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Ventura Police Department DUI/CDL Checkpoint statistics

On Friday September 4, 2015 between the hours of 9:00 PM to 2:15 AM the Ventura Police Department conducted a DUI/CDL Checkpoint in the area of Harbor Blvd and Schooner Dr. The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

As a result of the checkpoint the following enforcement action was taken:
2 drivers were cited for 14601 VC, Driving on a suspended license and had their vehicles towed.
9 drivers were cited for 12500(a) VC, Driving without a drivers license.
1 driver was cited for 23222 (b) VC, Driver in possession of marijuana in a vehicle.
1 driver was given a DMV Re-Exam for driving under the influence of marijuana.
1 driver arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Any questions regarding the Checkpoint can directed to Sgt. Darrick Brunk at 805-339-4323, or by email at [email protected].

Ventura Police Dept. conducting DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Friday, Sept. 4

Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint this Friday, September 4, 2015 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m to 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

In California, this deadly crime led to 802 deaths in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by an i mpaired driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 71 injury crashes harming 94 of our friends and neighbors,” said Sgt. Darrick Brunk.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking driveDUIfor proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

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. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to Ventura Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

Single family residence fire near Atlas Elementary

At 4:45 on Aug. 31, the principal of Atlas Elementary, formerly known as Saticoy Elementary, saw a large head of smoke and flames protruding from a single family residence on Jasmine Avenue. As she ran across the street to help, the neighbor was on the phone calling 911. Both tried to hose down the adjacent homes to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring residences.

First arriving fire crews encountered heavy flames coming from the front of the house and dense smoke. Crews attacked the fire and searched the home for occupants. No pets or occupants were home at the time of the fire. A total of 4 engine companies and one truck company fought the blaze and knocked down the fire within 16 minutes and fully extinguished the fire within 35 minutes.

Ventura Police provided immediate traffic control and assisted in securing the street. An electrical feed for the home severed in the blaze and blocked a portion of the front of the house and was eventually secured by Southern California Edison.

The 1000 square foot house suffered major damage from smoke and flames. Nearly all of the 1000 sq foot two bedroom, two bath home was affected. A preliminary investigation indicated that an unattended candle was to blame for the blaze. It was also discovered the fire had been burning freely in the home for some time prior to being noticed by neighbors.
Damage was estimated to be $150,000 for the structure and $50,000 for contents. The building was yellow tagged by fire prevention, and occupants were escorted by firefighters to gather belongings. One resident was displaced from their home due to the fire and there were no reported injuries.

FOOD Share launches “Spoon FULL a Day” pledge in recognition of Hunger Action Month in September

Every little bit helps. With just a “Spoon Full a Day,” every business, individual, and family has the capacity to help close the hunger gap in Ventura County. During the month of September, FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank, asks everyone to observe Hunger Action Month by taking the “Spoon Full a Day” pledge and doing just one simple task a day to raise awareness of the nearly 86,240 people who experience food insecurity in Ventura County every month.

The “Spoon Full a Day” pledge inspires Ventura County residents to look within themselves, their homes and their neighborhoods for ways to help solve the hunger problem and build stronger communities. The initiative launches with “Spoon Selfie” Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Individuals, families, and local businesses are encouraged to a take selfies with brightly colored spoons and post them to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #aspoonfulladay. If everyone participates in one small way every day, the “Spoon Full a Day” campaign will mobilize Ventura County to take action on the issue of hunger, and get everyone involved with the movement to solve it.

“While FOOD Share, its partners and its volunteers work year-round to secure the food necessary to continuously supply our 194 pantry partners across the county, Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for us to raise community-wide awareness of how much more needs to be done. Solving hunger involves more than handing out food,” said Bonnie Atmore, President and CEO of FOOD Share. “We must not just feed our unstable neighborhoods; we must also lead and strengthen them by giving them the tools and resources they need to stabilize themselves.” This year, FOOD Share will launch its Collaborating for Clients initiative to empower communities to sustain themselves-one neighborhood at a time.

How to Take Action for Hunger Action Month:

Download and print the “Spoon Full a Day” calendar from www.foodshare.com and take the pledge to do one simple thing every day to fight local hunger.

Announce your pledge on social media by taking a “Spoon Selfie” and posting it using #aspoonfulladay on Sept. 1.

Attend the Ventura County Agricultural Summit on Friday Sept.11 and learn how Ventura County’s local farms help fight hunger in our communities.

