Reminder: "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over"

The Los Alamitos Police Department, along with all California Law Enforcement agencies, will be stepping up their DUI enforcement efforts as part of the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign against drunk driving. The campaign is part of a nationwide effort to reduce drunk driving and will last through the Labor Day Weekend.

The Los Alamitos Police Department, along with the California Office of Traffic Safety, encourages motorists to plan ahead by designating a sober driver. Those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. A first-time DUI conviction can cost up to $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and insurance increases.

Reminder: Drowning Prevention

As we enter this long weekend, please consider the following information in planning for your family's safety.

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14 and the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4. The majority of drownings and near-drownings occur in residential swimming pools and in open water sites. However, children can drown in as little as one inch of water and are therefore at risk of drowning in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, toilets, spas and hot tubs.

Drowning usually occurs quickly and silently. Childhood drownings and near-drownings can happen in a matter of seconds and typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse in supervision. Two minutes following submersion, a child will lose consciousness. Irreversible brain damage occurs after four to six minutes and determines the immediate and long-term survival of a child. The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion, and most children who die (86 percent) are found after 10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe brain injury.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Never leave a child unsupervised in or around water in the home. Empty all containers immediately after use and store out of reach.
• Never leave a child unsupervised in or around a swimming pool or spa, even for a moment. Never rely on a PFD or swimming lessons to
protect a child. Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency numbers poolside.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high and equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, around a home pool or spa. Fencing should completely surround swimming pools or spas and prevent direct access from a house or yard. Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier or leave toys in and around the pool.

Have a great weekend and be safe.

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for Aug 18 - Aug 24.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest

In the early morning hours of August 28, 2013, Los Alamitos Police Officers arrested a 39-year-old Long Beach man for assault with a deadly weapon at a local nightclub.   Please follow the link below to read the entire release.

Press Release

A New School Year Begins

School begins for the Los Alamitos School District on Wednesday, August 28

The first day of school is an exciting time for students and parents beginning the new year, but it also entails new schedules, classes and procedures.  Please plan extra time to arrive safely to school, especially for the first few days as everyone gets back into the school routine.

The following are links to Back to School Safety information provided by the National Safety Council.

Traveling toSchool

Safety Tipsfor Motorists

A New Supervisory Leadership Institute Graduate

Chief Mattern and his staff congratulate Sergeant Maria O’Connell as the most recent graduate of the highly regarded Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI).  The SBSLI curriculum as currently constituted includes a wide range of learning and leadership theories and practices.  The mission of the SBSLI is to provide leadership research and theoretical contributions enabling law enforcement supervisors to bridge the gap between scholarship and practice and to perform critical inquiry into contemporary organizational issues.  The 24 students (all of whom are required to have completed two years of full-time supervisory experience) comprising each class cohort are expected to become a close-knit community of learners during their eight-month journey.  The Socratic Dialogue method of inquiry and debate is employed extensively to stimulate critical thinking and clarify concepts.

Leadership training continues to be identified consistently as a priority need in law enforcement.  This need is especially acute for first-line supervisors who play a central role in efficient service.  The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) has been responsive to this need for more than two decades through the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI).  

Chief Mattern and the Los Alamitos Police Department value and support developing the leadership capacity necessary for a modern public safety organization to deliver quality service in an increasingly complex environment.  That commitment to constant improvement includes developing patrol officers and detectives, field training officers, corporals and sergeants.  As a testament to developing that capacity, every current and recently retired sergeant preceding Sergeant O’Connell has also committed to and completed the SBSLI.  Chief Mattern and Captain McAlpine are both graduates of SBSLI, as well.

CA Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence for Los Alamitos Murder

Robert Mark Edwards was sentenced to death in 1998 for the May 1986 strangulation of Los Alamitos real estate agent Marjorie Deeble.  For more information about the case and the Supreme Court decision, please read this Patch Article.  

A Vehicle is Stolen Every 33 Seconds in the U.S.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released their annual report detailing the current state of auto theft in the United States.  In California, the 10 most stolen vehicles are the following:


1 1994 Honda Accord
2 1998 Honda Civic
3 1991 Toyota Camry
4 1994 Acura Integra
5 2004 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
6 2006 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
7 1994 Nissan Sentra
8 2010 Toyota Corolla
9 1997 Nissan Altima
10 1988 Toyota Pickup 4x2

Many are on the list due to their popularity and longevity, creating a large, lucrative market for stolen used parts.  It is also believed that improvement in anti-theft technology has kept the numbers of newer vehicles potentially on the list low.  However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notes that the number of vehicles recovered has fallen to 57% over the past three years.  Organized crime has taken a greater interest in these stolen vehicles and the used parts market they feed.  Many vehicles are not recovered and many that are recovered are severely damaged and missing significant parts.

