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As the holiday season is picking up speed, the El Paso Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force would like to pass along some tips to keep shoppers and their vehicles safe.

“With the brunt of the holiday shopping season just around the corner, please be safe and smart and do your part to not fall victim to a car thief, or burglar,” EPPD officials shared

Officers shared six ways to keep a vehicle safe while holiday shopping, with parking lot safety tips to keep residents and their gifts safe

1. Watch where you park
Find a parking space as close as you can to the store entrance and under a light, if it’s dark. Make a note of any nearby signs, poles, or other landmarks to make it easier to find your way back. Try to avoid parking next to large vans or SUVs that give a thief privacy.

2. Lock it up
It may sound obvious, but law enforcement professionals say that many thefts are the result of unlocked cars. Double check to make sure you close the windows and lock all the doors before leaving the car. And don’t forget the sunroof.

3. Hide the goods
Don’t leave packages, phones, music players, or other valuables on the seats, floor, dash, or anywhere in sight. Lock items in the trunk or otherwise stash them out of sight. Even a cell phone cord is an invitation for trouble

4. Keep moving
If you come out of the store to drop off a load of packages, move the car to another space before going back for more shopping, or better yet take them home. Criminals may be watching and know you won’t be back for a while.

5. Stay focused
Pay attention to your surroundings while walking to and from your car. Walk with a purpose, and stay off the phone. Have your keys ready as you approach the car, and get yourself and your packages inside quickly. Then lock the doors.

6. Take Your Keys
This may also seem a bit obvious but nearly half of all stolen vehicles have the keys in them and it is against the law to leave the keys in an unattended vehicle

The El Paso Police Department (EPPD) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) are now accepting applications for the next Citizen’s Academy, which begins on October 1, 2019.

The 10-week academy will introduce students to the various programs and services provided by law enforcement. Students will receive interactive education during weekly Tuesday night meetings, from 6 to 9 p.m., including some Saturdays.

Participants in the academy will learn about different services that DPS and EPPD offers. Some of the topics covered include SWAT, DPS aircraft operations, canine units, criminal investigations, civilian response to active shooters and other numerous law enforcement activities.

Students also will receive a tour of the DPS Crime Lab, participate in ride-alongs with both agencies and receive firearms training.

The Joint Citizen’s Academy is designed to educate students about the many safety challenges that Texans face every day and how law enforcement organizations work every day to protect and serve the state. The academy will be held at the EPPD Headquarters and DPS locations. The public and the media are invited to submit an application to participate in the academy.

The academy will accept no more than 35 students. The deadline to submit an application is Sept. 23. For the link to the application, click here.

Citizens interested in attending should contact: Det. Javier Sambrano, EPPD, at 915-212-4055 or 2828@elpasotexas.gov; Sgt. Marc Couch, DPS, at 915-543-8969 or Marc.couch@dps.texas.gov; Sgt. Jaime Aburto, DPS, at 915-849-4001 or Jaime.Aburto@dps.texas.gov.

As National Police Week drew to a close, the El Paso Police Department held their Police Memorial Ceremony in Northeast El Paso Friday morning.

Joined by their brothers and sisters in uniform, as well as invited guests and family members, officials honored the memory of fallen officers.

Our very own Johnny Yturales was there and we bring you his view of the ceremony in this ‘Story in Many Pics.’

The man suspected of shooting an El Paso Police Officer in South El Paso was taken into custody just after 8 p.m. Tuesday night, according to El Paso Police Spokesman Sgt. Robert Gomez.

The shooting happened around 12:10 p.m. Tuesday afternoon near the intersection of North Seville Driveand Sambrano Avenue, about a mile east of Fox Plaza.  The yet-unnamed suspect was taken into custody at a home along the 100 block of North Clark, shortly after 8 p.m.

According to initial information, the officers were investigating reports of a suspicious person in the neighborhood when the man, only identified as a Hispanic male, fired at least one shot toward the officer as he was inside his vehicle. The officer was shot in his hand and transported to University Medical Center where he was treated and released hours later.

EPPD says officers returned fire during the initial incident and the suspect fled from the scene and into the neighborhood.

The search for the suspect forced a massive manhunt and closure of Alameda Avenue and a lockout of Cooley Elementary on Clark and Alameda. Just after 3 p.m., EPISD officials were able to arrange for buses to transport the students from Cooley Elementary to nearby Henderson Middle School.

