On Sunday, September 29th, at 9:47 a.m., the Ventura County Fire Department, AMR Paramedics, and California Highway Patrol responded to a reported motorcycle traffic collision. The location was near South Mountain Road and Balcom Canyon, in the county between Fillmore and Santa Paula. According to the California Highway Patrol, a male was riding a 2009 Suzuki motorcycle west on South Mountain Road east of Balcom Canyon Road when he crossed the double yellow lines and collided with the front of a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee heading east on South Mountain Road. According to police, the individual died as a result of his injuries in the incident. The 33-year-old Ventura woman driving the jeep was uninjured and remained at the scene. The identity of the Simi Valley resident was not released by Sunday evening, pending notification of next of kin. A part of South Mountain Road east of Balcom Canyon Road was closed for nearly three hours later. The crash is not considered to have been caused by alcohol or drugs. Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact the CHP Ventura Area office and speak with an investigator at (805)662-2640.

A large contingent of law enforcement resources shut down the 400 block of Harvard Boulevard in Santa Paula for the continued search for an armed and dangerous subject.

Deputies and Officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and Oxnard Police Department shut down the 400 block of Harvard Boulevard in the City of Santa Paula, in the continued search for Maximo Hernandez. Hernandez is wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on September 18, 2024, in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula near the 12th Street Bridge. Multiple deputies searched the Santa Clara riverbed that day but did not locate Hernandez.

Today, law enforcement learned Hernandez had been staying at the Harvard Motel located at 482 Harvard Boulevard. It was also believed Hernandez was still in possession of the firearm used on September 18. Specialized units from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Oxnard Police Department responded and begun efforts to evacuate residents and motel patrons in and around the Harvard Motel. This large contingent of resources included the SWAT team, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Tactical Negotiations Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 Unit, and the Ventura County Aviation Unit. A room-by-room search was conducted of the Harvard Motel, but Hernandez was not located.

At the time of this incident, Isbell Middle School, located across the street, was in session. Law enforcement officials from the Santa Paula Police Department were in contact with staff and the school was placed in lockdown as a precautionary measure. Isbell School was removed from lockdown protocols at around 1:00 pm and normal operations resumed.

Hernandez is currently wanted in connection with the shooting that occurred on September 18. Hernandez should be considered armed and dangerous. Hernandez is a Hispanic male, about 5’-4” inches tall, about 150 pounds, and has a tattoo on his neck that says “BC”. He also has a tattoo on the right side of his head that says, “Jonathan”, and a tattoo on his left forearm that says, “Hecho en Mexico” with an eagle.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Hernandez is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511, 911, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), callers can remain anonymous. Tips can also be sent by email to Detective Dustin Heersche at dustin.heersche@ventura.org or Detective John Grunhold at john.grunhold@ventura.org

Prepared by: Detective Chris Dyer
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

The Fillmore Police Department will be conducting a Driver’s License/DUI Checkpoint on September 27th, 2024, at an undisclosed location(s) within the city limits.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Fillmore Police Department reminds drivers, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription medications, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2023, more than 4,000 people were killed in alcohol and drug-involved crashes on California roads and many more injured. Locally, over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 15 lives of our family and friends.

The Fillmore Police Department offers these reminders to ensure a safe and fun night that doesn’t involve a DUI if you plan on drinking or taking medications that can affect your ability to operate a vehicle:

Always use a designated sober driver, ride-share, cab or other public transportation to get home.
If you see someone who is clearly impaired attempt to drive, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to find a safe way home.

Report drunk drivers by calling “911.”
If you or someone you know is hosting a party, offer non-alcoholic drinks, and monitor those who are drinking and how they are getting home

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Fillmore Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nature of Incident: Driver’s License / DUI Checkpoint

Location: Fillmore, Ca
Date & Time: September 27, 2024 (6:00 PM to 2:00 AM)
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Camarillo Police Department – Traffic Bureau, Thousand Oaks Police Department – Traffic Bureau

Prepared by: Sergeant Gunnar Dike
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon, Chief of Police

City Tennis Courts Soon to be in a Pickle

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM

All items passed 5-0

9.A AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR CONVERSION OF TENNIS COURT TO COMBINED TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURT AT THE FILLMORE TENNIS AND SWIM CENTER, PROJECT SPECIFICATION NO. 24-04. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with Horizons Construction Company, Inc. (“Horizons”) for the conversion of a tennis court to a combined tennis and pickleball court at the Fillmore Tennis and Swim Center, Project Specification No. 24-04 (“Project”).

SR - AWARD CONTRACT TO CONVERT TENNIS COURT TO COMBINED TENNIS & PICKLEBALL.PDF

9.B INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FILLMORE MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15.39 TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PROHIBITIONS ON DANGEROUS FIREWORKS

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council: Approve the first reading to introduce Ordinance No. 24-975 to amend Fillmore Municipal Code (“FMC”) Chapter 15.39 to increase the penalties for violations of the dangerous fireworks prohibition in the FMC and adopt and implement provisions articulated in the State Fireworks Law, codified under Health and Safety Code section 12500 et seq., concerning increased administrative fines and misdemeanor penalties for violation of the City’s dangerous fireworks prohibition located in FMC Chapter 15.39.

SR CITY OF FILLMORE FIREWORKS ORDINANCE.PDF

9.C ADOPTION OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE 2021-2029 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT AND CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”)

SR - 2024 HOUSING ELEMENT.PDF. RECOMMENDATION: City Staff requests the City Council consider and adopt Resolution 24-4030, adopting the 2021 2029 6th Cycle Housing Element with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and direct City staff to submit all remaining Housing Element documentation to the California Department of Housing and Community Development Department (“HCD”).