Resident calls in a fielder’s choice solicitor

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A Winters resident called this afternoon after playing defense with a sports-centric solicitor.

As you may know, solicitors in the City of Winters are required to check in with the City. On completion of their paperwork, they receive a bright day glow orange photo ID badge that they must display on their person at all times. Once they have the solicitor’s badge, they are free to play ball.

The gentleman (described as a white male, approx 5’8′, 40 years old with a slightly scruffy appearance, with short brown hair) came into the resident’s business, gave his name as “Bill Martin,” and told him he was collecting money to sponsor a Winters youth baseball trip to San Diego. “Mr. Martin” said he was with Elite Representatives and was working with Sacramento Hoops, he even provided a tax ID number (68-0381191). There are a few issues preventing Mr. Martin from a grand slam though.

Strike one: Sacramento Hoops doesn’t seem to be a charity. Strike two: Elite Representatives doesn’t appear to be a business in California, and the Tax ID appears to have been last active in 2010. Strike three: no solicitation application using any of the above names was filed with the City of Winters.

After the solicitor left, the resident called foul and contacted the Police Department. If you believe a solicitor may not be on the level, please ask to see the orange city badge and contact the Police Department at 530-795-4561. 

Pink Patch Project Dine and Donate Fundraiser

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The Winters Police Department and Putah Creek Café have partnered for a Pink Patch Project Dine and Donate Fundraiser.

Held on October 14th from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Putah Creek Café (1 Main Street) Pink Patches and Raffle tickets will be available for purchase while diners enjoy the delicious menu offerings of the restaurant. 100% of the proceeds from patch and raffle ticket sales along with 15% of Café sales will go directly to this year’s Pink Patch beneficiary, the UC Davis Breast Cancer Center. The Center offers imaging, prevention strategies, genetic counseling, risk assessment, and specialty physician patient care to women.

The Pink Patch Program started with southern California public safety agencies as a collaborative public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer. The program centers on pink versions of the Public Safety Officer’s uniform patch. The project goal is to raise funds from the sale of pink patches to go directly to fund the research, treatment and education needed to help find a cure and to support breast cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease. The pink patches are intended to stimulate conversation with the community and to encourage public awareness about the importance of early detection and the on-going fight against this disease.

You can purchase a Pink Patch for $10 by visiting the Putah Creek Café or the Winters Police Department. Orders are also accepted by mail at Winters Police Department Pink Patch Project 702 Main St Winters, CA 95694 (please remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive your patch).

Flyer for fundraiser which benefits the UC Davis Breast Cancer Center

Join us for a fundraiser which benefits the UC Davis Breast Cancer Center

Driving through the rain drops

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The first rain of the fall season has arrived, which means it’s time to refresh safety tips for driving in the rain.

Drive at speeds safe for conditions. Wet roads and hard braking can cause people to lose traction and spin out of control because their speeds were unsafe for the roadway conditions.

Keep a safe distance while following a vehicle.

Keep a light touch on the break and gas peddles. Gently decelerate to slow down, especially on turns. Don’t accelerate too hard to avoid fishtailing.

During heavy rains, use your windshield wipers and turn on your headlights (don’t forget
to turn them off after you park).

Whenever possible, safely avoid puddles as it could cause a loss of traction, the vehicle could go into a pothole, or water could splash and cause internal damage your electrical system. If you cannot safely pass a puddle, carefully slow down

Go over your vehicle’s safety equipment
• Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning properly
• Replace old brittle wipers
• Check your tires for proper tread depth.
• Ensure all your lights are working, i.e., headlights, taillights and brake lights.

Take your time, and enjoy the cooler weather.

Photo of rainbow and patrol vehicle

Officer Barajas spotted a rainbow this morning after the first rain of the fall season.

Extortion letter sent to Winters Residence

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Old school scammers are up to some spooky tricks in October.

A resident in Winters has reported receiving an extortion letter in their mail box. Not content with online scams, this blast from the past includes a double sided extortion scam letter. The scammer threatens to expose a horrible secret affair unless the letter reader goes through a 19 step instruction to deposit untraceable bitcoin in the scammers account. If they choose to ignore the letter, the scammer threatens to expose their secret to the world. The letter itself has no return address and, in the example turned into the department, was postmarked in Nashville Tennessee. If you are among the recipients of this letter, your identity does not appear to be compromised. Information in the letter sticks to public records (name, address, and city) similar to White Pages entries. The language of the letter also seems to be from some kind of scammer template, only the names and amount of money change.

This type of scam has been widely reported on, additional articles and example letters can be found by using the search terms “extortion letters bitcoin.” If you are a recipient of a letter, please report the incident directly to the US Postal Inspectors at the following link https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx

Extortion letter brought to the Police Department

Extortion letter brought to the Police Department

Suspect in Human Trafficking Case Sentenced

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Press Release

Today’s Date: September 7, 2018
Submitted By: Det. David Gonzalez
Phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Suspect in Human Trafficking Case Sentenced

On September 4, 2018, Jeremiah Bessolo-Marsh was sentenced in Yolo County Superior Court for multiple felony charges.