The NICB (www.nicb.org) publishes a number of tips for preventing theft and various frauds.  You can download these at the following link (https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/brochures).

In the time you read this post and viewed the embedded video on YouTube, more than 8 more vehicles were stolen in the U.S.  Please lock your doors, remove your keys from the ignition, close your windows completely, and park in well-lit areas.  For the next 3 layers of protection, download the auto theft prevention brochure from the NICB website.

Avoiding Common Scams Targeting Seniors

A recent Channel 7 ABC News story highlights the personal side of being a scam victim.  Follow the link to their news story and find some tips to avoid becoming the next victim.

If you believe that your are being set up to be victimized, or someone you know is being set up to be victimized, do not hesitate to call your local police for assistance.  If you or someone you know is victimized, report the crime immediately to your local law enforcement agency.

In the City of Los Alamitos, call the 24 Hour Service number, (562) 594-7232 or 9-1-1 in an Emergency.


Channel 7 ABC News story

 

Orange County Crime Stoppers

The Orange County Crime Stoppers program (OC Crime Stoppers) helps resolve, reduce and prevent crime by enabling citizens to safely report criminal activity to law enforcement through anonymous crime tips. OC Crime Stoppers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works in partnership with the community, the media and law enforcement to facilitate the sharing of valuable tips that will hopefully reverse cold cases and all unresolved crimes to help create a safer community.

OC Crime Stoppers provides the Orange County area with the tools to empower ordinary citizens to fight crime. Citizens can report crime anonymously via web, text and/or toll free number. Every web and text tip is assigned its own encrypted code. It is a tipster’s choice on whether they choose to respond to any further questions and they can “delete thread” at any time. There is no way to obtain identifying information through this code.

The Los Alamitos Police Department is a supporter of this program and believes it can be an important tool to assist investigators identify and prosecute criminal offenders.

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for Aug 11 - Aug 17.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

PRESS RELEASE

Los Alamitos Police Participate in the DUI Crackdown,

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign

The Los Alamitos Police Department, along with all California Law Enforcement agencies, will be stepping up their DUI enforcement efforts as part of the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign against drunk driving. The campaign is part of a nationwide effort to reduce drunk driving and will last through the Labor Day Weekend.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, statistics show that, on average, two people die every day in California in an impaired driving collision, and many more are seriously injured.  In 2011, 774 California drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes.

The Los Alamitos Police Department will be conducting saturation patrols on Friday, August 23 and Monday, August 26 with specially trained officers capable of detecting drivers under the influence of alcohol, as well as legal or illegal drugs.

The Los Alamitos Police Department, along with the California Office of Traffic Safety, encourages motorists to plan ahead by designating a sober driver. Those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. A first-time DUI conviction can cost up to $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and insurance increases.

Submitted by:

Captain Bruce McAlpine

(562) 431-2255, extension 420

Deterring Copper and Metal Theft

The Long Beach Police Department recently issued a crime warning concerning copper and other metal thefts occurring in their jurisdiction.  The Los Alamitos Police Department has also investigated several thefts of this sort.  This sort of crime has had an upward trend nationwide.  The Long Beach Police Department included several tips in their warning which warrant consideration.

• Install a security alarm and camera and ensure they are working properly. 
• Post signage advertising the security measures you have in place, which may serve as a deterrent. 
• Check on your property regularly, especially if the property is vacant. 
• Secure any exterior electrical or utility boxes that may house wiring.
• Report suspicious activity to your Police Department.
• Suspicious activity may include: vehicles parked around vacant buildings for extended periods of time and usually in the late evening or early morning hours, subjects on school or park grounds after hours or on the roofs of buildings, subjects loitering around cell phone towers or tampering with any electrical/utility boxes or covers without identifiable uniforms or service vehicles.

In the City of Los Alamitos, call (562) 594-7232, or in an Emergency call 9-1-1. 

