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“A Rising Up” by writer with heart, Karen Leslie

There is a blanketed hush of humbleness that is spreading like wild fire, soothing away the raw edges of destruction in the residents of Ventura County. It is a thankfulness that goes beyond monetary things. A united force and breath of relief are now threaded in the tapestry of our lives. From lovingly handmade signs of thank you’s for the firemen and peace officers posted throughout our community to an underlying knowing we are not alone.

A song of hope and fortitude is the storyline in the life of a survivor. A kind of common denominator, that we made it through one of the most devastating fires in California history. The flames gobbled up land and homes yet our spirit of rebuilding and lives are not burned out but alive and kicking! With strength and courage as dust rags, we are cleaning off the dust of despair.

We are rising out of the ashes like phoenixes and a new rhythm and movement is taking place! The bonds of consciousness are lifting us up in sheer determination. A new crop of co-creation is watering the seeds of human potential with love. A new lush undergrowth of humanity is germinating and Heart-full-y our existence is being activated and ignited to live life like it matters.

With clarity, we are fanning the flames of oneness and understanding that each of us has the opportunity and choice to surf and ride the energy waves back home to our authentic ourselves.

Love is our lifeline!

Vol. 11, No. 6 – Dec 20, 2017 – Jan 2, 2018 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura  Police Department and are not the opinions of  the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned  are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty  in a court of law.

Strong Arm Robbery

On December 3, at approximately 10pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call reference a strong arm robbery in progress. Several employees were working their assigned stations at Jack in the Box when the suspect later identified as 24 year old Ventura resident Jesse Rivera entered the restaurant wearing a black hoodie, black gloves and a dark colored bandana covering his face. Rivera approached the cash register, pulling it from the counter and began to flee the restaurant. Store employees attempted to apprehend Rivera who physically resisted. Rivera released the cash register and attempted to flee.

Store employees pursued and detained Rivera as officers arrived on scene. Rivera was arrested and later booked at the Ventura County Jail for robbery. The two employees that apprehended Rivera received minor injuries.

Shooting with Arrest

On December 5, at approximately 1am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of shots fired in the 2500 Blk. of Bayshore Ave. Responding Ventura Police Patrol Officers arrived on scene and located the victim who had a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his back. The shooter remained on scene and Officers immediately took him into custody.

Ventura Police Detectives were summoned to handle the investigation. Investigators learned that the shooter was an off-duty CHP officer from the Ventura CHP office. Investigators determined that the officer, identified as 49 year old Ventura Trever Dalton, and the victim got into an altercation in the driveway of the residence on Bayshore. During the altercation, the officer fired his weapon twice at the victim, striking him one time. As a result of the investigation, Dalton was arrested and booked at Ventura County Jail for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. A firearm was recovered at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The California Highway Patrol has been notified regarding this investigation.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Ed McCain at 805-339-4478.

Vandalism Arrest

On December 12, at approximately 11:15pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of vandalism in progress in the area of Lynn Dr. and Gale Way. The caller reported two suspects were using spray-paint, and spraying graffiti on the sidewalk.

When officers arrived on scene, the suspects ran away from officers but were detained a short distance away.

During the investigation, officers determined the 17 year old male juvenile had vandalized several different locations in the area, which caused several hundred dollars of damage. He was issued a citation for felony vandalism and released to his parents at the scene.

The other juvenile was cited for curfew violation and released to his parents.

The public can report damage from graffiti by leaving a message on the City of Ventura’s Graffiti Removal Hotline number at 654-7805.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On December 14, at approximately 3am, a VPD patrol officer observed a white and silver Ford Flex driving in the area of Ventura Ave and McFarlane St with a dealer paper plate on the rear of the car. The officer knew that a car matching that description had just been reported stolen a couple days prior. The officer attempted to make contact with the occupants of the car as the car drove quickly north on Ventura Ave. The car made a quick turn into a residential neighborhood in the area of Ventura Ave and Shoshone St and was located parked and unoccupied. The front license plate was missing and the VIN had been purposely covered.

Officers waited in the area to see if the occupants would return to the car. Two subjects, later identified as 25 year old Ventura resident Raeann Patterson and 28 year old Oxnard resident Andrew Coombes, were seen running from the area and getting into an unrelated car driven by an Uber driver. Officers stopped the car and contacted both subjects.

