Dana Point, Ca. (June. 14, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct a traffic safety operation on Monday, June 16, in the City of Dana Point focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Sergeant K. Ishii said, “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians 

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.  
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.  
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop. 
• Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers 

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn. 
• Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

• Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet. 
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle. 
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. 
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. 
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.  

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Laguna Woods, Ca. (June 3, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct a traffic safety operation on Thursday, June 5, in the City of Laguna Woods focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Sergeant K. Ishii said, “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians 

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.  
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.  
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop. 
• Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers 

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn. 
• Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

• Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet. 
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle. 
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. 
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. 
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.  

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

San Clemente, Ca. (June 19, 2025): Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on patrol Monday, June 21, in the City of San Clemente looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders. 

The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes.
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.

Motorcyclists

• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

San Clemente, Ca. (June 4, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OC Sheriff) will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, June 6, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of San Clemente.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Kyle Ishii said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

OC Sheriff reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Lake Forest, Ca. (June 7, 2025): Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on patrol Monday, June 9, in the City of Lake Forest looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders. 

The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes.
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.

Motorcyclists

• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

Dana Point, Ca. (May, 31, 2025): Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on patrol Monday, June 2, in the City of Dana Point looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders. 

The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes.
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.

Motorcyclists

• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

San Juan Capistrano, Ca.(May 23, 2025), The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

Pull over to a safe parking spot if you have an important phone call or need to program directions. Before driving, silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DANA POINT, Calif. (May 20, 2025): Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department released a Critical Incident Video depicting the deputy-involved shooting that occurred on March 28, 2025, in Dana Point, Ca.

The Critical Incident Video is available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDfysNI_cwc.

In order to foster greater public trust with the community we serve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will publish Critical Incident Videos about incidents in which the actions of department members in the performance of their duties are likely to have a significant impact on the Department, community, citizens, or any other person, and/or incidents involving the use of deadly force or force resulting in serious physical injury.

Critical Incident Videos offer a clear and concise overview of the incident with relevant video, audio, photographs and information to give context to what occurred preceding, during and immediately after a critical incident. The videos will contain the factual circumstances as they are known at the time. No conclusions will be drawn about whether or not deputies acted in a manner consistent with our policies, and in accordance with the law, until all facts are known and the investigations are complete.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Yorba Linda, Ca. (May. 17, 2025). – Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on patrol Monday, May 19, in the City of Yorba Linda looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders.

The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers 
• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes. 
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance. 
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning. 
Motorcyclists 
• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear. 
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you. 
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day. 
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles. 
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (May 13, 2025) OC Sheriff investigators have identified an Oregon John Doe believed to be a victim of serial killer Randy Steven Kraft. 

In November 2023, OC Sheriff Cold Case investigators identified a deceased John Doe found in unincorporated Laguna Hills in 1974 as Michael Ray Schlicht, 17, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Michael was long believed to be a victim of Kraft. 

In early 2024, investigators began looking through the Kraft investigation to find evidence related to Schlicht. While searching, investigators found evidence related to a 1980 John Doe from Oregon, who was also presumed to be a victim of Kraft. Further research indicated the Doe was still unidentified and no evidence existed. 

John Doe was found deceased early in the morning on July 18, 1980, along Interstate 5 outside Woodburn, Ore. He had been strangled, and alcohol and diazepam were found in his system. Kraft is believed to have kept a list of his victims on what is known as his “scorecard,” and this John Doe is believed to be “Portland Elk.” 

Investigators believe Kraft is responsible for six homicides in Oregon and two in Michigan, in addition to his presumed California victims, which are believed to be more than 60. Kraft was sentenced to death in 1989 after a 10-month trial for the murder of 16 men. Investigators learned that evidence for all out-of-state victims was sent to OC Sheriff during the trial. 

OC Sheriff investigators contacted the Oregon State Police (OSP) Cold Case Unit to notify them about the located evidence and offered to attempt to identify the Doe using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). OC Sheriff cold case homicide investigators are trained in the application of IGG and have identified several Does using the method, including Michael Schlicht. 

OSP agreed and a blood sample for the Doe was sent to Parabon Nanolabs, which developed a genetic profile. In January 2025, the profile was uploaded to GEDmatch, a publicly available DNA database that allows law enforcement use, and investigators began building the Doe’s family tree. 

In early February 2025, investigators identified a possible candidate for the Doe. OSP and OC Sheriff collaborated to contact several of his close family members. 

DNA samples were collected from a woman believed to be the Doe’s half-sister and a man believed to be his nephew. These DNA samples were used to positively identify the decedent as 30-year-old Larry Eugene Parks. Larry was last seen by family in Pensacola, Fla. in 1979. Family members described Larry as a “drifter” with no known ties to Oregon.

Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit is conducting the investigation into Larry’s homicide.