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Vol. 9, No. 12 – March 16 – March 29, 2016 – Police Reports

Residential Burglary

On Friday March 4th, at 1:28 p.m., an off-duty Ventura County District Attorney’s Investigator was in the area of the 4900 block of Lafayette Street when he saw suspicious activity near a home. He watched as the four suspects walked on to the residence’s property. Two of them remained outside of the house and acted as look-outs, while the other two went into the backyard and entered the house through a rear window. As the burglary occurred, the off duty investigator called our Communications Center and Patrol officers were dispatched. Two of the suspects fled from officers onto the 126 freeway, but they were located by the responding officers. The other two suspects also attempted to run away from officers, however they were located and detained by the off-duty investigator and other officers. At the conclusion of the investigation, the two adult suspects, Miguel Ochoa and Gordon Nico, were booked into VC Jail. The two juvenile suspects were lodged at juvenile hall.

Burglary

On Saturday, March 5th, at 7:29 a.m., a nearby business owner was arriving at his business in the 6300 block of Ventura Boulevard, when he saw suspicious activity near a recreational vehicle in a neighboring business parking lot. He watched as the suspect walked away from the vehicle carrying property. The witness called the VPD. The suspect, later identified as Frank Lawrence, and an associate were located by the responding officers. They were detained. At the conclusion of the investigation, Lawrence was booked into VC Jail. Lawrence was also in possession of a dangerous weapon, a throwing star.

Shooting

On June 23rd, 2015, at 3:36 p.m., the VPD received numerous calls of a shooting that had occurred in the 400 Block of West Ramona Street. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found a 9-year-old female victim suffering from a non-life threatening grazing wound to her leg. She was transported to VCMC for treatment of her injury. While officers were on scene, the VPD received a second call reporting a shooting victim in the 300 Block of West Park Row. The adult male victim was found to be suffering from a non-life threatening injury.

The VPD identified Mauricio Chavez as a suspect in this crime. On July 1st, 2015, VP Detectives served a search warrant at the residence of Chavez. Chavez was arrested at that time for possessing a billy club and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. These charges were unrelated to the shooting investigation.

Detectives continued with the shooting investigation and on July 24th, 2015, Chavez was contacted at VC Jail and arrested for his involvement in the shooting and booked for attempt murder and street terrorism.

On Thursday, March 10th, Chavez was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Vol. 9, No. 12 – March 16 – March 29, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

2-29 6:35pm, after several attempts to activate the fog signal due to dense fog and visibility less than 0.25 of a mile, officers contacted U.S. coast guard to arrange for repairs.

3-1 9:18am, received a dispatch to a medical at the marina mobile home park. Officers responded and assisted a 68 y/o female complaining of difficulty breathing. The individual was transported to local hospital by AMR medics.

5:45pm, en route to regional water rescue training with State Lifeguards, Ventura, Oxnard, Ventura County fire departments at State Beach and Pier.

3-2 1:54pm, received a dispatch to a medical at marina mobile home park. Officers assisted city fire and AMR with an ill person who was transported to local hospital by AMR medics.

3-3 2:42pm, received a request for a tow from a disabled vessel. Officers responded and towed a 35ft landing craft to their slip at NPS docks.

5:20pm, officers observed the Manson Dredge returning to the harbor due to forecast of Hazardous weather in the next few days.

3-4 3:00pm, received a request to check the well-being of an elderly tenant of VWM from the marina manager. Officers responded and found the individual was very tired and sleeping, but not sick or injured.

5:35pm, received a report of an injured grebe near Surfers Knoll. Officers responded and assisted local sea bird rescuers. Unfortunately the bird was discovered but did not survive.

3-5 5:00pm, received a report of a theft from a vehicle parked at VWM. Officers assisted Ventura PD with searching for the subject. Unable to locate the thief.

3-6 12:28pm, received a request for wind conditions from two hang gliders heading towards Surfers Knoll. Officers reported the gale conditions to the pair of pilots.

3:00pm, received a report of high winds damaging flags in the village. Officers determined that it was not safe to take down flags due to the gale wind conditions throughout the harbor.

11:03pm, observed a power outage in the Harbor. Officers received several calls from businesses burglar alarms malfunctioning throughout the Harbor. No incidents of burglary were reported.

