SCPD Joins Nextdoor

Hello Neighbors,
We are excited to let you know that the Santa Cruz Police Department is joining Nextdoor to share information and updates that directly impact your neighborhood.

Our Nextdoor account presents local public safety news, crime prevention, department updates, and address quality of life issues to promote safer neighborhoods in the City of Santa Cruz.

 
Please take a moment to connect with us on NEXTDOOR https://nextdoor.com/pages/santa-cruz-police-department-1..., so that we can grow our audience, reach more neighbors & help the community!

Tapping into the Nextdoor hub with SCPD gives you another channel for public safety information. We cannot monitor your neighborhood communications on Nextdoor. Your conversation remains private to you and your neighbors.

So, if you hear something, say something. It is essential to contact SCPD by phone if you need to report something in progress or suspicious. Dial 911 to report emergencies or (831) 471-1131 for non-emergencies.

To file a report online: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/police/report-a-crime/online-police-reporting-system.

Confidential Crime Tip Line 420-5995 or online at https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/police/how-do-i/leave-a-crime-tip/report-a-crime-tip#:~:text=Call%209%2D1%2D1.,call%209%2D1%2D1.

Utilizing Nextdoor, we continue to work with and for our community to inform and educate public safety communications to promote safer neighborhoods.

Learn more at www.SantaCruzPolice.com, where our Neighborhood Policing Team contacts, crime statistics, policies, permits, forms, press releases, and community programs are available.
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Santa Cops Bring the Magic of the Holidays to Children in Need 🎄 Donations Needed for Santa Cop & Friends Event

Santa Cruz Police Department hosts an inaugural Santa Cops & Friends for Kids program to help make the holidays brighter for underprivileged children in the City of Santa Cruz. Santa Cops & Friends community outreach works to provide gifts and necessities to those who would otherwise receive nothing over the holiday season. 

The Santa Cruz Police Department asks for donations from businesses and community members to provide gifts for disadvantaged children referred to the Santa Cops & Friends program by schools, local nonprofits, and residents.

"The success of Santa Cop & Friends Program is only possible with our community's generous donation support," said Joyce Blaschke, SCPD spokeswoman. "During these difficult times, the spirit of giving is more important than ever. Santa Cops is another way of giving back to the community that officers care so much about and do their best to protect".

DONATIONS | Santa Cops & Friends for Kids is entirely donation driven. Please support this worthy cause with a monetary donation, gift card, or toys/clothing (new, unwrapped, and in the original packaging). Our goal is to help as many families as possible; the number depends on donations. 

Monetary donations can be made online or by check payable to Friends of SCPD.

Donation Drop-Off Locations
SCPD 155 Center Street, Santa Cruz
Mon – Thurs, 9am - 3:30pm 
831-420-5870 to be met at the door. 

SC Civic Auditorium,
307 Center Street, Santa Cruz
Tues-Fri, 2pm-4pm

Donation Pick Up
We'll come to You! Call (831)420-5844 to make arrangements.

APPLICATION PROCESS | Eligible applicants must be 5-13 years of age, reside in the City of Santa Cruz, and family has an economic or social hardship. Such as losing a job, homelessness, military deployment, or illness.

* Referrals come from schools, nonprofit children's programs, and social service organizations.

* Community members can also nominate children.

* Application deadline is ‪Dec. 4, 2020, for referrals & nominations.

SANTA COPS & FRIENDS FOR KIDS
 DRIVE THROUGH EVENT Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 

Santa Cops & Friends will host a drive-through holiday event on Church Street to observe social distancing rules. As families pull up to the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, SCPD Santa Cops deliver gifts selected to children in our program.

Everything you need to know about Santa Cops & Friends for Kids

Event Details, Donations, Applications, Forms & Flyers in English and Spanish

Santa Cops & Friends for Kids | www.cityofsantacruz.com/SantaCops
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Prius Owners Watch Out for Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter theft continues to be an issue in our community and all over the state and country. Recently, Toyota Priuses are the most common vehicle type reported stolen in the city, although several have been stolen from various other makes and models.

Criminals target catalytic converters to strip them of metals for quick cash. The price of certain precious metals found in catalytic converters rose significantly, starting in 2019. This car part can take as little as one minute to remove and only require a wrench to complete the theft.

To protect your self against this type of theft (which can cost upwards of $2,000-$3,000 to replace/repair), consider these tips:
• Park your cars in a garage.
• Park under lights in areas where passers-by will most easily see your vehicle.
• Calibrate your car's alarm to set off when it detects vibration
• If your catalytic converter is a "bolt-on" model, you can have the bolts welded shut and have extra metal welded to the exhaust system.
• Install a catalytic converter protection device that will clamp around the converter.
• Etch your converter with your vehicle's license plate number in several different locations. It will help the police track your stolen property.