Visit the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival at the Ventura Harbor Village Saturday and Sunday Sept. 12-13, from 10am-5pm. The signature FOOD Share event features vivid chalk art and more than 50 regional sculptors, painters, photographers, and potters. All net proceeds will benefit FOOD Share.

Show support against hunger: Attend Hunger Action Month proclamation with FOOD Share and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Ventura County Government Center’s Hall of Administration.

For more information on Ventura County’s hunger alleviation efforts, FOOD Share’s C4C initiative, and upcoming events, visit www.foodshare.com.

Live bands on a floating dock

Experience the Rock on the Dock Concert Series, a quintessential central coast summer event, along the sparkling waters of Ventura Harbor. This popular, coastal cool affair kicks off Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 5th at Ventura Harbor Village along the Village Promenade and continues each Saturday in September from 3-6 PM. Be entertained seaside by bands performing on a floating boat dock while soaking up the sun and picturesque harbor and mountain views. Guests can catch the show from the water with kayak, SUP, electric and paddle boat rentals from Ventura Boat Rentals, dance along the promenade, stroll throughout seaside boutiques, or sip sunset cocktails while dining al fresco at one of Ventura Harbor Village’s waterfront restaurants.

Band line-up for Rock on the Dock

September 5: Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes (Country Rock)

September 12: The Rincons (Surf Rock)

September 19: Hard Times Band (Classic Rock, Blues & Country)

September 26: Smokey & Friends (Reggae & Rock)

Just Added: Special Friday Happy Hour Show 2:00-3:30 PM, and 4:30-6:00 PM

Friday, September 25: Unkle Monkey (Tropical Rock)

For more fun after Rock on the Dock, head to the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club, an intimate harbor side venue, for comedy shows by top comics and fresh, up-and-coming talent.

Tickets: www.VenturaHarborComedyClub.com

Ventura Harbor Village restaurants offer a variety of cuisines. Dining options include: 805 Bar & Grilled Cheese, Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, Baja Bay Surf N’ Taco, Boatyard Cafe, Brophy Bros. Clam Bar & Restaurant, Coastal Cone Ice Cream, Coffee Dock & Post, Le Petit Café & Bakery, Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant, Milano’s Italian Restaurant, The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, and The Parlor.

Rock on the Dock includes free admission and free parking. Ventura Harbor Village is located in the Ventura Harbor on Spinnaker Drive off of Harbor Blvd. For more information, visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com or call 477-0470.

Post, Share, and Like #VenturaHarbor #RockontheDock

Scamp the sheep herder?

Scamp the sheep herder

This is me at On the Lamb Ranch in Camarillo honing my herding skills. I couldn’t tell if the sheep were scared to death or laughing their heads off (did you see the movie Babe?)

Ventura firefighters respond to rescue trapped motorists in vehicle

On August 20, at 8:40pm residents in the 100 block of Via Baja were startled when a vehicle tumbled from the roadway 20 feet above their home and landed in their back yard. Ventura City firefighters arrived on scene to find a severely damaged vehicle with two elderly adults trapped inside. Firefighters worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle and begin extricating the injured passengers. Utilizing hydraulic powered cutting and spreading tools, firefighters were able to free the trapped people from the vehicle. Both passengers were transported to a local trauma center with moderate to severe injuries.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Ventura Police Department. No rescue personnel were injured as a result of this incident.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser is raising funds to provide support to students from Title I schools in Ventura. Donations will provide school supplies, music books, instruments, and the ability for the Symphony to enroll more students who are currently on the waiting list for the Harmony Project program.

The Symphony is trying to reach its goal of $10,000 by August 31. Donations are being accepted through a Fundly online campaign at www.fundly.com/harmony-project-1. Supporters may also call the New West Symphony office at 805-435-2778.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County is a youth empowerment program that uses music instruction as a tool for social change.

The program currently has 120 students who are enrolled in grades 3 through 7, with 40 more on the waiting list. It costs about $1,500 per child each school year and is made possible by donors like you!

“Free “Learn to Row” on Saturday Aug. 29th @ 8:30am at Lake Casitas

photo by Dani Thole
Casitas Rowing is now signing up Boys and Girls 9th-12th grade for the fall High School Rowing Team and kids 6th-8th grade for the fall Middle School Team. PE credits offered for all local Ventura high schools for the team.

Practice begins with a “Free Learn to Row” on Saturday August 29th @ 8:30am at Lake Casitas and athletes will then get a Free 2-week Trial to try rowing before signing up.

Contact Coach Wendy for more information wendy@casitasrowing.org 805.642.2288 or check out the website for videos and more information about the training schedule www.casitasrowing.org

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