The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) on Tuesday, January 29, was recognized by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for their work in 2018, which garnered the team several awards including being named the nation’s top fusion center.

In November 2018, OCIAC was recognized as the 2018 Fusion Center of the Year at the 2018 National Fusion Center Association (NFCA) conference in Alexandria, Va. The Fusion Center of the Year award recognizes one center for providing exceptional services to their jurisdiction and providing an example of best practices to the nation.

OCIAC, established in 2007, houses representatives from 16 federal, state and local law enforcement and related agencies working to gather and analyze information from various sources to keep Orange County safe from criminal and terrorist activity.

The fusion center is staffed by 52 full-time and part-time employees, including law enforcement, fire fighters, and intelligence analysts embedded from agencies including the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Anaheim, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach, La Habra, Orange, and Tustin police departments, Anaheim fire department and officials representing various divisions from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Its key function is to vet information about suspicious activity from law enforcement, fire, public health, the private sector, and the general public. On average, OCIAC fields more than 1,100 tips or leads a year of such activity.

In addition to the Fusion Center of the Year award, OCIAC also received accolades from the National Maritime Intelligence Office (NMIO) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• The OCIAC and Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC) received a joint award from NMIO, 2018 Maritime Domain Awareness Executive Committee’s Award for exceptional collaboration efforts between maritime partners.

• OCIAC was recognized by DHS’s Homeland Information Sharing Network (HSIN), 2018 Best of HSIN Winners. OCIAC received the Silver Award in the category for Greatest Impact to the Information Sharing Environment. HSIN winners demonstrated excellence in information sharing to further mission support, operational efficiency, user experience and stakeholder engagement.

The National Fusion Center Association (NFCA) represents the interests of the 79 state and major urban area fusion centers, as well as associated interests of states, tribal nations, and units of local government, in order to promote the development and sustainment of fusion centers to enhance public safety; encourage effective, efficient, ethical, lawful, and professional intelligence and information sharing; and prevent and reduce the harmful effects of crime and terrorism on victims, individuals, and communities.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (January 29, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reminding fans attending Super Bowl watch parties to get a safe ride home after the game. Super Bowl LIV falls on Sunday, Feb. 2, and the Sheriff’s Department will increase patrols ready to flag those suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (January 17, 2019) - The Orange County Sheriff's Department has identified a Jane Doe homicide victim whose remains were recovered more than 31 years ago.

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SANTA ANA,Ca. (January 11, 2019) – Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested a man yesterday suspected of committing multiple rapes in the 1990s, including the kidnapping and rape of a9-year-old girl in Lake Forest. The man was identified utilizing techniques similar to the methods used to identify the Golden State Killer.

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On Tuesday, December 18, at approximately 10 a.m., a suspect posing as a city water employee gained access to a resident’s home in the 27000 block of Paseo Mimosa in the city of San Juan Capistrano to steal more than $10,000 worth of jewelry.  

The suspect, described as a Caucasian man in his mid-20s, was wearing a white hard hat, vest, white shirt and blue jeans. The suspect told the homeowner he needed to enter the residence to check the water pressure.

Once the suspect gained access to the home, he instructed the victim to go into the backyard and turn on the water. He told the homeowner he would join him in the backyard once he finished monitoring the water pressure from inside.

When the suspect did not exit the residence, the homeowner attempted to verify the appointment. He called the city and learned there was no city employee sent to his address. The homeowner went inside to find the master bedroom had been ransacked and burglarized.  

Although San Juan Capistrano Police Services has no reports of similar incidents in the city, it is a good reminder to stay vigilant. Here are some tips to help safeguard you and your home from similar crimes:

• Notice the attire. Employees of legitimate organizations will be in uniform with the city or business logo.
• Ask for credentials before allowing access to your home. Even if someone appears to look professional, it's important to check credentials if someone is requesting access to your home.
• • Make a call. If a service provider is asking to enter your home, ask them to wait outside while you call the company or organization to inquire about the visit. In most case, the city or business will contact homeowners prior to any visit if ever they need access to check utilities.
  • Report it. If someone appears suspicious in your neighborhood or you feel unsafe, always call it in. Deputies will respond and check on the situation.

The season between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in impaired driving. Most people would never imagine that their holiday celebration could result in the loss of one’s license, imprisonment, or worse – fatalities. This December, OCSD is raising public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 300 people died in drunk-driving crashes during the Christmas through New Year’s holiday period over the past five years. In December 2016 alone, 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving crashes.

The holiday season is filled with festivities and gatherings with friends and families. For many, the holidays and holiday parties involve alcohol. Be honest with yourself about how you celebrate, and make a plan to get home without getting behind the wheel. Before going out to meet friends and family, plan a safe ride home.

