Mission Viejo, Ca. (September 18, 2023): – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules, and responsibilities.

On Wednesday, September 20, deputies will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

Funding for this program 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. (Sep. 6, 2023): September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone on our roads to care for one another and keep pedestrians safe from crashes and injuries.

Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, the highest number since 1981. In California, pedestrian deaths account for more than 25% of all traffic deaths.

“There’s a lot happening on our roads, and everyone deserves to get to their destination safely.” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said, “Drivers need to be aware of people who are walking. Please slow down and never drive impaired. We all have places to go, so let’s remember that safety is a shared responsibility.”

To promote the safety of people walking, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct  traffic safety operations on September 7th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, and 21st focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of pedestrians at risk. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stop signs or signals. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers safe driving and walking tips, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking.

Drivers

•           Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at    marked and unmarked crosswalks.

•           Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

•           Never drive impaired.

Pedestrians

•           Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.

•           Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

•           Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear light colors, reflective material and use a flashlight.

•           Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.

Share your thoughts about pedestrian safety by participating in the Go Safely Movement, a call-to-action traffic safety survey from the California Office of Traffic Safety. Take the survey at gosafelyca.org.

Funding for this program 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. (September 6, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is joining law enforcement agencies, public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind parents and caregivers to keep kids safe by securing children in the correct child safety seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

“Children are vulnerable to injury in a crash when they are in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size or if the car seat is installed improperly,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii. “Even if you think you have the right car seat and installed it correctly, it doesn’t hurt to get it checked.”

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older or who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be wearing a properly fitted safety belt.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the Office of Traffic Safety website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

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

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In June of 2020, deputies were involved in a use of force at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.  The use of force was determined to be within policy. 

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• Read more about 20-020724 Use of Force

In November of 2019, deputies were involved in a use of force in the City of Lake Forest. The Use of Force was determined to be within policy.  

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• Read more about 19-042554 Use of Force

• Read more about 20-020164 OIS

Mission Viejo, Ca. (Sep. 6, 2023): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

On Friday, September 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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TRABUCO CANYON Ca, (August 24, 2023): OC Sheriff investigators today released additional details about the suspect involved in the shooting that occurred in Trabuco Canyon. 

On Wednesday, August 23, deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 7:04 p.m. at Cook’s Corner. Deputies arrived at the scene within two minutes, and dispatchers could hear gunfire in the background as deputies tried to locate the shooter.

Deputies contacted John Snowling, 59, of Ohio, who was armed with multiple firearms. The suspect fired multiple rounds at the deputies with at least one round going through the windshield of a patrol unit. 

A deputy-involved shooting involving multiple deputies occurred, and the suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

Deputies began providing lifesaving measures to multiple victims at the scene. Three victims were pronounced deceased, including John Leehey, 67, of Irvine. The identification of the other two deceased, an adult male and adult female, is pending notification of next of kin by the Coroner. 

The Orange County Fire Authority responded to provide additional advanced medical aid and transported six additional adult victims with gunshot wounds to local hospitals.

Based on preliminary findings of the investigation, evidence collected and statements from witnesses, investigators believe the suspect drove from Ohio to California to target his wife over a domestic dispute.  Three handguns and one shotgun belonging to the suspect were recovered at the scene.

The suspect was confirmed to be a retired Sergeant with the Ventura Police Department, who served from July 1986 through February 2014.

OC Sheriff investigators served a search warrant at a residence associated with the suspect in Camarillo. Investigators currently are processing multiple items of evidence from the search warrant and at the scene.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing and additional information will be provided, when available.

More than 200 personnel responded to the scene including 71 patrol vehicles, 100 deputies and 40 investigators. 

Patrons who were at Cook’s Corner during the incident will be contacted directly by an investigator to retrieve their personal property.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Deputies are equipped with body-worn cameras. Footage from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

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TRABUCO CANYON, Ca. (August 24, 2023): Four are deceased, including the suspect, in a shooting that occurred Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Trabuco Canyon.

Deputies responded to reports of a shooting at 7:04 p.m. at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon. Deputies arrived to the scene, and dispatchers could hear gunfire in the background as deputies tried to locate the shooter.

Deputies contacted a man armed with a gun. A deputy-involved shooting involving multiple deputies occurred. The suspect was later pronounced deceased at the scene. At this time, the motive for the shooting is unknown. At least one weapon was recovered at the scene.

Deputies began providing lifesaving measures to multiple victims found at the scene. Three victims were pronounced deceased. The Orange County Fire Authority responded to provide additional medical aid and transported six additional victims to local hospitals.

The identity of the victims and suspect are being withheld pending official identification of by the Coroner Division and notification of next of kin.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing and additional information will be provided, when available.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Deputies are equipped with body-worn cameras. Footage from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

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Lake Forest, Ca. (August 20, 2023): A deputy-involved shooting occurred this afternoon inside an apartment in the 21000 block of Osterman Road in Lake Forest.

At 12:18 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 21000 block of Osterman Road reference an informant stating a female subject was stabbed and outside of her apartment.  When deputies arrived, they were directed to an apartment where the suspect was believed to be.  The deputies contacted the suspect, a male in his 20s, inside of the apartment.  At approximately 12:32 p.m., the deputy-involved shooting occurred, and the suspect was taken into custody.  Deputies then located an additional female victim inside of the apartment suffering from several stab wounds. She was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

Deputies at the scene provided lifesaving measures to the victim outside of the apartment and the suspect. Orange County Fire Authority provided additional medical aid.  Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for further treatment.  Both of their conditions is unknown at this time. No deputies were injured.

At this time, it is believed all three individuals involved in the incident are related.

The identity of the suspect is being withheld pending his booking into the Orange County Jail.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Deputies in Lake Forest are equipped with body-worn cameras. Footage from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

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