Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Joshua Robertson

File # N/A

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Everyone is a Pedestrian: October is National Pedestrian Safety Month

Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, Calif. – October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and Riverside Sheriff’s Department will raise awareness about the safety of people walking throughout the month, emphasizing that “safe drivers, safe speeds and safe vehicles save lives.”

“Whether in a parking lot, crosswalk, or sidewalk, we are all pedestrians at one point,” Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Joshua Robertson said. “Drivers, please slow down and be extra careful around people walking. Put yourself in their shoes and drive how you would want someone to drive when you are walking.”

The safety of people outside of vehicles is a significant traffic safety concern, with at least two pedestrians or bicyclists killed on California roads every day. Between 2010 and 2019 in California, pedestrian deaths increased more than 40 percent and bicyclist deaths went up more than 60 percent. In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians were killed in the United States – an average of 18 pedestrians a day and one pedestrian killed every 81 minutes.

Speeding, poor lighting, mid-block crossing and impairment are the main factors in pedestrians being struck by vehicles.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department—Jurupa Valley Station, offers the following safe driving and walking tips:

Drivers

• Do not speed and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Pedestrians

• Use signalized crosswalks where drivers expect foot traffic.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and be careful crossing the street, especially busier streets with higher speed limits. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to come to a stop.
• Get in the habit of wearing light colors, reflective material, and walking with a flashlight at night so it is easier for drivers to see you.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Joshua Robertson

File # N/A

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Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert Supports National Walk and Roll to School Day Oct. 12

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, City of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, Calif.– The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class Oct. 12.

“Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.

“Walking to school is a great way to exercise on a daily basis and feel comfortable getting to and from school safely,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, City of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, Deputy Joshua Robertson said. “We hope this is a fun, rewarding experience for students and members of the community that shows how important it is for everyone to be safe walking, biking or rolling.”

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, City of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
• Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of Oct. 12, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slowdown in school zones.

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Joshua Robertson

File # N/A

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Riverside Sheriff’s Department and Cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert Reminds Parents Are Key to Keeping Teens Safe Behind the Wheel

National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off October 16

Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage Calif. – In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22), Riverside Sheriff’s Department encourages teens and their parents to talk about the importance of following the rules of the road and driving responsibly.

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 2,378 teenagers died in car crashes in 2020 – a 14% increase from the prior year. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups.

“Parents play a critical role in teen driver safety and in communicating important driving safety information,” Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Deputy, Joshua Robertson said. “Teen drivers are still gaining experience behind the wheel and more likely to take risks and pick up bad habits. This is why it’s important for parents and caregivers to play an active role in talking to their teens about risky driving behaviors that can lead to deadly and tragic consequences.”

Riverside Sheriff’s Department  offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

• Provisional Driver’s License: Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.
• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show your teen how to drive safely.
• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, being distracted by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up.
• Sober driving:Emphasize the importance of never driving under the influence or riding with someone who has been drinking.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Joshua Robertson

File # N/A

Details:

Riverside Sheriff’s Department and the Cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert Reminds Drivers to Always Stop for School Buses During National School Bus Safety Week

Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, Calif. – This National School Bus Safety Week (October 17-21), Riverside Sheriff’s Department supports efforts throughout the state to keep children and caregivers safe by reminding drivers on the dangers of passing a stopped school bus. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing illegal school bus passing.

While riding the bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school, an alarming number of drivers illegally pass school buses who have their red lights activated. From 2011 to 2020 a total of 218 school-age children (18 and younger) died in school-bus-related crashes during that period, either riding on school buses, other cars, or on foot or bike, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Drivers must stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

“It is so important that we remind drivers in our community that when red lights are flashing, there is no passing,” Riverside Sheriff’s Department Deputy Joshua Robertson said. “Children and their caretakers are relying on drivers to follow the law and keep them safe.”

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Deputy Joshua Fransik

File # N/A

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Indian Wells Reminds Drivers to Beware and Be Alert for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween Night

Details:

Indian Wells, Calif. – As Halloween creeps closer, The City of Indian Wells encourages everyone on the road to be extra careful as more children are out walking the neighborhood haunting for treats.

“We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices,” Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Fransik said. “If your night involves drinking, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Even one drink can impair judgement.”

Because of the parties, trick-or-treating, and other festivities, Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (68%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2020. During that same night, 11 pedestrians were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Halloween or Día de los Muertos, The City of Indian Wells offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring the designated sober driver with you, use a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

Parents and trick-or-treaters

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

In an effort to keep trick-or-treaters and others in the Halloween spirit safe, The City of Indian Wells will have officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Deputy Joshua Robertson

File # N/A

Riverside Sheriff’s Department, City of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage Reminds Drivers to Beware and Be Alert for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween Night

Details:

City of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, Calif. – As Halloween creeps closer, Riverside Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone on the road to be extra careful as more children are out walking the neighborhood haunting for treats.

“We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices,” Deputy Joshua Robertson. “If your night involves drinking, make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Even one drink can impair judgement.”

Because of the parties, trick-or-treating, and other festivities, Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (68%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2020. During that same night, 11 pedestrians were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Halloween or Día de los Muertos, Riverside Sheriff’s offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring the designated sober driver with you, use a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

Parents and trick-or-treaters

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

In an effort to keep trick-or-treaters and others in the Halloween spirit safe, Riverside Sheriff’s Department, will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Emil Stan

File # T223010061

Details:

Shortly after noon today, deputies responded to a unsubstantiated report of an active shooter at the College of the Desert campus in Palm Desert. Within two minutes, deputies were on scene and actively working the call for service. Minutes later, over two dozen deputies trained in responding to active shooter situations ensured the safety of all persons on campus. It was quickly determined that there was no credible threat on the campus, and the campus resumed normal operations.

We would like to thank those affected for their patience, as personnel quickly responded and assessed the situation. We take these types of calls very seriously and the safety of our residents is our top priority.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-836-1600 or call anonymously at 760- 341-STOP (7867) and reference incident # T223010061.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD