SCPD Officer Joe Hernandez wins United Way Award

Santa Cruz Police Department officer Joe Hernandez won the United Way Community Hero award this week. Nominations fall into a list of six categories: economy, education, health, natural environment, public safety, social environment.Officer Hernandez won in the public safety category for his work with the PRIDE Program, Citizen's Police Academy and his work on community outreach. 

This is not the first time that Officer Hernandez has been recognized - he has also won the Jim Howes award for community service and the Red Cross Hero award.

SCPD Gives out Free Bike Licenses to Students

The Community Services Section of the Santa Cruz Police Department and the City of Santa Cruz Finance Department worked together to develop a pilot program where we will issue free bicycle licenses to elementary school students.  We will have planned events where we issue the free licenses to children who ride bikes to school during a bike to school or bicycle safety type event on campus.  Our initial goal is to conduct at least one outreach event at each of the four main elementary schools within the City during the 2012-2013 school year. 

The first of such events occurred yesterday at Delaveaga Elementary School to coincide with the city wide Bike to School/Work program.  As a result of this event 40 students received free bicycle licenses.  

This program is designed to not only assist bike owners in recovering their bicycles in the event they are ever lost or stolen but also to promote and encourage kids to live healthy lifestyles and seek alternative modes of transportation. 

SCPD Volunteers, working in the Community Services section, donated time to do the data entry for the licenses. 

Questions?

Contact Sgt. Mike Harms, head of Community Services, at 420.5873

PRIDE Program to Start Next Class

Class five of the PRIDE program begins next week. The PRIDE Program (Personally Responsible Individual Development in Ethics) is overseen by Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez of the department's Community Services Section.

Working in conjunction with Santa Cruz City Schools and the County Office of Education, the program is a multifaceted approach to early gang prevention for local intermediate school-aged kids.

The nine-week program is designed to educate, mentor and guide troubled youth in the decision-making process.  Through guest speakers, trips and activities, participants will focus on positive and negative impacts of decision making. For example, during the course on bad decision making, participants may hear from former gang members, drug users and gang investigators. They will tour a state prison, police department and even a local morgue.

The second part of the program focuses on positive decision making. Speakers in this section will highlight successes as a result of avoiding gangs and drugs. These speakers will include successful sports players, business people, police officers, elected officials, educators and others. Upon completion of the program the teens will participate in a formal graduation with local police officials, family and friends.

The program is modeled after a successful program in Southern California that has shown participants to improve school test scores, graduation rates, engage in less violent or negative behavior and avoid gang/drug use.

For more information you can contact Sgt. Mike Harms at 420.5873

What is Offered at the Teen Public Safety Academy?

The summer Teen Academy courses developed by the Santa Cruz Police Department provide a great opportunity to Santa Cruz teenagers who are considering serving their community in careers in either law enforcement or public safety, and those who are interested in learning public safety skills and more about their community from the public servant perspective. In the one-week course participants gain an understanding of what it takes to become a law enforcement officer, firefighter, 911 dispatcher, and emergency responder through direct observation and participation.

Beginning with physical training each morning promptly at 8 o’clock, the day will focus upon learning various procedures and skills that will include:

+ Police investigations procedures
+ Understanding Traffic Section responsibilities of the SCPD
+ Learning about Current Gang identification, culture and colors
+ Identifying narcotics, drug paraphernalia and illegal drug usage
+ A field trip to 911 Dispatch to learn about dispatcher requirements and to
observe the call center in action
+ Observing a Police K-9 demonstration
+ An entire day with the SC Fire Department in which teens will: train and
obtain CPR certification; receive fire extinguisher training, hose and
water flow experience, technical rescue equipment (rescue techniques),
ropes and knots, and knowledge of specialized equipment.
+ Participation in controlled vehicle pursuit and high risk vehicle stop
+ Learning and practicing ESU tactical and clear building techniques

Two sessions have already been held this summer and planning is beginning for next summer's classes. Classes are limited to 20 participants enabling teens to meet and engage with officers and various public servants directly. Questions directed to officers who are presenting are encouraged, as are discussions. Classes fill up quickly and suggestions and questions for next summer's classes can be directed to the Community Services Section: 420-5873

Photos: Teen Public Safety Academy

Some photos from the Teen Public Safety Academy going on right now! They tried out radar, checked out police cars and motorcycles, learned about the department's structure, toured the facility and more... all on the first day!

