Drop Off Your Unwanted Or Expired Medicines at Santa Cruz Police Department

Check out SafeRx - Talk About It event happening this Sunday, October 1st.  They will be discussing prevention efforts in the community, alternative treatment, Narcan training, and much more. This is a FREE event with activities for the whole family! 

The Santa Cruz Police Department wants to remind the community about our on-going prescription drug take-back program. This program, offered by the Santa Cruz Police Department, provides a no-cost, anonymous collection point for unwanted or expired medicines.

We have a secure, self-service collection bin in our public lobby that is available to community members Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Simply bring your unwanted or expired medicines to the police department during the hours that our public lobby is open and use the self-service bin which is clearly marked and located in the left-hand corner of the front lobby as you face the front counter.

Now is an excellent time to clean out your medicine cabinet. It is important to protect our children, families and the environment by properly disposing of unwanted or expired drugs. Medicines in the home are a leading cause of accidental poisoning and flushed, or trashed medicines can end up polluting our waters. Rates of prescription drug abuse are alarmingly high. Over half of teens abusing medicines get them from a family member or friend, including the home medicine cabinet, and often without their knowledge.

Please take advantage of the Santa Cruz Police Department’s no cost, anonymous collection point for your unwanted or expired medicines. Together, we can make Santa Cruz safer for all of us!

Street Smarts Satety Tip of the Week - Yield. Every Corner is a legal crosswalk.

The mission of the Street Smarts public education campaign is to reduce the number of traffic-related crashes and injuries in the City of Santa Cruz.

For more details: http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/public-works/traffic-engineering/streetsmarts-2766

Santa Cruz Police Chief Mills Host Series Of Town Hall Meetings

Click For Additional Media Release Details

Neighborhood Block Parties SCPD Tour Of Smiles & Fun

Yesterday, Santa Cruz Police Department joined with Santa Cruz Neighbors on dozens of local block parties. This is always a great opportunity for neighbors to meet new friends and say hello to old neighbors.

Thanks to all the hosts who organized block parties, and all the folks that participated. SCPD had a fun time touring each of the neighborhoods.  It's good to see so many neighbors gather together and build relationships that keep our community connected and safe.

This neighborhood spirit builds friendships and supports SCPD in anti-crime efforts. Together, we send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and watching out for each other. 

Thank you Santa Cruz Neighbors!

Santa Cruz Police Veteran Officer Erich Hoppe Promoted To Police Sergeant

The Santa Cruz Police Department announces the promotion of Officer Erich Hoppe to the rank of Police Sergeant. Chief Andrew Mills commented, “Sergeant Hoppe has continuously demonstrated a commitment to serving our community through his outstanding work ethic, leadership, and professionalism.”

Over the past 15 years Officer Hoppe worked in the Santa Cruz Police Department’s Operations Division and has been assigned to Patrol, Downtown Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Neighborhood Enforcement Team and served as a Field Training Officer. Sergeant Hoppe has a strong background in Community Policing and was involved in many complex neighborhood problem-solving cases during his years in the Downtown Unit, Street Crimes Unit and the Neighborhood Enforcement Team.

Sergeant Hoppe is also a founding member of the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team and is a firearms instructor for the department. He has tactical training and experience to teach other department members. Additionally, Sergeant Hoppe assists in planning ESU team operations and coordinating his patrol team’s responses to critical incidents.

With strong ties to the Santa Cruz community, Sergeant Hoppe built relationships with a wide variety of community members, neighborhood groups, business owners, other public agencies and local leaders. He lives in the community with his wife and daughter and looks forward to using his skills, experience and community ties to effectively lead a patrol team in improving quality of life issues in Santa Cruz.

Chief Andrew Mills stated, “We were fortunate to have six very competitive and capable candidates. Erich distinguished himself as a leader who is ready to assume a patrol sergeant’s position”.

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating Sergeant Hoppe on achieving a significant milestone in his career.

Officer Bernadette Erlach Uses Narcan To Save Two Lives

SCPD Officer Erlach Saves Two Lives With Drug That Stops Overdoses

SCPD Officer Bernadette Erlach

Twice in four months, an SCPD Naloxone-trained officer successfully revived a person suffering a narcotics overdose. Both times it was Officer Bernadette Erlach. In each case, Officer Erlach was the first responder to arrive on the scene and found the person unconscious and not breathing. Both times, Officer Erlach administered Naloxone (NARCAN) nasal spray and revived the victim. Thanks to the quick-acting officer, both victims survived.

On May 24, 2017, Officer Erlach responded to a person not breathing due to a heroin overdose. The person was near the train tracks behind Depot Park. When Officer Erlach arrived, she found the person unconscious and not breathing. Based on the symptoms, she applied Naloxone using an intranasal spray and began CPR. The person revived and began to breathe on their own until paramedics arrived.

