Chief's Corner
Welcome to the March/April edition of
The Dispatch
, the Rancho Cordova Police Department's (RCPD) e-newsletter.
This month, I was the speaker at the Rancho Cordova Luncheon. I provided an overview of RCPD's structure, the strategies that guide our work each day, proactive policing programs that serve our community, crime statistics, and how you can partner with us.
If you didn't have the chance to attend the event, here are the highlights:
- New neighborhood policing program and an interactive map that tells you who your neighborhood police officer is. Read more about the program below.
- New Homeless Outreach Team, which includes two RCPD officers. Learn more about the team below.
- New Youth Service Unit to enhance our efforts to build relationships with local schools and youth. All of our youth-focused programs, including the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League (PAL), School Resource Officers, Adopt-A-School Program, and STAR (Student Talent Achievement Award) Program are under one supervisor. Read this and future editions for updates.
- Largest crime decrease in the Sacramento region. When adjusted for population, violent crime and property crime combined in the City dropped by 31.5% from 2011-2016. We are projecting crime in 2017 to be within two percent of the prior year.
Thank you to everyone who attended the luncheon and to the Cordova Community Council and Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce for having me!
Chief of Police Chris Pittman
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Neighborhood Officers Announced
RCPD is rolling out a new neighborhood policing program! We have assigned patrol officers to each neighborhood in Rancho Cordova. This builds upon the proactive work of our Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit by allowing RCPD
to gain a better understanding of the needs of neighborhoods within the City, and offering residents and officers an opportunity to get to know each other.
Neighborhood officers will respond to calls in their designated neighborhood to the extent possible and partner with POP officers to address long-term issues that affect you in your day-to-day life, such as homelessness, a problematic neighbor, regular vehicle traffic to blight, or a local business with suspicious activity to public intoxication.
RCPD has a new map that you can use to easily identify and contact your neighborhood officer and POP officer.
Click here to visit the map. Simply enter your address, and the officer information will pop up.
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Rancho Cordova, Report!
RCPD has recently noticed a trend of residents posting criminal activity on social media instead of making a report to the police department. Upon further investigation, RCPD has come to find out that some of the claims of criminal activity on social media are erroneous and easily explainable incidents.
Learn Why It's Important to Report and How
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Crime Prevention Tips
Bullying Prevention Tips
More than 13 million kids - one in every four - experience some form of bullying, and 88% of 13-17 year olds witness cyberbullying on social media. Bullying is commonly found in the classroom, on the playground, in the home, and in neighborhoods. Each of us - children and youth, parents, educators, and community members - has a role to prevent bullying.
Learn More
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Rancho Cordova's Homeless Outreach Team
The City of Rancho Cordova has a unique strategy and resources in place to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) is comprised of two officers, code enforcement and our Homeless Navigator.
Learn More and Meet Our HOT Members
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Every Kid Needs a PAL
Join the Junior Giants
Sign ups begin on Sunday, April 1 for the Rancho Cordova PAL Junior Giants program! Junior Giants is a free, non-competitive and coed baseball program for youth that builds good sportsmanship, good nutrition, and the skills to be a good athlete. The program is open to Rancho Cordova youth ages 5-13 and offers equipment, uniforms, program incentives and training for coaches.
Sign up online starting April 1st. The Junior Giants season begins on June 11! For questions, contact Officer Jose De La Cruz at 916-875-9627 or
[email protected].
March Madness Basketball Tournament
On Saturday, March 24, Rancho Cordova PAL hosted its free March Madness Basketball Tournament! More than 100 4th-8th grade students enjoyed a fun basketball tournament at Cordova High School.
See the Event in Action
Thank you to our sponsors BODYARMOR, Sacramento Kings Dancers, Sun River Church, Republic Services, Chick-fil-A Rivergate Cordova, KP International Market, and Safety Center Incorporated for making this day possible!
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Crime Suppression Unit
Story of the Month
 We would like to provide our community with an update on a vehicle collision many of you asked about back in 2016. This crash occurred on the westbound on-ramp to Highway 50 from Bradshaw Road and at the time, for investigative reasons, we were unable to release the details. The case was adjudicated in Sacramento Superior Court, and we can now release more information.
