Tag Archives: Eastvale Police Department

Looking Beyond Labels to Love

City of Eastvale

Courtesy City of Eastvale
Deputy Myers hugging ERHS student, Elysia.

Eastvale – In Eastvale, Black Lives Matter. In fact, all lives regardless of nationality, profession, politics, abilities, gender, religion, class, color, and culture matter in Eastvale. We look past labels to one’s heart. Our heart and actions define our character.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and the one below certainly qualifies. The photo of Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Deanna Myers embracing a young Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) student Elysia during the George Floyd protest tells the story of loving past labels.

The two met years before at ERHS where Deputy Myers served as a school resource officer and Elysia was a student. Upon seeing Elysia for the first time at school one day Deputy Myers greeted her with a hearty “Hi”. However, Elysia’s interaction with law enforcement before meeting Deputy Myers was guarded because of historical context of racism, social norms and labels.

It was that historical context that caused Elysia to respond, “I hate cops, why are you different?” This question sparked a female role model mentoring relationship that changed both of their lives. Their relationship grew over the years and they kept in touch over social media as time passed. Fast forward to Sunday, June 1, 2020 they found themselves on perceived opposite sides of a line drawn in response to a violent death. The picture is poignant because given the circumstances the rules forbid crossing the line. When Elysia caught sight of Deputy Myers, she bravely approached her and stood awaiting the embrace she had grown accustomed to receiving. Despite the reality of being on duty, armed to protect the constitutional right of those protesting and to keep the peace, Myers enlisted I another Deputy to replace her on the line and found her way to lovingly embrace Elysia. Once again, Myers looked past skin color to the heart of Elysia and Elysia looked past the badge to the heart of Myers. Their embrace is a sign of hope and peace.

Deputy Myers has seen her fair share of heartbreak and has had to triumph over obstacles in her life, which forced her to grow up quickly. She is a first generation immigrant, the first to go to college in her family, and she overcame discrimination as a woman in a male dominated law enforcement profession where she had to earn the trust and respect of her fellow peers as it wasn’t always freely given. She also endured the pain of her grandmother being abducted and murdered, the loss of her father and had to care for her ailing mother shortly after that, along with raising her teenage sibling.

Deputy Myers, because of losing her grandmother too early and in a violent way, could have chosen to be a victim or villain and instead chose to be a victor and take steps and actions to make a difference in her community. She chose to create a legacy that reflects the woman her grandmother and parents would have wanted her to become. Myer’s chose to make a difference and join the law enforcement profession. After creating a bond with Elysia and breaking down that barrier by serving as a female role model, Elysia wants to emulate her mentor and serve in the law enforcement profession.

Now with RSO for almost 13 years, Deputy Myers has a message of hope for our community for which will hopefully help change the language, conversation and culture.

“We need to advocate for the right voices to be heard. I take pride in being different and pushing out a positive message. Everyone is a blessing and there is good in everyone. Everyone has an opportunity to create their legacy.” – Deputy Myers

As a nation and as a community, we need to both respect the badge and hold the person wearing the badge accountable. After all, we are all people, regardless of the badge and color of our skin. We must learn to look past the label and see the heart. This will allow us to transcend the divide and breakdown barriers through seeking to understand each other’s unique differences and stories.

Photo was taken by Marc Danelian. This post was written after interview Deputy Myers. Next week, we’ll be sharing a perspective from an interview with Elysia.

Eastvale City Council Considers Creating Eastvale Police Dept.

Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale has been recently discussing the possibility of creating Eastvale’s own Police Department, due to the rising expense of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (RSO) contract.  The City stated that creating an Eastvale Police Department could save millions per year, improve response times, and increase the number of officers on patrol.  In addition, the Council also discussed the possibility of placing a 1% local sales tax on a future ballot. 

“With Budget Season upon us, the City Council is given the task of evaluating revenues and expenditures; making sure our residents are provided the services they desire, at a reasonable cost,” said Mayor Todd Rigby in a news release.  “One of those services, which we hold in the highest priority in, is our law enforcement services. Our city staff shared with the Council what it could look like to establish our own police department, along with increasing patrol hours.” 

Eastvale currently budgets 100 patrol hours of service per day, but are only receiving 90 hours with the RSO contract because the City doesn’t have control over how and when the services are provided.  Since the City is only authorized to receive 90 hours per day, Eastvale is about 500 hours short this year.  However, if an Eastvale Police Department was created and if the 1% sales tax measure was approved, the City could experience approximately 210 hours of service per day. Without the 1% sales tax increase, the City would experience between 100 to 150 patrol hours per day.

In addition, City staff stated that creating a separate Police Department would increase response times from 7-8 minutes to under 5 minutes.  This response time would apply to Priority 1 calls, such as an immediate threat to life or property.  Also, the number of sworn officers are expected to increase with a new Police Department.  Eastvale currently budgets for 32 sworn officers, but the RSO contract only ensures approximately 29 officers.  However, this number will increase to approximately 44 sworn officers in the first year of a new Police Department, and it could grow to 56-60 officers over a four to five-year period if Eastvale voters support a 1% sales tax measure.

