Law enforcement agencies are lending their support to the national “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” message from the National Football League (NFL), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department will be deploying special roving DUI patrols on Sunday, February 5th throughout the area looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs.

These DUI patrols, in addition to regularly-scheduled patrol officers, are all looking for the tell-tale signs of an intoxicated driver behind the wheel.

“Because the Super Bowl has become somewhat of a holiday celebration for many people, we want to remind everyone to enjoy the game in a responsible manner.  Real football lovers don’t allow other fans to drive drunk,” said Chief of Police Dave Fontneau.  “We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take extra care of their family, friends, and patrons by assisting them to designate a sober driver.  This way, everyone wins!”

“We want everyone to make the right decision on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Chris Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.  “Having a designated sober driver should be an obvious call in everyone’s play book.  Making sure designated sober drivers know how much we appreciate their responsible decision is what will make this year’s celebration extra special – and extra safe.”

Share This

Following a fatal shooting outside a downtown bar last November and other incidents involving altercations in the downtown area, the City sponsored the two-hour conflict resolution training seminar for downtown Redlands entertainment establishments at the Redlands Police Annex.

Community Policing Officer Elyzabeth Green and Officer Alex Paredes conducted the free training, which focused on steps business owners and their employees can take if conflicts arise at their establishments.

Kathy Barnes from Alcoholic Beverage Control was on hand to answer questions regarding licensing issues.

Fire Marshal Philip Gairson provided information on overcrowding.

Approximately 25 people, representing nearly all of the nighttime entertainment venues in the downtown area, attended the voluntary training.

“The Redlands Police Department’s Community Policing Program is committed to working with the various downtown businesses in order to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for patrons to experience,” said Lt. Travis Martinez.   “Hosting the training seminar along with ABC and RFD is just one way in which the Redlands Police Department works to improve the quality of life in our City.”

Share This

The Avoid the 25 San Bernardino County DUI Campaign is reminding football fans watching this year’s Super Bowl game with friends and family to make the right decision before kickoff and game plan in a designated sober driver.

Law Enforcement joins with the national “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” message from the National Football League (NFL), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management.

The Avoid the 25 DUI Task Force will deploy special roving DUI patrols on Sunday, February 5 in several communities throughout the area, including Redlands, in an effort to stop and arrest drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

These DUI patrols are, in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, all looking for the tale-tell signs of an intoxicated driver behind the wheel.

“We’re reminding everyone that real Super Bowl Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said Redlands Police Chief Mark Garcia.  “We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take extra good care of designated sober drivers this year.  Drafting a designated driver this weekend will be the correct play call for a sure win”.

The Avoid DUI Patrols are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety who reminds everyone to please “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!”

Share This

Quddusa Lynette Anderson, 38, of Patton, was arraigned on February 3 in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.

Investigators from the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Unit have issued a felony arrest warrant for John Woodrow Smith, 48, of Roseville, who is suspected of taking part in the scam.  Smith also uses the alias Eimbari Kemet.

Anderson and Smith are alleged to have conspired to defraud mortgage giants, Freddie Mac and Bank of America, and taxpayers, by illegally occupying foreclosed homes and applying for relocation assistance known as “Cash for Keys.”

To avoid a lengthy eviction process, mortgage lenders like Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Bank of America offer legitimate tenants what is known as “Cash for Keys,” to move out of the residence by a specific date and leave the property in turnkey condition.

The defendants focused on foreclosed homes in Rancho Cucamonga.

The defendants used a false Memorandum of Understanding-Terms of Agreement listing Local Real Estate Solutions and the “Fresh Start Turn Key Program.”  Neither Local Real Estate Solutions nor Smith were licensed through the California Departments of Real Estate or Corporations as a Property Manager or Management Company.

The homes selected by defendants were vacant.  They would allegedly gain unlawful entry into the homes, change the locks, and have utilities turned on in their names to establish residency.

One defendant even moved into a Rancho Cucamonga residence.  Shortly after moving into the home, the defendants contacted Bank of America’s Mortgage Department and signed a Move Out Agreement between them and Bank of America.

After signing the agreement, defendants were paid $7500 to move out of the residence.

The investigation determined that one of the defendants was paid $2500 through Freddie Mac to move out of another foreclosed home located in Rancho Cucamonga.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Anderson on February 8 in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.  The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Vance Welch.

Share This

Redlands residents can save time and reduce the peak demands on police patrols using CopLogic, a convenient, online option for filing non-emergency police reports.

The CopLogic online reporting system provides a quick and convenient method for reporting non-emergency crimes such as garage and vehicle burglaries, theft, vandalism, harassing phone calls, identity theft, non-injury hit-and-run collisions, as well as late reported traffic collisions.

The reporting system is intended for non-emergency incidents in which the suspect is unknown.

Non-emergency calls can often be delayed as patrol officers respond to crimes in progress or other high-priority calls.

Online reporting reduces the time spent on the phone or waiting for an officer or other police employee to arrive to take a report.

Victims can file reports quickly from their home or office, at their own convenience, receive a case number and print out a free copy of their report.

In addition to providing time-saving convenience to victims reporting non-emergency crimes, the online reporting system also allows police officers to spend more time on proactive patrol and reduces costs to the department.

All reports are reviewed in a timely manner by a department supervisor.

If necessary, victims will be contacted by the department to provide additional information.

In addition to reporting non-emergency crimes, residents can use CopLogic to report other suspicious activity or to request Vacation House Checks online.

In order to report an incident online, the incident must have occurred within the Redlands City limits, not on a freeway, and have no known suspects.

Crimes occurring on the freeway fall under the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol.

To access online reporting, visit the Redlands Police Department website at www.redlandspolice.org or http://ci.redlands.ca.us/police/coplogic/start-report.html.

Share This

Students will receive an overview on the fundamentals of police work taught by a variety of department employees.  The curriculum and teaching methods are similar to the traditional police academy, but rather than new recruits, the academy’s students are citizens, business owners, media representatives and neighborhood watchers.

Course topics include virtually every aspect of police affairs, ranging from recruitment to undercover operations.

The academy will create a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens with the potential of influencing public opinion with regards to police practice and service.  Citizens will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the problems facing police officers and the policies of the Redlands Police Department.

The classes are free and will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Senior Center, 21 Grant St. in Redlands from February 28 through April 10.

The classes will be moderated by retired Police Cpl. Rick Strobaugh.

Applications for the course are available at the Redlands Police Department at 1270 Park Avenue; or at the Police Annex located at 35 Grant Street; or at Joslyn Senior Center at 21 Grant Street.

For more information, please leave a message for Cpl. Strobaugh at 798-7609 ext. 1.

Share This

The mystery went without answer until several months later, when hunters discovered his remains in a remote wilderness area.  An autopsy later revealed foul play.  But the answer to one mystery just created more, as no one seemed to know who could have done this, or why.

The story of the investigation into Wood’s disappearance and murder will be featured on Investigation Discovery’s true crime series “Stolen Voices, Buried Secrets” on Monday, February 6, at 10:00 p.m.

A preview of the show can be viewed at http://investigation.discovery.com/videos/stolen-voices-buried-secrets-who-killed-steven-wood.html

District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, who was assigned to the Steven Wood case as a deputy district attorney in the Career Criminal Prosecution Unit, said he will remember this case for the rest of his life.  “These animals took the life of a loving father, son and educator who gave so much that it ended up costing him his life,” Ramos said.   “His murder and the parents that he left behind is what inspire me every day to fight for victims and their families.”

The television show revisits mysterious murders through the lens of the fictionalized, first-person perspectives of the victims.  As investigators, family, and friends peel back the layers and facts of each case for viewers, the otherworldly narrator already knows how their story ends and supplies all-knowing observations hinting at breaks to come in the case.

Share This

The initial report was of man who had stabbed a woman multiple times in the torso and back, and was seen running from the scene.

Police arrived and provided medical aid to the victim, who was then transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The victim’s injuries were treated, and she is reported as recovering and in stable condition.

Due to quick response time, police apprehended the suspect, Kurt Smallen, 19 (pictured right), a short distance from the scene with assistance from witnesses who followed the suspect and provided the information to responding officers.

Police took the suspect into custody without further incident.  He was arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center, with bail set at five million dollars.

The attack appears to be random, with no evidence of provocation for it.  There is no known connection between the suspect and victim.

This is an ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Temecula Police Department at 951- 696-3000.

Share This

Jan Young
InstantRiverside.com

Friday, February 3 is national “Wear Red” Day.

The American Heart Association has designated the first Friday in February as national ‘Wear Red’ day to help raise awareness of heart disease in women.

Heart disease is still the number one killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women every year.

In addition to this specially designated day, there are many other events scheduled throughout the year.

For more information about signs of heart disease and heart attacks, or ‘Wear Red’ events, visit the website www.goredforwomen.org

Share This

The search warrant was based on investigations of several residential burglaries occurring in the city of Rancho Mirage.

During the search, they located a television stolen from a reported Indian Wells burglary dating back to 2010.  They also recovered a laptop stolen from a Huntington Beach burglary, and more televisions and jewelry believed to be stolen property.

They seized over $6000.00 in cash believed to be the proceeds from selling stolen property.

Deputies arrested Gerardo Cervantes, 29, of Cathedral City, for possession of stolen property and a probation violation.

Deputies also arrested a 17-year-old male and 17-year-old female for possession of stolen property.

Anyone with information can call the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Palm Desert Station at 760 836-1600.

Share This