Video courtesy Bob Crum

California Highway Patrol

Halloween is often recognized as a holiday that offers just as much fun for adults as it does for children. Youngsters may look forward to a night of trick-or-treating, but many adults choose to partake in the festivities, too – oftentimes with alcohol included. While Halloween may be a spooky night, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) want to help ensure that it is also a safe one. If you plan on making alcohol a part of your celebrations this year, designating a sober driver or finding a safe ride home should be a top priority.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs always presents serious, life-threatening risks, but even more so on a night when pedestrians and children are out trick-or-treating,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “By taking just a few extra minutes to designate a sober driver, you will not only avoid the serious risk and costs associated with a DUI, but you will also help protect your own life and the lives of those around you.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2009 and 2013, 43 percent of all traffic fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver. In 2013 alone, 26 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night involved an impaired driver.

“With Halloween falling on a weekend this year, we expect an increase in celebrations,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “With a few simple precautions, you should be able to enjoy the fun and get home safely. Drive sober, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and be especially alert around pedestrians.”

Whether out trick-or-treating for the night or heading to a party, it is equally important for adults and children to take necessary safety precautions. For those walking door-to-door, consider using light producing or reflective devices to remain visible to cars. Only cross the street at crosswalks or corners and only when it is safe to do so. Costumes should be kept short enough to avoid tripping, and masks should be lifted or removed while on or crossing a street.

Drivers need to pay extra attention to pedestrians – especially small children - as they may be unaware of their surroundings and trick-or-treaters can appear out of nowhere. Party hosts need to be ready with non-alcoholic drinks, food, and the responsibility to make sure their guests get home safely.

The California Office of Traffic Safety wishes you a fun and safe Halloween. To keep up with the latest traffic safety information, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @OTS_CA or “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS. For more information on all OTS efforts, visit www.OTS.ca.gov.

Recently the The unknown suspect shown in the attached photograph is connected to at least three of these burglaries occurring within Ventura County. These burglaries have resulted in the loss of property and several hundred dollars worth of damage to the structures. The suspect is believed to be a white male, mid to late twenties, 5’8”- 6’0”, blond or light brown hair and a medium to stocky build. The suspect is also believed to be associated with a full size pickup truck similar to a Chevy Silverado.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the pictured suspect. Any information can be directed to Detective Michelle Kristol at (805)494-8211 or Detective Andja Marco at (805)494-8227.

Nature of Incident: Church Burglaries / Public’s Assistance Requested
Report Number: 152050582 / 152054455 / 152054456
Location: 1200 block of La Venta Drive / 900 block of Rancho Conejo Boulevard /
1200 block of Las Posas Road
Date & Time: 10-11-15 @ 11:00PM / 10-18-15 / 10-19-15 @ 4:40 AM
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Investigations Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) White male, blond/light brown hair,
5’8”-6’0”, 180-200lbs, med-stocky build
Unknown 25-30
Prepared by: Detective Michelle Kristol #3285
Media Release Date: October 23, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Michelle Kristol (805) 947-8281
michelle.kristol@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Martha Hernandez

At the October 20, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting an update was presented on the district's Program Improvement and the Board vacancy. Also, an action item was presented that was of great importance to Fillmore; the approval of Stefan Cvijanovich's designation to the Ventura County Adult Consortium (VCAEC) Assembly Bill 104 FUSD Representative.

This Consortium is the first step in bringing an Adult Education Program (AEP) to Fillmore. What makes this different from past Adult Education Programs is that past programs were completely controlled in Sacramento. But on March 1, 2014, the Chancellor of California Community Colleges and the State Department of Education submitted a joint report on the status of developing regional control across the state. This put VCAEC in control.

The goal of local control is to identify the underserved geographical areas or emerging gaps in regional programs of adult education. The consortium will develop common policies related to and affecting adult schools at local education agencies and community colleges, including fees and funding levels with the intent to expand and improve the provision of adult education.

There are a few AEP in Ventura County, but not enough to provide services to a changing demographic and workforce. AEP provides classes for adults over 18 in both occupational and academic.

