June 14, 2012 Thousand Oaks Police Department "City Watch" Alert

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Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Senior Deputy Tim Lohman of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you would like these updates directly from via email, click here for more information.

This latest update is from Senior Deputy, Tim Lohman, who has taken over from Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto, who has moved to another opportunity within the department. Tim has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 18 years and has worked on many assignments within the Sheriff’s Office, from custody to patrol, including working as a D.A.R.E instructor, School Resource Officer, Background Investigator and Public Information Officer, to name a few.  He is looking forward to this role as Crime Prevention Officer and to strengthen the relationship between the residents of Thousand Oaks and the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Now that summer is in full swing it’s that time of year that people, especially children, look forward to the most. The time when families go on vacation, children are out of school, the weather is warm and inviting, and the beach is calling. It’s a much needed time for children and parents to relax from the demands of school and work. It can be a time when one may let his or her guard down and not be as attentive as he or she should be.

Unfortunately, criminals do not take a break. Many times, criminals may see this as an opportunity to take advantage of the relaxed vigilance. It is important to be diligent in securing your property whether it is your vehicle parked at a local trailhead while you hike in the mountains or your home when leaving on a family vacation.

It is important to point out that leaving valuables in an area in your vehicle that can be seen from standing outside is an invitation to a criminal.  Its best to put your valuables in an area that cannot be seen or secure the items in the trunk. 

Vacation House Check

If you’re planning a family vacation the Thousand Oaks Police Department offers a vacation house check. The Volunteers in Policing will check your home while you are gone giving you the safety and security to know we are watching your property.  Contact the Volunteers in Policing at (805) 449-2760 to schedule your vacation house check.

Neighborhood Watch

Are you frustrated or fed up with the crime occurring in your neighborhood or surrounding area? There is help for you, The Crime Prevention Unit offers Neighborhood Watch.  Get your neighbors involved and work together to keep your neighborhood safe.  The Crime Prevention Unit will meet with you and your neighbors to discuss how we can work together to safe guard your neighborhoods.

If you currently have a Neighborhood Watch Program and need an update or you’re interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Program contact me at (805) 371-8362 for further information.

Summer Safety

With summer, the heat and the need to find a pool or body of water go hand in hand. Therefore, it is important to practice safety to prevent an accidental drowning.  An estimated 260 children under five years of age drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. It’s estimated that another 3,000 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms following submersion accidents each year. Some of these submersion accidents result in permanent brain damage.

Nationally, drowning is the fourth leading cause of death to children under five. In some states such as California, Florida and Arizona, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death to children under five.

The Sheriff’s Office provides the following safety guidelines:

  • Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
  • Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
  • Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Position latches out of reach of young children. Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Effective barriers and locks are necessary preventive measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.
  • Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
  • Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
  • Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
  • Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
  • Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
  • Remove steps and ladders to above ground pools when not in use.
  • Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone elsewhere. Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
  • Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
  • Keep rescue equipment by the pool.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A DROWNING. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AT ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL AREA ARE CLOSED AND LOCKED. YOUNG CHILDREN CAN QUICKLY SLIP AWAY AND INTO THE POOL.

Crosswalk Safety

This nice weather forces people outside for activities and walks.  The amount of people outside will increase now that children are on summer break.  It is imperative as a driver to watch for pedestrians crossing the street.  In the last two months pedestrians have been hit while crossing in a crosswalk.

As a driver, it is important to remember the pedestrian has the right away if they are crossing or waiting to cross the street. You must yield and allow the pedestrian to cross otherwise you may be cited.

Pedestrians beware that not all drivers may see you and be cautious when entering a crosswalk. Before stepping off the curb make sure you have eye contact with the driver and the vehicles have stopped before crossing.

On the Crime Front

Recycling has become a favorite amongst criminals as they steal the catalytic converters from your vehicles and profit from them leaving your vehicle sounding like a tank.

Since March there have been 34 catalytic converter thefts from vehicles throughout Thousand Oaks.  Most thefts have occurred in the late evening or early morning hours and they have targeted Toyota trucks and SUV’s. Some of the thefts have occurred in a public parking lot but the majority has occurred in the driveways or in front of residences.

The thieves general spend the time to unbolt the part from underneath your car or cut it out.  Either way the cost to replace this item will cost the vehicle owner hundreds of dollars.  

We are asking for the publics help to stop these criminals from profiting from your property and report any suspicious activity you see by contacting the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

It’s no secret that the community plays a big part in how the Thousand Oaks Police Department conducts business. The involvement of the community is one of the reasons crimes get reported and how crimes get solved.  I ask the public to get involved whenever you see something suspicious.  Pick up the phone and make the call. Unless an emergency exists, contact the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654-9511 to report suspicious activity.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department enjoys having the ability to provide information through our City Watch publications.  If your looking for additional information, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office provides a website containing the most  up to date incidents occurring within the community through Facebook, Twitter and Nixle. To access these websites go to the Ventura County Sheriff’s website at VCSD.org and click on the link.