Report Suspicious Activity to (707) 253-4451
Message from the Chief
Our community, our country, and our world are going through historic challenges related to this pandemic, and it’s the economic impact on all of us. Specific to this community, however, I have to pause and say, “Thank you.” Law Enforcement, Paramedics, public health officials, and many others have been working hard, seven days a week, in response to this challenge.
By the time the Governor spelled out the six indicators to slowly begin re-opening the State, local officials had already put systems in place to be in the best position to meet those challenges. Increased testing, increased resources for trace-and-contact investigations, plans to reduce risk infection in most at-risk populations, and related health surveillance, along with hospital surge preparation, have all been moving forward for the past three months. Through it all, the health care workers, from nurses and doctors, to hospital janitorial and clerical staff, put on their superhero cape, don proper PPE, and report for work, despite the risk of infection at their workplace. To all of them, my officers and I say, “THANK YOU! You are the brave front line warriors of this emergency.”
I also have to extend a specific THANK YOU to all of YOU who are either reporting to work in your essential workplace or following the Stay at Home Orders from the State and Local Health Officer. My officers and I have noticed that our residents are very mindful of social distancing. Traffic is light, people are following the face covering recommendation, and when out for a walk or bike ride, you are practicing proper social distancing. In short, we assess that American Canyon is doing its part to “flatten the curve.” People like you, who are making so many sacrifices to stay at home, are slowing the spread of this dangerous virus. As a person who has family that works in healthcare, family that works as first responders, and family that is elderly and at higher risk, I extend a very personal thank you to all of you.
During this crisis, your officers are still out there, patrolling, responding to calls, and providing public safety. We may be handling some of our responses differently, however, to also do our part to reduce the rate at which this virus spreads. For report calls, as much as we enjoy responding in person to meet you and take the report, we may be doing more phone reports at this time. If we respond to a home, we may ask you to step outside, so we don’t enter an enclosed space. We will wear a PPE mask if we must go inside. Even when you see us outside, we are trying to wear face-covering, especially if we are close to other people. Initially, calls for service have been down, and it seemed like crime was dropping, as even career criminals seemed nervous about getting COVID-19.
On Monday, April 6, the California Judicial Council set an emergency bail schedule, which set bail to $0 for nearly all misdemeanors, and all but a few specific felonies. This well intentioned “get out of jail free” emergency bail schedule, however, appears to have unintentional (though predictable) consequences. Our fear is that as the news gets out more and more that this has been put in place, more stories of emboldened criminals taking advantage of the circumstances will develop. At American Canyon Police, we have no control over the bail schedule and these higher court decisions. We will, however, make arrest when appropriate and do the best we can under current conditions, to keep American Canyon safe. If the current conditions dictate that the jail release the person we arrest immediately after booking them, we will be there to arrest them again, if they make the mistake of committing another crime in our city.
Like all of you, we look forward to things returning to normal. Our residents and our business community is resilient, and responsible. Everyone is doing their part, and it is noticeable. Please continue to follow all health orders and recommendations, continue to be safe, and continue to be American Canyon.
Respectfully,
Oscar Ortiz
Police Chief |
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P.S.
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