The Seal Beach Police Department held a promotion ceremony on Monday, Oct. 18.
The honorees were:
• John Scott, who was promoted from corporal to sergeant. Sgt. Scott is a 22-year law enforcement veteran. He began his tenure with the SBPD as an Explorer in 1981.
He was raised in College Park East and attended Los Alamitos High School. He is currently completing his bachelor’s degree. Sgt. Scott has received numerous accolades in his career, including his Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award for arresting over 120 DUI Drivers in one year.
• Mariana Martinez, who was promoted from police officer to corporal. Cpl. Martinez is a six-year veteran of the Seal Beach Police.
She is currently assigned to patrol as a field training officer and a crisis negotiator on the regional SWAT team.
She holds a master’s degree in psychology from UCLA.
• Dan Fortney, who was promoted to senior community services officer. Community services officers work what might be best described as the “non-gun” side of law enforcement.
Fortney has been with the Police Department for almost four years. He was working in the Records Bureau and is now assigned to the Detective Bureau as a court liaison. He is a US Marine Corp veteran,
Fortney is also a high school football coach and is finishing his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach.
• Cassandra Sexton, who was promoted to senior community services officer. Sexton has been with the SBPD for two years. She began her career working in the Traffic Bureau and has been promoted to the Detention Services Bureau. Sexton is a professionally trained dancer and is a dance instructor. She attends Golden West College.
Amanda Scott, who was promoted to community services officer. Scott has been with the SBPD for 2 years. She is currently assigned to the Records Bureau and services the front counter. She is currently attending California State University, Los Angeles, where she is studying kinesiology and criminal justice.
• Beto Borja, who was promoted to police services aide, is the newest addition to the Seal Beach Police team. Beto has six years of law enforcement experience working for both the Huntington Park Police Department and the Cal Poly Pomona Police Department. Borja has a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and is assigned to the records bureau.
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., was a featured speaker at the promotion ceremony. He thanked all present for “protecting my children.”
Police Chief Jeff Kirkpatrick appreciated his words.
“I can think of no more powerful thanks and tribute he could have given our members,” Kirkpatrick said.
The Seal Beach Police Department also received thanks from a neighboring law enforcement agency.
Capt. Kevin Childe of the Fountain Valley Police Department presented the SBPD with a commendation letter citing the terrific mutual aid assistance provided by Sgt. Steve Bowles, Sgt. Scott, and Cpl. Martinez apprehending a bank robber following a pursuit from Fountain Valley to Seal Beach.
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
Seal Beach officer
completes motorcylce
training course
Seal Beach Police Officer Joe Garcia recently completed the California P.O.S.T. Motorcycle Officer Training Course at the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department’s specialized motorcycle officer training facility near Devore.
According to a press release issued by the city of Seal Beach, Officer Garcia came through his experience unscathed and in good condition.
The Motorcycle Officer Training Course, of all police training courses, is considered one of the most mentally and physically challenging in law enforcement.
“Congratulations to Joe. And … do not be surprised to see him in your rear view mirrors,” said Seal Beach Chief of Police Jeff Kirkpatrick.
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Oct. 11 and Oct. 23, 2010. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, October 11
Vandalism Report—9:07 a.m.—Main Street—The caller reported a broken window at a front door on Main Street. The caller did not know when the incident occurred.
Police determined there was no evidence of illegal entry and no loss. Report taken.
Illegal Peddlers—6:48 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—An unspecified number of individuals were at the location, selling candy. They were asked to leave. They were gone by the time police arrived.
Tuesday, October 12
Petty Theft—11:06 a.m.—Main Street—A citizen walked into the lobby of Seal Beach Police headquarters to report the theft of a bike. The bike was green with fixed gear and a leather seat. Value: unknown. The bike was apparently stolen between 2 and 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 9.
Wallet—6:18 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—A black wallet made of synthetic leather was found in the street. Report taken.
Welfare Check—9:53 p.m.—Bluebell Street—The caller said a garage door had been open for the past 24 hours.
The caller asked police to check on the well-being of the people inside. Police unit 216 found the garage door closed and the residence secure. No further police services were necessary.
Wednesday, October 13
Grand Theft Report—8:50 p.m.—Montecito Road—A citizen reported that a large container was missing from a carport. The container held skin care and medical equipment collectively valued at $1,000. The apparent theft occurred between 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 12 and the time of the call to police.