Vol. 9, No. 12 – March 16 – March 29, 2016 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Mar. 17: The East Ventura Community Council will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by delving into Mayor Nasarenko’s recent State of the City address.

Also on the agenda is an update by Development Chairperson Daniel Cormode on Ventura’s water situation, as well as a report on the status of the SOAR (Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources) renewal initiative by Norene Charnofsky.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information call 804-7558.

Mar. 17: Craig Werner, author of We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War, will do a book reading and signing with a question and answer segment.

The event will take place Thursday 7pm at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 No. Ventura Ave. This event will also feature a Vietnam photo exhibit provided by the Ventura County Museum.

Intimate and deeply informative, with a scope that encompasses both the war itself and the way that music has helped raise awareness of veteran’s issues long after its end.

For more information call 643-1960.

Mar. 19: Audubon 8:30 a.m. at Foster Park/Ventura River. Leader: David Torfeh 794-5334. The Ventura River flows through this green park with lots of shade trees. With winter rains, we may see some interesting species at the river, such as Green Heron or mergansers. Inside the park, we will see oak woodland species such as quail, bluebird and woodpeckers.

Mar. 19: Ventura County Genealogical Society will hold their free monthly program, open to the public.

Saturday at 1p.m. at the Ventura County Public Health Auditorium, 3147 Loma Vista Rd.

Speaker, Barbara Randall, Professional Genealogist and Lecturer will discuss “Do You Really Know Your Irish Roots? Understanding 6,000 years of Irish History.”

Mar. 20: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College. The meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed.

Admission charge $3. Lunch is available for $5 more. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at the Ventura College location. More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Mar. 22: Channelaire Chorus of Sweet Adeline, will present their competition music for free at 7 p.m. sharp. Located at the Center for Spiritual Living, 340 Mobil Ave. Camarillo. April 5, 13, 19 and 26^th rehearsal time from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Contact: 557-4962 for more information. The ability to read music is helpful but not necessary.

Mar. 23: The College Area Community Council will be meeting on Wednesday. A representative from the Ventura Police Department will address recent crime trends in the neighborhood. The Council, which represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126, meets at 7 p.m. in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus. 658-7225 for more information.

Mar. 23: “Let’s Play Duplicate Bridge!” New games offered beginning Wednesday, March 23rd (FREE that day too) for 0 – 49 AND 0 – 1,250 master point players. 12:30 p.m. start at the Temple Beth Torah, Kimball & Foothill Road. Meet new players, learn about our local ACBL Cub, and have fun!

For more information call Susan Lang: 340 – 7735.

Mar. 24: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday. This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture. The meeting will be held at Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 East Main St. At 11:30 A.M. for a 12:00 P.M., no host luncheon / meeting. For more information and reservation, please call Cora Corella at 483-6285 or Yvonne Westervelt at 483-4168.

Mar. 24: April Davis, a Ventura College student and winner of the 2015 La Estrella competition, will perform at the Friendship Connection 08’s annual membership luncheon at the NOM Tequila Grill, Crown Plaza Hotel, at 11:30 a.m. The FC is a group of retired ladies who like to have fun. Prospective members are invited. Call 218-6124 for more information.

Mar. 26. Audubon 8:30 a.m. Ojai Meadow Preserve. Leader: John Pavelko 798-2571. The field trip to the Ojai Meadow Preserve will be a combined event with the Ojai Valley Land OVLC manages over 2,300 acres and 25 miles of trails with 9 employees in the Ojai Valley. Take Hwy 33 toward Ojai and turn left at the Y. The preserve is on the left side. Parking is available in front of the entrance and also at the nearby high school or church, if necessary.

Apr.8&9: This year’s Ladies’ Conference is Friday, April 8, 6:30 – 9:30 pm, and Saturday, April 9, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. Trusting God in Me, with teachings emphasizing trusting God. Registration begins on Friday evening at 6 pm at The River Community Church at 889 E. Santa Clara St.

The guest speaker, Rev. Janet Hattem, has been a long-time friend and associate of this church. Janet has served in many capacities as a leader in Women’s and Children’s Ministry. The cost is $50, which includes lunch and a T-Shirt plus all supplies for Friday evening’s activity. All registrations and payments must be made by Sunday, April 3; late registrations and walk-ins will be $60. For further information visit www.therivercomunity.org or call 648-7955.