SCPD Honors Volunteers

The Santa Cruz Police Department honored its remarkable group of volunteers today at a luncheon held at the Community Room. Chief Kevin Vogel and Deputy Chief Steve Clark spoke about the importance of the volunteer program and thanked everyone for the over 4,000 total volunteer hours they put in last year. Some volunteers received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards given to volunteers that gave at least 100 hours of their time in the last year. The program is overseen by the Community Services Section and Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez. The Volunteer Program at SCPD was created by Chief Kevin Vogel as one of his first actions as a new chief. Here are some photos from the event. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers!

Santa Cruz Family Fair

The Santa Cruz Police Department is partnering with Mercy Housing and San Jose State Nursing School for the second Santa Cruz Family Fair at Depot Park. The event will be held on May 6th and will include music, food, community information (including police K9 demos, vehicles, etc) face painting, soccer, games and prizes. It is a great way to meet neighbors in a fun environment!

Where: Depot Park
When:  May 6th - Noon-5:00 pm

For additional information contact SCPD Community Services at 420.5873

Communty Services Partners with Hope Services on Mobile ID Kits

Sgt. Mike Harms and the SCPD Community Services Section partnered today with Hope Services to provide mobile ID and fingerprinting. The section has done this at local schools and non profit organizations over the last few months. Would you like your organization to participate? Call Community Services at 420.5873

Santa Cruz Police Partners with Hope Services

The Santa Cruz Police Department Community Services Unit, and officer Brian Warren, teamed with Hope Services to create a public safety announcement. You can watch the video below:

Community Services Proving Child ID and Fingerprinting Today

The Community Services Section, headed by Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez, are in Harvey West Park today at the Kids Cottage doing child ID and fingerprinting today starting at 10:00 am. The public is welcome to go down for the kits or to contact Sgt. Harms at 420.5873 to set up an event at their school or other location.

SCPD Partners with City Elementary Schools on a Jeopardy-Style Challenge

Over the past several weeks the Community Services Section of the Santa Cruz Police Department has been hosting a Jeopardy-style game at each of the four Santa Cruz public elementary schools.  A champion from each campus has been selected to represent their respective school in a final Jeopardy game scheduled for December 14, 2011 in the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers. Mayor Ryan Coonerty and Chief Kevin Vogel will be co-hosting the event. The finalists will be competing for a small cash prize to be awarded to their school, as well as to earn bragging rights for their schools.  All students, teachers, staff, family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend. The program helps build connections between the Santa Cruz Police Department and local schools in an educational and supportive environment. The events have been organized by Sgt. Mike Harms and Officer Joe Hernandez of the Community Services Section. 

Jeopardy-Style Challenge with Local City Elementary Schools

December 14, 2011 - 4:00 PM
Santa Cruz City Council Chambers 

809 Center Street

Get to Know Police Volunteer Jill Cavanaugh!

Our department initiated a full-scale volunteer program this year and the response has been overwhelming. Run out of the Community Services Section, the police volunteer program affords an opportunity to experience all facets of police work up close. We know that in order to be successful, a strong sense of unity and shared purpose must exist between your police and the community. Our police volunteers continue to connect the Santa Cruz Police Department with the community we serve. One such wonderful volunteer is Jill Cavanaugh. We sat down with Jill so you can learn more about one of the dedicated volunteers that is helping keep our community safe!  

What made you want to volunteer with the Santa Cruz Police Department? 

Jill: Part personal interest and part wanting to be involved with the community I live in.

Tell us a little about your background. 

Jill: I’ve lived in many difference cities all over the Bay Area but always end up back in Santa Cruz.  As far as work goes I thought that owning my own business would be ideal.  In my mid 20’s I owned small retail clothing boutique where I was the only employee. I totally underestimated the responsibility. It was an expensive lesson... I ended up selling the business and took a loss! I have a whole new respect for business owners. 

What is the coolest thing you’ve done during your tenure at the PD? 

Jill: Working with the predictive policing program.  It’s such a great concept.  I find it fascinating!

      What are your favorite TV shows?

Jill : TV- I try to catch the news but I watch some real junk: Celebrity Rehab, Dexter, and most recently True Blood.  (It’s embarrassing I know!)

What one thing have you learned that surprised you about law enforcement work? 

Jill: How totally normal and down to earth everyone is.  Oh yeah and they do have a sense of humor! 

What is your favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz? 

Jill: I’m a vegan so… Malabar or Asana.  Depends on what kind of mood I’m in.  

Lastly, what 5 songs do you have on your iPod right now?

    

Jill: I’ll give you not what but who: Lenny Kravitz, Moby, Queen, Adele, Katy Perry.  I like to mix it up.