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  • Citrus Heights PD: what we’re doing about wild turkey complaints

    *Note: The Sentinel reached out to the police department for an opportunity to respond to a guest column on wild turkeys. The department responded with the following statement, published in its entirety.

    Submitted by Police Commander Jason Russo–
    Since May 2012, the Citrus Heights Animal Services Unit has been committed to providing affordable, compassionate animal services to the citizens of Citrus Heights. 

    Jason Russo

    Citrus Heights Animal Services Officers specialize in handling domesticated animals. Wildlife differs significantly from domesticated animals, and proper handling often requires a specialized skillset pertaining specifically to wildlife. 

    Recognizing that domesticated animals and wildlife often coexist in the city, citizens with specific wildlife needs have historically been directed to private wildlife trapping services.

    Our Animal Services Officers recently noticed an uptick in wildlife-related inquiries from our citizens, and in response to this need we have just entered into a cooperative services agreement with Sacramento County that allows us to offer wildlife services through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

    The Federal Wildlife Trapper specializes in wildlife-related services.  However, even the Federal Wildlife Trapper has constraints on the manner in which they engage with certain protected wildlife.

    View: Police post Thanksgiving Day video of wild turkeys in Citrus Heights 

    For example, wild turkeys are federally protected wildlife, and a depredation permit must be obtained from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before these animals can be legally removed from their environment.  Additional information specific to Wild Turkeys can be found at the CDFW website.

    As a city, we are committed to assisting our citizens with their animal and wildlife-related needs, however, with regards to federally protected wildlife additional steps will need to be taken by the affected citizen. 

    We can empathize with our citizens who are experiencing frustration posed by wildlife.  We are committed to assisting in any way we can to mitigate the problem, recognizing that some of these unique situations involving protected wildlife may require a more complex solution that is in accordance with federal law.

    We empathize with Mrs. Norine’s frustration with the turkeys and want the public to know the challenges and legal issues surrounding the growing number of turkeys she has experienced. We have worked with her, we were responsive. Recently we even reached out to schedule a meeting with the Department of Fish and Game on her behalf to assist with a depredation permit. 

    While we wish these solutions can be resolved quickly, the reality is, it often takes problem solving, partnerships, and multiple resources to find the best solutions and stay within the legal boundaries.

    To read the original guest column being responded to, written by resident Cheryl Norine, click here: GUEST OPINION: Wild turkeys in Citrus Heights are out of control

    Want to share your own thoughts about turkeys or another local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Citrus Heights now has two new police commanders

    Jason Russo, Alex Turcott
    Jason Russo, right, and Alex Turcott, left, were newly promoted from lieutenants to commanders in the Citrus Heights Police Department. // Image credit: CHPD

    By Stacey Hanks–
    The Citrus Heights Police Department has announced the promotion of two of its lieutenants to fill recent vacancies of two commander positions, the third highest position in the department under the Assistant Chief and Chief of Police.

    “Selecting two new Police Commanders among a list of many talented personnel, was a good challenge to have, as we have no shortage of qualified personnel,” said Police Chief Ron Lawrence in a written statement released on Monday, announcing the promotion of lieutenants Jason Russo and Alex Turcotte.  “Both are skilled, experienced and committed leaders who will no doubt continue to serve our organization and citizens well into our future.”

    Commander Russo will now oversee the department’s Investigative Services Division, while Commander Turcotte will oversee the Patrol Services Division. The positions were left vacant after former Commander Daman Christensen retired last month and former Commander Gina Anderson was promoted to the newly created position of Assistant Chief of Police.

    Related: Citrus Heights now has an Assistant Police Chief

    Commander Russo’s career in law enforcement began as an intern for the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office while studying at Sacramento State, according to a bio provided by police. After graduating with a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, he was hired by the Clayton Police Department where he was promoted to sergeant in 2003.

    Three years later, he joined the newly formed Citrus Heights Police Department as one of the original sergeants, being later promoted to lieutenant in 2013. While with CHPD, Commander Russo has served in a variety of roles including SWAT Tactical and Sniper Team Leader, Training Manager, Detective, Patrol and Traffic Sergeant. He has also served as board president of the Citrus Heights Police Activities League.

    Commander Turcotte started in law enforcement as a patrol officer with the Ventura Police Department in 2001 where he also served on the SWAT team. In 2006, he joined CHPD as a patrol officer and was promoted to sergeant the following year, later becoming a lieutenant in 2013.

    Turcotte has worked a variety of assignments within the department, including SWAT Team Leader and the Special Investigations Unit. According to his bio, Turcotte also holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice along with a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He also serves as current president of the Citrus Heights Rotary Foundation.

