Dana Point, Ca. (February 22, 2022): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.
On Thursday, February 24, 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.
San Juan Capistrano, Ca. (February 3, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies out on patrol Saturday, Feb. 5, in the city of San Juan Capistrano looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.
With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many roads users are going places without the same protections as drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.
To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:
Drivers:
• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots
• Use your signal when changing lanes
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning
Motorcyclist:
• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing
• Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you
• Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic, or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes
All motorcycle riders, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com or by calling 1-877 RIDE-411 (1-877-743-3411).
Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
San Clemente, Ca. (February 10, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies out on patrol Saturday, Feb. 12, in the city of San Clemente looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.
With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many roads users are going places without the same protections as drivers.Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.
To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:
Drivers:
•Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots
•Use your signal when changing lanes
•Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance
•When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning
Motorcyclist:
•Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing
•Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you
•Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day
•Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles
•Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic, or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes
All motorcycle riders, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com or by calling 1-877 RIDE-411 (1-877-743-3411).
Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Lake Forest, Ca. (February 9, 2022): – 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 Friday, February 11, 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.
San Clemente, Ca. (February 5, 2022): – 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 Monday, February 7, 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. (Feb. 18, 2022): Fifty-six suspects were arrested and 16 victims were recovered, including two juveniles under the age of 16, as part of an extensive multi-jurisdictional human trafficking enforcement operation conducted February 9 through February 12 in Orange County.
The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center coordinated Operation Red Zone in partnership with 11 local law enforcement agencies, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the US Department of Homeland Security to identify victims of human trafficking and hold their perpetrators accountable.
“We sent a message loud and clear that human trafficking will be met with swift action in Orange County,” said Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner. “Through inter-department collaboration, we deployed substantial investigative resources across the county and were able to make a significant number of arrests. Most importantly two young victims have been brought to safety and resources were offered to other victims.”
“Human traffickers know that if they come to Orange County, we are going to find them, we are going to arrest them, and we are going to prosecute them. Proactive investigations like this allow law enforcement agencies to contact vulnerable victims of sex trafficking who might have otherwise never been able to escape their traffickers and receive valuable victim services that can help them heal and every arrest we make and every case we file serves as a message to human traffickers everywhere: don’t come to Orange County,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Every human trafficker we take off the street prevents vulnerable victims from ever becoming trafficking victims.”
The more than four dozen arrests included men ages 20 to 55 from Orange and Los Angeles counties. Charges included human trafficking, pimping and pandering, solicitation for sex, and narcotics. In addition, one unregistered handgun was recovered.
Agencies conducted multiple operations utilizing investigative techniques most impactful for their specific city. This included undercover operations, investigation into online-based sex solicitation websites and investigations into known problematic businesses.
Individuals identified as victims were connected with services through Waymakers, a victim-assistance program that provides immediate crisis intervention to provide emergency shelter, transportation and necessities such as food and clothing to victims of human trafficking. Juvenile victims are connected to services through the Orange County Social Services Agency.
The Operation Red Zone agencies are:
• Anaheim Police Department
• Buena Park Police Department
• Costa Mesa Police Department
• Fountain Valley Police Department
• Fullerton Police Department
• Garden Grove Police Department
• Huntington Beach PD
• US Department of Homeland Security
• Irvine Police Department
• Laguna Beach Police Department
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department
• OC District Attorney’s Office
• Santa Ana Police Department
• Westminster Police Department
Additional information on agency-specific operations can be obtained by contacting participating agencies’ Public Information Officers. If you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect human trafficking activity in your community, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. Anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
About the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center
The Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) is located in Orange County, California. The OCIAC fusion center was formed in 2007 to meet the need for information sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and other public safety disciplines.
As a fusion center, OCIAC serves as a focal point within the local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) and private sector partners.
Direct responsibility for the overall policy and direction of OCIAC rests with the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner in close coordination with the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff's Association (OCCPSA).
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In May of 2020, Deputies were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting in the city of Laguna Niguel. The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed. Th Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.
In May of 2011, a Deputy was involved in an Officer Involved Shooting in the city of Laguna Hills. No injuries resulted from the OIS. The case was investigated and no criminal charges were filed. The Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.
In May of 2009, a Deputy was involved in an Officer Involved Shooting in the unincorporated area of North Tustin. No injuries resulted from the OIS. The case was investigated and no criminal charges were filed. The Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.
LAKE FOREST, Ca. (Feb. 10, 2022): A deputy-involved shooting occurred the morning of Feb. 10, 2022, on a residential street in 24000 block of Calle Vecindad in Lake Forest, wounding one man who was armed with a knife.
Deputies responded to a call of a traffic collision that occurred on Calle Vecindad just before midnight. The caller stated that a dark-colored truck struck multiple parked vehicles on the street and the driver was refusing to come out of the car. When deputies arrived, they located a man locked in a dark-colored truck with a knife. The man initially refused to communicate with deputies and would not exit the vehicle. Deputies were able to call the man’s cell phone and for almost three hours, deputies and the OC Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations Team talked with the man. At approximately 2:45 a.m. the man exited the vehicle holding the knife and charged at deputies. The deputy-involved shooting occurred. A knife believed to belong to the man has been recovered at the scene.
The man was struck multiple times and deputies at the scene provided lifesaving measures. Orange County Fire Authority provided additional medical aid and transported the man to the hospital. He underwent surgery and his condition is unknown at this time. At this time, there are no additional suspects and no threat to the community.
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.
A photo of the knife can be viewed on @OCSheriff Twitter account.