Bessolo-Marsh had been arrested by the Winters Police Department on May 4, 2018 after a seven month long human trafficking investigation involving a minor. He was charged with numerous felonies including: human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex; distribution of child pornography; unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor; oral copulation with a minor; furnishing controlled substances to a minor; and dissuading a witness. Bessolo- Marsh was also charged with two misdemeanor violations contributing to the delinquency of a minor and violating a court order.
According to Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Rachel Raymond, Bessolo-Marsh pled guilty to the following felony charges: furnishing controlled substances to a minor, unlawful sex with a minor, and dissuading a victim. In exchange, the other charges were dismissed.

Bessolo-Marsh was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 8 years 8 months in state prison and placed on 5 years’ formal probation. As terms of his probation, Bessolo-Marsh will complete drug and alcohol treatment, register as a sex offender for at least 10 years and will have no contact with the victim.

The Winters Police Department would like to extend our thanks to the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, in particular their High Tech Crime Unit and Human Trafficking Units, the Yolo County Multi Discipline Interview Center, the Yolo County Child Welfare Services, and the Hercules Police Department for their assistance regarding this case.

Investigators Ask For Public’s Help in Missing Person Cold Case

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Today’s Date: August 31, 2018
Submitted By: David Gonzalez,
Media Inquiries, please phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Investigators Ask For Public’s Help in Missing Person Cold Case

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the disappearance of Evelyn Joyce McDowell and the Winters Police Department is once again reaching out to the public to see if any new information can be developed which could help identify the whereabouts of Evelyn.

On December 12, 1983, Evelyn’s sister reported the 22-year-old missing to the Winters Police Department. Evelyn was last heard from on November 14, 1983 when she made a phone call to her sister and said she was at a bar in the Napa area and someone was “trying to get her.” Soon after, the phone went dead. Several days later, Evelyn’s mother received her daughter’s address book in the mail along with a note saying:

“Joyce, you don’t know me but I found this on the beach in Lucerne and thought you might want it. – Dave”

After receiving the address book, Evelyn’s family began asking her friends and acquaintances for information about Evelyn’s whereabouts. The family was told Evelyn had last been seen with friends in the Napa area and she had exited the car they were in after an argument.

Officers were able to determine the phone number Evelyn had called from was from the Chatter Box Bar in Clear Lake, California near Lucerne, California in Lake County and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and initiated a concurrent investigation.

Investigators tracked down the person who had mailed Evelyn’s address book and eliminated him as a person of interest in her disappearance. Investigators also searched the area where Evelyn’s address book was found and recovered a ladies sock tied at both ends which had been filled with sand and rocks.

Winters Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office continued their investigations all through 1984 and sent investigation requests to surrounding jurisdictions. Investigators continued to follow up with leads and possible sightings from 1985 through 1988. Winters Police Department continued to look into Evelyn’s case and examining unidentified person reports to see if there was a match and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified Tony Aguilar of Lake County as a person of interest and questioned him extensively. However, Aguilar died in 2002.

With advances in DNA, Investigators contacted Evelyn’s brother, who had been stationed in Germany at the time of Evelyn’s disappearance, and obtained a DNA sample to add to her profile in the nationwide Department of Justice’s Missing or Unidentified Persons System. Unfortunately, none of the information gathered to date has led to Evelyn’s whereabouts and the case remains open.

At the time of her disappearance, Evelyn was described as follows:

Name: McDowell, Evelyn Joyce
Age: 22 years
Gender: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Height: 5’5″
Weight: 115 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Clothing: Blue denim jeans, blue jacket, dark oxford shoes
Scars/Marks: Tattoo of a blue heart on her left shoulder, scar on left knee, scar on left forearm

Anyone with information regarding Evelyn Joyce McDowell is urged to call Winters Police Department Detective David Gonzalez at (530) 794-6721. Anonymous tips may be submitted through email at tips.winters@winterspolice.org or by contacting our dispatch center at 530-795- 4561.

Photo of Evelyn McDowell taken in April of 1983

 

Winters Police Department to Partner with Kaiser Permanente in “Stop The Bleed” Class

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Press Release

Today’s Date: September 1, 2018
Submitted By: John P. Miller, Chief of Police
Phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Winters Police Department to Partner with Kaiser Permanente in “Stop The Bleed” Class

The Winters Police Department is pleased to announce they will be partnering with Kaiser Permanente, Vacaville, to host a “Stop The Bleed” class on Sunday October 7, 2018 at 10:00 am in the Winters Public Safety Facility Training Room

Uncontrolled bleeding from traumatic injuries can occur during natural disasters as well as from common everyday accidents. Up to 20% of trauma deaths could be prevented each year with effective bleeding control measures and research has shown that bystanders with little or no medical training can effectively save lives.