Local public agencies considered stockholders in the future AEP are local departments and offices, particularly those with responsibility for public safety and social services; workforce investment boards, libraries and community-based organizations. FUSD Superintendent Dr. Adrian E. Palazuelos has reached out to the community, including Fillmore's Economic Development, to work on the future workforce needs, but received no volunteers.

The City of Fillmore has hired The Retail Coach to explore the development and retail needs of the town. The AEP could provide the workforce training for those future businesses. It would seem that the two have something in common.

An item discussed was FUSD's Program Improvement (PI) presented by Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez. Hernandez spoke of the change in testing to meet Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and to Illuninate Software that collects, organizes and analyzes student data. These changes require more time and data to give an accurate finding on what progress has or has not been made. But what data she could gather was presented. Hernandez stated there has been "no advancing or retreating......(but) making steady progress." She informed the Board that it would take one more Smarter Balance Assessment Testing (the testing required for CCSS) to give a proper assessment on where the District is regarding PI.

It was announced that there was only one applicant submitted for the vacant FUSD Board Members seat. The applicant will be interviewed in the next few days.

Associated Student Body Representative/Speaker of the House Hannah Wishart informed the Board students are getting ready for the renaissance rally which announces the top 10 GPA's in each class and working on next week's Red Ribbon dress-up days. Also, the senior class is currently preparing for the Annual Senior Ball which takes place Saturday, October 31, 2015.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies apprehended a man suspected of carjacking a vehicle in Palmdale on Wednesday night near Santa Paula.

The pursuit took place on Highway 126, after the car matching a description was broadcast by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and spotted near Piru.

At approximately 9:00pm, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull Donald Frank over at Central Avenue and Highway 126, Fillmore. Frank fled and was taken into custody near the 10th street exit, Santa Paula. He did not resist arrest, and was held at the Fillmore Sheriff’s station for the night, awaiting Los Angeles County Sheriff officers.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On October 18, 2015, a homeowner discovered their home was burglarized in the 17000 block of South Mountain Road in unincorporated area of Santa Paula. Burglars broke into the home and stole the victim’s collection of antique firearms. Many of the 20 plus firearms stolen are rare collectables dating back to the mid 1800’s.

Sheriff’s Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation. Please contact the Sheriff’s Office Fillmore Station with any information regarding the crime or anyone attempting to sell antique firearms.

Nature of Incident: Residential Burglary of Firearms
Report Number: 15-2054280
Location: 17000 Block of South Mountain Road
Date & Time: October 18, 2015 6:45 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unincorporated Santa Paula
Prepared by:
Detective John Fox
News Release Date:
October 19, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact:
Detective John Fox (805) 524-2233 john.fox@ventura.org
Approved by:
Captain Dave Wareham

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Maraz

The life without parole sentence for Fillmore resident Victor Meraz has been reduced to include the possibility of parole.

On Thursday, July 7th, 2011 a jury convicted Meraz, then 20 years old, of the first degree murder of 23-year-old Alberto Avalos during a drive-by shooting. The jury also found true the special circumstances and special allegations regarding the use of a gun and that the murder was committed to further the activities of “The Boyz” criminal street gang.

The murder occurred on May 27, 2007. Meraz, then 16 and a passenger in a vehicle occupied by fellow gang members, drove through Fillmore looking for rival gang members. Meraz called out his gang’s name before shooting Avalos, who was walking with friends.

Sentencing for Meraz was scheduled for August 4, 2011. Meraz was given a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

October 2015, a Ventura County judge reduced the sentence for Meraz, who was a juvenile tried as an adult. Recent rulings by the United States and California Supreme Courts require that judges reconsider life without possibility of parole sentences given to juveniles who were tried as adults. The judges were to consider any mitigating factors that could qualify for a chance of parole.

Maraz’s sentence was reduced to 50-years-to-life with a chance of parole after 20 years. Mitigating factors included his involvement in drugs, his home circumstances, and his record of good behavior in prison for the past five years.