On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the Rancho Cordova Police Department's Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) was conducting proactive patrol in the area of Folsom Boulevard and Bradshaw Road. The team initiated a traffic stop on a truck for various vehicle code violations. The truck, which was occupied by two males, initially slowed down as if it were going to stop, but then accelerated rapidly around several other cars.
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Retiring with a Lifetime of Rancho Cordova Memories
Rancho Cordova Police Officer C.T. Smith was always involved in the Rancho Cordova community growing up. His father was a helicopter pilot in the National Guard, and his work brought him to Rancho Cordova due to Mather Air Force Base. Some of Officer Smith's earliest memories are from this community, and now he is proud to have retired from RCPD after a 23-year career in law enforcement.
Read His Story
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"Riding" into Retirement
Rancho Cordova Motor Officer Brian Aubuchon always had an interest in a career in law enforcement. Many of his friends were in law enforcement and loved it. When he was in grade school, he detested bullies picking on students just because they were stronger and felt they could. Yet, he felt a law enforcement career was somehow unattainable.
Now 23 years later, Officer Aubuchon has retired from a career in law enforcement. Read His Story
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Event Lineup
Firearm Amnesty Program
Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7, 8 AM - 5 PM
Rancho Cordova Police Department, 2897 Kilgore Road
In an effort to improve public safety, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (in cooperation with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and RCPD) will be holding a firearm amnesty event. This will give anyone the opportunity to voluntarily surrender any unwanted firearms in a safe and anonymous environment.
Learn More
Neighborhood Watch Meetings
Tuesday, April 17, 6 PM
Tuesday, May 15, 6 PM
Rancho Cordova Police Department, 2897 Kilgore Road
Join us for a Neighborhood Watch Meeting to learn about proactive policing programs in our community, ask questions, and get resources to start a neighborhood watch program in your area.
Learn More
Kids Day in the Park
Saturday, April 28, 11 AM - 3 PM
Hagan Park, 2197 Chase Drive
Join RCPD at Kids Day in the Park for a FREE festival of family-friendly fun! This year, Kids Day pays homage to the 100th Anniversary of Mather and the inspiration of flight with "High Flyers." Enjoy free rides, crafts, games and more. Visit the Rancho Cordova PAL Bike Rodeo and be eligible to win a free bike!
Learn More
Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at the Rivercats Game
Saturday, April 28, gates open 6 PM and first pitch 7:05 PM
Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento
Rancho Cordova PAL is partnering with the Rivercats for a special law enforcement appreciation night! Come support your local first responders as you enjoy the Rivercats vs. the Reno Aces, a 50/50 raffle benefiting PAL, first responders player autographed hat auction benefiting PAL, and fireworks. This game is sold out through the Rivercats, and RCPD is the only place to get tickets! Tickets are $25 by contacting Officer Jose De La Cruz at 916-875-9634 or
[email protected] or Tina Aldama at 916-875-5852 or
[email protected].
Teen Driving Clinics
Saturday, June 16, all day
Saturday, July 28, all day
3905 Alert Road, Rancho Cordova
The Stephanie Bellotti Teen Fund is hosting two free teen driving clinics for new drivers in partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. The clinic aims to help students learn how to maintain control of their cars in emergency situations. The clinic includes a hands-on-the-wheel course with one-on-one instruction.
Apply Now and Learn More
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FAQ of the Month
Q:
What is the difference between a criminal law and a civil law?
A: Civil law deals with disputes between one entity and another. The guidelines for these disputes are outlined in official documents like the Business and Professions Code, the Health and Safety Code, and other governmental rules and regulations. The cause of action in these cases can be initiated by private as well as public parties, such as a party not living up to an agreement or contract.
Criminal law, on the other hand, deals with an individual's offenses against the state or federal government, which is essentially breaking a criminal law established by government. An example of this would be murder, theft, drunk driving, and other offenses outlined in the California Penal Code.
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Connect With Us
RCPD wants to connect with you on social media!
Every month, we will highlight one of our posts from RCPD's social media channels.
Recently, we highlighted a story on RCPD's Facebook page about a home burglary investigation that resulted in the defendant being found guilty of all charged crimes and faces 15-18 years in prison. Read the Full Story Here
Click the icons below to visit RCPD's many social media channels:
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Help Us Spread the Word
Thank you for reading this edition of
The Dispatch! Please help us by sharing this e-newsletter with your friends, family and colleagues via email by clicking the link below, or sharing on social media via the social icons at the top of this e-newsletter.
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