Posted by sd123

Are their any laws about wearing headphones or earbuds while driving?

Dear sd123,

California law does not allow wearing headphones or earbuds that cover both ears while driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle. Covering both ears would cut down on the driver’s ability to hear sounds outside of the vehicle such as emergency vehicle sirens, horns from other drivers to avoid collisions, and other sound that may provide the driver with information important to driving safely on the roadways.

Thank you for writing,

Officer Michelle

Posted by fengvang24

Hi, I am wondering if it is illegal in Sacramento city limits in my own backyard, to shoot cans as air soft gun target practices. I have read about Sacramento City Code Section 9.32.070, and I feel it doesn’t answer my question about shooting for target practice in my backyard. Thanks Officer Michelle.

Dear fengvang24,

Let me just say that it is not illegal in California to buy or own an Airsoft gun if you are over the age of 18. It is, however, illegal to use one in the Sacramento city limits except at a licensed shooting range. With regards to shooting the gun in your backyard, refer to the Sacramento City Code Section 9.32.070 which states, “It is unlawful for any person to carry or use any air gun for the purpose of discharging or from which are or may be discharged bullets, shot or missiles of any kind within the city limits, except in licensed shooting galleries. (Prior code § 48.01.008).
Be mindful that there are inherent risks associated with Airsoft guns including accidents and mistaken identity by citizens who call police to tell us that they witnessed a person with a gun only to find out that it was a BB or Airsoft gun. The police don’t know this until they arrive on scene and assess the situation. Many look so realistic at first glance, that unless we see the bright orange tip, we would never be able to tell that it is a toy gun. If you are merely using the gun for target practice, remember that it is illegal to alter the gun, such as painting the orange tip black, to make it look more realistic.

The full City Code is at http://www.qcode.us/codes/sacramento/. Look for Codes 9.32.070 and 9.32.090.

Officer Michelle

Posted by DC

Hello I applied for the police cadet position back in September of 2012. I have completed my written test, oral board interview, pre-background questionnaire, the essay and questionnaire meeting and turned in my PHS. My question is does a background investigator contact the applicant before or when they start the background process? Or do they contact the applicant after its done? I am just looking for more information on what the next step is and possibly how long it takes. Thanks

Dan

Dear DC,

We have a big recruitment drive ongoing right now and many files are being worked on. It could be that your file hasn’t been assigned yet. Once your file is assigned, a background investigator will contact you. If you haven’t already, it would be helpful for you to attend one of our orientation workshops where the testing and hiring process is discussed. The next one is on Saturday, May 4. Here is a link to the workshop flyer which also includes how to register:

http://www.sacpd.org/pdf/academy/orientationflyer.pdf

Good luck.

Sacramento Police Recruiting

(916) 808-0880

Posted by baton

I am interested in applying for the position of police recruit with SPD. I am wondering whether I need to disclose and expunged misdemeanor.

Dear baton,

Yes, you do need to disclose the expunged misdemeanor. You don’t have to include details. The background investigator will discuss the incident with you once you are in the background process.

Thank you for writing.

Sacramento Police Recruiting
(916) 808-0880

Posted by capricelt1

Question about outdoor marijuana cultivation

Good afternoon Michelle,

I was wondering who would be the ones to contact when there is a neighbor here in Sacramento growing outdoor marijuana without a greenhouse? I understand the law in Sacramento now prohibits the cultivation of outdoor marijuana without a greenhouse. If you can direct me to the right people to contact, I would appreciate it.

Dear capricelt1,

As it stands right now in the laws, each situation involving cultivation is very case specific. There are variable factors that we look for. If the grower has a medicinal marijuana recommendation, the amount of marijuana they can possess and grow is dependent upon their doctor’s recommendation. If the person is growing marijuana, and there is indicia and evidence of sales like packaging, scales, etc., that is different.

The marijuana laws are continuing to change and morph, thus making it hard for me to give you a direct answer. We as law enforcement must look at these cases from all angles, and no two cases are the same. According to Sacramento Ordinance No 2012-045, the cultivation of medical marijuana may only occur in an allowable structure meeting certain specifications.If you suspect marijuana is being grown illegally in your neighborhood, you can call our non-emergency dispatch at (916) 264-5471. An officer can be sent to check it out.

A good resource for you to keep current is the State Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General website. Go to www.doj.ca.gov.

Officer Michelle

Posted by rtinti

Hi Michelle ~ My daughter and I witnessed a horrific crash involving a car and a motorcycle on March 18, 2013 at about 5:50 pm on Elkhorn Blvd just before Marysville Blvd. A motorcycle crashed in to the passenger side of a white toyota camry then flew a good 8 feet in the air with his body twirling like a rag dog before he hit the ground on his head (was only wearing a skull helmet) then landed on his back. What we saw has traumatized us both and we really need closure. Please help us if you can. We just want to know if the man pulled through.

