Stanton, Ca. (April 10, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. 

On Friday, April 12, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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

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Laguna Niguel, Ca. (April 6, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. 

On Monday, April 8, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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

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Santa Ana, Ca. (April 1, 2024): April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a time to put safety in the driver’s seat. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

"In today's fast-paced life, it is common to lose focus while driving,” Traffic Bureau Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a crucial reminder that even a moment of inattention or a quick glance at the phone can lead to serious consequences. Let’s get off our apps and keep our eyes on the road. Before starting the car, silence your phone or put it in the glove box, trunk, or back seat. Anywhere you can’t reach."

According to the 2023 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, more than 74% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021, there were at least 140 people killed in distracted driving traffic crashes in California. The numbers are likely underreported because law enforcement officers may not always be able to tell that distraction was a factor in a crash.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine and 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.

If you have an important phone call, text, or email, or are in a situation with other distractions, such as looking up directions, pull over to a safe parking spot to complete the task without putting yourself and others at risk. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the back seat.

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

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Dana Point, Ca. (April 17, 2024): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, April 19, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Dana Point.  

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. 

The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home. 

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

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MIDWAY CITY, Calif. (March 22, 2024) The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance to provide additional information about a kidnapping that occurred in Midway City.

On Friday, March 15, 2024, a woman living near the area of Hunter Lane and Madison Avenue in Midway City reported a possible kidnapping. Deputies responded to the area and confirmed through interviews and evidence at the scene that an assault and kidnapping did occur. 

During the investigation that followed, investigators learned the victim: Tony Lam (9-14-62), spent time at two different restaurants during the evening hours of March 14, 2024, prior to arriving to the area of his kidnapping in the early morning hours of March 15, 2024.  Those restaurants were the “LV Restaurant & Lounge” in Westminster and the “171 Sky Restaurant” in Garden Grove. 

Upon Lam’s return to his residence, he was confronted by a masked male in the driveway of his home.  Shortly thereafter, he was assaulted and driven away from the area in a vehicle that was not his own.

Using investigative techniques, Sheriff’s Investigators successfully identified two of the individuals responsible for Lam’s kidnapping: Nhan Chin Nguyen (10-20-74) & Phi Hung Nguyen (9-4-70).  Both have since been arrested and booked into custody at the Orange County Sheriff’s Intake & Release Center in Santa Ana.  At the time of their arrests, Lam was not located and his whereabouts was not revealed by either Nguyen.

Since March 15th, 2024, Sheriff’s Investigators have been unsuccessful in their attempts to locate Lam.  Lam has also not been in contact with any of his family, friends, or coworkers.

The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information related to Lam or his kidnapping to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 15, 2024):  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), is launching a new program to better serve those experiencing homelessness or mental health disorders. 

Starting in early March of 2024, the Sheriff’s Department will triage non-violent and non-criminal behavioral health and homeless-related calls for service to determine if they can be diverted to OC Links, the 24-hour, 7 days a week Behavioral Health Line, an entry point for the OC HCA’s continuum of care providing information, referral, linkage, screening, homeless outreach, and dispatching of mobile crisis response teams. 

Dispatchers, using a series of intake questions, will triage calls to determine if a deputy response is required. If the call is determined to be non-violent and non-criminal, dispatch will transfer the caller to OC Links, where they will be connected with a trained navigator.

“When an individual is experiencing homelessness or a mental health crisis, our goal is always to provide the most effective response possible,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “This diversion program allows us to connect individuals in need of expert behavioral health support with the best resources.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department receives about 10,000 calls for service each year involving mental health, individuals experiencing homelessness, and similar crises. OC Links provides specifically trained navigators who specialize in connecting individuals experiencing mental health disorders, homelessness, or substance use disorders with appropriate behavioral health services and field outreach. OC Links dispatches counselors to non-violent and non-criminal calls instead of deputies, allowing deputies to be more readily available for in-progress crimes and proactive policing. 

If additional assistance is needed or requested, deputies and/or fire personnel will be dispatched. 

"This partnership between the Orange County Sheriff's Department and OC Health Care Agency exemplifies our commitment to providing comprehensive support for individuals in crisis,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Director of Behavioral Health Services at OC Health Care Agency. “By integrating law enforcement and behavioral health expertise, we can better address the complex needs of our community."

The Sheriff’s Department continues to deploy its Behavioral Health Bureau teams in partnership with OC HCA Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT), responsible for proactively contacting and supporting those experiencing mental health crises and homelessness in the community, and connecting individuals with resources including housing programs, counseling services, and other support services.   

The public can access OC Links 24/7 by calling (855) 625-4657 or (855) OC Links.

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• Read more about In-Custody Death - March 11, 2024

On Monday, March 11, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Module B died at the Orange County Global Medical Center, Santa Ana. The decedent was a 36-year-old Hispanic male who was awaiting trial.  The decedent's manner and mode of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.

• Read more about In-Custody Death - March 8, 2024

On Friday, March 8, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Module Q died while inside custody. The decedent is a 46-year-old white male who was awaiting to be transferred to Riverside County Sheriff’s custody.  The decedent's manner and means of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 11, 2024) – On Monday, March 11, 2024, an inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana died at a local hospital.

The 36-year-old inmate was booked into jail on March 6, 2024, by the Santa Ana Police Department for drug related offenses and possession of a firearm.  The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred there on the evening of March 10 for a medical issue. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.  

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ORANGE, Ca. (March 9, 2024) – On Friday, March 8, 2024, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died in jail.

The inmate was booked into jail on March 7, 2024, by the Anaheim Police Department for a parole violation. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Division.

In the evening of March 8, 2024, the inmate was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and correctional medical staff attempted life-saving measures. He was pronounced deceased at the Theo Lacy Facility at approximately 6:40 p.m. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology testing and an independent autopsy.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.  

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