AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1
Message from the Chief
2
Department Overview
3
K-9 Unit
5
Community Outreach
8
School Resource Officers
9
Police Technicians & Administrative Clerk
10
Training Review
11
Traffic Data
12
Crime Statistics
14
Significant 2019 Cases & Events
16
Additional Resources
21
Animal Services
22
Other Topics of Interest
AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF It is my honor to present the 2019 American Canyon Police Department Year-End report. The men and women of the police department take pride in serving this community and I am proud of the work they do every day to keep our city safe. Across the state and the nation, we see several challenges in law enforcement, especially in communities where relationships between law enforcement and the residents they serve are strained. In American Canyon, however, our community works closely with us and is truly our best crime-fighting partner. Protecting the quality of life for our residents, businesses, and visitors is our priority. In this report you will see updates on cases, crime trend statistics, and significant cases we handled throughout 2019. We hope you will find it as informative as we do. The crime trends that impact the entire State of California, particularly theft crimes, are also impacting our city. Now more than ever, your officers are counting on your continued support and partnership to keep crime down in our City. If you see something suspicious, call us. Together, we fight crime better. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in 2019 and we hope to see you at our community events in 2020. Chief Oscar Ortiz
COMMUNITY SNAPS
1
AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW The City of American Canyon incorporated in 1992. Prior to that, as an unincorporated area of Napa County, the area was policed by Napa County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol (for traffic enforcement). In 1992, when the area became an incorporated city, the new City elected to contract with the Napa Sheriff’s Office for all municipal police services. The American Canyon Police Department, a division of the Sheriff’s Office, has since grown in size as the City grew. In 2019, the City and County entered into a new three year agreement to continue this service. The 2019/2020 contract with Napa County is $6,751,165. The City provides an additional $531,200 to cover the two Police Technicians (non-sworn positions), the Administrative Clerk, and other operating expenses. The current 3-year agreement expires on June 30, 2022, with two additional option years for an eventual agreement expiration of June 30, 2024. The City of American Canyon and the Napa County Sheriff’s Office plan for cost projections and anticipated future expenses when drafting these agreements. In the event of significant changes during the term of the agreement, an amendment may be done to reduce or expand the agreement. American Canyon Police Department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several officers on duty at any time of the day. Staffing levels vary depending on the time of day and peak call volume hours. In the event a situation arises that requires more officers than the ones already working in American Canyon, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office deputies are quick to respond and assist. The Sheriff’s Office headquarters is just up the road, near the Napa Airport. Additionally, whenever there is an opening for a position in American Canyon, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office offers a pool of trained deputies who are familiar with our community and familiar with working in the American Canyon Police Department. For 2019/2020, the American Canyon Police Department is staffed with 24 sworn officers, 2 police technicians, and 1 administrative clerk who is shared with the Fire Department. Breakdown of sworn staffing: 1 4 2 2
Chief Sergeants Traffic Officers K-9 Handlers
2 1 12
School Resource Officers Community Resource Officer Patrol Officers
Additionally, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office investigations Bureau has a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, and 7 Detectives. These Detectives carry a significant ACPD case load for follow-up investigations. The American Canyon Police Department prides itself on the use of Community Policing strategies. We engage our community to help prevent crime through programs like Coffee with the Cops, Neighborhood Watch, Facebook, Twitter, and DARE, as well as participation in numerous community events throughout the year. Enrollment and followers of our social media and Neighborhood Watch programs all expanded during 2019.
HIGHLIGHTS The officer to resident ratio is 1.1 officers per 1,000 residents (based on a population of 21,000). We have a School Resource Officer (SRO) at both American Canyon High School and American Canyon Middle School. We had some retirements and promotions, which allowed for some new faces to join our ACPD team.
Photo above: ACPD Officers Risley and Maravilla after helping local resident with getting her pet properly groomed and replenishing perishable food items in her refrigerator
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K-9 UNIT Officer Erik Olson has worked with the Sheriff’s Office since December of 2005 and has been assigned to ACPD since January of 2013. In May of 2014, Officer Olson was paired with his K-9 partner, Chase. Chase is a 6 ½ year old Belgian Malinois. Chase weighs a fit-and-ready 85lbs. Chase was born in Holland and came to the United States when he was about a year old. When not at work, Chase is part of Officer Olson’s family and goes home with Officer Olson at the end of every shift. Chase is trained in handler protection, suspect apprehension, narcotics detection, and article search. Chase competed at the 2019 Vallejo Police Department K-9 Trials and placed First overall in the Novice Division. In 2019, Chase had 25 narcotics related deployments and 35 patrol deployments, including 2 felony suspect apprehensions, along with assisting officers in a total of 19 felony apprehensions.
CHASE HIGHLIGHTS On May 5, 2019, Officer Olson and K-9 Chase attempted to pull over a vehicle for traffic enforcement while patrolling in American Canyon. The vehicle took off at a high rate a speed and a pursuit was initiated. After about 12 miles, and with the assistance of California Highway Patrol Air Operations, the suspect vehicle crashed and became disabled while exiting the freeway in Hercules. The occupants immediately fled the disabled vehicle towards a residential neighborhood, with Officer Olson and Chase in hot pursuit. Chase was able to apprehend and hold one suspect until Officer Olson reached him and secured the suspect in handcuffs. With the assistance of additional officers and CHP in the air, Officer Olson and Chase continued after the remaining two suspects, who eventually climbed over a fence and reached the backyard of a Hercules home. Chase found and apprehended a second suspect, while officers located and arrested a third. Back at the crash scene, a stolen firearm was located inside the abandoned suspect vehicle, which was later connected to two of the three suspects via latent fingerprints. Chase also used his article search skills at the scene, which resulted in the finding of a cellular phone that one of the fleeing suspects had discarded while running from the police. The investigation into this group, the firearm, and the cell phone is ongoing.