According to police, approximately eight hours after the beginning of the manhunt, they were forced to use gas to enter a residence and take the suspect into custody. No officers were hurt during the suspect’s apprehension.

El Paso Police are working the the Texas Rangers, and are also conducting two internal investigation into the officer involved shooting. The identity of the suspect is expected to be released Wednesday.

Officers expect to be investigating the incident through the night, but said they expect Cooley Elementary to return to normal schedule on Wednesday. They are asking residents who live within the immediate perimeter to seek alternate housing arrangements for the evening if possible.

Gallery by Steve Zimmerman, El Paso Herald Post

An Eastside neighborhood was on edge as El Paso Police Department officers exchanged gunfire with man in the parking lot of the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center.

According to EPPD Sgt. Enrique Carillo, at 12:27 Wednesday afternoon, a call went out over dispatch concerning a person with a gun.

Officers at the station found an unnamed suspect in the parking lot of the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center; for some unknown reason gunfire was exchanged.

Several officers were involved in the incident, however EPPD officials would not detail the number or their involvement.

The suspect died at the scene, of gun shot wounds. No officers were injured.  Sgt. Carrillo adds that investigators are checking to see if this incident is related to calls EPPD received earlier Wednesday.

“I wasn’t sure what it was at first,” recounted Maria, who was still near the scene of this afternoon’s officer involved shooting. “But you could see what it was quickly. Gun shots.”

Maria adds, “…I’m still shook by it. I just pray for everyone to be ok.”

According to the police department the Pebble Hills Regional Command Center, and it’s parking lot had to be closed for several hours as the bomb squad works to check the dead man’s vehicle.

Crimes Against Persons and the Texas Rangers are investigating this incident.

The El Paso Police Department (EPPD), in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), is now accepting applications for the next Citizen’s Academy, which begins September 25, 2018.

The Citizens Academy is designed to educate students about the many safety challenges Texans face every day and how law enforcement organizations function on a daily basis to protect and serve their community.

The 11-week academy will introduce students to the various programs and services provided by law enforcement, and will provide interactive, hands-on education during weekly meetings.

A total of 14-classes will be held over the 11-week period, all scheduled for Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9:00 p.m,  with an additional three Saturday morning classes as well.

Participants in the academy will learn about the different services each agency offers.

This year’s academy will include topics such as: patrol procedures, SWAT, the crime lab, aircraft operation, border operations, K-9 units, crash investigations, criminal investigations and an overview of use of force topics.

Via news release, EPPD officials shared, “We are also excited to announce the addition of the BorderRAC (Regional Advisory Council) to our team. Staff from the BorderRAC will be joining us during one class session to provide a “Stop the Bleed” class to our students…that day will also include a presentation on the CRASE program (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events).

The academy will be held at various locations throughout the El Paso area. The public and the media are invited to submit an application to participate in the academy.

The Citizen’s Academy will accept no more than 30 students, and each student must commit to attend at least 11 of the 14 classes to graduate.

Applications are available online or may be picked up at any EPPD Regional Command or the DPS Office, located at 11612 Scott Simpson.

Completed applications can be returned to any regional command, the Texas DPS Office on Scott Simpson or scanned and emailed to 1687@elpasotexas.gov.

Questions regarding this upcoming Citizens Academy should be forwarded to:

EPPD Contact: Det. Mike Baranyay at 915-212-4312 or email at 1687@elpasotexas.gov
DPS Contact: Sgt. Jaime Aburto at 915-849-4001 or email at Jaime.aburto@dps.texas.gov

The Texas Department of Transportation El Paso District is launching a new partnership this week with Walmart and the El Paso Police Department.  Under the collaboration, the group will provide child car seat inspections at local Walmart superstore locations.

“This is the first time we have joined forces with Walmart,” said TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Monica O’Kane. “The partnership enhances our outreach and allows us to leverage our resources and help more people.”

Walmart Market Asset Production Manager Elsa Garcia says the agency cooperation aligns with Walmart’s mission to work as a team and give back to the communities they serve.

“Our children are our future and keeping them safe is one of our community priorities,” said Garcia. “We invite our customers to join us at a car seat event to ensure they’re doing all they can to keep their children safe in their vehicles.”