Apr. 15&16: Kris Kringle Boutique presents Spring Fling, a two day event with over 30 vendors where you can find homemade springtime decor and crafts, clothing, jewelry, florals, up-coming holiday gifts and much more! This event is open to the public and is free admission. Located at the North Ranch Community Center 1400 N. Westlake Village, CA 91362. See their ad in the next issue for more info.

Friday 15, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vol. 9, No. 12 – March 16 – March 29, 2016 – Opinion/Editorial

• On March 12 an official ground breaking was held at the proposed Kellogg Park located on the Westside of Ventura on Ventura Ave. (more about this in the next issue of the Breeze). Even though I commend the many people who have worked extremely hard to get this park on the Westside I really don’t get it.

The reason stated for the need for this park is “Lack of park space and other recreational activities on the Westside. Westpark Community Center, the area’s main park, is on the far end of town, too far to be of regular use to many.”

Twelve blocks north of Kellogg Park is the Harry A. Lyon Park with baseball fields and tennis courts and it is right next to two schools so kids can walk there after school.

Six blocks to the south is possibly the nicest and most inter-active park in Ventura the Westpark Community Center. Westpark has (I believe) the only indoor basketball facility of any park in Ventura, art rooms computers rooms, community gardens, kid’s play area, baseball and soccer fields, a skateboard park and a wonderful boxing program for youths. And a bike path is located right next to it so people can bike to it. Also Sheridan Way school is located right next to it so kids can walk there after school also.

There is not any other area in Ventura that has three parks (or even two) that are located within 1.5 miles of each other. Again, I applaud all of the hard work that has made Kellogg Park possible.

Okay, I await the nasty letters that I will receive about this.

• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is now playing at the Rubicon Theatre. It is another outstanding play at the Rubicon and a must see. Playing until March 20 so only a few more days left to see it. http://www.rubicontheatre.org/shows-events.

• I recently attended an engineering challenge event for local middle schools that was covered in a previous issue of the Breeze. As part of this event the kids had to make verbal presentations regarding their projects. To prepare for this I saw kids printing as fast as they could preparing their presentations. All were using printing because schools no longer teach cursive writing because they say kids don’t need to know it anymore. For several reasons this is really stupid and this was one of them.

Interesting names for schools these days. Some of the schools that were competing were Frank Academy of Marine Science & Engineering, Los Prineros School of Science & Arts and Fremont Academy of Environmental Science and Innovative Design.

• Even though most commercial airlines have banned the use of e-cigarettes on their airplanes for some time it has never been an official government policy. This has changed because the U.S. Department of Transportation has now explicitly set rules that state that e-cigarettes fall under the same ban as that of other tobacco products. Good for them.

• The Breeze certainly has writing errors but a recent one in a headline in the LA Times sports section was funny. A headline that should have said “OWNER GOAL STEALS SHOW”(the owner made basket) said “OWNED GOAL STEALS SHOW”. I thought that perhaps the owner of the goal stole it in the middle of the game.

• I want to congratulate Venturan Jack Ainsworth. The California Coastal Commission has appointed him to be the interim replacement for executive director Charles Lester who has left. He will head the agency’s staff until a permanent replacement is found. Ainsworth has been on the commission staff for 27 years.

Ainsworth has degrees from California State University, San Bernardino, and a master’s in geography from University of California, Riverside. He has served as the commission’s senior deputy director since 2011.

• A legal battle over the CMH parking structure now being constructed seems to be continuing. The structure is scheduled to be completed in July and must be completed before the completion of the new hospital but another lawsuit to stop construction has been filed. It will be a wonderful addition to mid-town because 1/3 of the spaces will be available for the use of the neighborhood.

A local business has continually attempted to stop the construction for some unknown reason. I’m sure that their attempt with once again fail in court.

• If you ever feel depressed maybe you can’t blame your parents anymore but can blame Neanderthals. Even though it has been about 40,000 years since they disappeared their genetics may account for our ability to fight infections, risk of addiction and even depression. How do we know that? I have no idea but some really smart people do by studying their DNA. If you are of Asian or European descent 2-4% of your genome came from our Neanderthal ancestors. So don’t kid anymore by calling someone a Neanderthal because most of us are.

• Good news is that the island fox have made a strong recovery on Channel Islands. Golden eagles were decimating the fox population (they need to eat) but they have been removed. The fox were listed as an endangered species several years ago but because of the work by the National Park Service and others who were concerned programs were set up that have resulted in the return of the foxes.