2019 saw an increase in vehicle burglaries throughout California. This epidemic was certainly felt in American Canyon. On September 30, 2019, officers found and attempted to detain one suspect involved in vehicle burglaries, in the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn. The suspect fled, however, and a short pursuit ensued before the suspect crashed into a landscaping business and then fled on foot. Chase followed in hot pursuit and the suspect, realizing he would not be able to out run the K-9, wisely surrendered. Officer Olson called Chase off and the suspect, who was on probation and out on bail, was safely returned to jail on new charges, uninjured.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
K-9 UNIT Officer Stephen Tong joined the Napa Sheriff’s Office in July of 2017 after serving 2 years at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Tong was assigned to ACPD in June 2018, and was paired with K-9 Mavric in October of that year. Mavric is a 2½ year old German Shepherd that comes to us from the Czech Republic. He is trained in handler protection, apprehension, and narcotics detection. He is the youngest of the department’s K-9s, and possibly the smallest, weighing in at 73lbs. Like his veteran partner Chase, the rookie K-9 Mavric also competed in the 2019 Vallejo Police Department K-9 Trials, which featured K-9 teams from all over California. Mavric placed 4th in building searches. Mavric had a busy first year, finding illegal guns and drugs on suspects. When not at work, Mavric goes home with Officer Tong and spends time chewing on toys, exercising, and training for his work week.
MAVRIC HIGHLIGHTS Mavric had several narcotics finds in 2019 and helped get several illegally possessed firearms off the streets to keep the community safe. On June 17, 2019, however, Mavric had his most significant find when he alerted to the presence of narcotics on a vehicle that Officer Tong pulled over, on Broadway near Napa Junction. Based on Mavric’s alert, Officer Tong conducted a search of the vehicle and located pipe bombs, drugs, and other suspected bomb making materials. The Bomb Squad responded and the suspect was arrested and charged with several related felonies. Detectives also responded and served a search warrant the following day at a related home in American Canyon. Additional explosives evidence, along with an illegal assault rifle, were located during the search warrant.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY RESOURCE OFFICER Community Resource Officer Jeff Scott (CRO) has a varied and long list of responsibilities. Those responsibilities include:
• • • • • • • •
Crime Prevention – Educating the public about crime trends, giving tips on how to secure their homes or businesses, assisting neighborhoods with setting up their own Neighborhood Watch group and conducting Crime Prevention through Environmental Design reviews. Property Managers Association – Monthly meetings with the managers of the majority of the multi-housing complexes to share information about crime on their property and how to make improvements. (Property Manager and Neighborhood Watch-13 meetings) Crime Free Multi-Housing program – This program falls in line with many of our other activities, but it allows property managers to add a crime free addendum to their leases. This makes it easier for managers to evict tenants based on criminal activity. Homeless Outreach – Identifying our homeless and trying to connect them to services. Gang/Graffiti – Work with probation to identify gang members and conduct probation searches to reduce gang activities and working with Public Works and property owners to have graffiti removed. Local Business Outreach – Work with local businesses to access and use their security surveillance cameras to solve crime and protect businesses. Community Outreach – Conducting a variety of presentations to various groups and the schools when invited, hosting Coffee with the Cops, Citizens Academy, Senior Shadow Day, posting items on Facebook, and much more, are just some ways the CRO reaches out to the community. Community Events – Attending the many community events. One of the largest events each year is National Night Out.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT National Night Out is held the first Tuesday in August. American Canyon residents participated in the 32nd Annual National Night Out campaign this year. National Night Out is designed to:
• • • •
Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
There were 11 neighborhoods that hosted parties on National Night Out. They enjoyed music, BBQ, and an overall good time getting to know each other.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH In early 2017, the Police Department and the City Manager’s Office started partnering to expand upon and formalize, the Neighborhood Watch (NW) Program. In May of 2018, ACPD launched the Neighborhood Watch Lobo Campaign, introducing our community to a new ACPD NW Mascot, Lobo, our Weapon of Crime Destruction. The Lobo introduction videos on You Tube and Facebook, along with the public appearances at community events, increased our NW participation within a year. Our NW enrollment increased from 150 to over 500 residents! Lobo continues to make public appearances at school events, parades, National Night Out, and various city events. To date, we now have just over 1,200 American Canyon residents signed up for Neighborhood Watch. These residents get monthly newsletters from the police department, crime prevention tips, and invitations to NW meetings. Our Neighborhood Watch participation strengthens an already strong partnership between the police department and our residents, increases the amounts of eyes and ears out there to report crime or suspicious activity, and help to keep American Canyon a safe place to live.
