Desert Hot Springs Bicycle Patrol

On Tuesday, July 3, 2007, in the City Council Chambers, the City of Desert Hot Springs kicked off its security bicycle patrol.  This program will allow for directed patrols of the city’s Downtown area This community oriented policing and problem solving effort  will consist of members from the Desert Hot Springs Police Department partnering with Securitas, a local security firm, and a downtown code enforcement officer to better serve our downtown area.  The city’s goal is to provide additional services to our Downtown Redevelopment Project Area The directed patrol team will be involved in a wide variety of activities in the Downtown area. The team has developed strategies for providing services in the area and enforcement of ordinances related to the downtown RDA. Issues that the directed patrol team will address are noise ordinance compliance, vendor ordinance compliance, patrolling of alleyways, parking lots and behind business. The directed patrol team will utilize traditional as well as non-traditional enforcement techniques to impact the problems which sometimes occur in the area. The team will work closely with business owners and patrons to assure consistency in enforcement as well as on going education on local laws and ordinances, and crime prevention The City of Desert Hot Springs and the Desert Hot Springs Police Department would like to encourage members of the public and media to attend the event. For members of the media who would like more information about this program, please contact Sergeant Tony Sclafani of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department at (760) 329-6411 x335       __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

DHS Police Celebrate 10 Year Anniversary

Desert Hot Springs Police celebrate ten years of service to the community and citizens, with an all-city event at the DHS Police Department on July 21, 2007 at 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

The entire city and valley was invited to attend and recieve history, refreshments, tours, a K-9 presentation and Fire agencies. A turnout of the local as well as the visitors is highly anticipated.

Our newly sworn Chief of Police, Patrick Williams will be on hand to introduce himself, as well as his police force and the many new innovations that have been added to the department.

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Chief Patrick Williams Sworn June 19, 2007

Desert Hot Springs Gets New Police Chief

Valley Breeze June 15, 2007

Desert Hot Springs  announced its new police chief as Captain Patrick Williams, a past mayor of the City of San Jacinto for a term of 19999 to 2002. At the time he also was an officer for the Palm Springs Police Dept.  Williams was a police captain in Lompoc, California, where he was involved in the oversight of gangs and narcotics enforcement. His official date to take charge of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department, was June 18, 2007.  He will step in where Chief John Hensley has served as an interim chief for the city.    Williams will serve as the third permanent chief since Chief Roy Hill was terminated under questionable terms by then city manager, Jerry Hanson. Subsequently Hill filed a suit against the City and Hanson for wrongful termination. Williams served the Palm Springs citizens for some eleven years advancing from a patrolman

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Man's Body Found in Desert Hot Springs

From the Desert Hot Springs Police: The body of a 47 year old male was uncovered in an area of desert around midnight on Saturday, June 16, 2007. The body was recovered, due to a tip from an unknown person who told police that it might be found in a location near Verbena and Ironwood in a section of desert land.

A smelly mound of earth was removed, exposing the remains. Police are still investigating the cause of death, which at this time is being handled as a homicide. At present no suspects have been taken into custody. Identification will be withheld until notification of family.

 

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Police Arrest Female Burglars

July 28, 2006

Desert Hot Springs Police have arrested three female juveniles in connection recent burglaries which have occurred in the Hacienda Boulevard/Mesquite Avenue area. Due to victims of the break-ins, the suspects drove a gray four-door carrying paper plates which read Torre Nissan.

The car was seen by an alert DHS Police Officer and stopped the vehicle on Thursday, July 27, 2006. It was in the same vicinity of Mesquite and Hacienda. The vehicle was determined to be stolen.

Taken into custody were two females who were in the car. Officers found that a cell phone used by a third female to communicate with the two, was stolen and she was also arrested.

It was determined that these three were indeed the thieves who had been robbing the homes and much of the stolen property was recovered. 

 

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Incident: 212.5P.C. Robbery

On June 05, 2006, at approx. 1040 AM, DHS Police responded to the 66900 block of Iron wood Drive in regards to a report of home invasion robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that the resident had temporarily left the apartment and upon her return was grabbed from behind by two suspects who forced her into the apartment.

While inside the location the suspects forced the victim to give them money and jewelry. The suspects then committed sexual battery on the victim and fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Suspects?

#1. Male Hispanic, 15 -16 years of age, approximately 6 ft., short hair, wearing a black shirt with white stripes.

#2. Male Hispanic, 15-16 years of age approximately 5'7", shaved head, wearing a yellow shirt, blue shorts, carrying an orange back pack.

 

Investigation is continuing and the DHS Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact the DHS Police Dept. Investigations Bureau 760-329-2904.

 

 

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New City Manager will Negotiate

Police Chief McKinney's Contract

At the request of the Desert Hot Springs City Council, newly hired City Manager, Ann Marie Gallant will negotiate a new contract with Interim DHS Police Chief Walter McKinney, which would give him an extension of another six months. In a 4-0 vote to negotiate the extension the council was unanimous, in a closed session on Tuesday night. The results were announced by Interim City Attorney Toni Eggebraaten, thereafter, in the regular session.

For better than a year Walt McKinney has served Desert Hot Springs as Chief of Police, replacing Roy Hill, and will possibly relinquish his position after the search for a permanent Chief will begin in September. This, according to City Manager Ann Marie Gallant.

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THE BEST COMEBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial.  The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman's credibility.... Q: "Officer -- did you see my client fleeing the scene?" A: "No sir.  But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away." Q: "Officer -- who provided this description?" A: "The officer who responded to the scene." Q: "A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender.  Do you trust your fellow officers?" A: "Yes, sir.  With my life." Q: "With your life?  Let me ask you this then officer.  Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?" A: "Yes sir, we do!" Q: "And do you have a locker in the room?" A: "Yes sir, I do." Q: "And do you have a lock on your locker?" A: "Yes sir." Q: "Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?" A: "You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room."   The courtroom erupted in laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's "Best Comeback" line -- and we think he'll win. ____________________________________________________________________

 

Police Explorer Wounded In Police Shooting....but not seriously...

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Police Officer Files Claim Against City

 

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Incident:  459 P.C./ Commercial Burglary
Date: December 1, 2005    Time: 0206 hours       Day of Week:  Thursday
Location: 65861 Pierson Blvd., #D  Desert Hot Springs

 

Description of Incident:  At 0216 hours, we received a call of a burglary in progress. The reporting party said he saw a white male adult enter a business on the corner of Pierson and Via Real. Officers arrived and discovered forced entry at 65861 Pierson #D. As a perimeter was being set up around the location, officers could hear someone inside the building. Shortly thereafter, officers could hear more glass breaking. Once the perimeter was set up a four man entry team was assembled and entry was made into the building.

 

The suspect, Eric Wilburn, was located and refused to exit the location. Wilburn ultimately climbed into the crawl space above the ceiling. Wilburn made his way above the ceiling tiles causing major damage. The suspect hid above several wooden trusts and was unable to be located.

 

Officers continued a systematic search of the attic area above the ceiling when the suspect was discovered hiding under insulation. the suspect was ultimately arrested and booked into Indio jail.

 

Direct any information concerning this case to: Sergeant Gil, 329-6411, X-293