• At a recent City Council meeting the Council unanimously voted to ask the state to allow the Players Casino to stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The extra 20 hours the casino would stay open could generate an additional $125,000 per year in taxes and certainly would have no negative effect on the area.

Apparently casinos are regulated by the state. The casino has been very successful so I support this. Also a great place to eat, especially after other restaurants have closed for the evening.

Vol. 9, No. 12 – March 16 – March 29, 2016 – Professor Scamp

• This is a nice thing so try to help. Hospice caregivers (physicians, nurses, aides, counselors, social workers, or volunteers) working in Ventura or Santa Barbara county are needed for a Ph.D. dissertation research study. The study will explore the experience of hospice caregivers who have been exposed to animal-assisted therapy sessions provided to hospice patients. Participation involves a 1-hour interview with the researcher, and there is a financial incentive for participation. For more information, email [email protected] or call 469-0063.

• This event is in Los Angeles (I’ve never been there but it is way over the hill). I’m mentioning it because it’s nice that dogs are getting credit for being so wonderful. The Dog Film Festival™ will premiere in Los Angeles on June 5. An Afternoon Tea Pooch Party will kick off the festival on June 4. The Dog Film Festival™ will premiere on the West Coast when it comes to Westwood to celebrate the love between dogs and their people – and the animal welfare groups that bring them together.

The Dog Film Festival™ features canine-themed films – documentary, animated and live-action – in two separate screenings of entirely different films.

• by my friend Victoria Usher

After going back and forth for quite some time, it has been decided that an off-leash dog park will be opened in Beverly Hills. This is something that the residents of Beverly Hills have been asking about for over a decade. The city is home to around 35,000 people, which means that picking a location for this dog park was difficult because they did not want it to be disrupting to anyone’s daily life. The 20,000 square-foot site that they ended up choosing for the dog park is located very close to City Hall and is also across Foothill from an animal hospital and the Amanda Foundation. Most people are excited about this new dog park, other people however are worried that because the dog park is located so close to the heart of the city that it could cause problems. In the end though more people felt that this was something that Beverly Hills truly needed for their dogs and if everything goes according to plan then this new dog park should be open and ready to go by next summer.

• My friend and roommate Savana is so nice (for a cat) that I want to share this information from Family Features. Do you know that sometimes at dinner time she just looks at her food and eats it later? I look at my food, eat it and say “is that all?”

Purr-fect Tips to Protect Cats Year-Round

When cooler weather arrives, you may assume your pet is safe from parasites – especially if your cat lives mostly or exclusively indoors. To the contrary, identifying the risk for parasites, such as fleas, ear mites and heartworms, and providing true pest protection for your pets has very little to do with the seasons.

“Back when I was in veterinary school, we believed there were parasite ‘seasons,’” said Chris Adolph, DVM, MS, DACVM, a board certified parasitologist(such a funny word), veterinary specialist at Zoetis and former veterinary practice owner in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. “Today’s highly variable weather patterns have resulted in the possibility of parasite transmission well beyond traditionally warmer months, and in turn, increasing the likelihood of infection or infestation to your pets.”

Cat owner Lauren Swern learned the hard way that even indoor cats can be afflicted with parasites and ultimately traced a flea infestation in her cat, Oreo, back to a pair of sneakers she’d worn in the garden.

After trashing most of Oreo’s toys and bedding, Swern’s veterinarian recommended a topical, broad-spectrum preventive. After treatment with Revolution® (selamectin), Swern’s home was again flea-free and continues that way thanks to monthly treatments she applies to her cat.

Routine checkups. You may believe that once your kitten has received its vaccinations, you’re finished with veterinary visits. Actually, it’s important to continue taking your cat for annual examinations to help maintain a high quality of life. Cats tend to hide illness very well, and your veterinarian can help identify problems you may miss at home as well as guide you in areas such as dental care, nutrition and behavior.

Preventive medication. Regular use of a monthly parasite preventive can protect your cat from many common internal and external parasites. Along with fleas, broad-spectrum preventives can address risks related to heartworm disease, ear mites (Otodectes cynotis), roundworms (Toxocara cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma tubaeforme).

