The Sheriff’s Department Working to Curb Distracted Driving
Stanton, Ca. (April 9, 2021) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s
Department is working to deter drivers from doing.
On Monday, April 12, 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.
The Sheriff’s Department Working to Curb Distracted Driving
San Juan Capistrano, Ca. (April 5, 2021) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.
On Thursday, April 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.
The Sheriff’s Department Working to Curb Distracted Driving
Dana Point, Ca. (April 5, 2021) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.
On Thursday, April 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.
LAGUNA HILLS, Ca. (March 31, 2021): At approximately 10:35 a.m. deputies responded to a disturbance call at the 27000 block of Greenfield Drive in the city of Laguna Hills. It was reported that an adult man had thrown a boat propeller through the windshield of a vehicle in the neighborhood.
Upon arrival, deputies attempted to make contact with the man, later identified as Richard Quintilone, 49, but he retreated into the residence. Soon after, deputies observed fire inside the residence. Quintilone refused commands to exit, and deputies entered the residence and attempted to locate him but were unsuccessful. Nearby homes were evacuated.
The Orange County Fire Authority arrived to suppress the fire and worked collaboratively with Sheriff’s deputies as they assessed the whereabouts of Quintilone. As it was originally believed that Quintilone was barricaded inside the residence, firefighters worked with deputies to safely contain the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby homes.
At approximately 12:20 p.m. neighbors on a nearby street alerted deputies that Quintilone was at their residence. He was arrested without incident and booked into Orange County Jail for felony arson.
The joint investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Woman missing from Mission Viejo, Investigators seek public’s help
MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (March 31, 2021): Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators are seeking assistance to locate a woman who has been missing since November 2020 from Mission Viejo.
The woman, Sara Michelle Rose Ray, 31 years old, is a Caucasian female with brown hair and brown eyes, five feet four inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. Sara has a “Hello Kitty” tattoo on her left arm.
Sara was reported missing in January 2021, and was last seen leaving her residence in the 22000 block of Via Pimiento in Mission Viejo around November 26, 2020. Investigators have exhausted leads and are asking the public who may have seen Sara to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-4579, or anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or online here.
El Departamento del Sheriff reanudará las visitas limitadas en las cárceles de OC
SANTA ANA, Ca. (25 de marzo de 2021): El Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Orange reanudará el viernes 26 de marzo las visitas limitadas en las cárceles del Condado de Orange.
Debido a los exitosos esfuerzos de mitigación del COVID-19 en las cárceles y al hecho de que el Condado de Orange haya sido designado como un condado de "nivel rojo", el Departamento del Sheriff ha establecido protocolos de visita que mantienen la seguridad de los detenidos, del personal del Departamento y de los visitantes como prioridad principal.
"Comprendemos el valor de las visitas y sabemos que las personas que están bajo nuestra custodia y sus seres queridos se han visto afectados durante el último año mientras navegábamos por los desafíos de COVID-19", dijo el Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. "Esperamos restablecer las visitas de una manera que sea segura para todos".
El Departamento del Sheriff suspendió temporalmente los días de visita en marzo de 2020 basándose en las recomendaciones de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y en consideración a los esfuerzos de prevención del COVID-19 del Departamento del Sheriff.
Durante el último año, el Departamento evaluó en forma rutinaria la factibilidad de reintroducir en forma segura los días de visita. Con las consideraciones de COVID-19 en su lugar, los reclusos ahora podrán programar una visita al mes.
El Departamento del Sheriff continuará reevaluando los procedimientos para determinar la ampliación de las prácticas de visita.
PROCEDIMIENTOS DE VISITA
Las visitas en todas las instalaciones se realizan únicamente con cita previa. No se aceptan visitas sin cita previa.
Los miembros del público que deseen visitar a un recluso deben llamar y concertar una cita en el centro carcelario en el que el recluso esté alojado actualmente. Los números de teléfono para programar una visita en cada centro se indican a continuación.
Los reclusos recién fichados bajo cuarentena obligatoria de 14 días y los alojados en aislamiento médico o cuarentena no podrán recibir visitas.
Cuando llame para programar la visita, se recomienda tener el número de expediente o fiha del recluso que desea visitar. Los números de expediente o ficha se pueden buscar a través del enlace de la base de datos en línea aquí: Inmate Information = (Información sobre reclusos). Los visitantes deben estar preparados para proporcionar un número de teléfono de contacto en caso de que se produzcan cambios de alojamiento u otros incidentes que puedan afectar a la visita.
Se permitirá que dos adultos y dos menores visiten a cualquier recluso.
Todos los centros exigirán que cobertura facial y tendrán procedimientos de control. No se proporcionarán mascarillas faciales. Si no se cumple, se denegará la visita.
PROGRAMAR UNA VISITA
Para programar una visita, llame al centro del recluso que desea visitar de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. de lunes a viernes. El horario de visitas es de viernes a lunes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m.
Para hacer una cita para visitar, llame de Lunes a Viernes de las 8am - 5pm.