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from various agencies and the El Paso Police Department will assist with the onsite inspections.

“A true team effort, we are proud to partner with TxDOT and Walmart who are providing child safety seats and hosting city wide events for this very important drive to help ensure child safety in vehicles through the proper use of child safety seats,” said Sgt. Enrique Carrillo with the El Paso Police Department Public Relations Office.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.

“Having a child safety seat isn’t enough,” added O’Kane. “There are age specific seats and each must be installed correctly to be effective. Sometimes parents are not aware, our safety events assist with this.”

Safety checks at Walmart superstore locations across the city have been scheduled over the summer. Each two-hour session is first come, first served and children must be present. The first event is this Friday, June 8th.

• June 8              9441 Alameda                         8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• June 13           13900 Horizon Blvd.                8 a.m.  –  10 a.m.
• June 15           10727 Gateway West              8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• July 13             7555 Mesa                              8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• August 3          4530 Woodrow Bean               8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• August 17        1850 N Zaragoza                     8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office warned citizens of El Paso County of a telephone scam that has claimed several victims.

Several people around El Paso County have received phone calls from a person claiming to be a deputy of the “Sheriff’s Office”. The scammer  claims that a jury summons was ignored and that there is a warrant for arrest for Jury duty Non-Attendance.

The victim is then told to buy Money Trax cards for various amounts of money. The scammer often asks the victim to purchase two or more cards, to have the warrant recalled and a way to pay for the warrants. The victim also asks the victim to meet him at 3850 Justice Rd. or 500 E. San Antonio in order to give him the money card.

Then, after the victim purchases the money cards, the scammer claims that he/she cannot meet and requests the serial numbers displayed on the money cards so that the warrant can be taken care of. Those numbers are then turned into cash by the scammer depriving the victim of the money.

Victor Ramirez who is a Supervisor of Jury Selection at the El Paso County Courthouse advised our investigators that they will never call anyone by phone to advise them that they missed Jury Duty.

The Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind citizens that they will never be contacted by phone requesting payment for outstanding criminal warrants.

Victims of these scams are asked to contact the proper authorities; the El Paso Police Department non-emergency number is 915-832-4400 and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number is 915-832-4408.

The El Paso Police Department’s Gang unit has reactivated the use of the Gang Tip line.

According to EPPD officials, the department’s Gang Unit has seen an increase in the number of Gangs and an increase in the number of gang related cases during the first nine months of 2016, as compared to 2014 and 2015.

The reactivation of the gang tip line is a proactive approach in an attempt to address these current issues.

EPPD Gang Unit Sgt. Natividad says, “The tip line was very beneficial to the gang unit several years ago. With the increase in the number of gangs and gang related activity, it just makes sense to reactivate the tip line for the El Paso community.”

In September of 2014 there were 313 confirmed gangs in El Paso, in September 2015 that number had risen to 318, and in September of 2016 that number climbed to 324.

The number of gang related cases has increased through September 2016 to 254, compared to 220 during this same time period in 2015.

Residents wishing to report Gang related information via the Gang Tip Line can do so anonymously. Citizens need to call (915) 212-GANG (4264) and leave their tip. Those who wish to identify themselves may do that as well on the recorded message.

The El Paso Police Department announced Monday afternoon the death of one of their own, after a multi-car crash last week on the city’s Eastside.

In a brief statement to the press, EPPD officials said Officer David Ortiz died Monday afternoon from injuries he sustained on March 10, 2016.  Officer Ortiz was struck from behind while at a traffic light along the 1500 block of Lee Trevino.

Prior to his time with the EPPD, Officer Ortiz worked with the Horizon City Police Department.  In a Facebook statement, HCPD officials shared the following:

There is a huge void in our hearts and it saddens us to say that today we lost one of our own. Some of us have been very fortunate to have been a part of his life. Officer David “Little Dave” Ortiz will be terribly missed. He was a great Officer and true friend to many. We will always love you brother and will never forget you. Rest In Peace!

Chief Michael McConnell
Assistant Chief Manuel Rico and  the men and women of the Horizon City Police Department

Information on services for Officer Ortiz have not been released; however, a GoFundMe account was set up by Officer Ortiz’s family, and can be accessed HERE.

Officer Ortiz is the 31st Officer to be killed in the line of duty with the El Paso Police Department.