Behavior monitoring. Don’t assume that a cat that begins exhibiting behavior problems is simply acting out. Most undesirable behaviors, such as suddenly refusing to use a litter box or aggression, can actually be signs of illness. Consulting a veterinarian can help you determine the best course of action.

Consider the climate. Just as extreme temperatures can affect people, excess heat and cold may impact your cat. Cozy bedding in front of a bright window may provide just the right warmth in winter, but prove too toasty in the summer.

Ample activities. Even mellow kitties can benefit from exercise, just like humans. Provide toys to encourage cats to keep active and healthy – and offer diversions such as scratching posts from temptations like carpet or furniture.

Explore Ventura’s Art scene at Paint Ventura April 2nd

Find your creative side and explore Ventura’s Art scene at this year’s Paint Ventura April 2nd featuring a variety of artists in all mediums creating, selling and competing in downtown Ventura

Spring Art Fair And Paint Out/ 10am – 4pm at Plaza Park in Downtown Ventura / free

Spend the day enjoying local arts and craft vendors as you watch them create in their artisan booths. More than 70 fine artists and crafts persons display and sell their original work amid a street festival atmosphere in conjunction with the City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Festival.

Grab your art supplies and join in the all-inclusive Quick Draw Paint Out where you have 2 hours to paint/ collage/ draw your work of art from start to finish. Open to All subjects, All mediums and All ages. $10 participation fee,

Or join in and watch the fun happen and be one of the judges to pick the several winners. Free Kids Interactive Art Activities- Kids QuickDraw Painting Competition, taking place alongside the adult QuickDraw(12-2) kids 12 and under have the chance to paint or draw their own creation. Join us for a fun Spring Afternoon of art and celebration, find out more info at www.PaintVentura.com or Red Brick Art 643-6400.

Induction ceremony held at Fox Fine Jewelry

Debbie Fox, Spencer Garrett and Bill Hicks are supporters of the Boys and Girls Club.

For 78 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura has been serving youth and providing life changing experiences, often for those who need it most. The “Boys” started as the Police Boys Club at the Ortega Adobe on Main Street in 1938, while the “Girls” began in 1967. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura was one of the first clubs to merge the boys and the girls and form one club. The Club has grown over the years, from their small beginnings to four centers serving hundreds of youth from Ventura and the surrounding cities.

The Club wouldn’t have grown without tremendous support from our community. To recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond, the Founder’s Society was formed. Awards were given out at an induction ceremony at Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura on February 26th.

The Founder’s Society recognizes individuals who have given 20 or more years of service, made a contribution over a period of time that has created Club sustainability or has built Club capacity, or established a program that has been in existence for over ten years.

A 2010 Cal Lutheran study by Dr. Damooei showed that 97% of their enrolled youth graduate high school. Other benefits include increased self-confidence, improved family relations, 0% teen pregnancy and an increased propensity to attend higher education.

There are over 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs in the United States and throughout the world, serving over 4 million youth on a daily basis. Boys & Girls Clubs continue to be the fastest growing youth organization in the country.

The Founder’s Society inductees to date include: Spencer Garrett, Bill Hicks, Richard Buchanan, Melvyn Fowler, G. David Sherrill, M.D., Joe Carmody, Gary Nasalroad, Susanne Lammot, M.D., Larry Rasmussen, John Brant, Jymmye Hitch, and E.J. and Myra Harrison.

“I shoot dead people”

Photos of military heroes shot by local photographer at Arlington National Cemetery.

By Richard Lieberman

Don Harper a local photographer has been quietly shooting the last photos of our nation’s military heroes. Don, a military veteran has been shooting the funerals at Arlington National Cemetery since the 1980’s. Starting in 1985 while attending a series of seminars at the Washington School of Photography in Washington D.C. Harper was approached by a fellow student who was a White House photographer for Bill Clinton. Taking notice of Harpers photography work, he encouraged Harper to promote his work professionally. “I had always told people not to mix a photography hobby with making a living in life, but he convinced me otherwise” said Harper.