LBPD Bulletin 

Keep OC Safe

www.KeepOCSafe.org

If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting questionable activity to local law enforcement authorities. It was launched in the wake of September 11th, when the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority enlisted the eyes and ears of New York citizens as part of a local anti-terrorism strategy. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtained licensing rights of the slogan for anti-terrorism efforts nationally. DHS has promoted the campaign via partnerships with states, sports leagues, universities, property groups, and malls throughout the country. More information can be found at www.dhs.gov/if-you-see-something-say-something-campaign.

While the campaign is a federal effort, funding is being provided for regional entities to spread the message at the local level. Promoting the campaign in our community is important because Orange County can be a target – just like any other large metropolitan area – for terrorist acts. Terrorism is not just a national issue and many citizens may not be aware that they can be active participants in keeping our local community and therefore, our nation safe. So remember: homeland security starts with hometown security.

Simply be aware of your surroundings, use common sense and report something that does not seem “right” to local authorities – or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.  This can include:

• An unattended bag, briefcase or box
• A car or truck left in a “No Parking” zone that is located in front of a public building
• Unfamiliar chemical smells or fumes
• Someone drawing, taking pictures or measurements of important buildings

You are encouraged to use common sense to report questionable objects or behavior that could be indicators of terrorism. Because you’re familiar with your neighborhood and community, your common sense can and will guide you to recognize things that are unusual, such as a bag left alone in a public venue. You can learn about key indicators of a potential terrorist act by visiting KeepOCSafe.org. Think about it this way – if something that grabs your attention as unusual it is better to be safe and report it to the authorities.

If You See Something, Say Something™ does not promote spying on others or making any other judgments based on race, ethnicity, national origin or religious affiliation. The approach is similar to neighborhood watch efforts, but for our greater Orange County community. It’s also in line with other initiatives such as the AMBER Alert™ Program (related to child abduction), which asks citizens to assist the police in the recovery efforts by reporting if they see something. If You See Something, Say Something™ simply encourages citizens to be active participants in helping to keep the community safe.

Preventing Crimes at Home

The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a news bulletin encouraging residents to make their homes a tougher target to victimize in light of two home invasion robberies that occurred in an Orange County jurisdiction.

Here are a few tips from their suggestions.  Follow the link at the end for their entire bulletin.

• Always lock your doors and windows, even when leaving for “just a minute.”
• Never leave a house key under a doormat, in a flower pot, or on the ledge of the door.
• Be sure to use the dead bolt lock.
• Attach the strike plate (the jamb fastening that receives the bolt in the locking position) for the dead bolt to the door with four to six 3-inch brass wood screws that penetrate through the frame to the structural wood.
• Lock your side garage door at night and when you are away from home.
• Lock your garage door leading into the house.
• Keep your garage door closed. Thieves steal items from open garages in less than 30 seconds.
• Do not leave items of value outside your home. Thieves may take items from your porch, patio or yard. 

OCSD Bulletin

Crime can occur anywhere in our mobile society.  If you see something suspicious, report it to your Police Department.  In the City of Los Alamitos, call (562) 594-7232 or 9-1-1 if it is an Emergency.

Starting Today: Full I-405 Closure This Weekend

The West County Connectors Project will be removing the old connector bridge of the southbound I-405 connector to the eastbound SR-22 Freeway is demolished.

The following roadways will be affected:

1. Northbound I-405 freeway will be closed at Valley View Street

2. Southbound I-405 freeway will be closed between the I-605 freeway junction to the eastbound SR-22 connector (near Valley View Street)

3. 7th St. / Eastbound SR-22 will be closed at southbound I-405 freeway junction


For up to date information and developments from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), visit their website at www.octa.net/bridgebash.  There you will find their schedule, a map of closures and detours, and the means of staying connected by a variety of platforms including Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram.


The closure will likely impact the surrounding major arterial streets.  The Los Alamitos Police Department recommends reviewing this information and staying connected for developments that may occur.  Plan your routes and take into consideration any additional time requirements you may need for your travels.

#BRIDGEBASH

Beginning Tomorrow: Full I-405 Closure This Weekend

The West County Connectors Project will be removing the old connector bridge of the southbound I-405 connector to the eastbound SR-22 Freeway is demolished.

The following roadways will be affected:

1. Northbound I-405 freeway will be closed at Valley View Street

2. Southbound I-405 freeway will be closed between the I-605 freeway junction to the eastbound SR-22 connector (near Valley View Street)

3. 7th St. / Eastbound SR-22 will be closed at southbound I-405 freeway junction


For up to date information and developments from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), visit their website at www.octa.net/bridgebash.  There you will find their schedule, a map of closures and detours, and the means of staying connected by a variety of platforms including Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram.