“The preliminary results show that creating our own Police Department can save us money, add patrol hours in our city, improve response times, and retain immediate local control of our law enforcement services. We would be foolish as a City Council, and it would be a disservice to our residents, if we did not look further into this option,” said Rigby. 

In a Facebook video announcement on March 25, Rigby discussed the rising expense of the RSO contract.  “Over the last five years, our law enforcement contract rate has increased by approximately 30%,” said Rigby.  The City of Eastvale stated that this increase is currently outpacing regional index cost of living.  “This increase is not sustainable,” added Rigby.

The current contract with RSO is $11,825,572, with rising cost predictions, according to the City.  The contract with RSO has increased by nearly 75% in the last five years, including patrol hours.  In addition, the RSO’s five-year budget projection is estimated at $74,860,000.  However, a Police Department 5-year projection is $68,310,000, which would give the City an estimate of $6,550,000 in savings over five years.

Rigby said that the City looked into a feasibility study after they heard that the City of Menifee was experiencing similar issues.  When the City of Menifee realized that their contract rate with their Law Enforcement services continued to increase, they decided to conduct a feasibility study then ultimately created their own Police Department.  The City of Menifee’s decision prompted the City of Eastvale to do the same.  The Eastvale feasibility study was completed for a cost of $10,000 and a peer review was completed for $2,000, which were both approved and authorized by the Eastvale City Manager.  A copy of the preliminary draft feasibility study can be viewed at www.eastvaleca.gov under the “What’s New” tab.

The study was presented to the Eastvale City Council on March 13 at the city’s second budget goal-setting workshop for the 19/20 fiscal year.  This meeting was public and residents were invited to attend.  At this meeting, the council decided to further evaluate the potential of an Eastvale Police Department.  The item was discussed again at the Public Safety Commission Meeting on March 26, where residents were asked to give their input. 

“This discussion does not in any way reflect our satisfaction with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, our RSO Lieutenant that serves as our Police Chief, or the hard-working women and men who are keeping our city safe every day,” said City Manager Bryan Jones. “They have helped Eastvale become the 12th Safest City in California, along with our Neighborhood Watch Program and other strategic public safety investments,” City Manager Bryan Jones continued. “This is a matter of fiscal responsibility that our residents are counting on. With the rising annual contract costs from RSO, it would be irresponsible of us not to explore this opportunity. There are a lot of factors to consider and we look forward to engaging the community in this process.”

Also discussed at the Public Safety Commission Meeting and the City Council meeting was the possibility of placing a 1% local sales tax on a future ballot.  Rigby states that the Police Department and the local sales tax are “two different items that are not dependent or contingent on each other.”  However, he says the two items are related in the fact that if Eastvale stays with RSO, the City’s “revenues will not be sufficient in approximately 2025, so we may need additional revenue methods.” 

If the City were to consider a local sales tax measure, the generated revenue would stay in Eastvale and serve the residents and businesses. A City news release stated that this could generate an additional $9.5 – 10 million in revenue for the City to enhance services and make strategic investments to grow the City’s revenues with commercial retail and higher value generating land uses.

“We appreciate the residents coming out and engaging in these two items,” said Rigby on April 1 regarding the proposed Police Department and sales tax.  “At last week’s Council meeting, the Council directed staff to continue to work closely with our residents and to provide workshops where residents can share their questions, comments, and concerns,” added Rigby.  The workshops will be announced via the City’s website and social media pages. 

The discussion will also continue at the next City Council Meeting and 1st Hearing Budget Adoption, which will be held on April 24, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.  Another City Council Meeting and the 2nd Hearing Budget & Adoption will be held on May 22, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers located at 12363 Limonite Avenue Suite 910 Eastvale, CA 91752.  More information can be found at www.eastvaleca.gov.  To access a PDF of the City’s Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Police Department, visit https://www.eastvaleca.gov/home/showdocument?id=12529. 

Deputy Myers Tips

EV - Deputy Myers.jpgDear Deputy Myers:

Bicycle/Skateboard Helmet requirements…what is the law?

The California Vehicle Code  Section 21212, which pertains to helmet laws, is as follows: (a) A person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard, nor shall they wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride upon a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, or a skateboard as a passenger, upon a street, bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

Did you know every year in California alone, over 100 people are killed and thousands are injured in bicycle collisions? All too often these injuries are head related and could have been prevented. Where there is a responsibility on both the bicyclist and the motorist to maintain control and stay alert, the devastating injuries could be prevented by just wearing a helmet.

As the operator of the bicycle/skateboard and being under the age of 18, it is your responsibility to not only wear your helmet, but to also wear it properly. Consult the packaging of the helmet or your local first responder for assistance if you are unsure. Also consider taking a bicycle safety course to learn the proper hand signals to effectively communicate your intentions to other drivers on the road. Know that wearing a properly fitting helmet is the law and you could be cited for not wearing one. Don’t get caught without it!

There are four basic safety tips to follow when operating a bicycle or skateboard while on the street or in an enclosed skate park. 1) Maintain control of your bicycle/skateboard; 2) Protect yourself – Always wear your helmet; 3) Be visible, alert, and communicate your intentions clearly; and lastly 4) Ride with traffic. We at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are committed to your safety and encourage you to continue to keep yourself and your families safe.