YEAR
2019
2018
2017
# of residents signed up
1,200
Just over 500
Under 200
CAMERA REGISTRY PROGRAM OF NW In 2019, ACPD and NW created a home surveillance camera registry program. Through the city website, residents are able to register their home video surveillance with the police department. This database simply lets the police department know (not access) what addresses have cameras and provides officers with contact information for the homeowner. In the event of a crime near that neighborhood or where the suspects direction of travel may have been captured to and from the crime scene, officers can check the camera registry and reach out to the NW member to have them check their footage and see if it can help solve the crime. Another example of partnering with our community to fight crime! There are currently 62 residents who have joined the NW Camera Registry.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH DIGITAL OUTREACH The Police Department utilizes various forms of mass-messaging. For urgent, emergency notifications, Nixle continues to be our best tool. Residents can sign up for Nixle Alerts by texting their zip code to: 888-777. We primarily use the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Nixle Account, which has approx. 30,000 email subscribers and over 170,000 text message subscribers. In 2019, working closely with our City staff, we have begun growing the list of subscribers for more surgical, American Canyon, alerts. We also train to use traditional media, door-to-door, high-low sirens, and bullhorn notifications in the event of an emergency. In 2018, we launched a Twitter feed for the department. This allows us to send out notifications to followers on that platform. Currently, we have over 400 followers. Many of our followers are bay area media reporters, which gives us a good platform to launch notifications and press releases to news resources around the region. Facebook continues to be our most popular social media tool. We use Facebook to share stories, trends, arrest news, public safety messages, and crime prevention tips. Currently, we have over 6,300 followers on our Facebook page.
SOCIAL MEDIA
2019
2018
2017
Facebook # of Followers
6,327
Approx. 4,500
Approx. 1,200
Twitter # of Followers
420
Approx. 150
N/A
LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS The Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a great event for our local officers to help raise money for a great charity. The torch started in Calistoga and made its way south, carried by various members of Napa County Law Enforcement. This year, Napa County Law Enforcement raised almost $10,000 for this worthy cause. Eight ACPD officers participated in this years run and raised almost $2,500 of that, running from the Napa Sheriff’s Main Office on Airport Boulevard, to the American Canyon Public Safety Building. Additionally, in September, ACPD officers participated with the Dunkin Donuts nationwide campaign to raise money for Special Olympics by doing the Cop on the Rooftop Fundraiser. An additional $900 was raised during this event. Thank you, American Canyon!
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS There has been an officer assigned full-time at American Canyon High School since it opened in 2010. Officer Adam LeCount is now the School’s Resource Officer (SRO). The City has traditionally paid the costs associated with having an SRO at the high school. In 2015, we added an SRO to American Canyon Middle School, through a three year contract between the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) and the City, with increased cost covered by NVUSD. In 2018, the City and NVUSD agreed on a new contract in which the City and NVUSD share the cost, 50/50, for the SRO at both schools.
• • •
Fiscal Year 2018/2019: Fiscal Year 2019/2020: Fiscal Year 2020/2021:
NVUSD $ 115,022.00 NVUSD $ 116,747.00 NVUSD $ 118,498.00
City $115,022.00 City $116,747.00 City $118,498.00
SROs are on campus to provide a safe school community and help youth through some difficult challenges. They work with the schools to help provide kids with the tools and understanding they need to grow into successful adults. Getting to know such a large population of the City’s youth, the SROs also serve the department as our juvenile crime officers, often working with parents and juvenile probation to best change negative behavior patterns. Typical SRO duties include organizing and implementing programs to promote a safe school environment, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and awareness, violence prevention and early intervention, investigating criminal law violations and responding to police related incidents, teacher training, classroom presentations, participation in parent workshops and community meetings, and providing students with law enforcement related counseling, guidance, and referrals as needed. Typical incidents SROs handle include truancy, petty theft, bullying, fighting, drug possession, sexting, and making threats. Although there are crimes that happen on campus, it is rare that an officer actually arrests a student on campus. Most incidents are still resolved by the school and the school discipline process.
OFFICER ADAM LE COUNT American Canyon High School
Total Calls for Service at ACHS: 73 Total Police Reports taken at ACHS: 37 Besides the obvious community relationship that SRO LeCount builds by being at the campus, and the campus safety his presence provides, Officer LeCount was able to handle the majority of the investigations initiated at the campus. Of the crime reports, 1 involved theft, 1 involved possession of marijuana, 6 involved assaults/fights, 5 involved threats, 1 involved weapons on campus (folding knife), 4 mental health-crisis related, and 1 involved a runaway investigation.
OFFICER MICHAEL WILLIAMS American Canyon Middle School
Total Calls for Service at ACMS: 30 Total Police Reports taken at ACMS: 21 Officer Williams continues to have great rapport with the students at this critical age group. On several occasions students were comfortable reporting potential problems to him before they turned into a bigger problem. Reports at the middle school included 2 threats investigations, 2 possession of marijuana cases, 2 theft, 8 assaults, 3 mental health-crisis related, and 2 weapon on campus cases (folding knives).
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POLICE TECHNICIANS & ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK While the sworn officers in American Canyon are actually employees of Napa County, there are three staff members who are employees of the City of American Canyon. The City employees are two Police Technicians, Kim Stallcop and Lindsey Foster, and our Administrative Clerk who also assists the Fire Department, Sheila Hart. Administrative Clerk Sheila Hart joined our team at the end of 2019 after our previous Administrative Clerk, Lindsey Foster, accepted a position in our department as a Police Technician. Sheila staffs the front reception desk, where she answers the phone, greets and directs visitors, and performs clerical work for both the Police and Fire departments. The Police Technicians also have responsibility for the front office, but have additional duties outside the office. Their duties include releasing police reports, the abandoned vehicle program, assisting with crime prevention and other policing programs, taking minor incident reports, compiling statistical data, supporting patrol officers on crime scenes and traffic collisions, booking and transporting of evidence, assisting with traffic at the schools, and special projects. They are also specially trained to be Child Safety Seat technicians.
