Welcome back... This is our first newsletter since our county-wide brush fires a few weeks ago. We didn't want to overwhelm you with a newsletter while you were recovering from the fire damages and displacement.
First of all, the fires generated 23 more Farm Watch members. Seems your forwarded emails caught some attention!
Next issue, we will talk about some new storage container security systems. Sheriff Brooks will also comment about reverse 911.
For now...We have a lot to catch up on.
Service Above All:
Volunteers are an important part of the Sheriff's Department. We couldn't do our job without the hundreds of volunteers spread across the Department. Recently, Sheriff Brooks honored Sheriff Volunteer Gil Koehler who is assigned out of the Santa Clara Valley Substation.
Farm Watch asked Gil to give some life tips.
After all, he is our oldest employee, at 97 years old... Gil actively serves and keeps on serving.
Gil, what is it that drives you to volunteer?
"I feel honored that you want information from me. Believe me the time I have spent in the Sheriff's Department has been one of great pleasure to me. I discovered a long time ago that there is great pleasure in being able to serve others and the more work you do the better for the others and satisfaction for myself.
When you see someone needing help and are there and helpful it is a wonderful feeling. When I was in a service club many years ago they had a motto "Youth to be served, must serve" and that is true today. It follows the old adage, "Love thy neighbor"
My favorite moment as a Sheriff Volunteer was being presented with a plaque from Sheriff Bob Brooks on my 94th birthday at the police station. It was not for the honor of receiving it for anything I had done but for the fact that the Department was aware of the work that all the members of the group had been doing, and are continuing to do." Gil
Ray Dominguez:
As you know Ray is our agriculture crimes detective.
Ray wanted us to suggest reminding farmers to order only what they need in fertilizer and seed. Get it delivered to a secure location, preferably the day you plan to use it so that the stuff isn't laying around. The recent fertilizer thefts occurred at strawberry farms, and this typically is done by smaller share-crop growers.
In addition, please remind farm watch members to also mark their equipment with an engraving ($12 Harbor Freight) of their Drivers License Number preceded with the acronym CDL. Any police officer in the State will know that C.D.L means California Driver's License. This will help if we recover their property in other counties. Thanks, Ray
Recycle Theft:
Crooked Palm Road, Ventura. A local commercial operation advised us that several suspects stole batteries from their yard. Units arrived and determined that the suspects stole a generator and large rolls of copper weighing 100 lbs. each. The unknown suspects are still at large.
West Fillmore Farms:
We have had numerous burglaries of houses and cars in the Grand Avenue, Sycamore and Oak Street areas. The suspect(s) are doing daytime burglaries and taking video equipment and miscellaneous personal property. Keep an eye out for any suspicious persons and call 524-2233 with any tips. Remember always use 911 in an emergency.
Santa Paula Farms:
We are looking for a unknown male or female suspect in a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe. This vehicle was seen at a recent theft of seed crops in west Santa Paula. In addition we have had a burglary on Foothill. The unknown suspect stole an X.M radio out of a car.
Upper Ojai:
A recent hiker came back to their car and found their tires slashed. The car was unattended at a trail head. This is a felony. Help us put the vandal in jail. If you see any suspicious persons around the trail heads, jot the license plate down and give us a call. A car burglar also broke into a car in Upper Ojai. They stole electronic equipment.
Remember our Farm Watch rule: If it's left in plain sight, its likely to be gone when you get back. Always lock up personal property in the trunk. Covering items with a towel or jacket doesn't work.
Piru:
By far this crime gets the weekly award for bizarre. A suspect stole the entire dashboard electronics and battery out of a boat at the lake. Seems crazy, but thieves are always looking for opportunity.
We have attached a recent crime map and your crime stats. Take a look at the drop in crime. You helped, we all thank you..
Enough for now, keep your eyes open and be safe Farm Watch
Your Friend
Tim