Deanna Myers is the Volunteer and Programs Coordinator for the Jurupa Valley Station of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that services the Eastvale Police Department.  She has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for about nine years, and most recently was assigned to patrol within the City of Eastvale before moving into her current position where she is in charge of the Neighborhood Watch program for the City of Eastvale.

 

9/11 Memorial Ceremony and Moment of Silence

• Date: 09/11/2016 6:45 AM – 7:00 AM 911-memorial
• Location: Fire Station 27
7067 Hamner Ave.
Eastvale, California 92880
The City of Eastvale will hold a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and Moment of Silence on Sunday, September 11, 2016.

Where: Eastvale Fire Station 27
7067 Hamner Ave., Eastvale, CA 92880
Time: 6:45 a.m.
Moment of Silence: 6:59 a.m.
Please join our Eastvale Firefighters, Eastvale Police Department, City Council members and staff as they observe a moment of silence in honor of the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Eastvale Firefighters and Police Officers will gather together in their work uniform at the base of the Fire Station 27 flag pole and stand at attention during the posting of the American Flag at exactly 0659 hours PST (time of the collapse of the south tower). The Eastvale safety personnel and all in attendance shall observe a one-minute moment of silence.

Let us come together as a community for the 15th anniversary of 9/11 to honor, remember and reunite. This event is open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend. Coffee and donuts will be available after the ceremony.

Eastvale: DUI-Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

Staff Reports

Eastvale – The Eastvale Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on July 17, at Archibald Avenue and River Road, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI deaths and injuries. A major component of these checkpoints are the deterrent effects they have on those who might drive drunk or drugged, bringing about more awareness and encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Ninety Percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

Operation Results:

  • 743 Vehicles passed through the checkpoint
  • 0 DUI arrests
  • 36 Field sobriety tests for DUI of alcohol
  • 7 Citations were issued for unlicensed drivers
  • 2 Citations were issued for suspended driver’s license
  • 22 Citations for miscellaneous vehicle code violations
  • 5 Vehicles towed

Drunk driving is a major cause of fatal and injury collisions each year. Eastvale Police Officers are seeking your assistance in saving lives. If you are on the roadways and you observe a possible drunk driver, call 911 immediately. Officers will be dispatched to the location and make every effort to prevent the impaired driver from continuing to pose a threat.

The Eastvale Police Department wishes to remind you that if you choose to drink alcoholic beverages, please designate a sober driver before getting into a vehicle. Remember “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest!”

Prop 47: What Does It Mean For Eastvale?

By Lt. Joseph Pemberton
City of Eastvale, Co-Chief of Police

Eastvale – In a nutshell, Proposition 47 permits resentencing for several convicted felons who are currently in custody, and reclassifies existing felonies as misdemeanors for specified offenses that are currently charged in our county. These resentencing and reclassification changes are not available for persons who are required to register per Penal Code (PC) Section 290, or have prior convictions for offenses listed in PC Section 667(e)(2)(c)(iv). These changes take effect immediately.

The theft offense of shoplifting (PC 459.2) is changed to punish commercial burglary as a misdemeanor if the offense occurred during business hours, and if the suspect entered the commercial building with the intent to take property that does not exceed $950 in value.

Furthermore, Subsection (b) of PC 459.2 precludes charging a defendant with both burglary and theft of the same property. We will no longer be able to charge a qualifying offender with felony burglary if the defendant enters a store during business hours to steal merchandise with a value of less than $950.

PC Sections 473 and 476 regarding Forgery will be amended to punish violations only as misdemeanors; however, if the defendant is also convicted of identity theft in violation of PC Section 530.5, neither conviction will be reduced to misdemeanor.

PC Section 490.2 regarding Grand Theft (catch-all) will take effect to ensure that all grand theft violations – including those outlined in Section 487 – will only be punished as a misdemeanor. As a result, even grand theft of a firearm will no longer qualify as a strike offense, assuming the defendant is eligible for Proposition 47 relief (i.e., has no disqualifying priors or registration requirements).

PC Section 496 regarding Receiving Stolen Property will be amended to punish this crime as a felony if the receipt of the stolen property exceeds a value of $950.

PC Section 666 regarding Petty Theft with Prior Conviction is amended to prohibit felony punishment for any repeat theft offender, unless the defendant is ineligible for relief as a result of a disqualifying prior conviction.

For drug offenses, simple possession offenses in violation of Health &Safety Code sections 11350, 11377, and 11357 will only be punishable as misdemeanors unless the defendant has a disqualifying conviction listed in PC Section 667(e)(2)(c)(iv), or are required to register per PC 290.

In response to Proposition 47, for the City of Eastvale Police Department it will be business as usual. We are still going to enforce these violations and use proactive, targeted enforcement to arrest offenders and get them into the court system. In order to achieve this, we will maintain high visibility around our City and increased patrols around our shopping centers and commercial areas to help keep the community safe during the holidays.

