Enhanced Safety Measures for Independence Holiday Weekend

Fireworks Prohibited – Violators Subject To Triple Fine Penalties – July 3-5, 2015  Minimum Fine $532

With thousands expected to visit Santa Cruz over the upcoming Independence Day holiday weekend, the Santa Cruz City Council has taken steps to ensure the City remains safe and clean for everyone. The Santa Cruz City Council has approved a citywide Safety Enhancement Zone from July 3rd to July 5th, 2015.

The Safety Enhancement Zone enacts “Triple Fines” for certain violations of the Municipal Code. With additional court costs, minimum fines will be $532.

The Santa Cruz Police Department will be actively seeking out and enforcing all violations that have been designated for triple fines under the Safety Enhancement Zone. Some of those violations include:
· Fireworks possession
· Possession of Open Containers or Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Public Places
· Graffiti
· Noise Violations
· Trespassing
· Conduct on Public Property
· Urinating/Defecating in Public

If you witness illegal fireworks being discharged or any of the violations listed above, the Santa Cruz Police Department strongly encourages you to call 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident. Our patrol teams will be busy, but we will respond to complaints of illegal fireworks. We ask that you are willing to assist us by identifying and signing a complaint against the person(s) responsible. This means the person in possession of the fireworks or the one responsible for putting flame to fuse. We also ask you be willing to testify in court, if necessary. With the increased fire danger this year, we are relying on our partnership with the community to keep us all safe this 4th of July.

For more information, click this link.
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/Home/Components/News/News/1925/36

Thank you and have a safe Independence Day holiday weekend.

Mayor Lane & City Council Present Proclamation to SCPD

Mayor Don Lane, speaking on behalf of the Santa Cruz City Council recognized the Santa Cruz Police Department in honor of Police Appreciation Week at today’s council meeting.

About National Police Week
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This week is set to honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.

Deputy Chief Rick Martinez received a proclamation for SCPD’s hard work in our community.

Mayor Don Lane commended SCPD's ongoing good work in partnership with city.  The proclamation demonstrates that local law enforcement is honored and respected in our community.  

Thank you Mayor Lane and City Council. It is an honor to serve and protect this fine community.

Gratitude Paid to Those That Reached Out in Aftermath of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler Shooting

Mayor Hilary Bryant, Chief Kevin Vogel and the City Council paid honor and gratitude to the people, businesses and organizations that lifted us up in the aftermath of the deaths of Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.

 Photo Courtesy of Brad Kava - Patch

There are hundreds who stepped forward and stood with the police department and community during this time.

Receiving a “Key to the City” were: 

Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1
City of San Jose
Santa Cruz Memorial
California Highway Patrol
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office

Receiving Proclamations were: 

Adam Abrams
John & Rebecca Colligan
Friends of Shannon Collins
Anne Maggioncalda
Patty Quillin
Richard Wilson
Atherton Police Officer’s Association
Boomerang Project
The Fallen Officers Fund
Police and Fire;  The Fallen Heroes
San Francisco Police Credit Union
San Francisco Police Officers Association
Baskin & Grant, LLP
Bike Dojo
Erik's Deli
Joe’s Pizza & Subs
William Ow Family
PredPol
Rechnitz Charity Foundation
Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Santa Cruz Rotary
Stagnaro Bros Seafood
Zoccoli’s Deli
Governor Jerry Brown
James Durbin
Attorney General Kamala Harris
Nickelodeon Theatres, Inc
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District
Santa Cruz Warriors
Secretary Leon Panetta
Twin Lakes Church – Pastor Rene Schlaepfer 

There were many more who received certificates of appreciation.  We will list those in the days ahead. 

Special Thanks to Scott Collins from the City Manager’s Office for his endless hours and dedication to this program.  Scott put this program together, and honored us all with his work. 

There are so many individual stories of generosity and kindness extended to us during this time.  We will try to highlight some of those in the weeks ahead.

You lifted and held us up during the most difficult days we have faced.  Thank you doesn't begin to express our gratitude.

Together, our challenge and our duty is to keep the momentum going in a positive way.  We will honor their memory by making a Santa Cruz a community worthy of their sacrifice.