SPPD: One arrested after sweep
of Downtown, alleys and Green Street
October 24, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Following complaints from merchants a police sweep in the parking lots and alleys in the Downtown Main Street area resulted in one arrest Tuesday.
According to a Santa Paula Police statement, the incident occurred Tuesday at approximately 7 p.m. when the Santa Paula Police Department Reserve Officer Unit comprised of about 18 officers conducted a “targeted foot patrol enforcement sweep for quality of life issues.”
Officers fanned out in the targeted areas of the 800 through 1200 block of East Main Street, North and South alleys off East Main Street and Green Street.
During the sweep officers came into contact with David Carrillo, 30, of Santa Paula who was found to have two active misdemeanor warrants.
He was taken into custody without incident and later transported to Ventura County Main Jail.
Police Chief Steve McLean said the action was needed in the Downtown area: “When I used to go to the merchants meetings I got a lot of complaints,” about transients loitering in the area as well as reports of finding homeless encampments in stairwells and behind buildings.
McLean noted trash and other debris related to the lack of bathroom facilities were also reported.
With the SPPD short-staffed it was decided to have the Reserve Unit assigned to the sweep and, “As you can see they did a good job...
“Every business owner has a right to feel they can run a business without these kinds of distractions that also keep customers or clients away from their business. We were just responding to things heard in our travels around town.”
McLean said officers had been instructed to “Go into businesses and make contacts, ask how things are going, make personal contact,” not only to garner information or address concerns but also because “It’s good public relations...
“If it was up to me,” McLean said he would revive the SPPD Downtown Foot Patrol and make it full-time.
“Once the cops are on the beat, once they know the business owners they will start supplying information to the officers who they might stop when they see them walking by,” and addressing concerns and other issues that could benefit the Downtown and the community as a whole.