This year our City will also see an increase in Police Officers on bike patrols around our shopping centers that will specifically be looking to enforce many of these restructured theft offenses. This will allow our Officers to be more visible and accessible to the public, and help dispel any concerns that these changes will affect the delivery of our Police services.

 

Eastvale: Meet Lt. Pemberton

STAFF REPORTS

eastvale-lieutenant-joseph-pemberton

Lieutenant Joseph Pemberton

Eastvale – The City of Eastvale’s Police Department has a new Assistant Chief of Police, Lieutenant Joseph Pemberton.

Lt. Pemberton joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in February of 1996 when he attended the 132nd Basic Peace Officers Academy. In July 1996, he began his first assignment as a Deputy Sheriff at the Blythe Station, working Jail Operations and River Patrol.

In 1997, Pemberton transferred to the contract city of Moreno Valley – as a member of the Moreno Valley Police Department – where he worked patrol, Special Enforcement Team-Narcotics, and was a member of the Department’s Emergency Services Team (SWAT).

In 2004, Pemberton was promoted to Investigator and transferred to the Central Homicide Unit, where he investigated homicides as well as officer involved shootings throughout Riverside County.

In 2006, Pemberton was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the Jurupa Valley Station, where he served as the Watch Commander of Patrol Operations.

In January of 2007, Pemberton was transferred to the West County Narcotics Task Force, a grant-funded narcotics unit commanded by the Riverside Police Department whose responsibility is mid-level narcotics enforcement throughout western Riverside County.

In 2011, Pemberton was transferred to the Riverside Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau – Narcotics Major’s Unit, where he supervised large scale state and federal narcotics investigations and Clandestine Laboratory Processing.

In August 2013, Pemberton was promoted to Sheriff’s Lieutenant, and returned to the Jurupa Valley Station to oversee the Investigations Bureau.

Lt. Pemberton is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 14 years. He spent six years in active duty at March Air Force Base, and in Osan, AB Korea. He transferred to the Air National Guard in March of 1995, and spent eight years assigned to the 163rd Air Refueling Wing. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm in 1991-92, and was activated again in 2003 for Iraqi Freedom.

Pemberton has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and just finished his Master’s in Public Administration at Cal State San Bernardino. His wife, Cassandre, is also a Riverside Sheriff’s Department member, and they have two children. He has been a resident of Riverside County since 1988, and currently lives in the city of Murrieta.

As the newest Co-Chief for Eastvale, Lt. Pemberton plans to embed himself in the city for the next few years and work hard to exceed expectations when it comes to the delivery of Police Services to the citizens of Eastvale. Pemberton says he is “a big proponent of proactive enforcement in response to identified crime trends and using this to increase the footprint our officers leave while on duty in the City.”

 

The Status of Traffic Safety in Eastvale

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

 

Eastvale – This September a new bicycle safety law, “Three Feet For Safety”, passed requiring motorists to give cyclists a minimum breadth of three feet while on the road. With the large number of accidents in Eastvale over the past year involving vehicles, pedestrians, and often cyclists, the public has raised the question: How safe are the streets of Eastvale?

According to a report by Lt. Pemberton of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, there have been 12 reported “vehicle vs. pedestrian” accidents in Eastvale since January. Six of these accidents have involved minors on bicycles, two involved minors on skateboards and one involved a minor pedestrian. There have been three accidents involving adults on bicycles, one of them being the fatal accident involving Troy Davids.

Are these numbers simply a reflection of poor and unsafe drivers, or are they a reflection of poor enforcement? This was a question that has been raised by multiple citizens as well as the Eastvale Safety Commission. In response, a report was prepared offering an in-depth look into exactly what the Sheriff’s Department is doing to ensure the safety of its citizens.

According to this report, four of the six accidents involving minors were determined to be the fault of the minor. Lt. Pemberton reported that overall, in the City of Eastvale, 56% of vehicle vs. bicycle accidents were caused by the bicyclist.

In response to these numbers, the Eastvale Police Department began implementing several educational and enforcement programs. Two traffic officers and two dedicated traffic community service officers are employed with the express purpose of conducting special operations in traffic safety. These operations include everything from saturation patrols used to target problem areas where repetitive violations are occurring, to safety programs, to DUI checkpoints.

The Eastvale Police Department performed a total of 12 traffic saturations, which included speeding enforcement, distracted driver enforcement, and “Click It Or Ticket” seatbelt programs, issuing a total of 560 citations.

Two safety programs were also conducted at various intersections throughout the City, which resulted in a total of 50 citations. In addition, there was also a “Bicycle Helmet Enforcement Operation” conducted at Roosevelt High School, with over 40 citations issued.

The Eastvale Police Department also came up with an interesting way to educate the public about the true impact of alcohol by holding a “Watch Your BAC” event at Buffalo Wild Wings. This event was a great way for the public to not only meet and get to know our local officers, but it was also very informative in teaching people about the blood alcohol content in their systems, and how quickly they can become impaired.

In conclusion, positive steps are being taken to ensure the safety of everyone in this community. However, simple things like wearing a helmet, educating your children about how to cross a street and when it is safe to cross a street, go a long way. While drivers do need to remember to pay attention when they drive, pedestrians and bicyclists need to understand that they are responsible for their personal safety and should be defensive as well.

