SANTA ANA, Ca. (October 6, 2021): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages parents and students to join school-goers from around the country and make the trek to class on foot Oct. 6.

“Walk to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with classmates, families, and caregivers.

“Walking to school is a great way to not only stay active, but also practice safe walking behaviors,” Sergeant Brent Jasper said. “With many students returning to in-person instruction this year, ‘Walk to School Day’ is a valuable learning tool that benefits students at the start of the school year.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers the following tips for children to incorporate into their walks:

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Make sure the driver sees you. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle.
• Watch for cars entering/backing out of driveways or leaving parking spaces.

Drivers should be alert for more people walking to school the morning of Oct. 6 and be prepared to stop for children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slowdown in school zones.

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

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 1, 2021): The Orange County Sheriff’s Advisory Council on Thursday, Sept. 30, recognized 54 members of the Sheriff’s Department for heroic acts and exemplary service at the 33rd Annual Medal of Valor.

Thirty-one medals for Lifesaving were awarded, along with 14 medals of Merit and nine medals of Courage.   K-9 Rosco also received the Canine Medal of Merit for his work apprehending a knife-wielding suspect. Three deputies received multiple medals related to one incident.

In addition, Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes recognized San Juan Capistrano resident Roy Heine with the Sheriff’s Medal of Courage for his bravery in fighting off a suspect who was attacking an elderly woman. 

Award recipients and their families attended a limited-capacity event at the Anaheim Hilton to celebrate their achievements.  A recording of the ceremony can be viewed at ocsheriff.gov/MOV. 

The honorees included:

• A group of San Juan Capistrano deputies who came to Roy Heine’s aid and safely apprehended a combative and violent suspect.
• A group of Lake Forest deputies who interrupted a robbery in progress and took three suspects into custody who were later determined to be part of an extensive crime ring. 
• Three Stanton deputies who performed lifesaving measures on a man gravely injured after he was struck by a train.
• Two Mission Viejo deputies who saved the life of a man critically injured after being pinned by a commercial-grade lawnmower. 
• Sgt. Sandra Longnecker as this year’s Distinguished Deputy honoree. Sgt. Longnecker’s exemplary career includes an extensive history working sex crimes, domestic violence and homicide investigations. She also was honored for her work as the Crisis Negotiation Team sergeant and co-coordinator of the department’s Peer Support Program, among other achievements.

Interviews with select recipients can be scheduled, upon request. A brief synopsis of this year’s incidents is attached. Clean B-roll of the event also can be provided to members of the media.

The Sheriff’s Department will be sharing video stories of each incident in the coming weeks on the department’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You Tube social media platforms. Follow @ocsheriff to view videos highlighting the distinguished work of these Sheriff’s Department employees.

Medal for Lifesaving:

• Coto de Caza: Deputies apprehended a suspect in an attempted murder incident. The deputies provided medical aid to the victim, saving his life. (Because this case is not yet adjudicated, deputies cannot participate in interviews).
• Laguna Hills: A Community Services Officer pulled a disoriented driver from a burning vehicle.
• Laguna Niguel: Deputies provided lifesaving measures to a woman trapped in a burning vehicle after a single-car collision.
• Mission Viejo: Deputies rescued a landscaper who was critically injured after being pinned by a commercial-grade lawnmower.
• OC Jail: Deputies rescued an inmate who attempted suicide at the Intake Release Center.
• Rancho Santa Margarita: Deputies revived an infant who became unresponsive after an in-home birth.
• Stanton: Deputies provided lifesaving measures to a man gravely injured after he was struck by a train.

Medal of Merit:

• Lake Forest: A deputy saved a young boy attempting to injure himself by running into traffic.
• Lake Forest: Deputies interrupted a robbery in progress and safely apprehended three suspects later tied to an extensive crime ring.

Medal of Courage:

• Harbor Patrol: Deputies and a dispatcher came to the aid of a couple whose boat was taking on water during rough seas.
• Mission Viejo: A Community Services Officer rescued three people from a burning home.
• San Clemente: Deputies and K-9 Rosco took a knife-wielding man into custody after a lengthy standoff.
• San Juan Capistrano deputies and resident Roy Heine stopped a violent suspect that attacked an elderly woman.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 28, 2021) – An in-custody death of an infant occurred at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, CA yesterday.  On September 19, a pregnant inmate housed at the Orange County Jail’s Intake and Release Center was transferred to OC Global Medical Center for medical care.  The morning of September 27, the inmate gave birth prematurely at the hospital.  The child was pronounced deceased at approximately noon. 

An autopsy will be conducted by an outside, independent pathologist.  The official cause of death is pending the results of the pathologist’s findings.  The identity of the inmate will not be released at this time.

The inmate was booked into Orange County Jail on September 16, 2021 for assault on a peace officer.

The in-custody death will be investigated by the Orange County District Attorney’s office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will complete an in-custody death review.

DANA POINT, Ca. (September 21, 2021): On Friday, September 24, and Saturday, September 25, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies at the Ohana Festival educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake and “know your limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.

The “Know Your Limit” campaigns will be from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.  Both events will take place at the Ohana Festival at Doheny State Beach in the City of Dana Point.

During this time, deputies will ask patrons how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Deputies will provide information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI.

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks.

The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating a sober driver.

Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 19, 2021): As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department wants to make sure your child is in the right child safety seat.

