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

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

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

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.

The County Fire has assembled a huge amount of resources. Our partners at The Winters Fire Department have sent equipment and staff to assist with firefighting efforts and will continue to assist communities impacted by these events. In addition to Yolo and Solano County, Yolo Solano Crisis Intervention Team Chaplain Duvall and K-9 Kepi also work with CALFIRE and are currently deployed where they are needed to bring comfort to those who have been evacuated and first responders. Additionally, due to fire suppression and staging efforts on State Highway 128, access to Lake Berryessa and hiking trails around the lake and Blue Ridge Mountains is difficult. We are recommending that any Lake Berryessa/ hiking activities in the area be rescheduled.

We have gathered information to help impacted families keep track of resources, shelter, and local conditions, please see the links/information below:

REGIONAL INFORMATION AND IMMEDIATE UPDATES

Information on individual fires, including evacuation orders and shelter locations can be found on the CALFIRE State map HERE

Information and Fire maps are available on the Yolo County web page HERE

Our partners at California Highway Patrol have their radio traffic HERE, be sure to choose Sacramento under communication centers.

Alerts are available from your emergency jurisdictions by email and text by signing up through Nixle HERE

Local Conditions/ Information

Road closures and maps can be accessed through CalTrans HERE

Keep track of weather conditions that may impact your area HERE

Monitor air quality in the area HERE

Per the City of Winters, CA​ the Community Center (201 Railroad Ave) is closed as an information station but information will be posted outside, please follow the City of Winters Facebook Page HERE for the latest updates.

Local maps, road closures, and shelter information can be tracked individually by following the Yolo County Sheriff Office, Winters Police Department, Winters Fire Department, and local news sources such as the Winters Express/ Woodland Daily Democrat and other local news paper Facebook pages.

Animal Evacuations

Per Yolo County Animal Services Shelter small animal evacuations can go to the Yolo County Fair Grounds (1250 Gum Ave, Woodland, CA 95776). For those who require assistance with large animal and companion animal needs contact (707) 416-8445.

In case of an emergency, notifications will take place across a wide variety of mediums including:

– Activation of the Emergency Alert System (typically heard over radio and television)
– Reverse 911 (activated by Public Safety Dispatchers, in Yolo County the system would be activated by members of the Yolo Emergency Communications Agency, and is heard over phone lines.)
– Everbridge/Nixle Alerts (activated by public safety jurisdictions and Offices of Emgergency Service, this service can be customized within a geographic location. Subscribers can also choose to be notified by text, email, or a combination of means. These alerts are typically heard over cell phones.)
– Social Media (activated by public safety jurisdictions. Subscribers should be sure to follow official pages such as City, Police, Sheriff, and Fire Departments.)
– In person (activated by public safety jurisdictions, fire and law enforcement officers will drive areas with information over a PA or go door to door.)

What is the difference between an advisory and a mandatory evacuation?

Please remember fire is unpredictable and the time frame between an advisory and a mandatory evacuation can change quickly depending on the directions of the fire, fuel being consumed by the fire, weather conditions, and/or if access to the community is compromised.
– Advisory Evacuations indicate a fire has the potential to threaten an area in the near future. Residents in these areas should have a bag packed with important papers, medications, pet supplies, and necessities.
-Mandatory Evacuations indicate a fire is directly threatening a community and residents are in danger. Residents in these areas need to leave immediately for their own safety.

Donations

At this time charitable contributions are not being requested. Remember that charitable contributions can be made to a wide range of organizations. Be sure to check the charity through services such as Charity Watch or Charity Navigator to verify the charity and to make sure your contribution goes where you want it to.

Today’s Date: May 30, 2018

Submitted By: John P. Miller, Chief of Police

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

Title: New Speed Limits on Railroad Avenue Going Into Effect

Effective May 31, 2018, new speed limits will be in effect on Railroad Avenue north of Grant Avenue.

After an Engineering and Traffic Study was conducted by the City of Winters’ traffic, it was determined the speed limits needed to be updated to remain compliant with the California Vehicle Code. The City Council adopted the ordinance with the new speed limits at the May 1st City Council Meeting.

The speed limit on Railroad Avenue from Grant Avenue to Anderson Avenue will remain 30 MPH. Between Anderson Avenue and Neiman Street, the speed limit on Railroad Avenue will be increased from 30 MPH to 35 MPH. Between Neiman Street and the northern City Limits, the speed limit on Railroad Avenue will be reduced from 50 MPH to 45 MPH. New speed limit signs have been posted to The Engineering and Traffic Study indicated no changes were necessary on Railroad Avenue south of Grant Avenue and the speed limits shall remain 25 MPH in that area. Additionally, as part of the ordinance, all other City streets except Grant Avenue shall remain the “prima facie” speed limit of 25 MPH.

The Winters Police Department will be placing their RADAR trailer in the area as well as using RADAR and LIDAR to educate the public prior to focusing on enforcement.

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Winters Police Department

702 Main St.

Winters, CA 95694

(530) 795-2261

Today’s Date: May 29, 2018

Submitted By: John P. Miller, Chief of Police

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

Title: Winters Police Department Patrol Units to Carry Naloxone

Effective immediately, Winters Police Department patrol units will now be carrying Naloxone, commonly known as “Narcan,” a narcotic blocker used to treat and reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 as synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl and its analogues, killed roughly 64,000 people in the United States in 2016, a rise of more than 22 percent over the previous year. In July 2017, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb cited opioid addiction as the “FDA’s biggest crisis.”

Recognizing that the opioid epidemic is devastating much of the United States, Winters Police Department Officer Alan Pinette coordinated with Yolo County EMS Administrator

Kristin Weivoda to acquire the Naloxone applicators and training for all officers. Training included how to identify the signs of a victim of possible opioid overdose and how to administer Naloxone, which is applied via nasal spray and has no effect on people who are not taking opioids.

Chief John P. Miller commented, “As first responders, having Naloxone available to our officers will help to further protect our community as well as our police officers should they be accidently exposed to fentanyl or other highly dangerous opioids.”

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Winters Police Department

702 Main St.

Winters, CA 95694

(530) 795-2261