HIGHLIGHTS Child seats installed or inspected: 12 Child Safety events: 1 (WalMart parking lot)
Abandoned vehicles tagged: 515 Abandoned vehicles towed: 44
The Police Technicians also write parking tickets. In order to keep disabled parking spaces available for the people who need them, they check people who park in those designated spaces to make certain they have a placard and if they have a placard, that they are the proper person to be using the placard.
HIGHLIGHTS Result: 33 tickets (handicap). Misused placards are returned to DMV.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING REVIEW Having a well-trained police force is an important factor in accomplishing the overall goal of quality law enforcement services that protect the quality of life and keep our community safe. Follow-up investigations for felony cases, and some misdemeanors, are handled by the team of highly trained and experienced detectives at the Investigations Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office. The uniformed patrol men and women of the American Canyon Police department also train continually throughout the calendar year. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requires every officer to have a minimum of 24 hours of Continuous Professional Training (CPT) every two years. POST also identifies certain police skills as perishable and requires refresher trainings in those skills every two years. Those perishable skills include such things as firearms, weaponless defense, driving, tactical communications, and first aid. American Canyon officers in 2019 are all up-to-date on these POST requirements. In addition to the POST minimums, ACPD officers also attended several POST approved training courses in areas such as, DUI investigations, Leadership Development, Under the Influence of Drugs Investigations, RADAR/LIDAR, Traffic Collision Investigations, Supervision, Crisis Intervention-Mental Health, De-escalation techniques, Behavior Assessment, and Communications, among others. In total, ACPD had over 2,100 hours of POST approved training during 2019. The Sergeants at American Canyon Police also routinely facilitate line-up training to the officers in their charge several times a month. Line-up trainings are an informal opportunity to review new laws, new court decisions, developing trends, incident debriefs, and general police skills. Over 3,900 minutes of line-up trainings were conducted in 2019. During 2019, line-up trainings included such topics as:
• • • • • • • •
Human Trafficking Case Law / Legal Update Pursuits / Vehicle Driving Spike Strip / Stop-Stick Deployment K-9 Use Active Shooter Response Fire Department Rank / Structure LGBTQ and Diversity
• • • • • • •
Traffic Enforcement Domestic Violence / Strangulation Investigations Incident Debriefs Use of Force laws: AB392 and SB230 Organized Retail Theft Law: 490.4 PC Cell Phone Investigations Suicidal Subjects and Less Lethal Tactics
Pictured below: Officer Cooley (newly assigned to traffic/motors) and Officer Coleman (recently assigned to Detectives) posing with Chief Ortiz after graduating an 80 hour CPOA Leadership Development Course.
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TRAFFIC DATA In addition to traffic enforcement and traffic collision investigations, the Traffic Enforcement Unit reviews collision reports authored by other officers. They also schedule their directed enforcement based on community traffic concerns, collision trends, construction areas, and complaints. They assist with special events such as 4th of July parade, bicycle rodeos, and partner with city public works staff on a traffic safety committee. Our Traffic Unit subscribes to the three E’s — Education, Enforcement, and Engineering. Traffic issues may be reported to the Public Works Department, the Police Department, City Hall, or online at www.cityfamericancanyon.org/connect.
TRAFFIC 2019 2018 2017 2016 Traffic Citations Traffic Citations - Local Roads Traffic Citations - SR29
382 219
774 662
522 427
544 537
Stop Sign Violations Speeding School Bus Stop Driving with Cell Phone Open Container - Cannabis Open Container - Alcohol
101 104 80 61 10 5
397 88 116 276 44 7
201 174 91 147 3 4
266 300 53 84 4
Parking Citations 569 633 344 430 Disable Parking Citations - Inf. 29 41 48 116 Disable Parking Citations - Misd. 4 4 3 7 DUI Arrests (All) 59 90 79 97 DUI Cases Involving Drugs 11 13 6 Total Collisions 137 164 175 159 Collisions - Local Roads 79 89 97 97 Collisions - SR29 58 80 78 62 Fatal 0 0 0 0 Injury 43 56 42 52 Non-Injury 94 113 133 107 Child Safety Seat Inspection/Install
12
20
20
49
Helmets, Free 5 2 0 2
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
CRIME STATISTICS California Department of Justice lists the 2018 clearance rate for violent crime at 45.1% and property crime at 10.4%. American Canyon’s 2018 clearance rate for violent crime is 67.9% and property crimes is 52.1%.