  • Citrus Heights police seek suspect after high speed chase called off

    Suspect, police
    A pair of images of a suspect were released by Citrus Heights police late Tuesday. // Source CHPD

    Police are seeking help from the public to identify a suspect sought in connection with a stolen vehicle and high-speed pursuit that began shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday.

    Images of the suspect were released on the Citrus Heights Police Department’s social media pages late Tuesday evening, with limited details. Additional information was later provided to The Sentinel on Wednesday afternoon by Special Operations Lt. Jason Russo.

    Police said the pursuit began in Citrus Heights after officers located a stolen pickup truck and attempted to stop the driver. The suspect then fled, ran several red lights, and reached high speeds during the pursuit, Lt. Russo said.

    “We ended up cancelling the pursuit, but we are looking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect in the photo because we believe he is related to the stolen vehicle,” Russo told The Sentinel. He said images were acquired through an investigation of the incident, but was not able to provide what location the photos were taken.

    “We’re hoping that someone recognizes his face and provides us with a tip so we can contact the person,” the lieutenant said. He described the man in the photos as having dark-colored hair and a short or scruffy beard, but said the suspect’s age, height, and weight could not be determined due to the poor quality of the images.

    The stolen vehicle involved is described as a dark-colored, newer model Chevy pickup with a tool box in back.

    >>See latest Citrus Heights police logs

    Lt. Russo said several factors are evaluated during a pursuit which can cause police to cancel the action, including the seriousness of offense, nature of crime, and traffic conditions.

    “We want to ensure that we keep the public’s safety in mind, as well as the need to apprehend a subject,” Russo said.

    Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Citrus Heights police at (916) 727-5500 and reference case #17-03116.

  • Annual report: overall crime up 4% in Citrus Heights

    Citrus Heights crime
    A slide presented to city council members during their March 9, 2017, council meeting shows a comparison between 2015 and 2016 crime in Citrus Heights. // Source: CHPD

    Motor vehicle theft, aggravated assault, and arson all saw at least double-digit increases in Citrus Heights during 2016, while robbery and homicides saw double-digit drops, according to the latest annual crime report delivered to council members by Police Chief Ron Lawrence earlier this month.

    The annual report used crime data from “Part 1” of the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, which tracks eight categories of crimes that are broken down into property crimes and persons crimes. Property crimes include burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson, and persons crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

    Part 2 crimes are considered less serious and are only required to be reported if there is an arrest, according to the FBI’s website.

    Largest local increases in crime were in the motor vehicle theft category, which rose 39 percent in the year-over-year comparison presented. Arson cases also more than doubled, rising from six in 2015 up to a total of 16 last year, while robbery dropped by 22 percent and homicides dropped from five in 2015 down to three last year, according to the report.

    The homicide category of the UCR statistics does not typically include officer-involved shootings, since the FBI tabulates such shootings as “justifiable homicides,” after a law enforcement investigation. As reported in an extensive story in The Sacramento Bee on March 12, Citrus Heights had one homicide involving a police shooting in 2015, and two in 2016.

    Lawrence, who replaced former Police Chief Christopher Boyd in October last year, highlighted “deficiencies” in year-over-year comparisons, as did several council members who focused on a 10-year crime trend showing categories of major crime are at one of their lowest points in the history of the police department, which was formed in 2006. From 2006 to 2016, Lawrence reported an overall drop in Part 1 crimes by 22 percent.

    “I think the citizens are 100 percent behind you,” Mayor Jeff Slowey told the police chief after hearing the March 9 report. “So even when there’s a little blip on the radar that doesn’t always look good, everyone’s always out there doing their best.”

    Councilman Bret Daniels called the crime statistics “a little disappointing that there’s even a slight little spike,” but he said “it could mean that we just did better last year.”

    Daniels also questioned the chief about the significant rise in vehicle theft and asked what could be done in response. Lawrence said such thefts are “up all over the state” and said vehicle thefts notably rose after prison realignment in 2011, which is often blamed for releasing prisoners on the streets.

    According to Lt. Jason Russo, the department plans to launch a theft prevention program targeted at Honda owners to encourage use of a steering wheel lock. He said 90’s model Honda’s are the most commonly stolen vehicles, with thieves often stealing the cars using shaved keys.

