Thousand Oaks City Watch Update - December 30th

Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Deputy Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you are interested in receiving these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Crime Fighters,

I hope everyone had a great holiday week and made the days better for others who are less fortunate. The 2009 calendar year is almost upon us and with that new laws are to take effect on January 1. Every year our legislature and governor pass numerous laws and this past year was no exception.

Three of the more important laws relating to drivers are as follows: writing, sending, or reading any text-based communication via an electronic wireless communication device while driving a vehicle is against the law. So, put away those Blackberrys, cell phones, iPhones, et al., as drivers are no longer allowed to text message while driving.

Many people have GPS devices in their vehicles. The new law requires those devices affixed to the windshield must be positioned in a seven-inch square in the lower right corner or a five-inch square in the lower left corner of the windshield while the vehicle is being driven. Drivers may still mount the GPS devices on the dashboard but the device cannot block the view of the roadway and must not interfere with the deployment of the airbag.

The last law related to drivers concerns those who are on probation for driving under the influence (DUI). Anyone with a DUI conviction is prohibited from driving with a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .01% or greater. Drivers who fall under these conditions can be asked to take a preliminary alcohol-screening (PAS) test. If a driver refuses to take the test or has a BAC of .01 or higher, the driver can be cited, the driver’s license taken and suspended, and the vehicle impounded. A .01% BAC is very little and my advise to those who are on DUI probation would be to not take chances and not to drive with any hint of alcohol in the system.

Conejo Valley High School was a burglary victim and four computers were stolen. Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to either call detectives at 805-494-8201 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). As always, anyone with information can remain anonymous and Crime Stoppers does offer monetary rewards.

Take care and have a great new year,

Jim (DeSoto)