Most of the cases that are assigned to members of the Petaluma Police Department are referred from the patrol division. If you need to report crimes please do not contact a member of the Investigations Unit as this will not ensure that you receive appropriate, prompt police attention. You can call 911 if the situation is an emergency or, for a non-emergency police investigation you can call 707.778.4372. You can also email the Petaluma Police Department at policeadmin@ci.petaluma.ca.us

If you need to speak to a specific member of the Investigations Unit, the following information may assist you:

Investigations Unit Secretary Susan Rogers
707.778.4375 or srogers@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Detective Sergeant Tera Salizzoni
707.778.4415 or tsalizzoni@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Detective Robert Barnes
707.778.4532 or rbarnes@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Detective Paul Gilman
707.778.4334 or pgilman@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Detective Aaron Garihan
707.778.4456 or agarihan@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Detective Michael Pierre
707.778.4444 or mpierre@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Michelle Doyel
707.778.4533 or mdoyel@ci.petaluma.ca.us

Crime Scene Evidence Specialist LaDonna Thompson
707.778.4328 or lthompson@ci.petaluma.ca.us

By the Spring of 2006 the Petaluma Police Department had become very aware of the hazards that existed on the Internet regarding sexual predators. Investigations had been conducted involving this emerging crime problem and some of the personnel in the department had received specialized training in this troubling area. The command staff at the department decided that we needed to do everything we could to ensure that a child within our city did not fall prey to this criminal behavior.

All of the Detectives were sent to specialized training hosted by the Internet Crimes against Children that specifically trained them in conducting proactive investigations that target offenders. The Detectives quickly developed a respect for how significant this problem was and how time consuming efforts to combat it really were. In the months that followed, they dedicated themselves to carefully designing and coordinating an enforcement operation that was intended to send a message as far as possible that Petaluma was not an appropriate destination for those who may be inclined to engage in this criminal behavior. The Detectives learned about a non-profit organization, Perverted Justice that had developed a large civilian team of volunteers who specialize in assisting law enforcement with this crime problem. Extensive research was carried out by the Petaluma Police Department, ensuring that a collaborative operation with this organization would be prudent.

On August 25, 2006 the Petaluma Police Department launched an intense, three day operation. Personnel from the California Department of Justice Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, Sonoma County District Attorneys Office, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Rosa Police Department and the Northern California High Tech Crimes Task Force joined in carrying out this challenging endeavor. 31 men from throughout the state of California, many of whom traveled for hours, arrived at a “decoy” home on the eastside of Petaluma after carrying out explicit on-line chats with whom they believed was a child. They were arrested after arriving at the location and 29 of them were booked into Sonoma County jail for felony violations. This event was covered by NBC Dateline News and was incredibly effective in the on-going effort to bring this problem to the attention of parents nation-wide. Since the event, many of those arrested have been convicted of attempting to engage in illegal behavior with a child and many cases are still in court. The safety of our community was the absolute top priority in designing this operation. The operation took hundreds of hours of planning and “pre-operational critiques” involved numerous allied agencies and the command staff at the Petaluma Police Department. The personnel selected for this operation were seasoned professionals from within specialized units at all of the agencies represented. The operational plans designed for this incident have since been sought by law enforcement agencies throughout California, the United States and in other countries.

Since the operation, the Investigations Team has continued to carry out proactive on-line chats utilizing fictitious child identities. The investigative techniques utilized by Detectives are stringently adhered to and have been deemed completely lawful by our courts. The Investigations Team has also continued to focus on efforts to educate parents and teachers, delivering safety presentations to hundreds of people throughout Sonoma County and abroad. A safety message to parents from Robert DeLeo of the Polly Klaas Foundation and a safety tip from NBC Dateline helps spread the word about this type of crime. For excellent advice on protecting your children look at www.netsmartz.org. Anyone wanting information related to the Petaluma Police Department’s Predator Operation and/or on-line predator investigations in general can contact Sergeant Matthew Stapleton at 707.778.4415 or email at mstapleton@ci.petaluma.ca.us.

If you are being threatened, harassed or physically abused by your partner, or ex-partner, you have the right to be protected. The Petaluma Police Department is committed to protecting all victims of domestic violence. If you are, or have been, involved in a violent relationship and require assistance, please call the Petaluma Police Department immediately. When the officer arrives, he/she can protect you from immediate danger or harm. In order to provide you with immediate safety, there are several legal options that are available.