    *This story originally appeared in The Sentinel’s March 19 e-Edition. Read part two of this article in our upcoming March 26 edition for additional statistics and a look at CHPD’s crime reduction strategies. Click here to sign up for our Weekend e-Edition

    Crime overview
    A slide showing a 10-year overview of total Part 1 crimes in Citrus Heights, from 2006 to 2016. // Source: CHPD

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  • Citrus Heights Police: latest DUI Checkpoint set for this weekend

    Citrus Heights Police: latest DUI Checkpoint set for this weekend

    Police will conduct a Saint Patrick’s Day weekend DUI and drivers license checkpoint in Citrus Heights, authorities announced in a news release on Wednesday.

    The checkpoint will be held at “an undisclosed location” in the city between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., beginning Friday night, March 17, and continuing through early Saturday morning.

    Police said the operation will include officers briefly stopping vehicles to look for signs of alcohol and drug impairment, as well as checking drivers for proper licensing. Officers will also be on scene to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which can include many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, according to the news release.

    A prior checkpoint held in December on Antelope Road stopped a total of 1,033 vehicles and led to three arrests and 10 citations for various violations, police previously told The Sentinel. No DUI arrests were made, but Police Lt. Jason Russo said one individual was arrested at the checkpoint for a felony warrant, another for a stolen vehicle, and a third person was arrested for “burglary tools, drugs, and probation violations.”

    Additionally, four vehicles were impounded and citations were issued for violations that included driving without a license or driving with a suspended license.

    Want local police logs? See CHPD logs for March 9-15th

    The Citrus Heights Police Department says it announces DUI operations in advance as a public awareness tool to help deter drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk in the first place. The department also regularly deploys “DUI saturation patrols,” which specifically search for, and pull over, drivers showing signs of intoxication.

    Funding for CHPD’s checkpoints comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. CHPD was awarded a $145,000 OTS grant last year to help fund a year-long program of safety-related efforts, with a focus on DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols.

  • Banquet, motorcycle raffle to help local youth-focused police charity

    Motorcycle, Road King, Harley Davidson
    The Citrus Heights Police Department will raffle off at least one of its Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles during a May 21 fundraiser. Photo courtesy, CHPD.

    Banquet and motorcycle raffle tickets are still available for the upcoming Citrus Heights Police Activities League’s annual fundraiser dinner at the Community Center. The May 21 event is scheduled to include a spaghetti dinner, no-host bar, and an auction for an original Citrus Heights Police Department Harley Davidson motorcycle.

    The evening will also include a silent auction and “up to two” of CHPD’s original Harley Davidson Road King motorcycles will be raffled, according to a news release. The evening is also scheduled to feature a “dance” performance by Citrus Heights police officers — a show organizers say “you won’t want to miss!”

    Founded in 2010 as a nonprofit charitable youth organization, the League’s primary goal is to “constructively mentor and influence local, at-risk youth through a variety of recreational activities.” The group also holds several fundraisers each year to help cover costs, with the annual banquet now in its third year.

    In an email statement about the fundraiser, Lt. Jason Russo, who also serves as president of the League said relationships fostered by the League between youth and police officers helps to reduce crime and keep kids away from drugs and gang involvement. Activities organized by the League have included outdoor sports, hiking trips, and museum tours.

    Tickets for the banquet run $15 each, with raffle tickets available for $25 each. Organizers say proceeds from the event will be used to cover free or low-cost activities for kids throughout the year.

    Tickets for the banquet and raffle can be purchased by calling (916) 727-4820 or by emailing Lt. Russo at jrusso@citrusheights.net. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the police department’s front desk.

    —
    Event details:

    PAL Fundraiser Banquet
    5:30-9:30 p.m.
    May 21, 2016
    6300 Fountain Square Dr.
    Citrus Heights, CA

  • Citrus Heights police celebrate ‘Dispatcher Week,’ issue award

    Updated Nov. 6, 2025–
    As part of a week-long national effort to recognize the role of public safety dispatchers in April, the Citrus Heights Police Department announced an award this week to 911 Dispatcher Cyndi Spadini for a year of “admirable” and “outstanding service.”

    “Every day, across the nation, 911 operators field phone calls and quickly connect emergency services to people in dire need,” the department said in a news release Tuesday. “This week we honor our 911 operators and thank them for their dedication to duty.”

    The annual National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is celebrated this year from April 10 through 16, with CHPD taking the opportunity to highlight the 24-hour-a-day work of dispatchers in “solving problems, saving lives, assisting the public” and serving as a critical connection to law enforcement and fire personnel.

    In giving the award to Spadini, the department said she demonstrated professionalism and an admirable work ethic, since joining the department in 2008.

    “Cyndi is a great dispatch partner,” Lt. Jason Russo said in Tuesday’s news release. “She can be counted on to help out her partners without being prompted, and her multi-tasking is of great help.”

