WE'RE HIRING! COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS

Do you like people? Are you a problem solver? 
SCPD is Now Hiring Community Service Officers

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone seeking a civilian career with SCPD. Plus, you can live and work in Santa Cruz! CSO's work in patrol squads alongside sworn officers and serve in a variety of support roles.

CSO's are vital to the success of the SCPD. 

If you're interested in applying for this position, please visit: 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/santacruz/jobs/2185492/community-service-officer

Detective Warren's Dedication Leads To Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case - Pursued suspect purchased a one-way ticket to Romania and is now in custody.

Detective Warren's Dedication Leads To Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case - Pursued suspect purchased a one-way ticket to Romania and is now in custody.

On March 16, 2018, three individuals came into Byzantine Jewelry store on Pacific Avenue and began talking to the owner of the store. A male in the group, later identified as Roman Petre, was asking the owner various questions about merchandise and claimed he wanted to buy a gift for his wife. While the owner was engaged in talking to the initial group of customers, five more women came into the store and started to ask questions about merchandise.

** DISTRACTION SCAM - Diverting your attention with bogus questions and conversations is one of the oldest tricks in the book.

We call it a distraction scam when thieves working in organized pairs or a group create a distraction to steal from you. While you’re focused on another task or errand, they take advantage of your lack of attention to steal your valuables.**

The owner was getting an uneasy feeling and told the various members of each group he could only help one person at time. During this conversation, the owner noticed one of the females from the group was partially behind a display counter on the other side of the store. When he confronted her, the woman said she did not want to spend any money because he yelled at her and she was not feeling good. Both groups walked out together and left the area on Pacific Avenue.

Sensing something was off, the owner reviewed his security camera and saw one of the females in the group had crawled behind the counter to the back room where a safe was. The owner determined that over $20,000 in gold coins and silver bars were taken. After a full store inventory check, a total of $79,496 worth of various items including precious stones and jewelry was stolen.

 

Roman Petre Arrest In Distraction Robbery Case

Assigned to the case, SCPD Detective Brain Warren was determined to identify and track down the culprits. Thanks to Detective Warren's dedicated efforts, one suspect, Roman Petre 28 years old from Anaheim, was identified, tracked down and arrested in Orange County, Ca.

Recently, Detective Warren received information that Mr. Petre had purchased a one-way ticket to Romania departing Friday 8/24/18.

SCPD, in cooperation with the LAPD and a bail bond agency, detained Mr. Petre at the airport. Mr. Petre was transported back to the County of Santa Cruz and booked into jail. His bail is set at 1 million dollars.

Great Detective work and investigation follow up! Well done Detective Warren!

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

SCPD Arrest Four Suspects In Failure to Yield and Hit & Run with Injury Case.

On Monday, August 20, 2018, at approximately 6:42 pm, Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to the area of 2nd and Main St for a report of a possible fight involving a male and a female. Multiple people called to report the incident, one person reported the male party had a woman by the throat and was pulling her into the vehicle. Another person reported the driver was assaulting the female in the car.

The vehicle was located on Ocean St near Water St. An officer attempted to stop the car, the driver refused to pull over and fled from the officer. The driver drove on to Market St. The driver accelerated to a speed eventually pulling away from the Santa Cruz Police Officer. The officer lost sight of the car momentarily and found the vehicle had driven off the road in the area of Market St and Stoney Creek.

All the occupants left the vehicle and fled from the scene into the surrounding neighborhood and creek. With the assistance of the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, the four occupants were located. All four occupants were uncooperative regarding the initial call, why they fled from the officers and denied a domestic disturbance occurred.

INVOLVED SUBJECTS:
1. Juvenile Male (driver) 17 years old
2. Israel Flores 22 years old, Parole Hold
3. Juvenile Female 17 years old
4. Alyssa Bradley 20 years old

All occupants were arrested for the public Intoxication & Delaying a Police Officer. One of the occupants was injured in the crash and was treated at the hospital.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking anyone who has further information regarding this case to notify the Investigations Section at 831.420.5820.

Santa Cruz Police Welcomes Students and Reminds Residents of Back-To-School Safety

As parents and students get ready to return to school this week, the Santa Cruz Police Department extends a friendly reminder to drivers to follow safety precautions on the roadways. Classes start this Wednesday, August 22nd. Expect hundreds of the City of Santa Cruz youth to be traveling on foot, on bicycles, and in vehicles in the coming weeks.