Further investigation revealed that the Ford Flex was in fact the earlier reported stolen car and there was property belonging to Patterson inside the stolen car as well as controlled substances. Other evidence was obtained that showed that Patterson was the one that had stolen the car. Patterson was ultimately arrested for possession of a stolen car and controlled substances and later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Coombes was found to be a convicted felon in possession tear gas and arrested. Coombes was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for being a felon in possession of tear gas.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On December 14, at approximately 10:15am, a Ventura Police officer observed a suspicious four door sedan in the parking lot of Silver Sands Motel that matched the description of a recently reported stolen vehicle. The officer was able to quickly confirm the vehicle was in fact stolen and requested additional officers to assist.

As the stolen vehicle exited the parking lot additional officers arrived on scene to conduct a traffic enforcement stop. The driver, later identified as 37 year old Ventura resident Monique Dabour, was ordered out of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. Record check of Dabour revealed a felony no bail warrant for her arrest. Dabour was also found to be in possession of Methamphetamine.

Dabour was transported to Ventura County Jail where she was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and the felony no bail warrant.

Instructions for dealing with ash

If your home was impacted by the Thomas Fire, here are some health precautions to take after you return home and before you begin the clean- up process.

If a structure on your property was destroyed during the recent fire, then you must wait for the proper authorities to approve and direct your clean-up. However, many people evacuated their home and later returned to find their house intact. Often, a significant amount of ash can be found on and around your home. People in this latter situation do not need permission to clean up their property.

Do not advise ash clean-up while ash is still falling and the situation is unpredictable. Wait until conditions improve.

Avoid skin contact with ash. Ash from burned homes and other items will likely contain metals, chemicals, and potentially asbestos, items that may be considered toxic if breathed in or touched with wet skin. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off immediately. Some wet ash can cause chemical burns.

Inhaled ash may be irritating to the nose, throat and lungs. In order to avoid possible health problems, the following steps are recommended.

Avoid doing activities that stir up ash. Do not allow children to play in ash or be in an area where ash-covered materials are being disturbed. Wash ash off toys before children play with them.

Clean ash off pets.

Wear a tight fitting N95 respirator mask, gloves, boots, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when cleaning up ash.

Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Avoid sweeping it up dry. Use water and wet cloth or mop to clean items and surfaces.

Under any circumstances, do not use leaf blowers!

If you have symptoms that may be related to exposure to smoke or soot, consult your doctor. Symptoms include repeated coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, headaches and nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.

“ANIMALS FLEE THE FOREST” by James Francis Gray

THE GRAY THAT YOU SEE, BLANKETING OUR SKY IS NOT OUR MORNING SEA FOG, IT’S NOT WET IT’S DRY

ANIMALS FLEE THE FOREST, AND BIRDS FORCED TO FLY GRAYS SOURCE NOT DISCRIMINATE, SOME MAY LIVE, SOME MAY DIE

IT SEEPS IN YOUR SKIN, BURNS YOUR THROAT, WATERS YOUR EYE BENEATH THE GRAY BLANKET, NORMALCY AWRY

AS THE FIRE LEAVES, WE SMILE, HUG, WAVE IT GOODBYE STILL AS STRONG AS EVER(VENTURA) EVEN WHEN WE CRY

OUT OF THE ASHES, A NEW FOREST AND HOMES WILL ARISE OUR NEW FOUND STRENGTH AND UNITY, IS REALLY OUR NEW PRIZE

Trash Pickup Not Available in Evacuation Areas

Harrison Industries advises that trash pickup is not being allowed in mandatory evacuation areas until further notice. No removal of fire debris can occur from properties without a hazardous material inspection conducted by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the State Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Several areas affected by the Thomas Fire have been under mandatory evacuation.

Not only are trash trucks not permitted in some evacuation areas, no debris  bins can be provided to property owners for the purpose of fire debris removal without the authorization of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

On Dec. 8, the Ventura County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances.

This Declaration enables the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey damaged properties and remove household hazardous wastes at no cost to property owners. It also enables property owners to participate in a voluntary Fire Debris Clearance program administered through the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CalRecycle.

Property owners who opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program must obtain permission from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division before beginning the removal of fire debris to ensure the private debris removal, transport, and disposal is conducted in a manner that does not endanger the community.

County launches rental assistance program for fire victims

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has approved the use of $500,000 in General Fund to establish a rental assistance program for eligible residents who cannot return to their homes due to the impact of local wildfires.  The program, which expands upon current rental assistance programs for low-income households administered by the County of Ventura Human Services Agency, will began accepting applications Wednesday, December 13th. 