• • • • •
20 of the 23 stolen vehicles have been recovered 15 Residential burglaries were reported 17 Vehicle pursuits were initiated by ACPD 35 Incidents required the use of force 38 Individuals were taken into temporary custody for mental health evaluations
STATISTICS
2019
Crimes Homicide Rape Robbery
0 6 6
0 8 13
0 5 14
0 7 14
1 7 21
0 2 16
0 5 31
130 56 346 23
107 49 315 41
141 88 279 57
118 58 298 56
91 98 501 44
117 100 441 31
79 92 388 32
568 52.8%
533 48.2%
551 43.4%
763 54.66%
707 55.45%
627 60.45%
Assault Burglary Larceny Auto Theft Total % Solved
2019 Value of Property Stolen 552,034 Percent Recovered
OTHER DATA Calls for Service Reports Arrests Citations: Misdemeanor Pursuits
2018
2017
2016
584 43.8%
2015
2014
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
572,431
1,046,405
1,008,587
801,395
674,075
505,467
670,054
19%
20%
22%
30%
40%
30%
33%
31%
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
18,381 1,972 561
18,644 1,946 509
18,041 1,917 532
18,698 1,965 523
17,057 2,035 475
17,604 1,971 665
18,537 2,005 765
19,703 2,135 859
328 17
535 23
384 14
427 16
612 7
474 16
499 5
599 17
CALLS FOR SERVICE Sheriff Total - 52,950 ACPD - 18,482 (35% of total calls) Yountville - 4,076
In total, 125 suspects received Cite-and-Release tickets for cases involving meth, cocaine, or opiates. In 2019, there were 6 citations for possession of cannabis under the age of 18.
Theft from Vehicle Residential Burglary
2013
2013
2012
2019
2018
2017
168
73
96
15
18
29
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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CRIME STATISTICS
HIGHLIGHTS 15 Firearms were seized by ACPD from criminal investigations (car searches, people searches, etc.). # of Firearms
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
2019
2018
2017
15
20
11
SIGNIFICANT 2019 CASES & EVENTS HIGH SCHOOL THREATS & INVESTIGATION After school got out on Friday, February 22nd, a message on a fake Instagram profile started circulating, indicating threats of violence or a shooting would be happening at the high school campus. This profile remained active that Friday night, posting further threats and hints of violence, effectively terrorizing any students and parents that were following the account. The police department was notified and began a round-theclock investigation involving interviews, home visits, and search warrants. By noon, Saturday, February 23rd, police officers identified and arrested the responsible juvenile. No weapons were found at the juvenile’s home, but other evidence indicating the juvenile was making the social media post was recovered. School resumed on Monday morning, with a few additional disruptive photos shared and eventually verified as internet stock photographs used for hoaxing. No additional arrests were made, and by Wednesday, the hoaxes stopped. The juvenile that was arrested was referred to the juvenile court system. The School Resource Officer, detectives, night shift patrol officers, school officials, and police chief all worked together to bring normalcy back to the campus after a frightening weekend. Coincidently enough, the week after this arrest was “See Something, Say Something” week at the high school. Overall, the kids were appreciative of the extra police attention on the campus and happy to have normalcy return.
FIRE IN THE EAST HILLS On Sunday, October 6th, a grass fire in the hills east of the high school spread westbound and came frighteningly close to the Vintage Ranch neighborhood. Firefighters responded quickly and stopped the spread before it reached any homes. Officers handled traffic issues, communicated evacuation warnings, and dealt with crowd control issues. One criminal case is pending in the Napa Courts related to a person who disrupted the incident command post where firefighting and evacuation warning decisions were based. She refused to follow directions and forced her way past a road closure.
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC SHUTS DOWN POWER On Saturday, October 26th, City officials learned from local residents (not from PG&E) that the outage map for a planned Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) changed overnight and the entire City would be affected. Public safety, County officials, and City leaders immediately scrambled to verify the information and soon after activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). By 8pm, the City went dark and power remained off for four days! Police, fire, and public works officials all up-staffed during the PSPS to keep the community safe during the outage. Controlled intersections went dark, residents on electricity dependent medical equipment were checked on, and crime prevention patrols in total darkness were conducted to prevent and dissuade crime. The City utilized a variety of communication mediums to keep the community informed. First responders leaned heavily on American Canyon Community Emergency Response Team (AC CERT) to assist with checking on vulnerable residents. Power was restored on the fourth day and once again AC CERT, along with resources coordinated by the Napa Valley COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) quickly established food distribution points to help needy families who lost all of their perishable food items during the outage.
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SIGNIFICANT 2019 CASES & EVENTS VEHICLE BURGLARIES AND VANDALISM In 2019, throughout the state, news media covered several stories related to an uptick in vehicle break-in crimes. Unfortunately, American Canyon was not immune to this trend. In 2019, American Canyon had 168 reports of vehicles being broken into, compared to 73 in 2018, and 96 in 2017. American Canyon officers did interrupt one offender, however, in the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn. On September 30th, 25 year old Charles Johnson of Vallejo was approached when officers suspected he was breaking into cars in the parking lot. Johnson quickly got into his vehicle and fled the parking lot, almost striking (we believe intentionally) one of our officers with his car on the way out of the lot! The officer dove out of the way and other officers gave chase in their police cruisers. Johnson, who was later discovered to be on probation for burglary out of Sacramento County, and out on bail for a case in San Mateo County, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a fence in Vallejo. He exited his vehicle and attempted to flee ACPD officers on foot. He quickly realized he would not be able to outrun K9 Chase, so he surrendered before being apprehended by the dog. He was found in possession of a window punch and broken glass, in addition to evidence of having broken into several cars in the hotel parking lot. He was arrested and booked at the Napa County Jail on burglary, pursuit, and assault on a police officer charges. The case is still pending.
