Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team Arrest Suspect in Residential Burglary

Burglary Suspect Jeremy Smith Arrested

On Saturday, November 25, 2017, at approximately 8:00 pm, Santa Cruz Police Officers from the Neighborhood Enforcement Team were conducting an area check of the shopping center in the 900 block of Soquel Avenue. Officers noticed a suspicious subject walking through the parking lot. One of the officers recognized the male subject from prior contacts as Jeremy Smith. Jeremy Smith, 41 years old from Santa Cruz is currently on Post Release Community Supervision, with search terms. SCPD conducted a compliance check, and Mr. Smith was found to be in possession of a large box of antique coins and stolen credit cards.

An investigation into the stolen credit cards revealed that the victim’s residence had been burglarized about a week and a half ago in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. Due to the detailed documentation by the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office investigation, members of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team were able to connect the stolen box of coins, multiple computers, jewelry, and other personal belongings to the burglary.

As a result of the investigation, the Neighborhood Enforcement Team was able to recover almost all the stolen items from the residential burglary. The suspect Jeremy Smith booked into the county jail on multiple felony charges, including possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of personal identification with the intent to defraud, and a probation violation.
Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood.

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team is a specialized unit. NET works as a team to focus on mid to long-term issues often times associated with gangs, drugs and other chronic problems throughout the City of Santa Cruz.

SCPD is dedicated to our community with ongoing efforts to keep Santa Cruz a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

SCPD Welcomes Officer Henry Muse To The Team

The City of Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Police Department are excited to welcome Henry Muse to the team.

Officer Muse was sworn in on Thursday, November 16th, 2017 and begins his service to our community. Competing in a very challenging selection process, Officer Muse proudly took the oath to serve and protect our city.  Officer Muse had law enforcement experience before making the move to SCPD. "His previous training is a benefit to the local force," said Chief Andrew Mills.

Officer Muse was born and raised in Santa Cruz, the youngest of four siblings. He attended Santa Cruz High, during which time he volunteered as a decoy for Police K-9 training. This experience influenced Officer Muse’s decision to pursue a career in law enforcement. 

After attending the Monterey Peninsula College Police Academy, Muse did a brief stint as a Police Officer for the Fresno Police Department before returning to Monterey, where he worked for Del Rey Rey Oaks Police Department for 8 years. Well-acquainted with law enforcement, Officer Muse comes to the Santa Cruz Police Department as a lateral transfer. 

A married father of three children, Henry also enjoys running, coaching youth sports, watching football and practicing in police K-9 training as a decoy. “I'm really excited to continue my law enforcement career in my hometown,“ said Officer Muse. He undergoes a field training process before being assigned to patrol the City of Santa Cruz as a solo officer.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Officer Henry Muse.

Weekend Highlight and Upcoming Traffic Safety Presentation on Thursday Nov. 16th at 6:00 pm.

Another busy weekend for SCPD. We responded to 501 calls for service. Proactive Policing from SCPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) nabbed a suspected drug dealer with methamphetamine and heroin for sale. The drugs and the dealer are now off City of Santa Cruz streets.

On Saturday evening 11/11/2017, at approximately 10:45 pm, Officers on SCPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team contacted Eric Calisto, who was using methamphetamine inside his vehicle parked in the 800 block of Water Street. As Officers spoke with the suspect, Eric Calisto attempted to conceal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his hand.

Eric Calisto, 35 years old from Truckee, was arrested without incident for possession of a controlled substance, and it was also determined that he was on probation (out of Alameda County). In the subsequent search of Eric Calistro’s car, SCPD Officers located over 60 grams of methamphetamine and over 15 grams of heroin that were packed for sales.

Eric Calisto booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on felony drug sales charges. Excellent work SCPD NET and SCPD Patrol!

Santa Cruz Police Chief Mills invites the community to a Street Smarts traffic safety presentation with Q and A on Thursday, November 16th at 6:00 pm in Police department Community Room, 155 Center St.
 

The presentation highlights traffic safety issues and solutions for safer commuting. SCPD Traffic Sergeant Scott Garner, 20-year veteran officer, and traffic expert will answer questions and clarify traffic safety issues. The meeting is our opportunity to educate and answer questions on the spot- the first step to remedying traffic safety concerns in our neighborhoods.
WELCOME TO EMAIL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS AHEAD OF TIME TO Sgt. Scott Garner: sgarner@cityofsantacruz.com SCPD Traffic Sergeant Scott Garner, 20-year veteran officer, and traffic expert will answer questions and clarify traffic safety issues.
  

SCPD Street Smarts traffic safety presentation with Q and A on Thursday, November 16th at 6:00 pm.

Santa Cruz Police Lieutenant Arnold Vasquez Promotion Announcement

The Santa Cruz Police Department proudly announces the promotion of Sergeant Arnold Vasquez to the role of Police Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Arnold Vasquez was promoted on Thursday afternoon, November 9th, following a rigorous and competitive testing process. “Our department and the community are extremely fortunate to have a well experienced and dedicated individual, such as Arnold, serving in an important leadership position," said Police Chief Andrew Mills.

Lieutenant Arnold Vasquez is in his 17th working for the Santa Cruz Police Department. Over the course of his career, Lieutenant Vasquez served in a variety of assignments including patrol, investigations, gang task force, Emergency Services Unit and as a Field Training Officer.

Outside of work, Lieutenant Vasquez volunteers his time as a coach of youth sports. Lieutenant Vasquez and his family reside in Santa Cruz County. He takes great pride in his community and looks forward to his new position within the Santa Cruz Police Department as a lieutenant.

Chief Mills stated, “We are both proud and fortunate to have such a high level of candidates for promotion. Lieutenant Vasquez demonstrates a superior standard of professionalism and leadership our community expects from the Santa Cruz Police Department.”

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Lieutenant Arnold Vasquez on achieving a significant milestone in his career.

Halloween Stats 2017

An estimated 9,000 people converged on downtown Santa Cruz to celebrate Halloween last night. This event has become the largest single informal gathering in the city. The Santa Cruz Police Department is pleased to announce that Halloween 2017 transpired without any significant incidents of violence during the festivities downtown.

The Santa Cruz Police Department kept busy over the 24 hours of Halloween through the night and into the early morning hours of November 1st. From 8:00 AM on October 31st through 8:00 AM on November 1st, we handled 342 calls for service. SCPD deployed additional officers throughout the city as well as a significant contingent of officers on foot in the Downtown corridor.

The Downtown Deployment reported the following activity for Halloween Night 2017:

18 Arrests
For Public intoxication, Warrants, Drugs

42 Citations Issued
15 were for Triple Fine violations. Of the Triple Fine citations issued, most were for open containers of alcohol and public urination.

For comparison, in 2016 there were 20 arrests and 40 citations. Overall, downtown Santa Cruz, arrests were down, and citations were up from 2016.

The Halloween crowd demeanor was relatively calm and celebratory. Police presence included extra officers from Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies, including Capitola PD, Watsonville PD, Scotts Valley PD, UCSC PD, Santa Cruz City Parks, and Santa Cruz County Probation. Law enforcement officers from State Parole and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office Gang Team were present to support SCPD. Furthermore, we had additional California Highway Patrol officer from out of the county and the services of the CHP helicopter. We would like to thank all of the agencies who dedicated personnel and resources to assist the City of Santa Cruz throughout the night.

Proactive patrols included contact and close monitoring of several known gang members throughout the event. Officers were added to patrol throughout the remainder of the city to address neighborhood safety and complaints of large parties. We are pleased to see the hard work paid off and there were no significant incidents of violence.