Thursday, October 14
911 Hang-up—6:17 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A business was changing phone lines and needed to verify that 911 received calls with the correct information.
Disturbance, Juveniles—7:51 p.m.—Bolsa Avenue—The caller reported three boys on a roof. One suspect wore a black shirt and a second suspect wore a white shirt. The caller did not provide a description of the third suspect. Police unit 241 responded. Two juveniles were released to the custody of their parents. Report taken.
Petty Theft Report—10:40 p.m.—Montecito Road—Someone stole a bicycle with a large black seat from a carport. The theft occurred between 8:15 a.m. and the time of the call to police.
No report desired.
Friday, October 15
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—3:37 a.m.—Spinnaker Way—The caller said someone might be sleeping inside a vehicle. Police contacted the people inside the vehicle and advised them against sleeping in it.
Hazard—3:45 p.m.—Balboa Drive and Catalina Avenue—A ladder was seen hanging from a street sign and juveniles were trying to climb up the ladder. The ladder was removed.
Refusing to Leave—5:44 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Two white juveniles skateboarders refused to leave the location when the caller asked them to go. The call was cancelled prior to dispatch. The juveniles apparently left shortly after the police were called.
Saturday, October 16
Vehicle Burglary—2:26 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Loss: a front TV/radio panel, navigation system and iPods. All electronics were apparently cut. Grand theft report taken.
Sunday, October 17
Found Cat—7:52 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller found a big, fluffy, orange cat. Long Beach Animal Control Services advised the caller that she couldn’t turn the animal in until Wednesday. The caller said she couldn’t keep the cat until then, so she would turn the cat over to the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
Suspicious Person—12:06 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—A man inside the store was using display phones to make calls. The citizen who reported this incident said he had been in the store often. The man was also asking people for money to give to the individuals he had been calling. He was interviewed in the field.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, October 18
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—2:52 a.m.—Howard Avenue and Mindora Street—A citizen said he had been followed by a dark colored vehicle for the past 20 minutes.
Officers spoke with the citizen, who said the suspicious vehicle left the area.
Tuesday, October 19
Counseling—8:53 a.m.—Oak Street—A citizen was verbally abused in a parking lot earlier.
Officers counseled to both parties and warned one person against returning to the building.
Wednesday, October 20
Extra Patrol Checks—10:19 a.m.—Green Avenue—The caller said men loitered in the area during the afternoon hours, possibly selling drugs. Patrols were increased.
Friday, October 22
Suspicious Person—4:32 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—An individual walked in and out of traffic, yelling at passersby about termites.
Sunday, October 24
Suspicious Person—1:45 p.m.—Humbolt Street—An individual walked through a business park asking people for money.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, October 18
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—10:07 a.m.—Montecito Road—A resident was locked inside his house. However, he freed himself so Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies took no action.
Tuesday, October 19
Burglary Report—3:01 a.m.—Oak Leaf Drive—This was a theft from an unlocked vehicle. Grand theft report taken.
Burglary Report—8:01 a.m.—Oak Knoll Drive—No report needed. No further details were available.
Fraud Report—3:35 p.m.—Yellowtail Drive—The call was cancelled before deputies arrived at the scene. No further details were available.
Unknown Trouble—7:13 p.m.—Oak Leaf Drive—The call was a follow-up to the Oak Leaf Grand Theft report.
Burglary Report—7:14 p.m.—Weatherby Road—Report taken. No further information was available.
Wednesday, October 20
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—1:36 a.m.—Tigertail Drive—A deputy detained the occupant of the vehicle. The deputy found nothing suspicious and released the occupant.
Thursday, October 21
Welfare & Institutions Violation—10:24 p.m.—Montecito Road—An individual was reportedly drinking and taking prescription medications. The individual was taken to an unspecified hospital for an evaluation.
Friday, October 22
Burglary Report—6:02 p.m.—Donovan Road—A residential burglary report was taken. No further information was available.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, October 18
Disturbance—4:34 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—A dispute between a cab driver and a customer over payment. The call was cancelled before a sheriff’s unit arrived.
Tuesday, October 19
Terrorist Threats Report—9:02 p.m.—Pacific Avenue—Report taken. No further details were available.
Friday, October 22
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—11:22 a.m.—Broadway and N. Pacific Avenue—Someone reported that an individual was yelling and acting suspicious. A deputy detained the person in question, but determined that nothing suspicious was going on.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
