Community Meeting – Public Input Regarding AB 481
The Escondido Police Department is hosting a community meeting to answers questions or concerns and receive feedback regarding AB 481 and the equipment we currently use. The AB 481 Draft Policy is currently posted on our website at https://police.escondido.org.
Monday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
Escondido City Hall Mitchell Room
201 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
The Community Meeting includes:
Purpose of the new legislation
Definition of military equipment
EPD’s military equipment inventory
EPD’s proposed equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy Pending annual report requirement Community engagement and public access to materials
Bringing a Controlled Substance into a Jail
On March 30, Escondido Police Dispatch received a call regarding a male walking around with a handgun near the Motel 6. Officers located the male who was in possession of an imitation Glock pistol. He also had brass knuckles in his back pocket. The individual was taken to the Escondido Police Department for processing. When officers conducted a second search inside the jail, officers found what appeared to be crystal meth, hidden in several plastic baggies inside a cigarette carton. The white substance tested positive for methamphetamine.
Did You Know?
It is a crime for a person to bring a controlled substance into a California jail or state prison. The Escondido Police Department also has several signs posted around the Department stating that bringing narcotics into a jail facility is a violation.
Traffic Collision
On April 1, Escondido Police Dispatch received a call regarding a suspect who crashed into two parked vehicles and fled the scene on foot. A witness took a photo of the suspect as he exited the vehicle. Cutting tools and two catalytic converters were found in the back seat of the vehicle along with drug paraphernalia.
Community Resources:
Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)
Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/
� Helicopter Announcement Transcription:
Call 858-866-4356 or text “Hello” to 858-866-4356
Megan’s Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:
Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240
It’s Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org
Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211
National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879
cid:4E023333-1676-4C55-9474-AAB086E8C5A3Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722
Happy Retirement and Congratulations, Captain Eric Skaja!
Eric Skaja joined the Escondido Police Department in August of 1997. He served in every bureau of the Department and worked in Patrol, on the Bike Team, in COPPS, on SWAT, as a Field Training Officer, and in Traffic. After 24 years of service with the EPD, Captain Skaja has decided to retire from his career in law enforcement. He will greatly be missed!
School Resource Officer Johnston
Officer Eric Johnston is one of three School Resource Officers (SROs) at the EPD. Two SROs are funded by the Police Department and one is paid for by the school district. Some of the duties of an SRO include, responding to all calls for service at all public and private Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the district; attending monthly Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings; addressing attendance and truancy issues; attending various committee and school-related meetings; testifying at school expulsion hearings; conducting follow-up investigations on school cases taken by other officers; working with the school district probation/truant officer; assisting with truancy sweeps; coordinating special details to combat school-related crimes; responding to requests for assistance from school officials and the parents/family of students; as well as numerous other miscellaneous duties. School Resource Officers are also expected to assist with normal patrol duties when needed due to priority calls for service and staffing shortages.
Officer Johnston recently gave a presentation at Escondido High School for a Special Education class. Officer Johnston highlighted how Law Enforcement interacts and deals with people in the community who have disabilities and shared safety tips and answered questions.
Additionally, on March 30, Officer Johnston was asked to judge the Annual Culinary Competition at Orange Glen High School. He was one of four judges. Culinary students from Escondido High School, San Pasqual High School, and Orange Glen High School participated. Students were given a time limit to create a pasta and dessert dish. They later shared their dishes along with providing a description of the dish and how they made it. The judging criteria included plating, visual appeal, taste, texture, difficulty, and originality.
Thank you, Officer Johnston, for your unique connection with the Escondido Union School District, and thank you for all that you do!
