A Day of Remembrance for Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler

February 26, 2013 will be a day that we all will never forget. On this day, Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler were tragically killed in the line-of-duty.

The Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard led a solemn 43 minute ceremony in remembrance of that fateful day. The timing is significant because Butch and Elizabeth lost their lives on February 26, 2013 at 3:23 p.m. and the individual responsible for this horrific rampage was stopped at 4:06 p.m.

Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace knowing your fellow brothers and sisters are watching over your family and continuing the Watch.

The Baker-Butler Memorial Garden stands as a tribute to our fallen friends and heroes. The creation of this beautiful garden was labor of love. View the evolution of the Baker-Butler Memorial Garden.

"Building the Memorial Garden" is available on SCPD YouTube Channel https://goo.gl/uG5XKS

SCPD is grateful to all those who put in many hours and worked tirelessly to make this Baker-Butler Memorial Garden happen.

Our SCPD family has been humbled by the outpouring of support and respect both towards our Officers and the Baker and Butler families since the tragic day. SCPD is forever grateful and we vow to continue our tradition of service as we move forward keeping the City of Santa Cruz safe.

Attention Eastside Santa Cruz - Event Tonight!

The City of Santa Cruz welcomes all Eastside residents and business owners to the first City Hall To You Community Forum on Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St.

SCPD is looking forward to the opportunity to have conversations with a variety of city residents and see their Eastside neighborhoods as they do. We realize that no two neighborhoods are alike, nor are their safety priorities and concerns about crime. SCPD will be on hand to discuss public safety issues specific to the Eastside of town.

The new event is the first in a quarterly series created by the City Council to enhance community connectedness and government transparency. Multiple departments will host booths regarding projects and information relevant to the Eastside including: Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Library, Fire, Police, Planning and Water.

What: Eastside City Hall to You — a City of Santa Cruz community forum for Eastside residents to engage with City leaders and staff regarding their neighborhood concerns.
When: Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St., Santa Cruz 95062

Click here for more details. http://goo.gl/Veeobq

City Hall to You will focus on City quadrants, one at a time. Within a year additional City Hall to You forums will be scheduled with focus on the Westside, Downtown, and Upper Eastside. Future forum locations, dates and times are yet to be determined.

Four arrested during joint narcotics sting operation.

On Friday February 19th, between 1:30pm and 3:15pm, the Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team and Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team conducted a narcotics sting operation in the City of Santa Cruz. The joint operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects for conspiracy and sales of narcotics to undercover officers. The suspects sold methamphetamine and heroin to undercover officers. The arrests were made in the areas of San Lorenzo Park and the east river levee of the San Lorenzo River near Riverside Ave.

The suspects arrested have been identified as:

Rafael Saldana - 46 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Rafael Saldana  was arrested for (1) Sales of Heroin 11351H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182 PC 

Juan Gonzalez, - 41 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Juan Gonzalez was arrested for (1) Sales of Heroin 11351H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182 PC

Benjamin Kirkley - 59 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Benjamin Kirkley was arrested for (1) Sales of Methamphetamine 11378H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182PC

John Pitts - 37 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

John Pitts was arrested for Arrested for (1) Sales of Methamphetamine 11378H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182PC
  
This successful drug arrest is due to the combined work of the Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team and the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. 

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) is specialized unit. NET works as a team to focus on mid to long-term issues works focus is on enforcement strategies in order to suppress crimes of violence, gangs and drugs throughout the City of Santa Cruz.

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes

By Kevin Vogel, Chief of Police

This Friday marks the third anniversary of the tragic and senseless deaths of our heroes, Sergeant Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler.   On Friday afternoon at 3:23 p.m., members of the Santa Cruz Police Department will gather at the Baker-Butler Memorial Garden in the front courtyard of the police department for a quiet ceremony to honor and remember our fallen friends and heroes.  3:23 p.m. marks the time on February 26, 2013 that Butch and Beth gave everything they had for this community.  We will gather to remember a father, a husband, a mentor and a friend.  We will gather to remember a mother, a partner and an inspiration to all of us.   Remembering who they were, what made them so special, why we admired them, why we loved them and why we were proud to serve next to them will make certain they never leave our hearts.

We remember them every day as we gaze at the beautiful Baker-Butler Memorial Garden that was dedicated to their memory on the first anniversary in 2014.  Every member of the Santa Cruz Police Department who worked by their side wears a memorial pin inscribed with Butch and Beth’s badge numbers as a perpetual reminder of the ultimate sacrifice they made when they gave their lives for our community.  

Last year, former Mayor Don Lane brought forth a proposal in which our City Council unanimously proclaimed February 26^th as “Baker-Butler Memorial Day” in the City of Santa Cruz where the flags will be lowered in perpetuity at all City facilities.   As I mentioned when I delivered the eulogy for Butch and Beth on March 7, 2013, Elizabeth loved the delicious Morning Buns at Kelly’s French Bakery.  Every single Wednesday morning, Kelly and Mark Sanchez, owners of Kelly’s Bakery, have ensured a delivery of 100 Morning Buns to the police department.  The members of the Santa Cruz Police Department have affectionately named those Morning Buns “Butler Buns.”  We are grateful to everyone in our community who has kept the spirit of Butch and Beth alive in all of our hearts.