Dear rtinti,

I’m sorry you had to witness that traffic accident involving the motorcyclist.  I have three boys and I’ve told them that they are forbidden to ride a motorcycle….ever!

The jurisdiction you may want to ask about this accident will be CHP.  The CHP handles all traffic accidents in the county (the jurisdiction where the accident occurred).   You were a witness to the accident and may be able to assist investigators.  You can reach them at their North Sacramento Office, 5109 Tyler Street, Sacramento 95841, (916)338-6710.

Talk to your child about the incident.  If she is traumatized, you may want to seek out counseling for her so that she can make some sense out of it.  These are horrific images for an adult to see let alone a child. 

Thank you for your post.

Officer  Michelle

Posted by obriendd

A girl no more than 8 years old rides an electric motorized pocket scooter on city streets and sidewalks on her way to school each day. Today, 2/28, she almost ran into my son as she sped along at nearly 20-30 mph through the street then onto the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. Can you comment regarding the law with respect to the operation of these vehicles, and age restrictions. Thanks.

Dear obriendd,

That is dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. You could talk with the child’s parents if you have that kind of relationship with them, you could let the school staff know that the 8-year-old is riding the motorized scooter to school and they can deal with the parents, or you could notify the agency in your jurisdiction to let them know so they can contact the parents of this child. The following are the laws according to the Department of Motor Vehicles:

· Driver must be at least 16 years old.

· Effective 1/1/2005, a Class C driver’s license or driver’s permit is required.

· Effective 1/1/2005, a motorized scooter shall at all times be equipped with a muffler.

· Effective 1/1/2005, a person shall not modify the exhaust system of a motorized scooter in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise level emitted by the motor.

· Speed limit is 15 mph.

· Driver must wear a bicycle helmet

· Operation permitted on a bicycle path, trail or bikeway, unless there is a local ordinance prohibiting it.

· On the roadway with a posted speed limit of greater than 25 mph, driver must operate in Class II bicycle lane.

· On roads with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less, riding in a bicycle lane is not required.

· Operator shall ride as close to the right curb as possible, except to pass or turn left

Thank you for bringing this to the forefront.

Officer Michelle

Posted by will_led

Is having a felony that is reduced to a misdemeanor an automatic disqualification for police work?

Dear will_led,

Whether this would disqualify you for a career with us would depend on what the crime and situation was in your case. We evaluate every individual on a case-by-case basis. Don’t let it discourage you from applying. Just keep in mind, throughout the process it’s important to be honest.

Good luck,

Sacramento Police Recruiting
(916) 808-0880

Posted by cristian

Hi I’m 23 years old and currently in my last semester at woodland community college, majoring in criminal justice. I am looking to become a police officer and joining the Sacramento police department, what would my next step be after graduating from college?

Should I apply to the department or go to the police academy first?

Dear cristian,

You would only go to the academy first if you were paying for it yourself as a “non-affiliate.”  It sounds like you’ll have the credits you need, so you’ll next want to apply online for the Police Recruits. The application period for Police Recruit is now open.  See the HIRING tab at http://www.sacpd.org/.

To get all the information you need about our hiring process and how to prepare, you should also go to one of our Orientation Workshops. You can register online for that at http://www.sacpd.org/pdf/academy/orientationflyer.pdf. The next workshop is April 6.

Thank you for your post and good luck with your career plans.

Sacramento Police Recruiting
(916) 808-0880

Posted by Glenn Varnon

I recently received an email that indicated I was a recipient of a 10 million dollar inheritance from a kin that had died in 2010.

The email was from a “supposed” attorney and they asked that I stand as next of kin.

Well my dad did die, but not until last year. So this is obviously a scam. Can this be prosecuted? Do I need to report this? If so, how?

Dear Glenn,

I would be careful. This does sound like a scam. If you have a family attorney, they could look into it. Crooks can easily look in publicized obituaries to find out information on deceased people, including family members. They then prey upon vulnerable people with the notion that there was some uncovered fortune left behind. I would hire an attorney to look into this.

It is very difficult to catch these people from a simple email. The suspects go to public libraries to use public computers to send out mass emails. The URL addresses are very difficult to trace.

You could do an online report at sacpd.org as a financial crime information report. If this email was sent to others who have reported it, it would give our Financial Crimes investigators something to go on. Thank you for this post. You may have helped someone else in the process.

Officer Michelle