WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

The overall crime rate for this period vs. the same time period last year shows an increase in larcenies as we continue to have larcenies that include farm equipment and landscaping tools. Additionally, avocado thefts are creeping back into the picture as Det. Dominguez points out in his crime summary for this edition.

Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez had the following update regarding county-wide agricultural investigations:

"Over the past month we have continued receiving reports of metal thefts that plague local farms and agriculture related businesses. The Sheriff’s Office recently joined forces with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to form a task force to combat this problem. The group has held a couple of meetings and although the task force is in it’s infancy, once established it should prove to be a valuable resource in identifying and tracking suspects responsible for recycling stolen materials, and ensuring the recycling businesses responsible for accepting the stolen property are held accountable as well. The task force will only help strengthen the alliances we have already forged with business owners and operators that have been diligent in policing themselves and have provided invaluable investigative leads to law enforcement officers.

The formation of the metal theft task force is just one component of a plan to reduce metal thefts locally. We need your help, and ask that you take an active role in protecting your property by marking it with identifiable markings and/or numbers. This will aid investigators in identifying stolen materials and equipment found in the suspect’s possession or at recycling yards.

As always, we encourage farm owners and business operators to secure their property and keep it out of sight of would be thieves. If you stockpile it…they will come! If you have scrap metal items or old equipment lying around your farm or business you may consider selling or taking the items in yourself to be recycled before they draw unwanted attention.

We also ask that you report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see a suspicious vehicle displaying such tell-tale signs of transporting stolen scrap metal items that are seen hanging out of the truck bed or trailer and the vehicle is loaded down in such a manner that the rear bumper appears to be dragging on the ground, call us to report it. Make sure you jot down a description of the vehicle including the color, make, model, and license plate. Note the physical and clothing description of the driver and any occupants seen in the vehicle.

Farmers are often contacted by roving “Scrappers” that will visit your farm or business looking for scrap metal items. Some of these guys are legitimate businessmen and may present you with a business card and contact information. Some of these guys will ask for permission to take unwanted items. However, I caution you to take note of such visitors and the vehicles they operate as they may return at a later date and time to take stuff that was not authorized for pick up.

On another note, we continue getting reports of small-scale avocado thefts (Typically under one hundred pounds in total weight) throughout the Santa Paula and Fillmore growing areas. The Sheriff’s Office asks that you formally report these thefts so we can track activity and collect any viable evidence that can help link suspect(s) to multiple thefts.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve started receiving reports of battery thefts from farm equipment such as wind machines and booster pumps. Although some of these batteries can be unique in size or type helping investigators identify them, the batteries are often sold for their “Core” value which can equate to a $10-$15 pay day for the crook. It will likely cost you a lot more to replace the battery, not to mention the loss of time and use of your equipment when you probably need it most.

Please check your equipment regularly and secure the access panels with hardened locks or fasteners that require the use of special tools for removal. Mark your batteries by scribing identifying information into the battery case. If you suffer such a loss, please report it to law enforcement as soon as possible and keep other employees out of the area to avoid contaminating the crime scene with additional shoe impressions, fingerprints, and DNA. Avoid touching or moving any items before deputies have a chance to process the crime scene for possible evidence.

As always, remain vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities to your local Sheriff’s Patrol Stations. You can also contact me should you have any further questions at one of the numbers listed below or by email. Please note that my desk number has recently changed."

Attached to this edition is a survey from the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services Assistant Director Laura Hernandez. Ventura County is launching a program to assist all businesses to be prepared in the event of a major event such as an earthquake. The attachment has a link to complete the survey (should only take 5 minutes).

From now on I will continue to include the following crime prevention tips as our reader base proceeds to expand daily!

The advice below is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:

· Call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 911.

· Be a good witness

· Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.

· If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.

· Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

If you are not sure of how to address the problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff’s Office substation or Detective Ray Dominguez directly at (805) 477-7029 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:

Camarillo Detective Shawn Pewsey, shawn.pewsey@ventura.org

Fillmore Detective John Fox, john.fox@ventura.org

Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org

Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org

As always, we would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown, Det. Ray Dominguez, and our Narcotics Bureau for this issue’s great crime and alert update.

Be alert and always safe!

Monica (797-6338)

Geoff Dean - Sheriff

John Crombach and Gary Pentis - Assistant Sheriffs