood streets and around school zones.

· Be aware of “no parking” signs, red zones, fire hydrants, blocking or stopping in disabled stalls, crosswalks, driveways and double parking.
· Be alert for children walking and biking as you back out of your driveway or leave your garage.

· Watch for children on bicycles, especially at intersections.

· Stop your car when you see lights flashing on a school bus. Red flashing lights indicate that the bus is stopped and students are getting on or off. Be aware that a child may dash across the street.

SCPD Safety Tips for Pedestrians:
· Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, always walk FACING traffic.
· Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
· Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
· Walk in groups, there is safety in numbers. Groups are more likely to be seen by drivers.
· Before crossing the street, stop and look left, then right, then left again. When vehicles are stopped, make eye contact with the driver to insure they know you are there before proceeding.
· If you see a car, wait until it goes by. Then look left, right and left again until traffic is clear and it is safe to cross.

SCPD Safety Tips for Bicyclists: 

· Wear a helmet.
· Be sure to have reflectors on your pedals, frame, and wheels.
· Be Seen and Be Aware of your surroundings
· Follow the Rules of the Road
- Ride on the right, with the traffic, in single file. Obey stop signs and traffic lights. Never cross a street without looking for cars. Give the right of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. When crossing the street, children should get off and walk their bikes using the marked crosswalk.

SCPD also encourages parents to share this message with their children. If approached or called out to by a stranger, they should run to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult.

Children should be encouraged to report suspicious behavior, or any behavior in which they feel uncomfortable or confused, to a trusted adult caregiver such as a parent, guardian, teacher, nurse or police officer.

Safe Routes to School information 

http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/public-works/traffic-and-parking/bicycle-pedestrian-facilities-and-programs/safe-routes-to-school

SCPD Arrest Suspect in Gang Related Shooting

The Santa Cruz Police Department arrested a suspect from the July 11, 2016 shooting that occurred in the 1600 block of Mission Street. Santa Cruz Detectives followed the trail of leads and identified the suspect in the shooting as Jose Alonso Reyes, 25 years old. Mr. Reyes was arrest on August 9, 2016, at his workplace in the 800 block of Almar Avenue.

  Jose Alonso Reyes, 25 years old, from Santa Cruz

On Tuesday 8/9/16 at 9:15 pm, Detectives served search warrants at both Mr. Reyes’ workplace in Santa Cruz and home in Capitola. The gun believed to be used in the shooting was found in a backpack in Mr. Reyes’ possession at the time of arrest.

Also recovered in the backpack was clothing that matched the description from witnesses.

The investigation revealed that the shooting was gang motivated and not a random carjacking as initially reported.

Jose Alonso Reyes was arrested for the following charges: assault with deadly weapon, felon in possession of loaded firearm in public and participating in a criminal street gang.

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.