Message from the Chief
“Tis the Season…”
Greetings, everyone, and happy holidays! The holiday season is a busy time for company office parties, family and friends gatherings, gift shopping, and winter weather conditions. Please remember to always use a designated driver, ride-share service, or taxi cab. A designated driver does not mean the “person who drank the least.” It doesn’t take much eggnog, champagne, or wine to reach the legal limit and, more importantly, impairment. Often, people who are just at the legal limit of 0.08% BAC mistakenly believe they are “OK to drive.” We can arrange for a long trip to the downtown Napa jail for drivers to reflect on that expensive mistake, but we would rather everyone enjoy a safe trip home instead.
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When out Holiday shopping, remember that not all “shoppers” are law-abiding, retail shoppers like you. The season is also busy for car burglars, who do their shopping in the parking lots, looking into the parked cars for items to steal, and breaking car windows to access their loot. Your ACPD officers will be doing frequent patrols in the shopping center parking lots, so feel free to smile and say “hi.” They can’t be everywhere, all the time, however, so as always, your eyes and ears can be our partner. If you see something suspicious, call it in at (707) 253-4451. By partnering with us, together, we make American Canyon a lousy idea for would-be thieves.
Today, more and more people avoid lines and hassles at stores and do more of their shopping online. There are thieves, known as “Porch Pirates,” that have figured this out. They stalk and follow delivery vehicles to steal your packages after they are delivered. Here are some steps you can take to ensure the “Grinch” doesn’t ruin your holidays:
1) Have packages delivered to where you are, not where you aren’t ( work office). 2) Use tracking numbers and delivery notifications. 3) Ask family or trusted neighbors to accept deliveries on your behalf. 4) Get to know your driver, and request packages are dropped off in a less conspicuous spot (behind a planter, behind a bush, etc.). 5) When the option is available, request delivery times when someone is home. 6) Install a security camera at the door. 7) Request signature on delivery. 8) Use a PO Box, or secure locker deliver location. 9) As always, if you see suspicious activity, call (707) 253-4451 #ifyoucalluswewillcome.
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On December 4th, a "Porch Pirate" was arrested in American Canyon thanks to alert community members!
As for the winter weather, we are now getting some much-needed rain. If you haven’t already, inspect your windshield wipers and replace them if they aren’t as effective as they are supposed to be. Remember to use your headlights in the rain and fog. When the roads are wet, you will need more stopping time, especially if the tread on your tires is also in need of inspection/replacement.
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The most important message of all, however, on behalf of the men and women at the American Canyon Police Department, please be safe, thank you for continued support, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Oscar Ortiz Police Chief |
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