LAGUNA HILLS, Ca. (June 8, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Wednesday, June 10, 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.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 3, 2020) – We are aware of photos and video regarding an Orange County Deputy Sheriff wearing patches on his uniform that are associated with extremist groups. These symbols are not department-approved and are prohibited by policy, and contradict the values of the Sheriff’s Department. First and foremost, thank you to the many members of the public who brought this to our attention. “This deputy’s decision to wear these patches, and the implication of his association with an extremist group, is unacceptable and deeply concerning to me,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “Any symbol can have multiple meanings and is open to interpretation, which is why wearing of non-approved symbols and patches is strictly prohibited. Instances like this can forge a wedge separating law enforcement from the community we serve, especially during these turbulent times.”

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 27, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Civil Bureau, which serves civil evictions for all cities and unincorporated areas in the County of Orange, will resume court-ordered civil evictions that were in-process prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Civil Bureau deputies began contacting tenants to determine if they still reside at the location, and inform them of the court-ordered eviction process proceeding.

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LAGUNA HILLS, Ca. (May 25, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Tuesday, May 26, 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.

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SAN CLEMENTE, Ca. (May 21, 2020) – This morning at approximately 9 a.m. a protest occurred in the city of San Clemente related to the Governor’s stay-at-home orders. The vast majority of demonstrators peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights, with an estimated 200 people attending the protest.Unfortunately, despite numerous warnings prior to the event, some individuals chose to commit unlawful activity. Eight people were arrested; their booking charges are below. Trespassing charges indicate the individual is suspected of entering into the city parking lot encircled by fencing erected by the city of San Clemente and refusing to leave after multiple requests. Those arrested for failure to disperse are suspected to have remained after the protest was declared unlawful, and were provided multiple warnings to relocate to an area designated for the protest.

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An Orange County Sheriff’s Department engineer received international recognition for his work leading the team responsible for ensuring Orange County’s emergency services responders can effectively communicate.

 Nick Condaras, Senior Telecommunications Engineer assigned to the Technical Services Unit of the Technology Division, was named Radio Frequency Engineer of the Year by the International Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. He is the first in Sheriff’s Department history to be awarded this prestigious honor, but it is not a recognition he accepts alone.

 “I am extremely honored and humbled, but this award should be going to my team,” Condaras said. “They put in the hard work and long hours that make this award possible.”

Known for his collaborative approach to the job, expertise in the field and humility in the performance of his duties, Technology Division Director Dave Fontneau said Condaras stands out in the profession.

 “Nick leads from the front and he is an advocate for his team,” Fontneau said. “He trusts in his people and relies on the leadership within his team to support his vision. Nick is a wealth of knowledge of radio communications, holds the utmost passion for it, and loves to share it and evoke it in others.”

Condaras grew up tinkering with electronics and a fascination for emerging technology, so a career in engineering proved a natural choice. 

 “I’m drawn to innovation and learning new technology,” he said. “I am very blessed to serve in this profession.”

Condaras joined the Sheriff’s Department 26 years ago, working his way up the ranks of the Technology team. He currently oversees a team of 29 people and is involved in all aspects of the communications operation including budgeting, training, recruiting, testing new technology and managing contracts, among other duties.

The details of the contributions he makes to the department are complex and nuanced, but in the simplest of terms:  Condaras’ team is the county’s communications lifeline for all emergency personnel – law enforcement, firefighters, lifeguards and medical professionals.

His team is responsible for more than 18,000 radios in service, all dispatch center equipment, installation, maintenance and radio repairs for the entire county. In addition, the team is responsible for managing the Patrol Video System (PVS) in all law enforcement patrol vehicles, capturing critical moments in a peace officer’s shift that may need to be reviewed later.

Their work helps all first responders effectively and efficiently respond to any emergency, communicate during incidents and quickly send help to those who need it most.

Emergency services do not work without them.

Congratulations to Nick Condaras and his team!

MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (May 19, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies out on patrol Thursday, May 21, looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.

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DANA POINT, Ca. (May 19, 2020) – 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.

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ORANGE, Ca. (May 18, 2020) – At approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange was pronounced deceased due to a suspected suicide. The inmate, a male in his 60s, was booked into Orange County Jail in April 2020 by the Newport Beach Police Department for burglary-related charges. His identity will not be released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

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MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (May 18, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Tuesday, May 19, 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.

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