In December of 2016, deputies were involved in a use of force at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana.  The use of force was determined to be outside of policy with policy violations addressed and discipline issued. 

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 16, 2024):  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will test its emergency mass notification system, AlertOC, at 10:17 a.m. Oct. 17 with a test emergency alert that will be sent to residents’ mobile devices and home phones. 

The test will replicate a large-scale, multi-jurisdictional emergency requiring thousands of numbers to be called simultaneously across Orange County. 

“Recent earthquake and fire activity serve as an important reminder to us all to be ready for disasters that could happen at any time, disrupting our daily lives,” said Michelle Anderson, County Emergency Manager. “Our goal during National Preparedness Month is to encourage individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations to get involved in preparing at home, work, school, and places of worship. By taking small steps to prepare today, we protect our future.” 

Disasters, such as the state’s historic wildfires or earthquakes, often occur rapidly, forcing evacuations and road closures to neighborhoods. 

AlertOC is a critical link for residents to immediately learn of any required actions, such as evacuating their homes. 

The distinctive feature of AlertOC is the ability for individuals to register multiple contact methods and addresses. Registration of cell phone and alternate numbers dramatically increase the ability to reach the greatest number of community members within minutes. This enables landlines, cell phones, and e-mail addresses to be incorporated into a single notification system.

Residents are encouraged to sign up at AlertOC.gov and also visit ReadyOC.org for emergency preparedness resources, including templates for family plans, checklists to build emergency kits, and more. 

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 16, 2024):  National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20-26. During this week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages parents and caregivers to talk with their teens about following the rules of the road and how safe driving can help save lives. 

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2022. In California, young drivers were involved in nearly 12% of all fatal crashes in 2022 despite accounting for only 5% of all licensed drivers in the U.S.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reminds parents and caregivers to discuss the dangers of risky driving behaviors like speeding, texting while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt. Teens should also understand the serious dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Parents and caregivers play a huge part in keeping teens safe on the road,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “Having these meaningful conversations, setting rules, and being a role model for safe driving can help teens make better choices when they’re driving."

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

• Provisional Driver’s License: Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.
• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show, your teen how to drive safely.
• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, eliminating distractions by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up. Create a parent-teen driving contract to outline specific driving guidelines.
• Sober driving: Emphasize the importance of never driving impaired or riding with someone who has been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Funding for this program was 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. (Oct. 4, 2024):  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages families and students to wear their sneakers and join their classmates to walk, bike, or roll to class on Wednesday, October 9. “Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise while also promoting the importance of pedestrian and road safety.

“National Walk and Roll to School Day offers an amazing opportunity for families to build stronger community bonds,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “This event not only promotes pedestrian safety and advocates for safer routes for walking and biking to school but also underscores the importance of boosting physical activity among children and prioritizing their safety. It's a wonderful way to come together and make a positive impact on our children's well-being.”

While extra caution is needed on the morning of October 9, with increased foot and bike traffic, it’s important to stay alert every single day. Drivers should:

• Be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street.
• Always watch their speed and slowdown in school zones.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible or ride your bike in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street. 
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
• Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.
• Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight when it’s dark.
• Stay alert. Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation. 

Funding for this program was 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. (Oct. 4, 2024): October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,522 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2022. In California alone, 1,158 pedestrians were struck and killed on California roads in 2022, accounting for 26 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the state. The high number of pedestrians injured and killed on our roads highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and safety measures for people walking.

“Every step we take towards greater pedestrian safety is a step towards saving lives," Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. "We want to remind everyone that safety begins with you, whether you're behind the wheel or on foot. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away distractions and yielding at crosswalks, can make a life-saving difference.”

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 – consider wearing bright colors, reflective material, or use a flashlight when practical.
• 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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On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Module L died while inside custody. The decedent, 48-year-old Jason Michael Castillo of Anaheim, was a Hispanic male who was awaiting trial.  The decedent's manner and means of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.

ORANGE, Ca. (September 25, 2024) – On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died. 

48-year-old Jason Castillo of Anaheim was booked into jail on September 22, 2024, by the Anaheim Police Department for CPC 1203.2 – Probation Violation and CPC 4573.8 – Possessing Drugs/Paraphernalia in Prison/Jail. 

On the evening of September 24, Castillo 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 7:30 p.m.  Castillo had one cellmate at the time of his passing, but his death does not appear to be suspicious.  A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology. 

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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Santa Ana, Ca. (September 9, 2024): At a ceremony in Washington D.C. on Sept. 4, 2024, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) recognized the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) as a “center of innovation.” 

OCSD was acknowledged for its collaboration and behavioral health care practices. The NIC regarded the Orange County Jails as a model for improving reentry outcomes.

Sheriff Don Barnes received the NIC recognition applauding OCSD’s exemplary commitment to advance behavioral health initiatives and collaborate with various agencies and community service providers to promote recovery, rehabilitation, and continuity of care for incarcerated persons upon release. 

OCSD will partner with NIC to advance public safety by enhancing correctional policies and practices in jurisdictions across the country. 

“This honor is the result of the trailblazing efforts of OCSD’s Custody Operations and Executive Command Staff to identify systemic opportunities to improve public safety,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Our goal is to connect inmates within our jails, and upon release, with appropriate foundational tools for success with the intention to reduce recidivism. The revolving door between the jails and community needs to end, and I am proud to play a significant role in this endeavor.” 

In 2019, Sheriff Barnes pledged to address challenges facing the jails and operate one of the nation’s best jail systems. Since that time, numerous efforts have been made to bring collaborative partners such as Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, OC Probation, OC Social Services, Cal Optima, Kaiser Permanente, Project Kinship, and other community service providers together to enhance the well-being of incarcerated individuals.

As part of the recognition letter, Holly Busby, Acting Director of the NIC acknowledged the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s solutions-oriented approach. 

“The outcomes you have achieved speak to the power of collaboration and the importance of working together to address shared goals and objectives in service of public safety,” she said. 

“I am very proud of this recognition, but it does not mean our work is done,” said Sheriff Barnes. “This is the beginning of our commitment and partnership with NIC to assist other jurisdictions across the country by sharing OCSD’s innovative and promising practices in the field of corrections.”

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Mission Viejo, Ca. (October 16, 2024): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Oct. 18, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Mission Viejo.  

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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In September of 2020, deputies were involved in an officer involved shooting in the city of Stanton.  The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed.  The officer involved shooting was determined to be within policy.
 

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