A 15-year-old Fillmore resident was arrested for graffiti vandalism crimes and participating in a criminal street gang within the city of Fillmore.

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. Graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious crimes affecting our communities. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.

During the month of July 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station conducted a self-initiated investigation in response to a rise in gang-related graffiti vandalism crimes in the City of Fillmore. Deputies were able to identify several “Hot Spot” areas that had been vandalized, coordinated resources and collected evidence to identify a male juvenile responsible for some of the graffiti vandalism crimes. Furthermore, patrol deputies were able to specifically show the graffiti vandalism was perpetrated in furtherance of a local criminal street gang. Patrol deputies sought and obtained a search warrant for the residence where the male juvenile was residing, located in the 900 block of Fourth Street, Fillmore.

On July 19, 2024, Fillmore patrol deputies and detectives served the search warrant at the male juvenile’s residence. During the search warrant, detectives seized additional evidence related to the graffiti vandalisms and items further connecting the juvenile to the criminal street gang. The Ventura County Probation Agency will be forwarded the facts and circumstances of this case, alleging the juvenile was in violation of Penal Code § 549(b)(2)(A) – Graffiti Vandalism and Penal Code § 186.22(d) – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. The Ventura County Probation Agency reviews the case to determine whether a case should be referred to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration or handled informally by the probation agency. The juvenile was released to his mother pending consideration by the Ventura County Probation Agency and District Attorney’s Office.

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. Following a police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crimes is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the listed detectives below. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Graffiti Removal
The city removes all graffiti in public areas by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call the city graffiti hotline at (805) 524-1500 prompt number 4 then 3. Additionally, private property owners are encouraged to help combat vandalism by removing any graffiti visible on their properties.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on X @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Gang-Related Graffiti Vandalism Arrest
Report Number: 24-72893
Location: 900 Block of Fourth Street, Fillmore

Date & Time: July 19th, 2024, at 7:10 A.M.

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services
Fillmore Investigations

Suspect City of Residence Age
Male Juvenile Fillmore 15

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heershe
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Valley Express Bus & Dial-A-Ride and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) are excited to announce that a new bus route connecting the cities of Fillmore and Moorpark will start in August.

The Fillmore-Moorpark Route, which will begin service Aug. 1, will provide a direct one-seat ride between the cities of Fillmore and Moorpark using the Highway 23/Grimes Canyon corridor.

The fixed-route service will begin at the Fillmore Terminal, 533 Central Ave. in Fillmore, then proceed to Moorpark. It will make stops at the Moorpark Metrolink station, the Moorpark Marketplace and Moorpark College. The route will connect to eight existing bus routes, including those provided by Valley Express, VCTC, City of Simi Valley Transit, and Moorpark City Transit. The new route will also connect riders to Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service.

The route will operate seven days a week, offering 10 trips on weekdays and five trips on weekends.

Fare information, a schedule and map are available at valleyexpressbus.org/routes/Moorpark.

“The Fillmore to Moorpark Route will provide greater access to employment and education for people living in the Heritage Valley. It will also give visitors another way to come and explore our beautiful city,” said Fillmore Mayor Carrie Broggie, who is also a VCTC commissioner and a member of the Heritage Valley Transit Service Policy Advisory Committee, which oversees Valley Express Bus & Dial-A-Ride.

Moorpark Mayor and VCTC Commissioner Chris Enegren said: “With stops at the Moorpark Marketplace, Moorpark College and Metrolink train station, the new bus route will connect people with an easy, affordable way to go shopping, dine at restaurants and enjoy entertainment locally and beyond Ventura County.”

VCTC Executive Director Martin Erickson said community members have often requested a bus route connecting Fillmore and Moorpark.

“Feedback from riders is an important part of our transit planning process, and we are pleased to be able to offer a new service that directly meets the needs of the community,” Erickson said.
About Valley Express Bus & Dial-A-Ride and VCTC

The Fillmore Police Department Encourages Residents to Participate
in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024.

Fillmore community members are invited to participate in National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to engage in relationship building with deputies, firefighters, and members of various units from the Sheriff’s Office.

