Property crime continues to be the most reported crime in Orange County, but there are many steps you can take to safeguard your home. While the Sheriff’s Department is a proponent of installing home security systems and surveillance cameras, these are not always cost-effective solutions for everyone.

This doesn’t mean you can’t effectively protect your property. Here are some things you can do right now to prevent your home from being an easy target: 

1. Keep a well-maintained yard and lawn. Cutting back bushes and creating a front yard with high visibility is displeasing to burglars.
2. Padlock your gate. If your back gate has a simple latch, consider buying a padlock at a local hardware store and locking it, even when you are home. Often time, burglars will test for easy-to-open gates to make entry into a home.
3. Always lock doors and windows. Even on a hot day, don’t leave windows open when you are away from the home.
4. Consider installing a security film on your doors and windows. The majority of home burglaries start with a smashed-in glass window or door. These films are a cost-effective way to prevent burglars from accessing your home.  
5. Enlist your neighbors. Communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs can be a strong deterrent to property crime. Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have a formal program, get to know your neighbors, look out for each other and report any suspicious activity.    

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (May 30, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, June 1, with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 30, 2019) – Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested a man suspected of murdering a 30-year-old woman in 1976 and dumping her body near the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro.

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DANA POINT, Ca. (May 30, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of Dana Point on Monday, June 3, with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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Three men were arrested -- and a burglary plan potentially foiled -- after an observant deputy noticed suspicious behavior and initiated an investigative car stop in the city of Lake Forest.

At nearly 3 a.m. on Thursday, May 16, a deputy was patrolling a business complex area near the north dead-end area of Bridger Road. The deputy noticed an occupied Chevy Malibu with a man standing outside of it, appearing to block the license plate.

As the deputy approached, the man hurried back into the car and drove off.

The deputy conducted an investigative car stop and found three of the men had active arrests warrants for burglary. Kevin Jamine Reed, 19; Albert Demetrius Jackson, 18; and Jorge Anthony Martinez, 19, all were taken into custody and transported to the Orange County Jail.

The two other occupants of the vehicle were released – one with a citation for a vehicle code violation.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the deputy found tools for breaking glass.

“We believe this group of men were about to commit one or a several commercial or vehicle burglaries in the community, but their efforts were interrupted by our deputy,” said OCSD Lt. Chad Taylor, Chief of Police Services for Lake Forest. “This not only is a great example of proactive patrol work, but it is also emblematic of the commitment of our deputies in keeping our community safe.”

STANTON, Ca. (May 17, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of Stanton on Monday, May 20, and with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Division arrested 15 people at Friday night’s DUI and Driver’s License checkpoint in the city of Dana Point.

Nearly 450 cars drove through the checkpoint, with 410 of those being screened for impaired or unlicensed drivers.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence: one for alcohol, one for drugs and one for a combination of the two.

Another 12 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving unlicensed or with a suspended license. In addition, eight other drivers were cited for a variety of vehicle code violations, including speeding, running a red light and traversing a cone pattern.

The Sheriff’s Department receives grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety to conduct DUI and Driver’s License checkpoints after research has shown that conducting this enforcement, as well as advertising it, can reduce the prevalence of impaired driving.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (May 15, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, May 18, and Monday, May 20, with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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DANA POINT, Ca. (May 15, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of Dana Point on Saturday, May 18, and with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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San Clemente, Ca. (May 10, 2019) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will step up bike and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the city of San Clemente on Monday, May 13, with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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