On August 22, 2017, Officer Erlach overheard a medical call regarding a person overdosing in a hotel. The call was dispatched as "a person not conscious or breathing and possibly overdosed on heroin." When Officer Erlach arrived on the scene, she found the person on the floor in their hotel room with signs of narcotic use. The person was unconscious and not breathing. Officer Erlach applied Naloxone using an intranasal spray (NARCAN) and began life-saving measures. After about 10 to 15 seconds, the subject regained consciousness and sat up.

Last December, SCPD became the first law enforcement agency in Santa Cruz County to be trained in the use of Naloxone. The pilot program started with 12 SCPD officers equipped with life-saving Narcan kits. Officers train on how to recognize life threatening opioid overdoses from such drugs as heroin and prescription painkillers and administer the intranasal naloxone as an antidote. Since the pilot program started, SCPD officers have saved three persons using Narcan Kits.

Due to the success of the pilot program, SCPD is looking into expanding the program department wide. Early intervention by SCPD officers equipped with Narcan Kits increases the chances of survival for an overdose victim. The Narcan kits have become a useful tool in helping officers as first responders and in safeguarding lives.

Pilot program Naloxone provided to the Santa Cruz Police Department by Janus of Santa Cruz who received the Narcan through a Substance Abuse Block Grant.

Weekend Highlights: De-Escalation Success - Home Burglar Arrested - K-9 Team Locates Suspect & Firearm

Santa Cruz Police Talks Suspect with Gun To Surrender
On Friday, 9/8/17 at approximately 5:39 pm, Santa Cruz Police responded to a residence near the 400 block of Plateau Avenue for a suspect who held a .22 caliber gun to a victim's chest. In addition to the on-duty patrol team, SCPD utilized officers that are part of the SCPD Crisis Negotiation Team.

Glen Eikenbary, 61 years old, from Santa Cruz

The suspect, Glen Eikenbary, 61 years old, from Santa Cruz, threatened to kill one of two male relatives in the home. Glen Eikenary pointed a .22 caliber gun at male relative’s chest and told him he would kill him. In fear for his life, the other family member barricaded himself in another room and called 911.

SCPD called on Officer Bayani from the SCPD Crisis Negotiation Team to interact with the victim and the suspect. Ultimately, Officer Bayani was able to negotiate with and convince the suspect to calm down and to come out of the house. Officer Bayani also convinced the victim that he was safe as well. Officers located the loaded gun used in the assault in the living room. Officers found several more guns inside the residence. SCPD officers arrested Glen Eikenary for assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threat with intent to terrorize.

Thanks to the great work of our patrol and Crisis Negotiation Teams, SCPD brought this risky situation to a successful conclusion without any injuries.

Home Burglar Arrested
On Saturday 9/9/17 at about 1:56 am, Santa Cruz Police responded to an interrupted residential burglary in the 600 block of Escalona Drive. The suspect had come in through the home through an unlocked sliding glass door. The suspect fled the house when residents announced their presence. Santa Cruz Police set up a perimeter in the neighborhood and the surrounding area in hopes the suspect would show himself.

Terrance Alexander, 40 years old from Santa Cruz

Around 2:31 am, a homeowner in the 100 block of Hollywood Avenue called to report another occupied residential burglary, and the suspect description was a match to the original suspect from Escalona Drive. SCPD patrol set up a perimeter and did yard to yard searches; at this time the suspect eluded capture. Then, a breakthrough. An observant citizen called from the 100 block of Peyton Street to report a male subject running across Mission Street, then south on Walnut Avenue.

Several SCPD units responded immediately and detained the suspect Terrance Alexander, 40 years old, from Santa Cruz. Among the stolen items in Mr. Alexander possession was a driver's license in his pocket with the matching address of a home that was burglarized.

SCPD arrested Terrance Alexander for burglary and possession of stolen property. A great team effort by citizens and SCPD patrol.

#1 Tip To Prevent Home Burglary - Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed.

K-9 Team Officer Terry and Luna

On 9/10/17, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Aptos, where one victim suffered a gunshot wound, and multiple suspects fled the scene on foot. SCPD K-9 Team of Officer Terry and Luna were requested for assistance with the search. K-9 Officer Terry and Luna located one outstanding suspect and one firearm.

Well done! Officer Sean Terry and his K9 partner Luna certified as a Patrol and Narcotic Detection K9 Team just two weeks ago.

SCPD Chief Mills' Letter To President Trump Regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Calling All Drivers, Bicyclists and Pedestrians! CELEBRATE STREET SMARTS WEDS, 9/13, 3-6 PM AT KP ARENA

Join Chief Mills and Mayor Chase plus Santa Cruz Warriors mascot Mav’Riks, UCSC's Sammy the Slug and CHP’s Chipmunk Chipper who will lead young and old in activities that underscore safe rules of the road. There will be 15 booths with PD motorcycle for kids to sit on, interactive games, free valet bike parking, bike safety rodeo plus one free raffle ticket per person for prizes including Southwest round-trip air tickets, free car service, new bikes, walking shoes, reflective gear, and more.

 www.cityofsantacruz.com/StreetSmarts