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On May 2, 2023, at approximately 7:20 PM, Fillmore patrol deputies responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of Meadowlark Drive in the city of Fillmore. Our Sheriff’s Communication Center received several calls from callers reporting hearing gunshots in the area. Upon arrival, deputies contacted some of the parties involved and located evidence that a shooting occurred.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact the detective below or Crime Stoppers, also at the below listed number. The reporting party may remain anonymous. Anyone wishing to provide surveillance videos of any kind related to this case can submit the videos using the following link:

https://venturasheriff ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/requestforpublicassistance

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.

Nature Incident: Shooting Investigations/Request for Public Assistance
Report Number: 23-55655
Location: 1100 Block of Meadowlark Drive / Fillmore Ca.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services, Major Crimes, Fillmore Detective Bureau, West County Special Enforcement Unit

Prepared by: Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Photo credit Angel Esquivel-AE News

Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 received a $5,000 anonymous donation to help provide youth participants with uniforms, equipment, entry fees to events, and on-going training.
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The Fillmore Explorer Post #2958 received a generous donation from a community member who wished to remain anonymous. The donor gave the Fillmore Explorer Post a check in the amount of $5,000! The donor is a long-time supporter of the Explorer program and the opportunities it provides our youth. Generous donations like this help provide the youth participants with uniforms, equipment, entry fees to events, and on-going training. Thank you for your generous donation!

The Explorer program is a youth program for young men and women, ages 14 -21 years old, interested in a career in law enforcement. The program offers young adults personal knowledge of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition, and other activities. Additionally, the program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship, and patriotism. Our Explorers receive weekly training, ride-along with deputies, volunteer in the community, learn about the criminal justice system, and attend a three weeklong Explorer Police Academy. Anyone interested in joining the program can contact the Fillmore Police Department, or your local police agency.

Ventura County Librarian Nancy Schram gave an extensive power-point presentation to City Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Ms. Schram spoke of the new features and schedules now available in the expanded library space (2,000 sq. feet) including a new community classroom.
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9.A REQUEST That the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 23-949 to Prohibit Camping and Related Activities In, On, or Within Publicly Owned Property in a Red Line Channel or Related Critical Public Infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council: 1. Introduce an ordinance of the City of Fillmore adding Chapter 15.05 to the Fillmore Municipal Code to prohibit camping and related activities in, on, or within publicly owned property in a red line channel or related critical public infrastructure within the City of Fillmore. (9-A was tabled 5-0)***

9.B REQUEST That the City Council approve an agreement with Fillmore Unified School District for the continuation of two (s) deputy sheriff positions in the City’s existing police services contract with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to serve as School Resource Officers (SRO) for fiscal year 2023-24. (9-B approved 5-0)

RECOMMENDATION That the City Council authorize the extension of one deputy sheriff position to the existing police services contract with the Sheriff’s Office to add a second SRO for fiscal year 2023-2024 to be paid for by FUSD.
9.C REQUEST Staff requests that the City Council authorize the purchase of one pick-up truck for the Public Works and Facilities Department.

RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions: • Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and purchase a Public Works and Facilities Truck for not to exceed $49,800. (9-C approved 5-0)

*** PROTECT OUR WATERSHED-FILLMORE: Our Local Watershed aka The River Bottom - Watersheds are protected areas that people are not supposed to be in. Nature.com - Watersheds sustain life, in more ways than one. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than $450 billion in foods, fiber, manufactured goods and tourism depend on clean, healthy watersheds. That is why proper watershed protection is necessary to you and your community. Google: Ventura County Watersheds, Homeless. Part of public works. They have specific plans laid out.

On May 2, 2023, deputies arrested Frankie Cantero from Fillmore for his involvement in numerous graffiti vandalism crimes. Over the past several months, deputies assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Police Station have seen various graffiti tagging spray painted along Old Telegraph Road. The graffiti consisted of large spray paint tagging on roadway signs, train cars, fences, and road barriers. These vandalisms were reported by many concerned citizens who live in the area.
Deputies assigned to the Santa Clara Valley Station, along with station detectives began an investigation into these crimes. On April 29, at approximately 11:30 PM, a diligent patrol deputy located a suspicious unoccupied vehicle parked at of Old Telegraph Road and Grand Avenue in the unincorporated area of Ventura County/Fillmore. The deputy also located freshly painted graffiti in the area.

The vehicle was subsequently towed because the registration tags were expired over six months, a violation of Vehicle Code section 22651(O). Deputies conducted an inventory of the contents of the vehicle and located spray paint cans and writings that were consistent with the fresh graffiti in the area. Additionally, deputies located personal items belonging to Frankie Cantero.

On May 2, 2023, Detectives located and arrested Cantero for felony vandalism. Detectives served a search warrant at Cantero’s residence and seized additional evidence linking him to the vandalisms.
Cantero was subsequently booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility where he remains in custody with his bail set at $ 10,000.00.

Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.
The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. After police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crime is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233. The reporting party may remain anonymous.
For graffiti removal in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, call Ventura County Public Works at (805) 654-2018 M-F 8 AM-5 PM.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling our dispatch center. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.

Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Will Hollowell
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

“On Sunday, April 30, at about 1:2am, a Fillmore patrol sergeant was patrolling the Balden Plaza area and observed a vehicle parked near Moonlight Donuts. The sergeant noticed the male sitting in the driver’s seat was leaning back and appeared to be unresponsive. Additional deputies and paramedics arrived on scene and entered the vehicle to check on the male subject. The male, a 42-year-old Fillmore resident, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Deputies located narcotics paraphernalia which indicated the death was likely a Fentanyl overdose. The Medical Examiner responded to the investigation.” Information courtesy Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. This is the second Fentanyl death at the Vons Center; on March 26, 2023, a male subject was discovered deceased in the Vons restroom.