PURSUIT CASE On June 12th, ACPD officers learned that a subject wanted on warrants, 26 year old Omari Lyles, was in a vehicle on the east side of town. ACPD Officer Hudson spotted Lyles on American Canyon Road near Interstate 80. When Officer Hudson attempted to pull Lyles over, a high speed pursuit ensued. Lyles led officers on a car chase into the City of Fairfield, where he lost control of his vehicle near State Route 12. Lyles fled on foot and went over several backyard walls. With the assistance of Fairfield Police and a CHP Helicopter, Lyles was located in one of the backyards and taken into custody. He was booked on the warrants along with additional felony charges related to the pursuit. The criminal case eventually resulted in a conviction and Lyles was sentenced to four years in state prison.
DRUGS/PIPE BOMBS/ASSAULT RIFLE ARREST On June 17, ACPD Officer Tong, riding with his K-9 partner, Mavric, made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 26 year old Justin Fisher of Napa. Officer Tong, suspecting Fisher was under the influence of drugs, had his partner Mavric sniff the outside of Fisher’s vehicle. Mavric alerted to the presence of drugs and eventually, Officer Tong located pipe bombs, explosives materials, heroin, and methamphetamine inside the vehicle. Fisher was arrested. A follow-up investigation revealed a garage at a local residence with more hazardous materials, along with an AR15 rifle. The criminal case is still making its way through the Napa courts as of the time of this report.
VEHICLE VERSUS PEDESTRIAN HIT-AND-RUN On July 25th, a 55 year old local resident was in the crosswalk at Rio Del Mar when he was struck and seriously injured by a white, four door sedan that fled the scene. Witnesses attempted to follow the suspect vehicle. Some witnesses were able to capture photos of it, which they turned over to police. A felony hit-and-run investigation started and photographs of the suspect vehicle were shared on social media, along with local Bay Area news outlets. The following day, under pressure from the media attention and region-wide search, the driver of the sedan, 20 year old Martha Morales-Barrera, turned herself in. The vehicle was located and towed from a local street. Morales-Barrera was booked at the Napa County Jail. Morales-Barrera pled guilty to felony hit-and-run and will be sentenced in early 2020. The motorcycle officers that handled the investigation, Officers Roberts and Mustard, were familiar with the pedestrian from drinking coffee with him at the local Starbucks. They visited him at UC Davis Medical Center shortly after the collision. Even today, as he continues his recovery at home, Officer Roberts still stops by to check on him.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES In addition to the services you receive from the 27 personnel working in American Canyon, there are many services that are provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Those additional services include hiring, training, worker’s compensation, Honor Guard, SWAT, crisis negotiation, civil process, Coroner’s Office, investigations, records, NSIB, sUAS (“drone”) Team, Mobile Field Force, and problem oriented policing. A few of these services are described in more detail below.
SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS The SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team is utilized in critical incidents to minimize dangers to the public, employees, and suspects. A critical incident refers to hostage situations, armed barricaded subjects, sniper situations, other incidents that present a high degree of danger to life or property, search and rescues, crowd control events, and any event requiring the response of specially trained personnel to resolve the situation. The SWAT Team is comprised of 12 deputies who are trained in the use of special weapons, anti-sniper tactics, methods of capturing armed barricaded suspects, rescuing hostages, search and rescue, crowd control, disaster assistance, and other tactics and skills necessary for resolution of critical incidents. The Sheriff’s SWAT team is made up of deputies with patrol experience, who must pass an interview process, a rigorous physical test, and a Basic SWAT Academy. Each SWAT member participates in approximately 144 hours of additional tactical training per year. The Sheriff’s SWAT team frequently trains with the Napa Police Department. Both SWAT teams respond together to most critical incidents. Both teams utilize Crisis Negotiators (8 trained members) to assist in bringing peaceful resolution to hazardous situations.
NAPA SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU (NSIB) The Napa Special Investigations Bureau is a county-wide drug task force comprised of employees from the Napa Sheriff’s Office, Napa Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Napa County District Attorney’s Office, and Napa County Probation Department. They also specialize in investigation of human sex trafficking cases. In 2019, NSIB did two presentations to community groups in American Canyon related to identification and prevention of human trafficking, along with line-up training for ACPD patrol officers.
HIGHLIGHTS Total Drugs Seized • Marijuana Bud Product: 10.2 grams • Marijuana Edibles: 31.6 grams • MJ BHO: 138.4 grams • Meth: 38.7 grams • Heroin: 0 grams • Cocaine: 0 grams Additional Highlights • Firearms Seized: 1 • Total Search Warrants: 6 • Total Other Searches: 1 • Asset Forfeiture Currency: $4,416 • Human Trafficking/Pimping Cases: 4
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES sUAS TEAM The mission of the Napa Sheriff’s Office small Unmanned Aerial Systems Team (sUAS Team) is to use this resource to protect the lives and/or property of citizens of Napa County and first responders in a constitutionally and legally sound manner and in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The use of a sUAS has been utilized in circumstances that could save lives and/or safeguard property in circumstances where other means and resources are unavailable or less effective. The ability to detect possible dangers that could not otherwise be seen represents an inherent safety benefit in support of the Sheriff’s Office mission. The sUAS Aerial Observation Platform has supported first responders in many hazardous incidents during the program’s first year. These incidents have included, but are not limited to, Search and Rescue, disaster response, barricaded suspects, high-risk tactical operations, hazardous materials spills and natural disasters. The sUAS have provided additional value in support of the Sheriff’s mission through community outreach and crime scene preservation and documentation. Aerial photography and vantage point documentation for traffic accident investigations has been useful in determining causes of collisions. The Napa Sheriff’s Office sUAS pilots of unmanned aircraft systems have a responsibility to not infringe on the rights or property of the citizens of California. Any data, information, photographs, video, or recordings of individuals, both in public and private, are minimized and retained in a manner consistent with current privacy standards. The program operates under the guidelines of the FAA and 2 Certificates of Authorization, which allow flight of sUAS in specific airspace for the purpose of public safety concerns and the Napa Sheriff’s Office mission. All pilots undergo strict training prior to flying, including obtaining a FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License and Certification through the Napa Sheriff’s Office sUAS training program. Monthly training is required of all Remote pilots. The team currently consists of a Captain, 2 Sergeants, and 5 Deputies.
DEPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS Total Deployments in 2019: 56 Out of County Requests and Deployments = 5 Napa Police Department Deployments = 7 Search and Rescue and Missing Person = 3 Crime / TC Scene Documentation = 9 Public Demonstration and Media Requests = 7 Requests by Other Napa County Agencies = 3 Reportable Incidents to FAA = 0 Reports or Complaints of Misconduct or Privacy Violations = 0 Other deployments included over watch for tactical operations, clearing of residences and buildings, article searches over large areas, searches for fleeing suspects and assist with SWAT operations.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HAZARDOUS DEVICES TEAM (BOMB SQUAD) The Napa County Sheriff’s Office Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team, commonly referred to as the Bomb Squad, responds to calls for service related to suspicious packages, unexploded ordinance, Improvised explosive devices, homemade devices, and labs within all areas of the county of Napa. Additionally, they provide the same services for the counties of Solano and Lake. They are assisted by EOD K-9s from Napa and Solano Counties with explosives sweeps for large public events and dignitaries when visiting the Napa Valley. Additionally, they provide demonstrations and education to patrol deputies both at the agency and academy level. Team members are responsible for the inspection and compliance overview of blasting permits in Napa County. Team members attend an intensive 6-week training course. They are governed by FBI guidelines for training and readiness. They are required to maintain a minimum 16 hours of related training per month and a 40-hour course per year. It should be noted, after almost 20 years of service as a Bomb Technician to the citizens of Napa County, Deputy Chris Roberts will be hanging up his EOD suit this coming year. We want to sincerely thank Chris for his steadfast commitment, irreplaceable experience and mentorship to the Napa County Sheriff’s Bomb Team. Thank you Chris!
HIGHLIGHTS • • •
18 Call-outs for suspicious packages, military ordinance, hoax devices, explosives recovery and disposals, including calls in Napa, Solano and Lake Counties. 9 Explosives and suspicious package sweeps at public events. Explosive K-9s were utilized on 7 of those sweeps, including the PGA Safeway Open, BottleRock Concert Series, Napa Women’s Marathon, Wine Auctions, and dignitary visits. 9 Public demonstrations and law enforcement education and training classes.
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES HONOR GUARD The Napa Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard was formed to perform official remembrance ceremonies and funeral details for law enforcement professionals who have passed away in the line of duty. The Honor Guard also performs flag raising duties at various civic events that require a dignified display and presentation of our nation’s flag. The Honor Guard is trained in the aspects of drill and ceremony, flag presentations, and funeral details. The Honor Guard provides both a symbolic and professional display of respect and gratitude for officers who have died either in the line-of-duty, while an active member of the department, or after their retirement from the department. By participating in memorials, parades and other special events, the Honor Guard provides a positive image as ambassadors of the Napa Sheriff’s Office, the County of Napa and the Community. In 2019, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard attended 23 events. Some examples of the events:
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Memorial events at National Police week in Washington DC and 9/11 Memorial in American Canyon 6 Law Enforcement Funerals 10 Color Guard (Presentation of the Flags) at events, such as Napa Little League Opening Day and All Star Tournament, American Canyon Little League Opening Day, Sacramento Rivercats game, Napa / Vintage High School Football game, and an American Canyon City Council Meeting 2 Parades 2 US Flag retirements at local elementary schools
MOBILE FIELD FORCE The Napa Sheriff’s Office trains and equips a Mobile Field Force (MFF) team. The team is made up of 25 Deputies and 3 Sergeants (many of whom are assigned to ACPD). All of the MFF team members attend a 40-hour training course through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with refresher trainings throughout the year. The Lieutenant that oversees the team can also call upon the MFF to fill mutual aid request for areas impacted by disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or fires.
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU (DETECTIVES) The Investigations Bureau is responsible for all criminal investigations and works closely with the crime lab. The Bureau has a Lieutenant, a Detective Sergeant, 7 Investigators, and a Secretary. In the Evidence Bureau, there are 2 Evidence Specialists, and an Evidence Technician. Investigators perform follow up on crimes against persons, such as sexual assaults, child abuse and neglect, elder and dependent adult abuse, domestic violence, murder, manslaughter, questionable deaths, mayhem, kidnapping, as well as all criminal offenses committed within county correctional facilities. They also investigate major property crimes, including frauds, embezzlements, forgeries, computer crimes, and runaway juveniles/missing persons. All investigators are part of the Napa County Major Crimes Task Force.