 

 

Eastvale: New Lieutenant For The Eastvale Police Department

STAFF REPORTS

 

Lieutenant evan peterson of eastvale police department

New Eastvale Lieutenant, Evan Peterson (Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale)

Eastvale – Lieutenant Evan Petersen has been selected to serve as the new lieutenant for the City of Eastvale Police Department, Jurupa Valley Station. Peterson replaces Assistant Chief of Police, Lt. Michael Yates, who ended his tenure with Eastvale in July for another assignment.

Petersen has been with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department since 1996. Prior to entering law enforcement, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University San Bernardino in Business Management.

Petersen’s first patrol assignment was for the Jurupa Valley Station at the beginning of 1999, where he remained until 2004. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2004, and promoted again to Lieutenant in 2008.

During his tenure as a Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Petersen has held commands within Sheriff’s Personnel, the Moreno Valley Station, Sheriff’s Homicide, and has spent the last year at the Jurupa Valley Station.

Petersen and his wife, Andrea, have three children, Ethan, Emma, and Ellen.

Please join us in welcoming Lt. Petersen to the Eastvale Police Department.  He may be reached at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at epetersen@riversidesheriff.org, or by calling (951) 955-2600.

 

Eastvale: DUI Checkpoint Controversy

BY K.P. SANDER

 

Eastvale – It seems like every time information is published about an impending Sobriety Checkpoint, or the results of one, citizens on Facebook and other social media sites post rants implying everything from a violation of civil or constitutional rights, to just a way for the city to make money. But what about another perspective?

DUI Checkpoints, or roadblocks, involve law enforcement officials stopping every vehicle, or every random vehicle, on a public roadway and investigating the possibility that a driver may be too impaired to drive. They can occur at random, on research obtained by law enforcement, or even be set near exit points of public events to prevent large numbers of drunk drivers from being released into traffic simultaneously.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that in 2012, just in California, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes; that’s one every 51 minutes. Further, 28 percent of all traffic deaths were alcohol related, not to mention the estimated $37 billion that these accidents cost every year. Those are some statistics the public should surely like to see reduced; significantly.

According to California Watch, DUI Checkpoints have saved countless lives on the nation’s roadways and have brought thousands of drunken drivers to justice. And by inspecting driver’s licenses, police catch motorists driving unlawfully, typically without insurance, and temporarily remove them from the road.

As far as ranting about legalities, California Vehicle Code 2814.2VC authorizes these inspections. DUI Checkpoints have also been held valid under both the United States and California constitutions. The California Supreme Court states that DUI Checkpoints are administrative inspections (akin to airport screenings) and as such they are an exception to the 4th Amendment rule that an officer must have probable cause to initiate a California DUI investigation.

In a recent interview with Captain Jason Horton from the Eastvale Police Department, he said, “I’d like to make one thing perfectly clear. We do not hold checkpoints for any financial gain. First of all, we are a public agency bound by the laws of the State of California and funded by the office of Transportation Safety, and we are not allowed to ‘make money’. But more importantly, these checkpoints are for education and notification that we have a zero tolerance for driving under the influence. We use real statistics to show that there is a need for these checkpoints in our city. Our goals are to reduce collisions and injuries and remove impaired drivers from the road. We have made arrests, but I think everyone can agree that we do not want these people on our Eastvale streets.”

The latest DUI Checkpoint conducted by the Eastvale Police Department occurred on July 25 near Schleisman and Archibald between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. The operation examined 1,005 vehicles, and resulted in one DUI arrest, five sobriety field tests, three citations for unlicensed drivers, one citation for a suspended license, 13 citations for various vehicle and/or penal code violations, and one towed vehicle. So what if that checkpoint netted ONLY one DUI arrest. What if that driver had killed someone? What if that someone was in your family?

The nearby Chino Police Department successfully conducted a DUI Checkpoint on July 19 that resulted in the arrest of four subjects that were driving under the influence, as well as another for drug related charges. What if those five drivers were heading for Eastvale?

According to Horton, checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving deterrence, and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public. Locations are based upon research and statistics; the byproduct is education and awareness.

So, when you read social media comments about these checkpoints invading one’s privacy, or that the police are just trying to generate revenue for the city through citations, remember that the bottom line is that these checkpoints have been shown to lower DUI-related deaths and injuries. NHTSA says that checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies. According to the Eastvale Police Department, a major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effects they have on those who might drive drunk or drug impaired. The knowledge of a checkpoint in the area of “celebration” encourages the use of designated drivers, less drinking, and more planning. That can only be a good thing. As they say, “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest.” It’s the law.

The next time you see a DUI Checkpoint in place, don’t panic or become agitated. Officers are courteous, efficient and professional, and they are just trying to keep you safe. What have you got to hide?

Horton says that officers at checkpoints rarely issue citations unless the situation warrants it. If a citation or enforcement ticket is written, a portion of the money collected goes to the state for court fees, and a portion comes back to the city. But they are not out there to increase revenue, by any means.

And yes, there is definitely a profit for the City. The proceeds derived from removing impaired drivers from the road, even if the net revenue was just one individual – and what if that individual was one that might have run a red light you were crossing against – is worth more than any citation could ever yield. A new perspective to consider.

