THE NEED FOR LICENSE PLATE READERS

On Tuesday February 11th, Santa Cruz Police Department met with the Beach Flats neighborhood affected by cases of gun violence to talk about License Plate Readers (LPR). To keep our community safe, we can use technology that identifies vehicles, tracks leads, and helps law enforcement capture the evidence to solve crime.

Chief Andy Mills recaps the community meeting in his blog and shares

SCPD proposal and initial recommendations to change the ordinance. http://bit.ly/2Hl1mBq

The plan is to borrow several license plate-reading cameras from Northern California Regional Intelligence Center. The cameras will be set up in areas of high gun violence in Beach Flats neighborhood and other key areas in the city.

There is a proposed ordinance circulating that would significantly limit the police use of technology, please join the discussion. Investigators will use LPR to develop leads in gun violence cases. License plate readers will help officers catch criminals and, in fact, be a deterrent to those wanting to commit a crime in 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.

Happening This WEEK - Meetings to Present YOUR Neighborhood Policing Team & Plan

Santa Cruz Police Department created five Neighborhood Policing Teams assigned to areas within the City of Santa Cruz. The Neighborhood Policing Teams put more SCPD officers on the streets to increase community policing and activate crime-fighting strategies. There are five introduction community meetings. One for each designated neighborhood policing area.
Meet and Greet YOUR
Neighborhood Policing Team
Teams led by a dedicated Lieutenant, Sergeant, and officers charged with implementing strategies to prevent and reduce crime and improve neighborhood policing.

See and Hear The PLAN
For YOUR  Neighborhood Policing Area
To tackle the underlying causes of crime and safety issues and put sustainable solutions in place.

Downtown Neighborhoods 
Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Santa Cruz Police Department Community Room

Upper Westside Neighborhoods 
Tuesday, March 6th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Peace United Church - 900 High Street

Lower Westside Neighborhoods 
Wednesday, March 7th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Bayview Elementary School – 1231 Bay Street

Lower East Side Neighborhoods
Thursday, March 8th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Gault Elementary School – 1320 Seabright Avenue

Upper East Side Neighborhoods 
Monday, March 12th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Community Church on Roxas StreetFind Your Area - Map Your Address - Connect To Your Team  Neighborhood Policing Teams  Locate Your Neighborhood Policing AreaConnect with Your Neighborhood Policing Team 

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!

West Side Community Meeting Cancelled

The West beat community meeting scheduled for Tuesday November 8, 2011 has been CANCELLED due to a conflict with the City Council meeting. There will be no West beat meeting on that night.

Lt. McMahon has tentatively rescheduled the West beat meeting for Tuesday December 6, 2011.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.  Confirmation of a new meeting date and more information to follow.