Searching for Answers in the Wake of Raids
The Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) vowed to rebuild trust with the community after a series of immigration-related arrests were made on Feb. 13 and after it was revealed during a Santa Cruz City Council meeting that a federal agent has been working with SCPD…
SCPD too Quick on Trigger
As of Oct. 26, 879 people have been killed by police this year. On Oct.16 alone, three were shot and killed in police-related incidents, according to The Guardian. The 32-year-old Santa Cruz resident, Sean Arlt, was one of them. From 10 feet away, Arlt was…
150th Sparks Celebration
The savory aroma of Paradise Dogs, a hot dog booth on Main Beach, wafted through the air, mixing with the sounds of local funk music and conversation. Throughout the day of Oct. 1, thousands of community members stood on the makeshift stage located next to…
UCSC Students Arrested for Drug Trafficking Charges
Six UC Santa Cruz students were arrested on March 4 for drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance for sale, according to a press release from the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD). Mariah Dremel (21), Benny Liu (21), Cesar Casil (21),…
Capitola: First City in Santa Cruz County to Adopt Body Cameras
Capitola police officers will be equipped with 20 body cameras and nine vehicle cameras come July, with the help of a $100,501 state grant. Many community members are celebrating the purchase as a step toward ensuring public protection, but some argue that body cameras are…
Community Responds to Claims Made About Armored Vehicle
After accepting a grant to purchase a Lenco BearCat (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck) on Dec. 9, Santa Cruz City Council continues to face opposition from community members and organizations including Santa Cruz Resistance Against Militarization (SCRAM). The justification for the acquisition of…
Armored Vehicle Fails to Deflect Opposition
By Susana Alvarez and Georgina Sandoval While shouting, banging on windows and even chaining themselves to light fixtures, demonstrators demanded the rescindment of the Santa Cruz City Council’s approval of a grant from the Department of Homeland Security to purchase an armored police vehicle….
Permanent Memorial Planned for Fallen Santa Cruz Police Officers
The Santa Cruz Police Department announced plans for a permanent memorial garden to honor fallen officers Sgt. Loran “Butch” Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler, on Nov. 12.
Over 50 enthusiastic Santa Cruzans paddled along the San Lorenzo River in kayaks and canoes on Oct. 12. A city ordinance enacted in 1985 would typically prohibit this type of activity, but the recent River Paddle event served as an opportunity for residents to re-evaluate the river as a recreational area.
Scotts Valley Police Ride ‘Green’ Machines
Santa Cruz law enforcement agencies will follow Scotts Valley’s lead in introducing the latest technology in their line of duty — electrically-powered motorcycles.