During this week and next, Santa Cruz police officers are strategically positioned around the City in school zones, to remind residents of the lower speed limits, and to heighten awareness of children on sidewalks.

“We will be visible to remind parents, motorists and everyone in our community that your children’s safety is a priority for us. We will have officers present in the school zones during the morning and afternoon traffic patterns. Our goal is to remind drivers to slow down when children are present and to remember road safety rules,” said Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills.

Chief Mills and officers will be out at our local elementary schools greeting children, and their families as they arrive on the first day. “We want to welcome and celebrate all kids to kick off the new school year. There will be plenty of smiles, high-fives, and words of encouragement as students arrive on campus. Our department values the opportunity engage in positive interactions with our younger citizens," said Chief Mills.

Follow these safety tips to be mindful as the start of the new school year always means more traffic and congestion on city streets.

Before classes start, parents should review the drop-off procedures for their child’s school and be aware of the school’s designated bus and loading/unloading areas. According to the National Safe Routes to School program, more children are hit by cars near schools than any other location.

• No Texting/Talking and Driving! It is never a good idea, and always illegal to use a handheld electronic device while driving

• Plan and Be Patient! Plan to leave earlier than usual to accommodate the extra traffic and be patient with other parents and new drivers.

• Slow Down! School zones speed limits drop to 25 miles per hour

• No Double Parking! This blocks visibility for children and vehicles

• Drop Off/Pick Up on the Same Side of the Street as the School! Don't load or unload children across the street from the school

• Carpool! It reduces the number of vehicles at the school

• Stop for School Buses! It is against the law to pass a school bus when the lights are on

• Yield to Pedestrians! Always stop for children or adults crossing the street and for school patrol officers or crossing guards holding a stop sign 

Help Us Identify Suspect and Getaway Van Involved in Stabbing Case 18S-04619.

Be On The Lookout Getaway Van Involved in Stabbing

SCPD Detective Williams is attempting to locate suspects who got away in this van that was involved in a stabbing that occurred on 8/05/2018 around 5:59 am. A male victim got into an altercation with an unknown woman over a conflict involving his dog. The female suspect then stabbed the victim in the parking lot of 2111 Mission St on the west side of Santa Cruz and fled the scene on foot.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic woman between early to mid-20 years of age, 5’7” tall with a medium build, with a brown short “pixie” style haircut. The female suspect was seen in association with the unknown male driver of the van in the depicted van. The van was described as maroon and brown in color by the victim. 

The victim sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his face and was released from the hospital a few hours after the incident.

The Santa Cruz Police is actively investigating this case 18S-04619. Anyone with information regarding the suspects and getaway van is encouraged to contact Detective Williams at 420-5839 or dwilliams@cityofsantacruz.com If you have information, but wish to remain anonymous, tips can be sent through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or www.santacruzpolice.com. 

Santa Cruz Police Offers $2,000 Referral Bonus To The Public for Lateral Police Hires

Santa Cruz Police will offer a first-of-its-kind Citizen Hiring Bonus to community members who recruit sworn police officers from anywhere in the U.S. to transfer to the Santa Cruz Police Department.

Community members can receive $2,000 when they refer a lateral police officer hired by the SCPD.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is always searching for good people to join the team. Research has shown, and experience supports, that new hires who come into the organization through referrals are excellent contributors.

That’s where the community recruiting comes in! The new Citizen Hiring Bonus Program also is an important way to include the public in the police officer recruitment process by incentivizing people to recommend qualified police officers and who would be beneficial to the Santa Cruz Police Department. Members of the public would be eligible for an incentive of up to $2,000!

“This program extends our marketing reach — call it ‘crowd recruiting,’” Police Chief Andy Mills said. “We think there is immense value in community members participating in the process of recruiting the good, capable officers charged with protecting our city.”

Eligible officers can be recruited from anywhere in the U.S. They must have completed police academy and spent time as a sworn officer with a police agency. The officer, when applying, can designate who referred him or her and to make that person eligible for the $2,000 Citizen Hiring Bonus.

The incentive bonus will be paid out in installments. The first $1,000 is disbursed when the candidate is sworn in. The second disbursement of $1,000 is paid when the candidate completes the first six months of employment. Also, the lateral officer will personally receive a $20,000 sign on bonus for completing the hiring requirements.