Centro de Admisión y Liberación (IRC, siglas en inglés) - 550 North Flower Street, Santa Ana CA 92703
=Número de programación del IRC: 714-647-6050
=Las citas deben hacerse con 24-72 horas de anticipación
=Los visitantes con una cita programada harán una fila fuera del vestíbulo del Centro de Admisión y =Liberación y mantendrán una distancia física
=El vestíbulo del IRC tendrá una capacidad limitada para aquellos personas con discapacidades (ADA, siglas en inglés)
SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 25, 2021): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, March 26, will resume limited visiting at the Orange County jails.
Due to successful COVID-19 mitigation efforts in the jails and the County of Orange being designated as a “red tier” county, the Sheriff’s Department has established visiting protocols keeping the safety of those in custody, Department personnel, and visitors a top priority.
“We understand the value of visitation and know those in our custody and their loved ones have been impacted over the last year as we navigated the challenges of COVID-19,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “We look forward to reinstating visiting in a way that is safe for all.”
The Sheriff’s Department temporarily suspended visiting in March 2020 based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consideration of the Sheriff’s Department’s COVID-19 prevention efforts.
Over the last year, the Department routinely assessed the feasibility of safely reintroducing visiting days. With COVID-19 considerations in place, inmates will now be able to schedule one visit a month.
The Sheriff’s Department will continue to reassess procedures to determine further expanding visiting practices.
VISITING PROCEDURES
Visiting at all facilities is by appointment only.No walk-ups will be accepted. Members of the public wishing to visit an inmate must call and make an appointment at the facility the inmate is housed at currently. The phone numbers to schedule a visit at each facility are listed below.
Newly booked inmates under mandatory 14-day quarantine and those housed in medical isolation or quarantine will not be eligible for visitation.
When calling to schedule, it is recommended to have the booking number of the inmate you wish to visit. Booking numbers can be searched through the online database link here: Inmate Information. Visitors should be prepared to provide a contact phone number in case of housing changes or other incidents occur that may affect the visit.
Two adults and two minors will be permitted to visit any one inmate.
All facilities will require face coverings and have screening procedures in place. Face coverings will not be provided. Non-compliance will result in denial of a visit.
SCHEDULING A VISIT
To schedule a visit, call the facility of the inmate you wish to visit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Visiting hours are Friday-Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance
Para hacer una cita para visitar, llame de Lunes a Viernes de las 8am - 5pm.
Intake Release Center- 550 North Flower Street, Santa Ana CA 92703
IRC Scheduling number: 714-647-6050
Visitors with a scheduled appointment will line up outside the Intake Release Center lobby and maintain physical distance
The IRC lobby will be limited capacity for those with ADA considerations
The Sheriff’s Department has established a new Bureau tasked with assisting the homeless population and those with mental health disorders through a robust program that includes proactive engagement, case management, and resource distribution.
The Behavioral Health Bureau, supervised by Captain Nate Wilson, includes six sergeants, eight Homeless Outreach Deputies and approximately 50 Homeless Liaison Deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Department’s 13 contract cities.
The Bureau evolved from the Department’s previous Homeless Outreach Team program, which launched in November 2016 with two regional teams assigned to proactively work with homeless individuals and strike a balance between providing services and enforcing the law.
Since then, the Sheriff has identified the need to build upon the original program.
“Although many of the homeless individuals we come in contact with report struggling with mental health or substance abuse disorders, this is not an issue specific to the homeless population,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “The Sheriff’s Department often gets called to respond to help individuals in the midst of a mental health crisis, and we recognized the need to widen our approach.”
While assisting the homeless will remain a core function of the Bureau, the team also has implemented a case management component in which they conduct weekly reviews of all calls in the Sheriff’s Department service area involving an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. They review the scenario and allocate follow-up assignments to determine what resources may be available.
“You often hear of multiple calls to one home with repeated issues with little to no follow-up,” Capt. Wilson said. “This case management practice will bring all those calls under one team to be triaged, reviewed and – if appropriate – assigned a recommended course of action.”
Critical to the success of the Behavioral Health Bureau is the Sheriff’s Department’s collaboration with the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), which provides representatives to work alongside deputies in the field and during the case review process.
“We are employing a pilot co-responder model that includes a mental health expert, which will help this team be more effective,” Wilson said. “Having the ability to rely on someone with extensive knowledge of mental health issues is an invaluable resource for us. This team would not be successful without HCA’s partnership.”
Building a multi-disciplinary team with additional service providers in the County will be the Behavioral Health Bureau’s next step in helping to provide holistic services. The Bureau will continue to identify partners that will increase the opportunity to help those in need.
The Bureau also is increasing monthly training for team members, which will include a focus on how to handle the many critical incidents they may come across in their role.
Ultimately, Wilson said, the goal of the Behavioral Health Bureau is to create a professional, collaborative, and appropriate response to mental health calls for service with an aim of better connecting people with services and reducing recidivism.
“We want to approach these cases with compassion and we want to provide solutions,” Wilson said. “Of course we will rely on enforcement when criminal violations of law occur, but we hope to provide individuals with a path to get them they help they need.”