National Night Out is an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that make our neighborhoods safer all year round. The event will include representatives from several specialized units, including SWAT, K-9 Unit, Bomb Unit, Search and Rescue, Explorers, and Volunteers in Policing. Crumble Cookie and Fillmore Starbucks have been kind enough to donate snacks for this event.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for local residents to meet and greet different team members assigned to various Sheriff’s Specialized Units for an evening of activities,” said Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. “Community partnered policing is more critical than ever before. It’s important for our community members to engage with our team in a positive environment and know that we are truly here to serve them and keep them safe.”

The City of Fillmore, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to maintaining the safety of all residents by continuing community partnerships.

The Fillmore Police Department invites the community to come out and ask questions, get crime prevention advice, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood. Together, we are making communities safer, more caring places to live.

This event will be held at the Fillmore Police Station on Tuesday August 6th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM. To learn more about National Night Out in the City of Fillmore, contact Sergeant Jarrod Foote at the Fillmore Police Department, 805-524-2233.

Nature of Incident: National Night Out Event

Location: Fillmore Police Station
524 Sespe Avenue
Fillmore CA, 93015

Date & Time: August 6th, 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department/Fillmore Fire Department

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured (l-r) are Rotary President Anna Reilley and guest speakers Danny Golson, John Munoz, Jane Munoz and Ernie Villages. Photo credit Martha Richardson.
Enlarge Photo

At last week’s Rotary Club of Fillmore meeting Ernie Villegas was the main Rotary speaker who spoke about the Los Veterans of Fillmore and Piru Organization. Many in the group were in Vietnam and came home to anything but a positive welcome. Most didn’t tell anyone they were there and never talked about the experience. They kept it all inside which cause some to get into drugs, alcohol and worse. John Munoz said the main reason for the organization is to bring Vets together to share their experiences. John said in the beginning there were only about 12-13 members who came and today there are 70. It is a time to share and realize they are not alone. They need to share their stories and don’t have to keep it inside anymore. Danny Golson is also in American Vets of America and spoke of helping Vets with benefits and direction. Ernie said they meet for lunch once a month and host a dinner dance once a year. He is also the head of the Veteran’s Day Celebration and parade where Vets ride in classic cars and afterwards have a luncheon. Each branch of the service is represented.

Posted on: July 10, 2024, courtesy https://www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=127
Fantastic News, Fillmore! We’re thrilled to announce that the Two Rivers Dog Park is NOW OPEN! Bring your furry friends for a day of fun, play, and tail-wagging excitement. With plenty of space to run, a new installation of a drinking fountain, shaded areas for you and your pup to relax, it’s the paw-fect spot for your four-legged family members.
The Two Rivers Dog Park is designed to make every dog’s day brighter. Come explore and meet new furry friends, and enjoy a community built around our love for dogs. Whether your pup loves a good game of fetch or just wants to sniff around, there’s something for everyone. Hours of Operation: Sunrise to Sunset.

On Friday, July 12th, Fillmore Library hosted Ventura County Search & Rescue K9 Team (VCSARK9) Members Lisa Hammond and Virginia Feyh (and her K9 Huck) as they spoke with the kids enrolled in the Summer Reading Program about “Hug A Tree and Survive”. Photo credit Angel Esquivel-Firephoto_91.

On Friday, July 12th, as part of the Summer Reading Program at the Fillmore Library, Team Members Lisa Hammond and Virginia Feyh (and her K9 Huck) of the Ventura County Search & Rescue K9 Team (VCSARK9), came to talk to the kids (and adults) about the program “Hug A Tree and Survive”. VCSARK9 is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, training and deployment of high performance, volunteer canine teams which will in turn effectively assist in the search and rescue or search and recovery of missing persons.