Inquiring officers can call Chief Mills office at
(831) 420 -5810.  Officers can apply online https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/santacruz/jobs/1896930/police-officer-academy-graduate-lateral-open

Citizens Hiring Bonus Program Details

Contact the Santa Cruz Police recruitment team at jobs@cityofsantacruz.com with any questions.

Great Police Work Armed Robber Pursuit & Arrest

On  Friday August 3, 2018 around 12:20 pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to an armed robbery that occurred at West Cliff Drive and Swift Street. The suspect robber approached the victims while they were sitting in their vehicle. The suspect held a knife against one of the victims arms and said, “That’s my stuff, give it to me.” For fear that they would get stabbed, the victims gave the suspect their iPhones and clothing. The suspect drove off in a dark blue Toyota 4-Runner with a black dog inside the vehicle.

Within minutes, SCPD Officer Howard-Gibbon located a vehicle matching the description of the robbery suspect’s vehicle near Mission/Laurel Street. Officer Howard-Gibbon initiated a car stop near 1100 block of Laurel Street. The driver, Matthew Stevens, briefly stepped out of the vehicle and verbally engaged Officer Howard-Gibbon then sped away in his vehicle, and a pursuit was initiated.

Officer Howard-Gibbon dedicated pursuit of the suspect ended at the 4100 block of La Madrona Drive when the suspect collided his 4-Runner into a large boulder and a wooden post. Mr. Stevens then fled on foot.

Sergeant Cecena initiated a perimeter around the area. With the assistance of CHP patrol units and AIR support, SVPD, SCSO, and SCPD, Matthew Stevens was arrested in the rear parking lot of the Scotts Valley Hilton.

Matthew Stevens, 44 years old from Santa Cruz, is on probation and has a history with law enforcement. Yesterday’s charges for Mr. Stevens include armed robbery, violation of probation and felony reckless evading.

Outstanding teamwork captured this suspect in quick order.

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

Santa Cruz Police Mid -Year Crime Stats 2018

 

On August 1, 2018, Santa Cruz police released the data on crime reported to the police for the first half of the year. Overall, crime has decreased in Santa Cruz with sexual assaults showing the largest decline of 51%. Of note, violent and property crime experienced a decrease, while aggravated assaults and arson increased.

While the department is pleased that fewer people have been victimized, we recognize one victim is too many. Chief Mills is appreciative of hard-working staff and involved the community members that has taken the opportunity to improve the safety of Santa Cruz through vigilance and community involvement.

Quarterly crime statistics for the City of Santa Cruz http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/police/crime-statistics

Chief Mills shares additional perspective regarding crime stat data
https://chiefmills.com/2018/08/01/crime-is-down-in-santa-cruz/

Join Us Tuesday, August 7th SCPD Serves Up Ice Cream with a Cop AND Coffee with a Cop Events

Santa Cruz Police Invites You and Your Kids to Ice Cream with a Cop & Coffee with a Cop on August 7, 2018

This coming Tuesday, August 7, the Santa Cruz Police Department invites everyone in the community to come out to one of two locations to enjoy an ice cream treat or coffee on us and meet their neighborhood officers. In the morning, Santa Cruz Police serves up Coffee with a Cop to bring community members and police together in informal setting to discuss community issues, build relationships and drink coffee.

In an effort to reach kids and adults alike, Santa Cruz Police Department offers Ice Cream with a Cop, a spin-off of Coffee with a Cop, but for kids. Ice Cream with a Cop aims to bridge relationships between local police officers and kids in a fun venue designed to build trust and friendships. Each child will receive a free ice cream cone or cup!

Coffee with a Cop
Tuesday, August 7, 2018, from 9:00 am -10:30 am at Starbucks, 1901 Mission Street and Dufour
Community, Conversation, and Coffee.

Ice Cream with a Cop
Tuesday, August 7, 2018, from 3:00 pm -7:00 pm at Marini’s Downtown, 1308 Pacific Avenue
Kids receive a free ice cream cone or cup. Hosted by SCPD
Community, conversation, and ice cream!

These events are just one of many ways we are bringing the police and community together to build positive relationships. No agendas or speeches, just a chance to say hello. Ask us questions, discuss issues, and get to know more about each other.