The closure will likely impact the surrounding major arterial streets.  The Los Alamitos Police Department recommends reviewing this information and staying connected for developments that may occur.  Plan your routes and take into consideration any additional time requirements you may need for your travels.

#BRIDGEBASH

Full I-405 Closure This Weekend

#BRIDGEBASH

A significant piece in the West County Connectors Project will be undertaken this weekend when the old connector bridge of the southbound I-405 connector to the eastbound SR-22 Freeway is demolished.

The following roadways will be affected:

1. Northbound I-405 freeway will be closed at Valley View Street

2. Southbound I-405 freeway will be closed between the I-605 freeway junction to the eastbound SR-22 connector (near Valley View Street)

3. 7th St. / Eastbound SR-22 will be closed at southbound I-405 freeway junction


For up to date information and developments from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), visit their website at www.octa.net/bridgebash.  There you will find their schedule, a map of closures and detours, and the means of staying connected by a variety of platforms including Twitter, Facebook and now Instagram.


The closure will likely impact the surrounding major arterial streets.  The Los Alamitos Police Department recommends reviewing this information and staying connected for developments that may occur.  Plan your routes and take into consideration any additional time requirements you may need for your travels.

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for Aug 4 - Aug 10.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/

High Tech Gadgets Defeat Modern Electronic Car Locks

Police in Southern California have been investigating the high tech means by which a few criminals are accessing locked vehicles.  The Los Alamitos Police Department recommends utilizing standard locks as a valuable first line of defense in preventing crime, however removing valuables from vehicles, even when parked at your own home, increases your likelihood of not being victimized.

Watch this news report on this crime trend.

New Story

"Sliders" Warning

Police Departments in other parts of the country have given a name to a method of stealing purses and other property from vehicles at a gas station.  "Sliders" sneak up to vehicles while the driver is distracted with fueling their vehicles.  The criminal opens the unlocked door and takes the property and generally escape with the assistance of an accomplice.

The Los Alamitos Police Department has not documented any local incidents specifically using this method of criminality, yet, however we suggest anyone who is outside their vehicle and distracted with any sort of task to lock their door.  Utilizing standard locks in a consistent manner is an effective first line of defense in preventing crime.

Watch this news story for more information.

News Story

Power Outages and Signal Lights

Power outages are unexpected and can occur at any time.  Oftentimes, under these conditions, a traffic control signal will lose power and "black out."  The California Vehicle Code section 21800(d)(1) states: “The driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative shall stop at the intersection, and may proceed with caution when it is safe to do so."

In other words, treat an intersection where the signal lights are not operating as if you are approaching an intersection with stop sign controls.

We cannot stress enough that blacked out intersections are extremely dangerous; many people either ignore "blacked out" intersections or see them as an opportunity to keep on driving.  Once again, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

Distraction Burglaries

The Los Alamitos Police Department reminds residents to be suspicious of anyone who comes to their door without an appointment asking for access to the inside or outside of their home.   Even those claiming to be a utility worker may quickly offer fraudulent identification to gain access to your property.   If you are not able to verify that the person is with the utility company and has a valid reason for being there, you should ask them to wait outside while you call the company to verify who they are and why they are there.  Recently, one person posing as a Vector Control employee, and then another as a neighbor, asked for access to the backyard of the victims.  While the resident was assisting the one requesting access to the backyard, another entered the house and burglarized it.  These types of crimes become more common as criminals become more creative.  If you are in doubt or don’t feel comfortable with the circumstances, call the Police and an officer will come out to assist you. 

News Story

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for July 28 - Aug 3.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/

Burglary Prevention Tip

The Los Alamitos Police Department reminds residents to be suspicious of anyone who comes to their door without an appointment asking for access to the inside or outside of their home.   Even those claiming to be a utility worker may quickly offer fraudulent identification to gain access to your property.   If you are not able to verify that the person is with the utility company and has a valid reason for being there, you should ask them to wait outside while you call the company to verify who they are and why they are there.  Recently, a person posing as a Vector Control employee asked for access to a backyard, and while the resident was assisting him, another entered the house and burglarized it.   These types of crimes are becoming more common as criminals become more sophisticated.  If you are still in doubt or don’t feel comfortable with the circumstances, call the Police and an officer will come out to assist you. 

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for July 21 - July 27.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/