Hug-A-Tree and Survive was developed in the United States following the search for Jimmy Beveridge in 1981 and was first adapted for Canadian use by the RCMP. It was updated by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) and the SAR Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) in 2015 with new videos and activities to support program delivery. Hug-a-Tree and Survive is an AdventureSmart program that helps lost children survive in the woods. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do should they become lost. If a child should become lost in the woods, hugging a tree can help them stay safe, and be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements, and keeps lost children in the same place, which makes it easier for searchers to find them. The presentation included a short video presentation, discussion about the 4 rules to help keep children safe, and a demonstration with one of the dogs training to be on the VCSARK9 Team, Huck, a Redbone [!@#$] Hound.

The Hug-a-Tree Rules

Hug-A-Tree and Survive emphasizes four key rules to keeping children safe:
Always tell your parents, or another trusted adult where you are going, who you are going with, and when you will be back. You can do this in person, over the phone, through a text message, or by leaving a note in a place they will see it.
HUG-A-TREE” AND STAY PUT

A tree can help protect you from the elements while you’re outdoors, and most importantly, keep you in one place. Depending on where you are, there may not always be a tree. Perhaps your tree” can be a large rock or bench at a park, or a sales counter at a mall. No matter what your landmark is, it is important to stay put, in order to stay safe.
KEEP WARM AND DRY

Temperatures change throughout the day and can drop at night. Even if you are warm during the day, keep your jacket handy for nighttime. If you get cold, put on an extra layer, pull up your hood or put on your hat if you have one, tuck your shirt in, tuck pant legs into your socks, and zip up your jacket. You can also keep warm by building a nest to keep you off the ground, or by using an emergency shelter.

Whether searchers are parents, police officers, or SAR volunteers, remember they just want to get you home safely. Answer back to their calls by making noise and signaling (remember that whistle!), so you can be heard and seen. Make sure to leave lots of footprints and clues, so searchers can follow your tracks to find you.

While designed for the outdoors, these rules are easily transferable to other places including sporting events, shopping malls, public parks, urban areas, and much more! Together, these core points work to ensure kids have the knowledge and training needed to safely enjoy the outdoors, and their communities.

For more information about the “Hug A Tree and Survive” program go to https://www.adventuresmart.ca/programs/hug-a-tree-and-survive/.

For more information about VCSARK9 go to www.vcsark9.org. This presentation was funded by a grant from the California Fire Foundation https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-grant-seekers.

Enlarge Photo

All items passed 5-0

NEW BUSINESS

9.A CONSIDER RESTATED AUDIT CONTRACT WITH CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP TO COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLETING FY 2022-23 FINANCIAL AUDIT AND EXTENDING THE SERVICES TO INCLUDE THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 FISCAL YEAR AUDIT. RECOMMENDATION
Staff is requesting and recommends that City Council:

1. Approve a restated contract with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, to be substantially in the form attached hereto and subject to the approval of the City Attorney, for audit services effective from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 to authorize payment of additional costs associated with completing the FY 2022-23 Financial Audit and extending the services to– include the FY 2023-24 Financial Audit; and

2. Authorize the City’s City Manager to execute the contract.

9.B PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID RELATED LITIGATION AGAINST THE KROGER CO. 01148.0001/992632.2 CITY OF FILLMORE CENTRAL PARK PLAZA2 50 Central Avenue, Fillmore, California 93015-1907(805) 524-3701 - FAX (805) 524-5707

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: David W. Rowlands, City Manager
Tiffany J. Israel, City Attorney

DATE: July 9, 2024

RE: PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF OPIOID RELATED LITIGATION AGAINST THE KROGER CO.
REQUEST

That the City Council adopt a resolution approving the City of Fillmore’s participation in the Kroger Settlement Agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) in connection with opioid-related litigation with The Kroger Co. and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents related to the Settlement Agreement, to carry out all acts necessary to participate in and carry out settlement implementation, and to execute and participate in any future opioid related settlement agreements that the City Manager and City Attorney deem to be in the City’s best interests.
9.C CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 24-4017, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION OF THE ELECTION FOR THESE OFFICES WITH THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 GENERAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

9.D RATIFY FILING OF NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF PROJECT SPECIFICATION
NO. 23-05, DOG PARK ADA IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO RIVERS PARK
PROJECT.