Encouraged to attend a professional photography conference and find the photographers whose styles and work he liked and then finding one or more to mentor with. Harper spent the next two years mentoring with people whose photography and personality he liked. “When I started to do photography professionally, I started with the intention of doing weddings, bridal portraits, and High School senior photos, and that’s what I concentrated on first” added Harper. Wedding photography became Harpers main area of business, and in Northern Virginia business was good. In addition there were several networking groups that he hooked up with. “One of the people I networked with was a bagpipe player, we became good friends and one day he said to me you need to come to Arlington National Cemetery. “I said why would I need to do that?” Harper’s friend told him he was playing the bagpipe at Arlington funerals and that there were several photographers present, but didn’t feel they were doing a decent enough job and that the people deserved better. Most of the photography done at the time was of the “snapshot” variety. “I went to a funeral there with him and photographed it, and then went to a couple more, and finally got enough material to set up a web site” he said. Networking with funeral homes and others, the business took off from there.

Funerals at Arlington are a big event. “For an officer’s funeral there is a marching band, the horse drawn caisson, the firing party, and if it is a General they have the cannon volleys as well as the rifle volleys” said Harper. Harper was fascinated by the histories of the deceased. “Most of what I have done is with older people who have lived a long, productive life and served a distinguished military career. Occasionally there have been KIA, but fortunately they have really dropped off dramatically.” He added. Harper also added “It usually takes about three months for internment, so some of the grief has subsided, until taps is played which is a tough one for families”

Harper flies to Washington D.C two or three times a month photographing funerals, and depending on circumstance like a morning funeral he will fly back to California the same day. Afternoon funerals requires him to stay for two or three days.

Don, who is now semi-retired lives with his wife in a fifth wheel RV and travels around the country spending much of their time living beachside in Ventura and enjoying million dollar views, and oceanfront living.

The Community Academy is scheduled to begin March 22

Learn how the VPD caught these bad guys.

The Ventura Police Department’s Community Academy is coming! Have you ever wanted to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of police operations? Not the ‘TV’ version, but the actual facts? Here’s your chance. The Community Academy will take you on a ride-along with a patrol officer, show you what a SWAT team does, let you experience a simulated firearms training course, give you a look at issues officers face in our community and much, much more.

The Community Academy is scheduled to begin March 22 and will be held on 9 consecutive Tuesday nights from 6:00– 9:00 p.m. with a final class and graduation on May 17. Each night features a new topic, with speakers, demonstrations, and discussions. They will answer your questions and give you an in-depth behind the scenes look at police operations.

Classes will be held at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Dr. (the May 3 class meets in Camarillo at the Criminal Justice Training Center).

Community Academy participants are selected by the Ventura Police Department through an application process. Applications are available from the Department or online at www.cityofventura.net/pd/community-academy.

Potential candidates must meet the following criteria: minimum age of 18 years, live or work in the City of Ventura, no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions within two years of application. A background check is required.

The success of any police department depends largely upon the cooperation and support it receives from the citizens it serves. The Community Academy aims to educate residents on the capacity and operations of the department so that we can work together to make Ventura a better place to live, work and play.

For more information, visit the website or contact Civic Engagement Specialist Ashley Bautista at 339-4317.

Ventura’s fight to remain graffiti-free

Graffiti seen from trains passing through Ventura. Photo by Daniel Ingram

By Amber Hansen

In today’s world, vandalism is rampant. It’s not uncommon to see graffiti on nearly every block in some cities. While Ventura isn’t covered in garish spray paint, it doesn’t take a detective to find vandalism on both public and private properties in Ventura. Whether the graffiti is an artistic endeavor or gang-affiliated tagging, it’s an eye sore that Ventura residents want removed.

Many Ventura residents are unfamiliar with the process of graffiti removal. There are, in fact, a few ways that vandalism can be reported and removed. The first step is to identify whether the vandalism is on private property or city property. If the graffiti is in a park or similar city properties, it can be reported to the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department. The Department will promptly send out a worker to remove the graffiti.

If the graffiti is on private property, it can be reported to the City of Ventura Streets Department. The department will send out a notice to the owner, stating that the graffiti must be removed within 24 hours. If the property owner does not have the means to remove it, the City will work with them to clean it off and paint over it.

Whether the graffiti is on city or private property, it is necessary to provide the building’s address when reporting the vandalism. If the address isn’t visible for any reason, using Google Maps can help identify the exact location.

The Graffiti Hotline reaches both departments, and is the easiest way for Ventura residents to report graffiti. In the past year alone, the City of Ventura has taken 2,000 reports of graffiti.

With this information, Ventura residents can help keep the City of Ventura graffiti free. Please report vandalism to City of Ventura graffiti hotline 654-7805.

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