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Clearlake Police Department reactivates Community Policing Project
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A program to foster community relationships with the Clearlake Police Department is being reactivated.
The Community Policing Project, initially introduced in 2012 and suspended after a six- to eight-month run due to reduced staffing, will return over the coming weeks, the agency said this week.
Staffing is approaching levels to make a return to the Community Policing Project viable, according to Lt. Tim Celli.
“We feel the reimplementation of this project should be a priority,” Celli said.
It has been an uphill struggle, according to Celli, who said that finding, hiring and training qualified officers has taken longer than hoped.
The idea behind the community policing effort is to further develop partnerships between officers and community members and to develop strategies to reduce crime.
A group of four sergeants will be assigned as project managers to four designated quadrants of the city, offering community members a sounding board to express their concerns and an opportunity to work with officers to develop plans for solving problems in their areas.
Reflecting on the successes of the earlier Community Policing Program effort, Celli drew examples of how the program can provide for the community.
“Apartment managers met with officers who helped them establish a Neighborhood Watch program for their apartment complex,” said Celli.“We also had officers respond to a business owner. Vagrants were hanging out in a structure of a nearby park causing problems for his business. Our officers coordinated with the Public Works department to remove the structure. The owner was happy with the response. We also had an officer set up a graffiti removal program at that time as well.”
Community Policing project managers will be initiating community gatherings in the near future to introduce themselves and the programs goals, Celli said.
A map of the city – shown above – has been segmented into four project areas:
– Area 1, North: Focuses on the city north of Olympic Drive including Clearlake Park and will be served by Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
– Area 2, West: Covers central Clearlake between Olympic Drive and Lakeshore and west of Highway 53. It will be served by Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
– Area 3, East: centers on the city east of Highway 53 and north of 18th Avenue. Sgt. Travis Lenz will serve these citizens.
– Area 4, South: encompasses the city west of Highway 53 and south of Lakeshore drive and 18th Avenue. It includes the Walmart shopping area and surrounding residences. This area will be served by Sgt. Dominic Ramirez.
Reporting of crimes and general policing questions should still be directed to the department’s main number at 707-994-8251. Emergency calls should always be directed to 911.
“This new program should not be perceived as a new way of reporting crime or seeking information about a crime that has been reported,” said Celli.
Information about the Community Policing Program is available on the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us , including a map of the areas served by each sergeant and direct contact phone numbers.
Those without computer access can call the Clearlake Police Department's main number and request the number for the sergeant assigned to their area.
Police: Lakeport hit-and-run investigation continuing, some streets remain closed
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said Tuesday that the investigation into a hit-and-run crash that occurred earlier in the evening was set to continue late into the night.
At about 7 p.m. two bicyclists were hit in the area of Martin and Bevins streets by a 1990s model Nissan pickup – described as either silver or light gray in color – that fled the scene after the crash, police said.
The pickup – which sustained front grill damage and a shattered front windshield – was last seen heading toward Highway 29, police said.
A more detailed description of the pickup wasn't immediately available Tuesday night, but police said the investigation is under way and more information will be released as soon as it becomes available.
Police said the pickup's driver is wanted for two counts of felony hit-and-run causing serious injury.
The investigation at the scene is expected to take several hours – possibly more – and during that time, Bevins Street from Bevins Court to Martin Street and Martin Street between Russell Street and Orchid Street will remained closed by Lakeport Public Works personnel, police said. Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
Police are asking the community to be on the lookout for the pickup. Anyone who has seen the vehicle or who has any information about the crash is asked to call the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.
Police seek vehicle involved in felony hit-and-run crash
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for community members to be on the lookout for a pickup involved in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday evening.
The agency said the pickup is a light gray or silver 1990s model Nissan.
At about 7 p.m. Tuesday officers were dispatched to an injury hit-and-run crash involving a vehicle versus two bicycle riders in the area of Martin and Bevins streets, police said.
Police said the pickup fled the scene toward Highway 29.
The pickup has front grill damage and a shattered front windshield, according to police.
Traffic closures are in place at Martin and Bevins streets while the investigation takes place. Police ask that community members avoid the area.
If vehicle is seen please call Lakeport Police immediately at 707-263-5491.
LCSO Alert: Fire debris disposal
Lake County, Calif -- The Lake County Sheriff's Office reports that fire debris must be determined safe or will not be permitted at the landfill and that free testing, cleanup and disposal of fire debris is available.
Individuals affected by the fire can sign up at the Local Assistance Center (LAC) located at the Senior Center, 21256 Washington Street, Middletown; or call the Lake County Environmental Health Department in Lakeport. 707-263-1164.
Individuals are not being prohibited from hiring contractors and cleaning their own lots but the ash must be tested before it can be disposed of, and when the job is done there should be an official certification that the lot is clean of toxics.
Eastlake Landfill in Lake County is not authorized to receive fire debris unless it has been lab tested to demonstrate it is free of asbestos and it also should not contain hazardous chemicals like you find around the home and in garages and sheds.
In addition our land fill does not have the physical capacity to receive all the debris from the Valley, Rocky and Jerusalem fires. That debris must be shipped out of the County at considerable expense.
Federal and State site assessment teams are now coming into the County to locate and remove hazardous materials from the burn locations.
Each site will be tested for toxic residuals and asbestos content. The lab testing, removal and disposal is at no cost to the property owner.
Each site will be left clean, with erosion protection for the winter and ready to build again.