 

 

 

 

Eastvale: Disability Placard / Plate Misuse Operation

City of Eastvale
handicap placard finalThe Eastvale Police Department, in its continued efforts in public safety awareness, conducted a Disability Placard/Misuse Prevention Program.

The purpose of the program was to educate the public regarding the misuse of handicap placards in the possession of those who have not been issued a handicap placard for their own personal use. This operation was conducted in conjunction with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Eastvale Traffic Team.

The program consisted of five sworn deputies and two Community Service Officers to better help educate the public in the surrounding Eastvale locations. The goal was to educate the public about illegally parking in designated handicap parking stalls and the misuse of the DMV-issued Disability Placards. There have been a growing number of complaints by the citizens of Eastvale, regarding multiple vehicles parking in handicap stalls which either are not displaying the appropriate DMV placard, or parking in a handicap parking stall and having never been issued a DMV Disability Placard. Through minimal enforcement of the handicap placards in the past, we have found many citizens misusing the placards and designated handicap parking stalls at various locations throughout the city of Eastvale.

After the completion of the operation, 23 handicap violations were found and cited, along with 19 other violations, such as expired registration and registration tabs. In addition, 3 vehicles were towed for registration expired over six months, per the vehicle code section 4000(a)(1) CVC.

This program was part of the ongoing public safety awareness effort being made by the city of Eastvale. The Eastvale Police Department takes a proactive approach in the education of our citizens and enforcement of the laws dealing with the illegal use of DMV Disability Placards and misuse of handicap parking stalls.

Thank You, Lt. Michael Yates

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – Lt. Michael Yates has been with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for almost 25 years. He has served as Eastvale’s Assistant Chief of Police for the last two years. With his tenure in Eastvale ending in July as he moves on to another assignment, we asked him to comment on his time taking care of our citizens.

According to Yates, the best part of serving Eastvale these last years has been actively pursuing crime, and the satisfaction that comes from taking the “bad guys” off the streets. “There is crime everywhere, in every city, and you can either turn your head the other way or go out there and find it. I have always tried to inspire my officers to bring me arrests and find the crime.”

With multiple traffic and safety saturations, 55 marijuana house closures, decoy programs, and making the City of Eastvale safer, Yates has done everything within his power to achieve his goals. His swan song for Eastvale was the second-degree murder arrest of the suspect that killed bicyclist, Troy Davids, in June. The Ghost Bike Memorial at the northeast corner of Hamner and Limonite avenues is not only a tribute to the life of Davids, but a reminder of the countless hours that Yates and his team invested to bring justice to this heartbreaking hit-and-run crime.

When asked what he wanted the community to know about the Eastvale Police Department, Yates replied, “Our officers are approachable and do care. They may not all come off as passionate as me, but they like working in the City because the residents are good people, and the officers enjoy being around them.”

We thank you for your service, Lt. Michael Yates, and wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors.

 

 

EASTVALE: Suspect Arrested for Indecent Exposure, Lewd Conduct , etc.

Eneas Palacios

Eneas Palacios

INFO. Courtesy of RIVERSIDE SHERIFF’S DEPT>On June 26, 2014, at 10:56 A.M., deputies assigned to the Eastvale Police Department responded to a report of indecent exposure that occurred on a walking trail near the area of Dearborn Street and Tisdale Street, city of Eastvale. Deputies quickly arrived in the area and met with the victim who provided a detailed description of the subject. After an extensive search by several deputies, a subject matching the description was located on the walking trail. The victim was able to positively identify the subject as the individual who exposed himself.

The suspect was identified as Eneas Palacios, a 23-year-old resident of Eastvale. Palacios was arrested for indecent exposure, lewd conduct, and a violation of probation. Palacios was later booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for the above-mentioned charges.

The investigation revealed Palacios may have been involved in previous incidents of this nature. The Eastvale Police Department is asking the citizens of Eastvale to contact the Eastvale Police Department if they have any information on previous incidents which may have occurred in that area.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Eastvale Police Department are committed to the safety of the citizens of this community and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. The Eastvale Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Deputy Thompson at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600.

Eastvale: Coffee With A Cop

Eastvale Police
June 24, 2014
Lieutenant Mike Yates

 

On July 2, 2014, the Eastvale Police Department and community members will be coming together in an informal setting at a local coffee house to discuss community issues and build relationships while enjoying a cup of coffee. All community members are invited to attend. The event will take place from 8:00AM – 10:00AM on July 2, 2014, at the Starbucks located at 14268 Schleisman Road.

Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions, learn more about the Eastvale Police Department and meet your officers. There will be no agenda or speeches, just an opportunity to voice your concerns and get to know the officers in your neighborhood.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies, or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community, and some community members may feel that deputies are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country, as local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and state police forces strive to make lasting connections with communities they serve.