    The department also credited Spadini’s radio dispatching as being “officer-safety conscious,” and recognized her for hard work and humble demeanor.

    “She will be the first to tell you that she does not believe she deserves such accolades or recognition, but there are many who feel she does.”

  • Citrus Heights PD plans crackdown on jaywalking, bike violations

    Auburn Boulevard, pedestrian collision,
    File photo. Citrus Heights police officers block off a portion of Auburn Boulevard to investigate a vehicle versus pedestrian collision in November, 2015. Police said the woman was crossing outside of a sidewalk. //CHSentinel

    After a deadly spike in roadway deaths in the city last year, Citrus Heights police have announced plans to concentrate enforcement efforts on violations related to pedestrian and bike safety “in the coming weeks.”

    “Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian violations are occurring, including locations where traffic collisions occur, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries,” the department said in a news release last week. The statement also said police investigated a total of 156 injury or fatal collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists in Citrus Heights over the past three years, mapping out locations of crashes occurring in the last two years.

    Although police reported zero fatalities on Citrus Heights streets in 2014, a total of six roadway deaths occurred in 2015. Four of the deaths involved pedestrians, while one involved a motorcycle and the other resulted from a vehicle hitting a tree.

    Pedestrians were determined to have been at fault in all four pedestrian deaths last year, according to a statement from Police Chief Christopher Boyd at a council meeting last month. As previously reported on The Sentinel, alcohol was also involved in at least half the fatal collisions.

    As part of the stepped up enforcement effort, police said action “will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street illegally, or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way.” The cost of a jaywalking fine in Sacramento County is currently $194, according to Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.

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    Police also said special attention would be focused on drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, as well as for speeding, illegal turns, disregarding stop signs, and “any other dangerous violation.” Bike riders will also be issued citations if they “fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists.”

    The department advises bike riders to always wear helmets and said pedestrians should only cross streets in marked crosswalks, or at corners. Bicyclists under 18 are required to wear a helmet by law.

    [Related: CHPD seeks to reduce fatalities with $236k traffic safety grant]

    Police said funding for the local enforcement effort comes from a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  • CHPD: Bait cars, packages in use to reduce holiday theft

    Bait vehicles, Citrus Heights
    File photo. Citrus Heights police display a ‘bait vehicle’ sign in an effort to reduce theft. // CH Sentinel

    As Christmas approaches and gift shopping and package deliveries reach their seasonal high, Citrus Heights police announced they are deploying extra officers, bait vehicles, and bait packages to help reduce theft during the holiday season this year.

    Although bait vehicles have been used in Citrus Heights for several years, Police Lt. Jason Russo said that “bait packages” are also being used, “in hopes to reduce crime [and] have the criminals think twice before committing crimes in Citrus Heights.”

    Other law enforcement agencies are also testing out bait packages to nab thieves, with Rancho Cordova police gaining attention earlier this month when Fox40 and USA Today reported that detectives had partnered with retailers to have GPS tracking devices placed in random packages and then delivered to doorsteps by UPS or other shipping services. As the “bait” contains real items and looks like any other package, an unsuspecting thief can then be tracked by police and arrested.

    [Watch Fox40 video: Citrus Heights holiday package thief arrested]

    According to Lt. Russo, bait vehicles in Citrus Heights also use tracking systems, which can either track the vehicle — if stolen — or track valuable items and packages stolen from the car. He said the vehicles are also equipped with recording capabilities and technology “just like on ‘Bait Car’,” a TV show about police using high-tech bait vehicles to arrest thieves.

    Local bait vehicles look just like any other vehicle on the street and are strategically placed in areas where police have observed high theft or crime trends, according to Citrus Heights police. Although equipped to help officers track and arrest criminals, police have said a primary goal of the program is to prevent theft from happening in the first place — which is why large orange and black “bait vehicle” warning signs are often seen in high-traffic areas around Citrus Heights.

    “We’re actually trying to publicize [the bait] to make people aware, so they think twice before stealing items in Citrus Heights,” Lt. Russo said. Another CHPD officer, Wesley Herman, previously told The Sentinel that bait vehicle signs help make Citrus Heights “the least attractive girl at the dance,” by notifying would-be thieves that unmarked, random vehicles in Citrus Heights are actively being tracked.