If you are a victim of catalytic converter theft, file a police report immediately after the theft is discovered.

If you have any information related to these cases, contact SCPD Investigations (831) 420-5820. Anonymous callers use (831) 420 -5995

SCPD Modification of Lobby Services During COVID-19

Due to the recent surge in positive Covid-19 cases, the Santa Cruz Police Department lobby is now closed to public access until further notice. This decision was made in the community’s and staff’s best interest to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County.

Although our lobby is closed to the public, our staff at SCPD are working and ready to serve you. 

***Call or utilize the intercom outside of the PD Lobby.***

For an emergency that affects life or property, call 9-1-1 immediately.
For non-emergencies, call (831) 471-1131
- Speak with an officer on duty.
- Request a post storage hearing / require a vehicle release
- Need a citation/ticket signed off

Contact Records Division at (831) 420-5870
Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 4:30pm
- Assistance requesting police report & records inquiries
- 290 Registration (Tuesday & Thursday)

Property Release (Tuesday 11:00am – 3:00 pm & Thursday 12:30pm -2:30pm)

Dispatchers are on duty 24 hours a day to take your calls, and you can file a report online www.santacruzpolice.com both actions will appropriately notify your SCPD officers.

As always, SCPD continues to respond to all calls for service, patrol city streets, and protect our community.

Welcome K9 Parker!

SCPD is proud to introduce our newest officer, K9 Parker.

Parker is a 1 ½-year-old Labrador Retriever who has skills as a dual purpose police service dog. Parker works alongside his handler, Officer Brian George in our patrol division. The K9 duo of Parker and Officer George completed a 6-week law enforcement canine training together before deployed as a team out on the streets.

K9 Officer George and his partner Parker spend most of their time assisting officers with drug investigations. What's special about Parker is in addition to being a great working dog certified in narcotics detection, he's also very social and comfortable connecting with people.

Due to Parker's easy-going personality, Officer George and Parker can participate in community outreach efforts and help ease tensions when interacting with crime victims and children. A bonus for us all, Parker's sunny disposition brings smiles to staff members as he wanders our halls.

K9 Parker is a welcomed addition to our K9 Program and Patrol Operations! A special thank you for the generous donation from Joanne Parker for supporting our K9 Unit and making it all possible.

K9 Parker is excited to do his part in helping to keep Santa Cruz a safe community for all. If you happen to come across the K9 team between service calls, feel free to introduce yourself and congratulate them on their hard work and success.

Santa Cruz Police will not tolerate any form of hate crime.

When there is a cause, SCPD will always take the proper and strongest action possible concerning hate crimes.

On July 5, 2020, at about 6:24 pm, SCPD responded to an altercation between a black man attacked by a white suspect who drew a knife and started slashing at the victim on San Lorenzo Blvd and Broadway Street. The suspect, Ole Hougen 43 years old, screamed racial slurs at the victim during the incident. Fortunately, the victim was able to fend off the attacker until officers arrived.

Mr. Hougen was arrested and charged for a hate crime, the criminal act committed against another person that is motivated by prejudice and assault with a deadly weapon.

The suspect Ole Hougen, only wanted a "white person to help" take him into custody. Not an SCPD accommodation. Our staffing includes people of color. Mr. Hougen continued to make racial comments and slur towards SCPD officers and jail staff during the booking process. Officers remained professional at all times, even though his behavior was out of control and unacceptable.

If a community member is a victim of, or witness to, what they believe to be a hate crime, call SCPD at 9-1-1 or (831) 471-1131.

SCPD Supports the LGBTQ+ Community with Pride Patch

Officers at Santa Cruz Police Department are sporting a new Rainbow Pride patch on their uniforms as part of an effort to increase law enforcement's understanding and support of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during the LGBTQ+ Pride month in June. 

Members of the Neighborhood Policing Team at Santa Cruz Police Department led the charge to create, wear and sell SCPD Pride Patches for the first time this year. Department personnel were inspired by conversations with community members, as well as officers who wanted to see a more inclusive Santa Cruz Police Department.

Throughout June, Officers are permitted and encouraged to wear the Pride Patches. June is recognized globally, including in the City of Santa Cruz, as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This special edition SCPD Rainbow Pride Patches are available to the community for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting local LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations.

 

• Patches are $10 each and are available for sale during business hours at the Santa Cruz Police Department at 155 Center Street. SCPD Lobby is open Tuesday - Thursday 10 am - 4 pm.
  
• To purchase and receive Pride Patches by mail, email lrobinson@cityofsantacruz.com or call 831-420-5878.

The Santa Cruz Police Department welcomes diversity in all forms, including; race, gender, background, and thought. Chief Mills said. “We encourage everyone to support this cause, buy a patch, and wear it with pride.”