Eligibility criteria for the program include:  county residency; displacement from housing due to local wildfires; financial ability to maintain housing after receiving assistance; and a household income up to 120% of the median income for the local area, based on household size.  The yearly income limit for a household of one person, for example, is $84,000.  For a household of two, the income limit is $96,000, and for a household of four, the income limit is $119,880.

 “Short term rental assistance will help our lower and middle income neighbors who lost their homes get back on their feet more quickly,” said Steve Bennett, County Supervisor for the First District. “Individuals and families with children need the stability of a home to regain some normalcy in their lives and return to work or school while they make longer term plans.”

The new program may offer eligible fire victims help with:  interim housing, rental payments, replacement of household and personal items, moving and storage costs, rental deposits, utility deposits and payments, and credit counseling, as needed.  Barry Zimmerman, Human Services Agency Director stated, “We have years of experience running similar programs successfully, so we can implement this one quickly and ensure that assistance begins to flow.”

Beginning Wednesday, December 13th, information about applying for this new program may be found in English and Spanish on the Ventura County Recovers website, which provides a comprehensive source of information for all matters relating to fire recovery, and on the Ventura County Human Services Agency’s web site (www.vchsa.org/help).

Ventura County Recovers: www.VenturaCountyRecovers.org

Human Services Agency:  www.vchsa.org/help

Ventura County and City of Ventura open “One-Stop” Local Assistance Center at Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura

On Wednesday, December 13, the County of Ventura and the City of Ventura will open a Local Assistance Center at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura. Located at 3451 Foothill road in Ventura, the center is a one-stop resource for residents affected by the Thomas Fire.

The Local Assistance Center will be open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the next two weeks, and longer if necessary. The hours are subject to change depending on demand. Bilingual staff will be available to provide assistance.

The center will be staffed by representatives from the County of Ventura, the City of Ventura, and nine state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles. The County is also working on providing additional service centers in the Ojai and Santa Clara Valley areas for social, health care and permitting services. The Local Assistance Center is a short-term facility and will close after the initial recovery period, but the services will remain available at the normal city and county offices.

Residents will be able to use the Local Assistance Center to start their recovery from the fire. There will be information on debris removal, permits, housing, rental assistance, vital records, property assessments, public assistance, crisis intervention and stress management, and even services such as replacing driver’s licenses. Health care resources will be available on site to provide assistance, education, and connections to other health services in the community.

The center is expected to be very busy and, although walk-ins will be welcomed, appointments are strongly encouraged. Residents with appoints will receive priority service. Appointments can be made on the Ventura County Recovers website or by calling 211. Those requiring transportation to the center can call the hotline at (805) 465-6650.

To further aid fire victims, Ventura County Recovers is now offering a registration feature that allows residents to register their contact information to receive information on specific topics. They can also register the address of their damaged or destroyed property so that officials can proactively provide them with information and official notices related to the rebuilding process.

Because there will be numerous updates to the site as new information becomes available, registering on the site will help to ensure that current information gets to the people who need it most.

The registration feature is fully accessible by mobile, tablet and desktop devices.

Cooper wants to share some puppy love with fire victims

Occupational therapist Lauren Taluy and her registered therapy dog Cooper are available to visit places supporting displaced families for Cooper to share some puppy love with those affected by the fires. Cooper is 10 years old and has been with Lauren since he was 8 weeks old, which is when he began his life as a therapy dog. Cooper’s family lives in Ventura and includes Lauren’s husband Timur and her 2 children, 4 year old Ellie and 2 year old Hudson. Please contact Lauren at 805-300-8103 or email [email protected] to arrange for a visit from Cooper.

Ventura Police Department hosting free Active Shooter Response Training Dec. 20

The for business and church leadership on December 20 at Ventura Baptist Church located at 5415 Ralston Street in Ventura. The training will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A new location was selected because the Ventura Police Department training room is currently occupied as an Emergency Operations Center. Ventura Baptist Church can also accommodate a larger group allowing for those waitlisted to attend. Registrations are still being accepted until December 19.

The training is being offered in response to community concerns regarding active shooter incidents in Nevada, Texas and California. FBI statistics show that mass shootings are rare, but the Ventura Police Department is committed to partner with the community in providing safety information. According to the FBI, between 2000 and 2016, there were 216 active shooter incidents throughout the country.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within a short time, before police arrive on scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

The training is free. Registration is required by calling 805-339-4317 or emailing [email protected].ca.us.