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    Russo said residents can also reduce the likelihood of having a package stolen from their doorstep by following a few tips:

    •Have your packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person, such as a your workplace or neighbor’s house, if allowed.
    •Ask the delivery company to hold your package at their closest pick-up facility until you can pick it up.
    •If purchasing from a larger retailer, consider having your package delivered to a local store for pick-up.
    •Choose a specific delivery time when you will be home, if that is an option.
    •Take advantage of delivery alerts so you can be notified when a package arrives at your home.
    •Ask the shipper to require a signature confirmation of delivery, in order to prevent packages from being left when no one is home to sign for them.
    •Provide delivery instructions so packages can be left out of sight from your yard or the road.

    If a package does get stolen, Russo said residents should call CHPD’s non-emergency number at (916) 727-5500, as it helps police track neighborhood crime trends. He said even without a video or suspect description, reports could also lead to items being recovered in cases where the thieves were perhaps caught on video at a nearby home.

    “If we get calls, we actively monitor — weekly and daily — if the location becomes a hotspot,” said Russo. Police resources are then “strategically deployed” based on crime reports, with “bait” possibly ending up near a location due to calls.

    According to Lt. Russo, Citrus Heights also sees "numerous theft cases" everyday from thieves stealing items left in plain view inside locked or unlocked cars. He also said thefts of running vehicles tend to rise during colder weather, as drivers are more prone to leave a car running to warm it up and defrost windows. Earlier this year, The Sentinel reported a local driver had his vehicle stolen after leaving it running while going into a gas station. It was recovered by Citrus Heights police several minutes later, after officers located the vehicle and the suspect fled on foot before being caught. [From January: Driver gets stolen vehicle back after search leads to arrest in Citrus Heights] Russo advised drivers to reduce "crimes of opportunity" by not storing valuables inside vehicles and always parking with doors locked and windows up -- even if just running a quick errand. Reducing 2015 holiday season crime against retailers and customers is a public safety objective listed in the City's six-month strategic objectives. By March 1, 2016 Police Chief Christopher Boyd is scheduled to report the results of the effort to the city council, with crime data being compared to 2014.

  • Citrus Heights Tree Lighting set for Dec. 3 at temporary site

    Citrus Heights Tree Lighting set for Dec. 3 at temporary site

    Christmas tree decor, Citrus Heights
    Christmas tree decor, stock photo. // CHSentinel

    The 19th annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Citrus Heights will be held at a temporary site in front of the Community Center on Dec. 3 this year, pending anticipated completion of a new city hall building next summer.

    Although a larger, 30-foot tall tree was delivered two weeks ago, Community Center Technician Michele Saario said a smaller tree was brought in last week after several technical difficulties were encountered.

    This year’s festivities will begin with a 6:30 p.m. lighting ceremony on Thursday outside the Community Center, followed by free refreshments, cookie decorating, train rides, and pictures with Santa inside the Center. According to the City’s web site, there will also be special performances by the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band, and dance performances by the Ukrainian Heritage Club of Northern California and Folsom-based Aradhana Arts.

    In the past, tree lighting ceremonies were held around a once-permanent tree rooted on the old city hall grounds at the corner of Greenback Lane and Fountain Square Drive. A location change was required this year due to the old tree being cut down when city hall was demolished, in preparation for a new medical building to be built at the corner.

    [From July: Citrus Heights leaders break ground on new city hall project]

    According to Saario, future tree lighting ceremonies will be held at the new city hall being constructed near the corner of Fountain Square Drive and Stock Ranch Road, where a permanent tree will be planted. She said finding a temporary site for this year’s tree lighting was a “challenging” experience, with the location changing several times due to traffic concerns from police and underground wiring outside the Community Center not allowing a hole to be dug for the original, larger tree.

    Police Lt. Jason Russo said various proposed tree locations had encountered different problems, with a primary concern coming from trying to avoid blocking off Fountain Square Drive due to the nearby Post Office and Sam’s Club each having night deliveries. He said the final plan is for crowds to gather across the street from the Community Center in the police department parking lot, with police closing the road briefly during the actual lighting of the tree. The road will then re-open after attendees move inside the Center for the remaining activities and performances.

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    Russo also said donation bins for unwrapped toys and food will be set up after the ceremony to go towards the police department’s annual Holiday Referral Program, which seeks to help local families who experienced a hardship over the past year.

    [Related: Holiday police program benefits in-need Citrus Heights families]

    The annual tree lighting drew over 1,000 people last year, and is sponsored by the City of Citrus Heights, along with Sunrise Mall and Marketplace, and Republic Services.
    —
    Event info:
    Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
    Time: 6:30 p.m.
    Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015
    Location:
    Police Department and Citrus Heights Community Center
    6315 and 6300 Fountain Square Dr.