We will never forget the outpouring of support we felt from this community and communities beyond following that fateful and tragic day nearly three years ago.   It is very difficult, if not impossible to find words to adequately describe the overwhelming feelings that our Santa Cruz Police Department family experienced as those of us who traveled in the memorial procession navigated our way from the beach area in Santa Cruz to the memorial service in San Jose.  The streets of Santa Cruz and the overpasses on Highway 17 were lined with members of our community and beyond expressing their love, honor and respect for Butch and Beth.  It was a showing of love and support from our community that we have never experienced before.  I’ve said this many times before and I’ll say it again.  Thank you Santa Cruz!

For those of us who knew Butch and Beth, not a day goes by when we do not reach deep into our hearts and find a personal memory of them that brings a smile to our faces.  Please join us in honoring them on Baker-Butler Memorial Day.  We love them both dearly and we will miss them forever.   

SCPD Shooting Investigation & Arrest

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred 2/10/16 on Berry St. near Avalon St. at approximately 10:30 pm. This incident is being investigated as a gang motivated shooting. The victim is a 20 year old Santa Cruz resident. He was struck in the arm and transported to a Bay Area trauma center for treatment. The victim’s wound was not life threatening.

SCPD Detectives worked throughout the night and identified two suspects in the shooting. The suspects were located at approximately 3:00 am near an apartment complex in the 200 block of Button Street. Both suspects were in custody within a few hours thanks to the combined efforts of SCPD Detectives, SCPD Neighborhood Enforcement Team and the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.

Misael Acosta-Vences, 20 years old, Santa Cruz resident 

Misael Acosta-Vences was identified and arrested as the suspected shooter. He is 20 years old and a Santa Cruz resident. Misael Acosta-Vences was arrested for the following charges: attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling and multiple gang enhancement charges.

Jocelyn Acosta, 22 year old, Santa Cruz resident

Jocelyn Acosta has been arrested as an accessory to the crime. She is 22 years old and a Santa Cruz resident. Jocelyn Acosta was arrested for the following charges: attempted murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling and participating in a criminal street gang.
At this time, there are no other suspects being sought.

SCPD Officers recovered several bullets at the crime scene. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots fired in the area. One stray bullet entered a nearby residence and lodged into a wall. The family was home at the time of the shooting. Fortunately, no one in the home was harmed.

The police department is asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed this shooting to contact Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820.

Help SCPD Identify Suspect in Child Luring Incident

The Santa Cruz Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect wanted in connection to a child luring case. The suspect attempted to lure a 12 year old boy into his car on the upper west side of Santa Cruz.

The incident happened on Wednesday 2/03/2016 at approximately 4:00 p.m. when the suspect tried to lure the juvenile victim into his car. The boy was riding his skateboard near his home when he noticed a car driving back and forth on the street. The suspect then parked near the 12 year old boy and asked if he wanted to get in. The boy said “No”. The driver then drove a few feet closer to the boy and attempted to lure the boy into his car. The boy then ran off and notified his parents who in turn called the police.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 5'6", in his mid-30 with yellowish teeth. He was wearing a short sleeve gray shirt. The suspect spoke in English with a heavy Spanish accent. The suspect fled the area driving a light gold compact sedan with faded paint.

An image of the suspect vehicle was captured from a nearby residence's security camera.

Residents are urged to be on the lookout for this vehicle and to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity. SCPD encourages parents to caution their kids to be aware of their surroundings and to simply run if approached by a stranger.

Anyone with information relative to the suspect’s identity is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit (831) 420-5820.

Massage Parlor Sting & Human Trafficking Investigation

On January 29, 2016, the Santa Cruz Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) conducted an undercover human trafficking and prostitution sting focusing on illegal acts of prostitution in local massage businesses. The operation was borne out of community complaints and suspicions about the activity occurring in the businesses.

Four local businesses were visited by undercover officers during this operation. In all four locations, employees solicited the undercover officers by offering to perform sex acts in exchange for money during the course of the massage. The businesses are:

Lucky Valley Health Center
827 Water Street

Asian Massage
212 Fern Street

Health Care Massage
223 River Street

Golden Bay Spa
551 Frederick Street

In all, four women were cited for soliciting an act of prostitution. Their ages are 50, 44, 30 and 42 years old. Our investigation revealed that all four of the women are Chinese Nationals.

It is not uncommon to find that women working in such businesses, engaging in illegal acts of prostitution, are indeed victims of a larger human trafficking operation. The Police Department Victim Advocate and an advocate from Monarch Services accompanied the operation to offer services and assist in assessing the participants for possible human trafficking involvement. The team also included Mandarin and Cantonese translators.

In addition to the advocates, other agencies assisting in this operation include the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team (SCCACT), the District Attorney’s Office, and Federal and State law enforcement.

The Santa Cruz Police Department Neighborhood Enforcement Team plans to conduct similar operations in the near future. These operations are designed to address potential human trafficking operations and ensure these businesses are operating within the law.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is committed to improving the quality of life for our community and stopping those that seek to victimize and/or exploit others. 

Anyone who has information on illegal activity, such as this, in and around the City of Santa Cruz is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department. Tipsters can also share this information via our anonymous tip line at (831) 420-5995. Additional services available for victims of human trafficking include:

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

Monarch Services 1-888-900-4232