RECOMMENDATION

That the City Council:

1. Accept the services provided for Project Specification No. 23-05, Dog Park ADA Improvements at Two Rivers Park Project (“Project”), performed by FS Contractors, Inc.;

2. Ratify staff’s June 13, 2024 filing of the attached Notice of Completion; and
3. Authorize the final payment to the contractors of owed retention and Release on Contract pending clearance of the 30-day lien period.

On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, Fillmore’s Jose “Froggy” Estrada fought with great heart and sportsmanship against his opponent, Devon Brock, who by judges’ decision after the hard-fought rounds, was named the winner. Photo credit Joe Woods.
Enlarge Photo

Pictured right is Jose “Froggy” Estrada along with his Coach Brain Espinoza after the match. Photo credit Joe Woods.
Enlarge Photo

By Joe Woods

Sometimes life doesn’t seem to go as planned. Saturday evening, at the Commerce Casino, Jose “Froggy” Estrada fought with heart, showed great sportsmanship and defeat. His opponent, Devon Brock, came in 10 pounds overweight; Froggy could have taken the win and not fought, but he showed his love for the sport and like a true man of his word, his fans and team, he took the fight. By fight time, Brock outweighed Froggy by 25 pounds.

With no excuses, Froggy fought with heart and determination and most of all, no excuses. The first round both fighters came out toe to toe to see what each fighter had within him. Brock had a strong jab with a longer reach, but that did not stop Froggy. Froggy countered a couple of times with punches to the head and in this writer’s eyes, a draw.

“I came out with a game plan and tried to stick with it,” said Froggy. “I knew he was bigger than me and I knew he was a puncher, and it is what it is, so I just kept on fighting to look for an opening.”

In the second round, Brock came out with more aggression, still wanting to stand and fight. More jabs were thrown, opening a small cut over Froggy’s right eye. “Yeah, it took a couple of stitches after the fight, but to me pain is pleasure,” said Froggy. “And even though he was 25 heavier, I wanted to give it my 100 percent, and wanted to have fun doing it”.
I feel while watching the fight that Brock won the second round due to his jab and his abilities to keep Froggy from using his wrestling to attempt to take him to the ground, while he never backed down and he fought with heart.

The crowd erupted and showed support for Froggy from the very start of the fight and stayed with him until the end. “After a five year’s absence from fighting in front of my hometown crowd, it sure was nice to hear it again,” stated Froggy. “Yeah, I miss that crowd noise. I heard it and felt it and wanted to thank everyone who was supporting me. I heard it, and it motivated me to keep on going”.
In the third round, Froggy tried again to take the fight to the ground, however, didn’t succeed. “I wish I could have used more of my jiu jitsu and wrestling skills on him, but his jab and reach and size prevented me from succeeding at that,” said Froggy. “And then he rocked me with a good right, and I said to myself ‘that was a good punch’ but I kept coming at him.”
When the fight was over the judges awarded the fight to Brock to the disappointment of Froggy’s fans. Froggy showed great sportsmanship and devotion to the fight and his opponent. He fought hard and never gave up by showing that he was a true fighter and true man.

“I would like to fight again by the end of the year for the UNF, and I would like to go back down the 145 (weight class). I feel more comfortable at that weight” said Froggy. “I came out of this fight healthy and if I just heal my cuts, I’ll be back in no time. But I feel good, and I can’t wait to get out there again in front of the crowd. That supports me.”
It was hard to see Froggy go down in defeat; however, it was great to see Froggy fight again with such heart and determination with the ability to always persevere. “I want to say thank you to all of Fillmore for always supporting me,” said Froggy. “I want to thank all the people who came out and I hope to see more of you all by the next fight. I will always try to represent Fillmore… It is always great to hear the crowd again.”

With support, going back down in weight, to the 145 weight class, and with his team at West Coast Gym of Oxnard and coach Brain Espinoza and his brother Francisco “Turtle” Estrada and girlfriend Jordan Johnson, I know that Froggy will be working hard in the gym to succeed in the next fight.