HIRING Applicants face a rigorous hiring process. They file an application, go through an oral interview, complete a prebackground packet, complete waivers and a 25-page background packet, and go through another interview about information contained in the packets. A thorough background investigation is then conducted (friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors are contacted, credit and criminal history checks are completed). Applicants must pass a physical agility test, as well as complete a polygraph packet and exam. If the applicant has not been disqualified, they may receive a conditional job offer. The conditional part means that they have a job if they successfully pass a physical exam, psychological exam, and Sheriff’s Interview. That is not all. The new hire must then successfully complete a 16week long field training program with experienced deputies. The Sheriff’s Office Administrative Lieutenant oversees recruitment, testing, and background investigations.
TRAINING The Administrative Lieutenant is responsible for ensuring department wide compliance with P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards and Training) requirements. P.O.S.T. has established training and hiring standards for law enforcement in California. Deputies must attend a 664 (minimum) hour basic academy, and then successfully complete a field training program after being hired. After completing their probationary period, Deputies must attend regular training that includes a minimum of 24 hours of perishable skills training every two years and 24 additional hours of continuing professional training every two years. The perishable skills training includes driving, firearms, defensive tactics, First Aid/CPR, and Tactical Communication. As described in page 10, the Sheriff’s Office Administrative Lieutenant ensures officers assigned to ACPD meet their POST training requirement. In addition to minimum requirements, the Lieutenant works with the Chief of Police to ensure officers attend training that aligns with the officer’s assignment at ACPD.
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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ANIMAL SERVICES The City has a separate contract ($49,904 for FY19/20) with Napa County Sheriff’s Office for Animal Services. Animal Services Officers work out of the main Sheriff’s Office, on Airport Boulevard. Officers are supervised by a Napa Sheriff’s Sergeant. There is 1 Senior Animal Services Officer and 5 Animal Services Officers. There is at least 1 Animal Services Officer working 7 days a week, between 6 am and 11 pm. After 11 pm, an officer is assigned to be on call for emergencies only; emergencies primarily consist of vicious or injured animals. Animal Services is separate from the Animal Shelter, which is run by Napa County Environmental Management. Animal Services Officers do not investigate noise complaints (usually barking dogs); those complaints are handled by the American Canyon Police Department. Generally, Animal Services Officers deal with domestic animals; California Fish and Wildlife handles wild animals. The Animal Services Officer’s primary mission is to prevent the spread of rabies. They investigate dog bites, dangerous animals, capture stray or injured animals, and investigate the abuse or neglect of animals in unincorporated Napa County, as well as in the cities of Napa, American Canyon, and Yountville. Officers deal with a variety of types and sizes of domestic (mostly) animals. In addition to dogs and cats, they have handled cows, horses, roosters, llamas, emus, goats, rabbits, skunks, snakes, and bats.
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DESCRIPTION OF CALL
NAPA
UNINCORPORATED
AMERICAN CANYON
YOUNTVILLE
TOTALS
Loose Dog(s) Animal/Confined Pick-Up Animal Welfare Check Vicious Animals Injured/Sick Animals Dead Animal Pick-Up Follow Up Detail Phone Detail Agency Assist General Service Animal Bites Wildlife Removal
573 187 234 18 138 88 18 377 24 102 16 56
232 104 94 14 90 64 208 333 49 56 8 69
184 83 41 8 33 21 4 111 5 27 8 7
10 5 5 0 1 1 0 10 0 1 1 2
999 379 374 40 262 174 230 831 78 186 33 134
TOTALS
1,831
1,321
532
36
3,720
AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT
OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST In 2018, the Napa County Office of Emergency Services (OES) tested the Integrated Public Alert Wireless System (IPAWS) throughout Napa County. This system, which is maintained by FEMA, pushes out emergency alerts through cell towers. The technology is emerging and, overall, American Canyon performed well. Further testing and training was conducted by OES in 2019.
NEXTDOOR The City participates in Nextdoor to provide information to the community. While Nextdoor is a popular site for local residents, the Police Department is not able to monitor it. We cannot see the messages you post. If you are reporting a crime or want to get a message to us, Nextdoor is not the way to do that! The phone is still the best way to contact the police department. If you would like to sign up, visit www.nextdoor.com.
CONTACT US Information about the American Canyon Police Department and our services may be found on the City’s web site: www.cityofamericancanyon.org. We are also on Facebook and Twitter!
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/American.Canyon.Police.Department Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmCanPolice
To see crimes reported in your neighborhood go to, www.communitycrimemap.com. Did you know that we have a drug collection bin in the lobby of the public safety building? Drop your unused or expired prescription medications in the bin and we will have them destroyed. It’s FREE. Place your medications in a plastic bag and then drop them into the bin. Throw your plastic bottles into your home recycling container. It’s easy! NO NEEDLES and NO LIQUIDS. American Canyon Police Department 911 Donaldson Way East American Canyon, CA 94503 Non-emergency number: (707) 551-0600 Napa Dispatch: (707) 253-4451 Our lobby is open Monday - Friday, from 8:30am - 5pm
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
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AMERICAN CANYON POLICE DEPARTMENT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT CONTACT US | FOLLOW US | JOIN THE PACK CONTACT US Public Safety Building 911 Donaldson Way East American Canyon, CA 94503 Emergency - 911 Non-Emergency (707) 551-0600 Dispatch (707) 253-4451
FOLLOW US Facebook @American.Canyon.Police.Department Twitter @AmCanPolice
JOIN THE PACK Be a part of Lobo’s Pack! Our Neighborhood Watch Program helps build safer neighborhoods. cityofamericancanyon.org/lobospack