EASTVALE: Troy Davids Case Gets National Attention

A "White Ghost Bike" marks the intersection where Troy Davids was killed last month. Photo: Jennifer Madrigal

A “White Ghost Bike” marks the intersection where Troy Davids was killed last month. Photo: Jennifer Madrigal


By Jennifer Madrigal
Eastvale – Troy Davids was a young man who had his whole life in front of him, until the tragic night when a suspected driver of a black sedan struck and killed him as he rode his bike home from work on April 25. The car sped off, and was last reported turning southbound on Scholar Way. According to a police report, witnesses said the driver didn’t even stop. Davids was transported to the local Ontario Kaiser hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Only 21-years old, and Troy’s life was over, just like that, just after midnight, alone.
It’s been over a month and although to some it may seem that the case hasn’t progressed much, police have been actively working this case. Eastvale Police Department’s Lt. Mike Yates says, “We have been actively investigating this case from the moment it occurred and have examined many leads. Our investigation has revealed that there was a tan Chevrolet Suburban that may have possibly witnessed the accident and we are hoping that by handing out flyers and getting the public more involved this Good Samaritan will come forward with possible information.”
According to a press release, on Thurs., May 29, the Eastvale Police Department’s Traffic Division, with the assistance of the Citizen Volunteers, reached out to the public by handing out flyers to passing motorists at the intersection of Limonite and Hamner avenues. The flyers provided a brief summary of a fatal hit and run traffic collision in the hopes of identifying possible witnesses. At the conclusion of the public outreach, five citizens came forward and provided information to Traffic Investigators about the case.
The Eastvale Police Department has also assigned a full-time traffic officer to this case and the officer has actively been following up on the many leads that have come in since the flyers were passed out.
Residents, still shocked and saddened by the hit and run, have contacted various news outlets in hopes of getting the story picked up nationally. There has been some success, and recently several news vans were seen near the Limonite/Hamner intersection sharing Troy Davids tragic story. Eastvale Chief of Police, Jason Horton, Lt. Mike Yates and Troy Davids’ parents also held a news conference urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Eastvale Police Department is continuing its investigation into this incident and will pursue any and all leads regarding this crime. If you have information concerning this hit-and-run tragedy, please call (951) 955-2600.

EASTVALE: Speed Enforcement Operation Success

RIVERSIDE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE

 

On Thursday, May 29, 2014, the Eastvale Police Department’s Traffic Division conducted a speed enforcement operation as part of its commitment to public safety. This operation is one of many that will be conducted throughout the year.

This operation was conducted near the intersection of Limonite Ave. and Cedar Creek Rd., in response to ongoing citizen concerns of speeding and traffic collisions in the area. The purpose of this operation is to slow motorists driving above the posted speed limit of 45 M.P.H. and bring the public awareness to the dangers of driving at speeds greater than the posted speed limit. The operation was conducted from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Operation Results:

32 citations issued for speeding above the posted speed limit.
2 Vehicles were towed for drivers driving on suspended or without a driver’s license.

EASTVALE: Problematic River Rd. Bridge Will Get a Larger Police Presence

Recent Accident on River Rd. Bridge Photo: Matthew Zick

Recent Accident on River Rd. Bridge
Photo: Matthew Zick

BY: JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale: The problematic River Rd. Bridge connecting Eastvale and Norco will be getting more of a police presence. Several accidents have occurred on the bridge, with the most recent one occurring on May 14th. Five people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash , and many more near accidents are constantly happening.

Resident Matthew Zick, who lives near the bridge, has seen so many “almost crashes and crazy drivers speeding down the bridge that its become almost a daily occurrence. We hear the squealing of brakes and horns constantly”. Other residents, have reported seeing cars speeding by them at excessive speeds, cutting other cars off, racing,  and other unsafe driving.

One of the problems with the bridge is that the curve is more deceiving then it looks and when a vehicle is traveling at an excessive speed it makes it hard to slow down and take the curve responsibly. In addition, there is nothing to prevent another vehicle from traveling into the other lane of on-coming traffic, which is what is what occurred in the most recent accident.

The issue of the unsafe driving behavior was brought up recently at the Public Safety Council meeting and brought to the attention of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Eastvale Division.  Residents were concerned that it is just a matter of time before yet another fatality occurs on this bridge. Lt. Yates informed the Safety Council that he will arrange more traffic and speeding saturations to try and curb the speeding and unsafe driving that is happening there. Other residents, on our Eastvale Community News Facebook page have suggested putting up cement barriers between the lanes to keep vehicles from veering over, as well as flashing “Here’s your Speed” signs to make drivers aware.

 

EASTVALE: Public’s Help Needed to Catch Hit and Run Driver

Troy Davids, 21, killed by a Hit-And-Run driver. Photo courtesy: Facebook

Troy Davids, 21, killed by a Hit-And-Run driver.
Photo courtesy: Facebook

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL (INFORMATION  PROVIDED BY EASTVALE POLICE DEPT and THE CITY OF EASTVALE)

On Thursday, April 25, 2014 around midnight,20 year old Troy Davids, was heading home from his shift at Vons on Limonite. According to the Eastvale Police Department, Davids was struck in the intersection of Limonite Ave. and Hamner Ave., by a vehicle going westbound.  A preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown make or model black sedan, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Limonite Ave. failed to stop for a red traffic signal light and as a direct result, collided into Davids who was on a bicycle traveling southbound on Hamner Ave.
Although, Eastvale Police Officers  and emergency personnel responded immediately to the reported injury traffic collision, Troy Davids died from his injuries and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Press releases state that ,witnesses reported seeing a black, four door sedan continue westbound on Limonite  in the eastbound lanes of traffic that was last seen turning southbound on Scholar Way. Although officers arrived within minutes of receiving the call, neither the black sedan, nor the driver of the sedan, was located.

