Laguna Niguel, Calif. (July 5, 2025) : The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct a traffic safety operation on Monday, July 7, in the City of Laguna Niguel, focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Sergeant K. Ishii said, “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians 

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks when available.  
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.  
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop. 
• Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers 

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn. 
• Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

• Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet. 
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle. 
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. 
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. 
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.  

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

Lake Forest, Calif. (Aug.10, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OC Sheriff) will conduct a traffic safety operation on Friday, August 12, in the City of Lake Forest focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Sergeant K. Ishii said, “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians 

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.  
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.  
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop. 
• Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers 

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn. 
• Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

• Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet. 
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle. 
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. 
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. 
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.  

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

Dana Point, Calif. (June 30, 2025): On June 27 at approximately 10:05 p.m., the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of La Cresta Drive and Silver Lantern Street in the city of Dana Point reference a vehicle versus pedestrian collision. The pedestrian, an adult male in his 40s, was transported to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition. 

The driver fled the scene of the collision and remains outstanding. A vehicle was observed near the collision site, and it is believed that the occupant(s) might have additional information about the incident. The vehicle is described as a silver or beige sedan with damage to the rear passenger side.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle and the driver. Information can be directed to MAIT at (949) 425-1860 or anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

STANTON, Calif. (June 25, 2025): On June 22 at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of Katella Avenue and Date Street in the city of Stanton reference a vehicle versus pedestrian collision. The pedestrian, a 66-year-old transient identified as Jeffrey DeLaRosa, succumbed to his injuries sustained during the collision.

The driver fled the scene of the collision and is still outstanding. The vehicle is described as a white, 2007-2015, Nissan Rogue with front-end damage. It was last seen traveling eastbound on Katella Avenue approaching Beach Boulevard.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle and the driver. Information can be directed to MAIT at (949) 425-1860 or anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (June 25, 2025): On Tuesday, June 24, at approximately 8:22 p.m., deputies responded to the intersection of Trabuco Road and Via Victoria in Mission Viejo reference a traffic collision between a vehicle and a motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, Anthony Balsamo, 32, of Mission Viejo was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Ford Explorer, Deborah Webb, 62, of Mission Viejo, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. She was booked into Orange County Jail for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is conducting the investigation into this fatal collision. Anyone with additional information that may assist in the investigation can contact MAIT at (949) 425-1860 or anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers

Unincorporated Anaheim, Calif. (June 24, 2025): On Sunday, June 22, 2025, at around 12:57 a.m., deputies were called to the 8000 block of Katella Ave. in unincorporated Anaheim outside of 99 Bottles & Cocktails in reference to a shooting. Deputies arrived and located a male adult victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, Salvador Ramirez, 48, of Fountain Valley, was working as a security guard at 99 Bottles & Cocktails at the time of the shooting. He was transported to the hospital and died yesterday evening. 

The suspect, believed to be a male Hispanic adult, was seen leaving the area on foot. OC Sheriff’s Homicide investigators are requesting the community’s assistance to provide additional information to assist in identifying and locating the suspect. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. 

Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIPOCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers. 

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Orange, Calif. (June 14, 2025): On Friday, June 13, 2025, at around 1:24 a.m., deputies were called to the area of Rancho Santiago and Hewes Street in unincorporated Orange, in reference to several individuals screaming and possibly fighting. Deputies arrived and found a potential crime scene. While investigating, Sheriff’s Dispatch was advised that a male subject was brought to a local hospital with a stab wound to his chest. The man, Sergio Esquivel Sanchez, 24, of Orange, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

OC Sheriff’s Homicide investigators responded and began their investigation. During the investigation, it was determined that Melchor Aleszi, 20, of Tustin, was suspected of stabbing the victim and was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of homicide. No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

Laguna Niguel, Ca. (July 9, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OC Sheriff) will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Laguna Niguel.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sgt. Kyle Ishii said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.”

OC Sheriff reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

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

Dana Point, Ca. (June 21, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law on June. 23, 2025.

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

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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

Mission Viejo, Ca. (June 17, 2025): On June 19, 2025, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department  will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

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

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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