How to resolve AdBlock issue? First day of school set for Aug. 14; Lakeport Police issues traffic safety advisory
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the Lakeport Unified School District's schools starting classes this Thursday, Aug. 14, the Lakeport Police Department has issued a traffic safety advisory in an effort to keep students safe on their way to school.
The Lakeport Police Department is reminding all drivers to use extreme caution when traveling in the area of and on the grounds of the Lakeport schools.
The agency said it expects heavier-than-normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the mornings and afternoons during the first few days of school.
In order to provide for the highest level of traffic safety the police department will be deploying extra patrols in the area of the schools throughout the week and will be issuing citations for moving and parking violations when appropriate, officials said.
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Sheriff’s office warns of jury duty scam focusing on Lake County citizens
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Monday it has received a report of another fraud scheme which targets Lake County residents.
Lt. Steve Brooks said several citizens reported receiving telephone calls on Monday from an individual who identified himself as “Lt. Brad Davis” of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
He tells the individual who answers the phone that they have missed their scheduled summons for jury duty and because of that they now have a warrant for their arrest, according to Brooks.
The subject goes on to tell the person that the only way to avoid being arrested is to either obtain a money order or prepaid card in the amount of $500 to make the warrant go away, Brooks said.
Brooks said the scammer was able to provide some personal information to the individual answering the telephone, such as their home address and if they are disabled, further clarifying him as law enforcement and establishing himself as legitimate.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office does not employ anyone by the name of Brad Davis, nor would the agency have a member of the office solicit citizens for money because they failed to show up for jury duty, Brooks said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office does not contact people to advise them that they had missed a summons for jury duty, Brooks added.
A deputy investigating the case attempted to contact “Lt. Brad Davis” using the telephone number provided by the victims. Brooks said the number went straight to voice mail, saying that he had reached the warrant division and if this was an emergency to dial 911.
Brooks said the deputy further researched the telephone number and discovered it is an Internet number that is generated by a company that provides online phones. It is reported that they can use the number for as long as they need, then they can get rid of it at anytime and obtain a new number.
There isn’t nearly as much advice on preventing fraud and scams as there are ways to be defrauded, Brooks said.
However, aside from protecting one’s personal information, Brooks said members of the public are encouraged to always carefully scrutinize unsolicited request of any kind before acting on them.
Additionally, Brooks said phone calls from law enforcement personnel or anyone else asking for money or personal information should always be verified before sending anything.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Corvette raffle to raise funds for outfitting Clearlake Police officers with body cameras
CLEARLAKE, Calif. - One hundred dollars. One hundred tickets. One classic Corvette.
The pink slip on a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is up for grabs in a fundraiser to enhance public and officer safety in the city of Clearlake.
The winning ticket for the new title holder will be drawn Sept. 11 at the Clearlake City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.
The 25th Silver Anniversary edition hot rod is red, has T-tops and is “a whole lot of fun to drive,” according to Sam Polo, who donated the car to help buy body cameras for officers of the Clearlake Police Department.
Polo, owner of Main Street Bar & Grill in Clearlake, is a longtime contributor to the Clearlake Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies.
Currently he hosts up to three tip-a-cop fundraisers annually in support of the Clearlake Police K-9 unit, which functions entirely on community donations.
Polo recognizes the constraints of limited funding officers are working with locally and in other communities.
He said area officers face conditions comparable to those of larger cities and they are doing so with less funding.
“Police officers do a dangerous job and anytime you can help them, you help make the community and the public safer,” Polo said. “It's a win-win situation.”
The American muscle car was parked in the garage of a retired area California Highway Patrol officer for 20 years, Polo said, until he bought it not long ago.
With new tires and new battery, Polo said he drove it a few times, had his fun, and was taken with an idea to use it in a fundraiser.
Working with the Police Officers Association, Polo said his goal is to equip every Clearlake Police officer with a body camera.
“It really works best for the police officer and the public,” he said. “It makes people think twice about what they are doing. It helps prevent liability suites against city and it increases the safety of the officer.”
Polo said equipping all officers with body cameras is estimated to cost $13,000. He said a total of 100 raffle tickets will be sold for $100 apiece.
“Raising money is not that easy. The police department doesn't have the money to pay for it and the city is really struggling,” he said. “I hope with such a great prize we can raise $10,000 for the body cameras.”
Lakeshore Lions Club is assisting with raffle sales to comply with restrictions related to private individuals and not-for-profit fundraising events.
Lions member Bob Kiel is selling raffle tickets at his business, Bob's Vacuum on Mullen Avenue in Clearlake. Tickets also are available at Main Street Bar & Grill.
“We really appreciate Sam Polo's continued support of the Clearlake Police Department and we thank Bob Kiel for taking on this adventure to sell tickets and collect donations,” Police Chief Craig Clausen said. “We hope the community supports this fundraiser and we get to see some lucky person win that beautiful car.”
Email Denise Rockenstein at
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Police arrest Clearlake man for sexual assault
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man has been arrested for a sexual assault that is alleged to have happened over the weekend.
Dustin Silas Lewis, 42, was arrested on Sunday morning for rape by force, sexual penetration by force and false imprisonment with violence, according to Lake County Jail booking records.
Clearlake Police officers were notified at 2 a.m. Sunday of a sexual assault that had happened in the city earlier in the evening, according to Sgt. Nick Bennett.
Bennett said Det. Tomas Riley responded and continued the investigation.
Information was developed, and a search warrant was obtained and signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge, Bennett said.
Evidence from that search warrant – as well as statements that were obtained – resulted in Lewis' arrest, Bennett said.
Bennett said not offer additional details about the alleged sexual assault or what led to it.
Lewis was booked into Lake County Jail, with bail set at $100,000.
He remained in custody early Tuesday, and is scheduled for a Tuesday court date, according to his booking sheet.
The investigation into the incident is continuing and any person with further information on this incident is encouraged to contact Det. Tomas Riley at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.
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Clearlake Police chief presents commendations, introduces new officers
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen commended two officers before the city council during its regular meeting on Thursday.
Clausen also introduced three new officers during his presentation.
Clausen commended Officer Bobi Jo Thompson and Det. Ryan Peterson for their outstanding contributions in a criminal case that ultimately extended into Mendocino County.
He said the case, assigned to Thompson, included a three-month investigation involving multiple thefts from an area retail store that were linked to a single suspect.
The suspect allegedly committed similar crimes at a retail store in Ukiah while brandishing a replica firearm, he said.
Clausen said Thompson was able form enough probable cause for a search warrant, which resulted in the discovery of evidence linking the suspect to crimes in Clearlake and Ukiah.
Additionally, Clausen said while out-of-county officers were unsuccessful in interrogating the suspect, Peterson was able to get a successful interview that included a confession, letter of apology and the location of the replica firearm.
“I will put our men and women up against anybody in the job they do,” Clausen said.
Those included in Clausen's introductions were new police officers Joseph Myers and Abigail Hernandez and animal control officer Jenny Toller.
Myers, who is from Kelseyville, is close to completing his training program; Hernandez comes from Southern California and is the first bilingual woman officer to join the department.
Toller, who is from the Clearlake area, is in a field training program and expected to be out on her own in about 60 days.
Email Denise Rockenstein at [email protected] .
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