Now Eastvale Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect and the suspect vehicle. Eastvale police are “seeking the help of a good Samaritan, who was driving a tan Chevrolet Suburban, that may have seen the suspect vehicle and driver as is it fled the scene of the traffic collision”.

Troy Davids, 21, a 2010 graduate of Norco High School, was described on the Eastvale News Facebook page as “having a heart of gold and a smile to match” and as ” a wonderful young man who was a friend to everyone”.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Cuadra at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2662.

EASTVALE: Heartbreak for Eastvale

Troy Davids, one of the two Eastvale residents killed in two separate accidents. Photo courtesy: Facebook

Troy Davids, one of the two Eastvale residents killed in two separate accidents.
Photo courtesy: Facebook

By Jennifer Madrigal

On the weekend of April 25, the deaths of two Eastvale residents, occurring just a day apart, have rocked the city. A young man who was reportedly on his way home from work was killed while crossing the street. The next evening, another Eastvale man was killed when a fun ride to show off his new off-road vehicle (ORV) went tragically wrong.

Early Friday morning, Troy Davids, 21, was on his way home from work when he was killed near the intersection of Hamner and Limonite. Deputies assigned to the area were called to the scene of a major injury collision on the west side of the intersection. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the preliminary investigation revealed that a black sedan was travelling westbound on Limonite when it collided with a bicyclist, who was southbound on Hamner Avenue in the west crosswalk. The driver of the sedan fled the scene and police are currently searching for the driver. Davids was transported to a regional hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Troy Davids, a 2010 graduate of Norco High School, is described by a member of the Eastvale News Facebook page as “having a heart of gold and a smile to match. Words cannot describe the loss of Troy.” Another person described him as being “a wonderful young man who was a friend to everyone”. Troy worked at the local Von’s supermarket where he was loved and admired by his co-workers and will be greatly missed.

According to the City of Eastvale, the investigation is ongoing and the Sheriff’s Department is looking over video footage from nearby businesses in an effort to help gather more information and evidence about the hit-and-run suspect.

The very next evening, April 26, four men were taking a ride in an ORV in the empty dirt field located on the northeast side of the intersection at Sumner and Limonite avenues. While making a turn, the vehicle flipped and the driver was pinned underneath. Timothy Michael Hunt was found by Sheriff’s Deputies under the Polaris ORV. He was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries. Another passenger was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, and the remaining two passengers were treated at the scene.

Hunt, a native of Yorba Linda, played three seasons of independent professional baseball. According to the Sioux City Journal, he was a 2007 member of Team USA, a team that finished second at the World Cup of Softball. Some residents remember him as an “amazingly generous guy” and a very special person who was newly married. Supposedly, he had been showing his new ORV off to his friends when the tragic accident occurred. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this incident.

EASTVALE: Captain Horton to Replace Captain Feltenberger

INFORMATION COURTESY  CITY OF EASTVALE

admin14-0423-CaptJasonHortonSheriff Stan Sniff appointed Captain Jason Horton as the new Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station Commander. He will replace Captain Dan Feltenberger, whom Sheriff Stan Sniff appointed to lead the Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force (GTF), a multi-agency regionalized task force comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers focused on the suppression, prevention and intervention of criminal street gangs. Captain Horton and Captain Feltenberger will officially begin their new duties on May 1, 2014.

Captain Horton has over 20 years of full-time law enforcement experience, all with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Prior to his full-time employment, he volunteered for 4 years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. As a reserve, he was assigned to the former Riverside Station, which provided patrol services to the communities now patrolled by the Jurupa Valley Station.

Captain Horton has worked the Corrections Division as a deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. He recently commanded the Coordinated Custody Management Unit, which oversaw AB109 related issues in the department’s corrections division. Captain Horton has worked in the Field Operations Division at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station, the Perris Sheriff’s Station, and the Jurupa Valley Station as a deputy sheriff, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. He has also held assignments at the Ben Clark Training Center and the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau.

When Captain Horton’s family moved to California from Indiana in the early 1970’s they first settled in Jurupa Valley where he attended elementary school for several years. While assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station as a deputy and corporal, Captain Horton served in patrol and as a School Resource Officer at Jurupa Valley High School. As a lieutenant, Captain Horton worked on the team responsible for forming the contracts for police services with the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley. He served as the first Assistant Chief of Police for the city of Eastvale.

Captain Horton graduated in 2006 from the Sherman Block Leadership Institute (SLI) and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cal State University San Bernardino and a Master’s degree from the University of Redlands. Captain Horton is a school board member for St. Catherine of Alexandria School in Riverside and is a supporter of athletics for Notre Dame High School. He is married with four children and resides in the city of Riverside