LAKE FOREST, Ca. (July 17, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra deputies out on patrol Monday, July 20, in the city of Lake Forest looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.

View PDF

SANTAANA, Ca. (July 16, 2020) –At approximately 8:40 a.m. today, an inmate housed at the Intake ReleaseCenter in Santa Ana was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The inmate, a50 year old man, was found unresponsive in his cell the morning of Monday July13, 2020.

View PDF

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 14, 2020): The Orange County Board of Supervisors today approved a pilot program that would expand the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s School Mobile Assessment and Resource Team (SMART) to three additional Orange County cities. The Sheriff’s Department will enter into an agreement with the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Irvine for SMART, which is comprised of deputies and officers specially trained to assess threats to the safety and security of students, staff and schools in Orange County.

View PDF

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 14, 2020) –At approximately 7:40 a.m. today, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana was pronounced deceased. The inmate, a 63-year old man, was found unresponsive in his cell during a morning count. Deputies rendered medical aid and called paramedics. The inmate was pronounced deceased by the Orange County Fire Authority at the jail.

View PDF

( View PDF )

DANA POINT, Ca. (July 10, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

View PDF

Hiking, mountain biking and exploring Orange County’s remote areas remain favorite summer outings for many local families. In recent months, we’ve seen increased activity on local trails as families find socially distanced activities in light of COVID-19 guidelines.

Every summer, the OCSD Aviation Support Bureau partners with the Orange County Fire Authority to respond to approximately 100 remote rescues throughout the county. These calls include serious injuries, heat-related illnesses, lost hikers and other medical emergencies.  

This summer, we are anticipating an increase in calls for service and we want to ensure you stay safe.

Here are some things you can do to be prepared and ensure, if you need us, we can find you.  

Summer Trail Tips:

Plan your route – Always map out where you’re going and research the area for any potential safety hazards you may encounter.

Venture with a buddy – It’s always best to have a partner on your hiking or biking adventures. If you prefer the solitude of recreating alone, make sure you share your plans and route with a family member or friend.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – Always bring more water than you think you’ll need. The general recommendation is to have a half-liter of water for every hour you plan to be on the trails. Give yourself a hydration cushion of an additional liter in case your route takes longer than planned.

Heat-related illnesses can quickly cause disorientation, dizziness and muscle cramps. If you start to experience any of these symptoms, find shade, rest and drink water. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms worsen.

Know your wildlife – Do some research where you plan to hike to better acquaint yourself with what kind of wildlife you may encounter. Follow recommended tips for how to handle spotting creatures ranging from a poisonous snake to coyotes to mountain lions. Visit ocpetinfo.com for more information on wildlife preparedness.  

Stay connected – Although many escape to remote areas to unplug, it’s important to take your cell phone and an additional charger, should you need to call for help. Solar-powered external chargers are a great option in sunny weather. 

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (July 3, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

View PDF

As Independence Day nears, Sheriff’s Department officials are expressing concern about the steep increase in illegal firework calls and what that could mean for community safety.

Calls regarding illegal fireworks are up nearly 300 percent across Orange County compared to last year, according to data collected by law enforcement agencies representing 28 cities and the county’s unincorporated areas.

Crime analysts from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and municipal law enforcement agencies pulled data to compare March 2019 through June 2019 to the same time period for 2020.  

“Some cities saw more than five times the calls they did last year,” said Sgt. Tim Pusztai, supervisor of the OCSD Hazardous Devices Section (HDS). “We understand this year’s holiday looks different for families with many municipal displays being canceled, but residents should not attempt to recreate firework shows in their own neighborhoods. It is dangerous for you and your neighbors.”

The danger of illegal fireworks was highlighted at about 8:40 p.m. Wednesday night in the 23000 block of Coso when several trees near a Mission Viejo apartment complex were set ablaze after a group of juveniles were seen lighting fireworks in the area.

Although there were no injuries and the quick response of Orange County Fire Authority firefighters stopped the fire before it spread to nearby residences, incidents such as these are what have first responders concerned.

“Every year, we see severe injuries and property damage in Orange County because of illegal fireworks,” said Pusztai, whose unit has confiscated more than 5,800 pounds of banned pyrotechnics in Orange County just in June. “With the sharp increase in call volume, the probability of a tragic incident occurring also goes up.

“We want families to celebrate safely, which means leaving aerial fireworks to the professionals and using Safe & Sane fireworks, if your city allows them, the correct way.”

FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS:

• Ensure Safe & Sane fireworks are allowed in your city. Never alter or modify Safe & Sane fireworks.

• Never relight a firework or pick-up a firework that has not fully ignited.

• Always have a bucket of water nearby.

• After lighting a firework, quickly back away.

• Never allow children to light or play with fireworks, including sparklers.

• To report illegal firework activity, call the non-emergency line at 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011. Select a language, then press 9 then 1 for dispatch. Please do not call 9-1-1 for firework activity, unless to a report an emergency such as a fire or injury that needs immediate medical attention.