• If you know you will be drinking, designate a sober driver ahead of time or use a rideshare app.
• If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
• Practice defensive driving this season and always wear your seatbelt.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone's life, and inaction could cost a life.
Families play an essential part in stopping impaired driving. Talk about the risks associated with impaired driving and set clear expectations and examples. Parents and other caregivers can help their children stay safe and sober by modelling safe driving practices and choices.
Impaired driving is 100% preventable. Give yourself and your neighbors the gift of safety and peace of mind by driving sober over the holidays.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (November 26, 2018) – The joint investigation between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) continues to determine who is responsible for the May 2018 explosion at an Aliso Viejo day spa that killed one female and injured two others.

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It might start something like this:

“I’m hosting a party and know nothing about cheese, can you help?”

Or

“What kind of wine do you think would work best for a fish dish?”

Seemingly innocuous grocery store aisle conversation has made victims of multiple people in Orange County as thieves burglarize unsuspecting shoppers during routine grocery store trips.

The targets: Women who leave their purses in the child seat section of the grocery store cart.

The suspects typically work in pairs as one distracts a shopper with conversation, while the other waits for an opportune time to pick through a victim’s purse and walk off with their wallet.  

“We have seen an increase in these types of thefts in multiple cities across the county,” said OCSD Undersheriff Don Barnes. “With the holidays approaching, stores are likely to be busier and shoppers are likely to be more distracted. We want to encourage residents to stay alert and aware and protect their belongings.”

Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators are encouraging residents to heed these tips when out shopping:

• Keep your cart and your belongings in view at all times.
• Make sure your purse is always zipped up or securely closed. For an added measure of security, use the child restraint straps and fasten them through the handles of your purse.
• If your purse must stay in the cart, pile some grocery items on top of it to make it a less desirable target.
• Re-evaluate whether you need to carry your entire purse into the store. If possible to only carry your method of payment, lock your purse in your trunk. 
• When loading groceries into your car, don’t leave your purse unattended. Make your personal items the first thing you put in your vehicle.
• Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t get into drawn out conversations with someone you don’t know, and if someone appears suspicious, report it.

If you have seen any of the pictured suspects, please contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000, press 9 then press 1. For more information crime prevention tips, visit our Stay Safe OC webpage: ocsd.org/staysafeoc.

With Black Friday right around the corner, we know you'll be staying up late to hunt for deals! Before you head out, take a look at these holiday shopping safety tips from OCSD to keep you and your family safe.

Driving:
• Park in a well-lit area
• Keep your doors locked at all times while you are inside or outside of your vehicle
• Avoid parking next to vans or cars with deeply tinted windows.
• Do not leave packages or valuables visible on the seats of your car. Lock your purchases out of sight, in the trunk or covered by coats and blankets.
• When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be mindful of people nearby or lurking around your car.

Shopping:
• Pay for purchases with credit cards instead of cash whenever possible.
• Carry only one or two credit cards with you so that you can notify your bank immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused.
• Avoid carrying a purse and wallet by storing a couple credit cards, your keys, and your driver’s license in your front pockets.
• Dress casually and comfortably, avoiding expensive jewelry and carrying large amounts of cash.
• Shop in a group with friends or family members, so you do not overload yourself with packages and can stay alert while transporting your purchases from the store to your car.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Thieves will try various methods of distracting you to take your money or belongings. Report any suspicious behavior to store staff or the police.
• If possible, leave small children at home.
• Teach your children to go to a store employee and ask for help in case of separation.
• Never allow children to go to the restroom or car alone.

At Home:
• Packages left unattended at your front door are easy targets for thieves. Sign up for delivery alerts from the shipper so you are ready to bring your shipments inside as soon as possible.
• Consider having packages delivered to local branches of stores and picking them up in-store or getting packages delivered to your office if you will not be home at the time of delivery.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks occupied.
• Photograph and mark gifts with your California Driver License number so the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can help return stolen or lost property.
• Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as deliverers and door-to-door solicitors.
• Donate only to recognized charitable organizations, and ask for identification from strangers at your door.

With holiday season quickly approaching and Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, chances are you are starting to order presents over the phone, via the Internet, or by mail. Most people have packages delivered straight to their front porch. The majority of deliveries do not require a signature and are generally left at your door, even if no one is home to accept them. This time of year brings out those looking for a crime of opportunity as well as those thieves that actually target your delivery. Thieves will follow or watch for the UPS, Fed Ex or other delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made.

Here are some tips you can follow to keep your presents safe from porch pirates:
• Install a security camera on your porch, put thieves on the defense by recording their every move
• Use your workplace as the shipping address
• Track your shipments by phone, on-line, or by carrier app so you know what day they should arrive
• Ask your neighbor to watch for your delivery and then hold the items until you arrive home
• Keep an eye on your neighborhood and report suspicious persons and vehicles sitting or cruising the area – See Something, Say Something!
• Request a signature delivery option, if available
• Have the shipment be held at the shipping facility such as a UPS office or an Amazon Pick Up Point
• Utilize a "mailbox" businesses in your town and see if they will accept shipment of your item for a fee
• If you do not receive your shipment on time, check with the company of origin and confirm the delivery. If the item was delivered and you did not receive it, then report the theft or loss to the original company, the shipping company, and your local police.

Have a safe holiday season!