Halloween Road Closures and Safety Enhancement Zone

While it is still three weeks away the Santa Cruz Police Department has been setting the ground work for this year's Halloween for the last few months. As with previous years, downtown will face road closures and a safety enhancement (triple fine) zone. The Department focuses on a very proactive enforcement of laws to attempt to maintain a peaceful environment in the area. Here is an overview of enforcement from last year:

50 Total Arrests

· 34 for public intoxication/alcohol related (2 Juveniles)

· domestic violence, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of a switchblade knife, drug possession, parole violations/warrants, resisting arrest

49 Triple Fine Municipal Code Violations

·open container violations, urinating in public

We encourage anyone interested in coming downtown for Halloween to play safe and stay sober. Overwhelmingly, the issues we face are alcohol-fueled on that evening.

A map of the triple fine zone can be found below:

Downtown Crime Stats: A 10 Month Look

Downtown Crime Stats: A 10 Month Look

After posting crime stats for the first six months of the year we wanted to follow-up with a second look at downtown stats. Here are the first 10 months of the year:


January 1 - October 31, 2010:

Aggravated Assaults: 103
Robbery: 17
Theft:173
Auto Theft:11
Burglary: 20

January 1 - October, 2011:   --   Percent Change

Aggravated Assaults: 86                  -17%
Robbery: 12                                    -29%
Theft: 169                                        -2%
Auto Theft: 9                                   -18%
Burglary: 30                                     50%

Downtown Crime Stats: A 6 Month Look

After posting crime stats for the first six months of the year we received some requests for data to be broken down by certain locations. One location that was requested is downtown - overall crime numbers are down in the downtown area. But here are some stats for you!


January 1 - June 30, 2010:

Adult Arrests: 591
Aggravated Assaults: 6
Public Intoxication: 228
Battery: 37
Theft: 61

January 1 - June 30, 2011:   --   Percent Change

Adult Arrests: 460                           -22%

Aggravated Assaults:8                    33%
Public Intoxication: 181                  -26%
Battery: 31                                    -16%
Theft: 72                                        18%

Get to Know Community Service Officer Jenna Wilson!

Community Service Officer (CSO) Jenna Wilson is part of an extremely dedicated and successful team that addresses crime and quality of life issues downtown. Wondering what the difference between a CSO and officer is?  A CSO serves a vital role in the SCPD structure. CSOs are non-sworn positions that issue municipal code violations, take police reports, perform evidence processing and investigations and report criminal code violations to sworn officers. CSO Wilson is a familiar face downtown and we thought you may want to get to know her better!

Tell us about your favorite spot in Santa Cruz

CSO Wilson: My favorite spot in Santa Cruz is actually at the end of the wharf. I love to sit out there on a sunny day, get a shrimp cocktail from Stagnaros and just admire the ocean and the Boardwalk. I grew up hearing stories from my grandparents about the good ole days of Santa Cruz and the slow pace and friendly people out there remind me of that and how lucky I am to live here.

Word on the street is you're a sports fan. Giants or A's? 49ers or Raiders? 

CSO Wilson: I grew up a big Giants and 49ers fan. About 10 yrs ago I was working at Longs and I actually got to ring up Joe Montana and his wife, of course it was a huge deal!

Favorite TV Shows? Favorite Movies?

CSO Wilson: My current favorite TV shows are Breaking Bad, the Walking Dead and Modern Family. I am a huge nerd when it comes to 80’s movies, especially Ghostbusters. I can recite the majority of the movie, which is why you probably wouldn’t want to watch it with me!

What is the best part about working for Santa Cruz Police?

CSO Wilson: The best part of working for SCPD is that I get to be outside, work with great people and the job never gets boring!

Alright, a little about your background. Where did you go to school? What other positions have you held? 

CSO Wilson: I’m a graduate of Soquel High and California State University Fresno, with a degree in Linguistics. I worked in retail for 10 yrs, as a communications dispatcher for the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department and as a CSO I’ve been assigned to the Parks Unit, Downtown Unit, Investigations and recently completed Field Training Officer School.

When you're not in Santa Cruz where do you like to vacation?

             

 CSO Wilson: Jamaica, ya mon!