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25 and focuses on educating parents and caregivers about the importance of choosing, installing, and using the correct car seat.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children, and nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

California law requires a child to be properly secured in a safety seat until they are at least 8 years of age.  Children 8 and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt. Children under the age of 2 must ride rear-facing or until they reach 40 pounds or 40 inches in height.

To search for car seat programs in your county, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has a dropdown menu on the OTS website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free 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.

MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (September 16, 2021) – Orange County Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators on Sept. 15 arrested a man suspected of killing his mother at their home in Mission Viejo.

Deputies on Sept. 14 responded to a residence in the 27000 block of Cipres in the city of Mission Viejo after the 69-year-old woman was reported missing. When deputies arrived, they discovered suspicious circumstances at the home.

The victim, identified as Marie Mosby, was found deceased inside the residence. Deputies from the Tactical Apprehension Team arrested her son, Charles Mosby, 36, on Sept. 15 for murder. Marie was initially reported missing by another one of her sons on September 14, 2021, at 11 p.m.

Charles and Marie resided in the home together in the city of Mission Viejo. Charles was arrested without incident in Orange County and there are no additional suspects outstanding. He was booked into Orange County jail for one count of murder.

The cause and manner of death are still under investigation and pending autopsy and toxicology reports.

The department would like to express its deepest condolences for Marie’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time. We appreciate the public’s patience during the extensive investigation.

“The quick apprehension of the suspect in this case demonstrates the commitment of OC Sheriff personnel to ensure the safety of our residents,” Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes said. “We will continue to pursue violent criminals and dedicate necessary resources to bring those who commit crimes to justice.”

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ORANGE, Ca. (Sept. 16, 2021) The Custody Intelligence Unit (CIU) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, arrested a man suspected of using a drone in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

CIU investigators were advised of a drone carrying narcotics that landed in an outdoor recreation area of the jail. The drone was carrying 2 grams of heroin, 4 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 15 Xanax pills and approximately 15 muscle relaxers.

Through their investigation, the CIU identified a possible suspect in the city of Costa Mesa and obtained a search warrant for the man’s residence. During their search, investigators confiscated numerous illegal firearms, fentanyl and a controller determined to pair with the drone that landed at Theo Lacy.

The suspect also was found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle and had been renting his residence using fraudulent identification. Investigators also recovered materials determined to be associated with identify theft and fraudulent criminal activity in the man’s residence.

Chey Cody Smart, 43, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony drug and firearms charges, along with grand theft. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on Sept. 14. It also was determined Smart had a warrant for his arrest issued by Mendocino County, California for felony weapons charges.

“The Custody Intelligence Unit is extremely proactive in intercepting narcotics attempting to come into our jails,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “They have adopted an investigative strategy that includes locating the outside entities attempting to bring narcotics into our facilities, and this case is a great example of that work. We will continue to stay diligent in keeping those entrusted to our custody and care safe, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to threaten that safety.” 

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SANTA ANA, Ca (Sept. 8, 2021) The Sheriff’s Department will join Neighbors Public Safety Service, a free application from Ring that will allow the department to engage with the community on public safety-related issues.

The Department is the 18th law enforcement agency in Orange County to join Neighbors Public Safety Service. The Sheriff’s Department will activate its account profiles beginning Thursday, Sept. 9.

Neighbors is a free application that allows residents to share public safety information and stay informed of incidents in their area, while protecting their privacy. The application is available to the public and does not require the use of a Ring home security device. 

Sheriff’s Department personnel will be able to share important crime prevention information, safety bulletins and event notifications. In addition, residents can anonymously share relevant video and photos from a crime or incident with the Sheriff’s Department to assist in an investigation.

“Engaged neighbors make for safer communities, and this is another tool we can use to interact with the residents we serve on relevant and important public safety issues,” said Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner. “While it is not a replacement for reporting suspicious activity directly to law enforcement, it will be a valuable resource for residents and law enforcement alike.”

How to Use Neighbors:

• Download the free Neighbors app on iOS, Android and FireOS devices.

• Once downloaded, users can join their neighborhood to share public safety information using video, photos and text-based posts.

• Residents can customize alerts and updates from their neighbors, law enforcement and fire agencies.

• User profiles are anonymous and residents determine what content to share and whether they want to engage with others, including with law enforcement and fire agencies.

As with any social media application, the platform is not a substitution for reporting crime or suspicious activity to law enforcement. Residents who observe a crime in progress or need assistance from the Sheriff’s Department should call 9-1-1 in an emergency or 714-647-7000 for non-emergency calls.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 1, 2021): As part of Pedestrian Safety Month, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is supporting efforts throughout September to improve pedestrian safety and help reduce crashes and injuries.

Pedestrians are more and more at risk on the road. Based on data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 2020 had the largest ever annual increase, 21 percent, in the rate at which drivers struck and killed pedestrians. In California, pedestrian deaths accounted for 27 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2019.

For the safety of everyone walking or driving, OCSD will have additional officers on patrol throughout September looking for California Vehicle Code (CVC) violations pertaining to drivers and pedestrians.

These violations include right-of-way at crosswalks, illegal turns and not stopping for signs or signals (e.g., right turn on red or red light running), and speeding.

OCSD offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking:

Pedestrians

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks.
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. No vehicle can stop instantly. At 30 m.p.h., 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

• Follow the speed limit 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.

 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, CA. (September 14, 2021) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, September 17, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Lake Forest.

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 2018, 1,235 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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