The American College of Surgeons launched the “Stop The Bleed” campaign as a special national initiative designed to provide bystanders with the knowledge and skills needed to stop life threatening bleeding in traumatically injured victims. Similar to the use of CPR or automated defibrillators, improving public awareness about how to stop severe bleeding can make the difference between life and death for an injured person.

A “Stop The Bleed” class is approximately two hours in length and is divided evenly with classroom instruction using audio visual enhancements and then followed by hands-on practice using simulated wound props, hemostatic gauze, pressure dressings and tourniquets.

No minimum age is required to attend. However, due to the graphic nature of the material a responsible parent or guardian’s permission is strongly recommended prior to attending.

This is a free class and space is limited. To sign up, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stop-the-bleed-save-a-life-tickets-48217285198.

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Winters Police Department

702 Main St.

Winters, CA 95694

(530) 795-2261

 

Launch of CAPTURE Camera Registration Program

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Today’s Date: 08-31-18
Submitted By: Gail Jimenez, CSO II
Phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Launch of CAPTURE Camera Registration Program

Video surveillance has proven to be one of the most effective methods for apprehending and convicting subjects who are caught in the act of committing a crime. The Winters Police Department is asking residents and local businesses to join our new CAPTURE Program, a confidential registry of privately owned security cameras.

Using the geographic locations of the registered cameras, the Police Department will be able to reach out to the owners of the cameras in the vicinity of where a crime occurred. If your camera captured any video of the event or image of possible suspects, you would be asked to contact the Police Department to make arrangements for us to retrieve the video.

Registration forms for the CAPTURE program were sent to households and businesses with the City Water Bill in August, but you can also visit our web page at http://www.winterspolice.org/capture/ to complete the form. We would like to reemphasize this is a voluntary registry and your personal and security information will be kept confidential. The form can be dropped off at the Police Department or mailed to:

Winters Police Department
ATTN: CAPTURE Program
702 Main Street
Winters, CA 95694

By partnering with us in the CAPTURE program, you will help crime prevention and public safety in the City of Winters. If you have any questions, please contact us by email at tips.winterspolice.org or by phone at 530-795-2261

Proactive Enforcement Efforts Starting for Storing Vehicles on Public Streets

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Today’s Date: July 18, 2018

Submitted By: John P. Miller, Chief of Police

Phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Proactive Enforcement Efforts Starting for Storing Vehicles on Public Streets

In response to numerous complaints received city-wide, the Winters Police Department will begin proactively enforcing Municipal Code 10.16.050, which prohibits leaving unattached trailers on any street or alley for any period of time as well as parking any vehicle or recreational vehicle for more than (72) hour consecutive hours upon any street or alley within the city.

Citing and/or removing vehicles and unattached trailers pursuant to this section has historically been undertaken by the Police Department only in response to specific complaints. Unfortunately, the issues with these vehicles and trailers have increased around town and decreased the quality of life for many residents.

In most cases, the Police Department will issue warnings to vehicles and trailers in violation of the Municipal Code prior to taking enforcement action. Vehicles that are clearly inoperable or have expired registration for more than 6 months may be towed immediately.

A permit can be obtained from the Winters Police Department to temporarily store a recreational vehicles or unattached trailer on the street for up to 5 days at a time. Please see Winters Municipal Code 10.16.270 “Exemptions—Issuance of permits,” the Winters Police Department website at http://www.winterspolice.org/records-services/, or call the Winters Police Department for further information.

 

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Winters Police Department

702 Main St.

Winters, CA 95694

(530) 795-2261

 

Putah Creek “Sweep”

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Today’s Date: July 13, 2018

Submitted By: John P. Miller, Chief of Police

Media Inquiries, please phone: (530) 795-2261

Title: Putah Creek “Sweep”

On July 13, 2018, Officers from the Winters Police Department and Winters Public Works conducted another “sweep” of the Putah Creek area and its embankment due to increased transient encampments and the excessive refuse, illegal dumping, and other issues associated with these encampments.

Four encampments were located between First Street and Railroad Ave., which were occupied by individuals known to the Winters Police Department. Winters Police Department and Winters Public Works assisted the occupants of the encampment to pack up their belongings and to dispose of the other accumulated trash and refuse. The occupants were also advised of available resources for the homeless.

Although homelessness is an unfortunate circumstance, it is vitally important to keep the creek area clear of refuse and trash for the public’s health as well as the health of our waterways and natural resources.

One of the four encampments found by Winter Police Department and Winters Public Works.

 

Winter Police Department Detective David Gonzalez and Winters Public Works personnel
removing refuse from one of the four encampments.