Arrest Procedure

There are three ways to handle the incident when the officer arrives. When the officer witnesses the crime or where the victim sustains a serious or visible injury, the officer shall make an arrest. Even if the suspect is arrested, that person can post bail and be released at any time. The victim is to be informed before the suspect is released from custody. The arresting officer shall notify the victim upon notification from the Sonoma County Jail, and if that person is not available, another officer shall make the contact.

If the officer did not witness the crime, and there is no serious or visible injury, the officer can do one of two things. The officer may make an arrest or inform you of your right to make a Citizens Arrest. This allows the officer to take the suspect into custody. If you choose to make a citizens arrest, you will be required to sign a citizen's arrest form and provide the office with a written and signed statement describing the events surrounding the crime.

If the suspect has no history of assaults, the officer may decide to issue a citation and release the suspect. The suspect still has to appear in court but he/she does not have to go to jail at that specific time. If the suspect has been issued a citation, or violated a temporary restraining order, then the suspect will be taken to jail by the officer.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

Petaluma Police Officers can obtain an Emergency Protective Order against a suspect if any of the following situations apply: You are living with or have recently lived with or have had a dating relationship with the suspect and there is an incidence of violence or threat of violence against you or your children.

• You call the Petaluma Police Department and the suspect is present or in the immediate area when the officer arrives.
• The officer has reasonable grounds to believe that you or your children are in immediate and serious danger of domestic violence.

The Emergency Protective Order will remain in effect until 5:00 P.M. on the fifth court date, or the seventh calendar day after being issued, whichever comes first. This is designed to provide you with immediate legal protection until you are able to obtain a Temporary Restraining Order from the courts.

Temporary Restraining Orders

The forms necessary to request a Temporary Restraining Order are available, free of charge, at the Sonoma County Family Law Clerks Office, Hall of Justice, Room 108-J, 600 Administration Drive , Santa Rosa , 565-1100. If you need assistance in completing the forms, contact the Victim Advocate at the Petaluma Police Department, 778-4533. Completed papers must be returned to the Family Law Clerks Office.

Judges review and sign the petitions Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Once a Temporary Restraining Order has been issued, file one copy with the Petaluma Police Department and keep another with you at all times. The Order can do any of the following:

• Order the suspect to stay a specified distance away from you and your children.
• Order the suspect to stay away from your home, work, and children's school or care provider.
• Order the suspect to move out of your home even if the suspect is a co-owner or lessee.
• Give you custody of your children and make visitation orders.
• Order the payment of child support.
• Order the suspect not to contact you or your family by phone.
• Order the suspect to make payments on specific debts and bills.
• Order the suspect and victim to participate in counseling.
• The Penal Code Section for violations of these orders cannot be enforced until the person to be restrained has been served notice or has been advised by the court.

Civil Suit

As a victim of domestic violence, you have the right to file a civil suit against your abuser. You may sue for losses suffered as a result of the abuse including medical expenses, loss of earnings or other costs related to your injuries. You may also claim damage to your property or expenses incurred by any agency sheltering you after the abuse.

Sexual assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger, an acquaintance, a relative, or even your spouse. If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you should take the following steps:

• Go immediately to a safe place and call for assistance.
• If you are injured, seek medical help immediately.
• Do not bathe, shower, douche or dispose of your clothing.

When the Officer arrives, it is important to provide information about what happened to you and who was responsible. If you are the victim of a sexual assault, contact the Petaluma Police Department as soon as possible. The sooner the crime is reported, the greater the odds are of arresting and convicting the suspect. When the Petaluma Officer arrives, you will be asked questions in order to obtain preliminary information about what happened and who was responsible.

Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the assault, you may need a medical examination. You should take a complete change of clothes with you. The clothing worn at the time of the assault will be collected by the Officer because they may present evidence against the suspect.

During the investigation, ask the Officer any questions regarding the procedures being used. You have the right to request your name not become a matter of public record. Pursuant to Penal Code 679.04 , you have the right to have an advocate present during an interview by any Law Enforcement authority, the District Attorney or Defense Attorney. Pursuant to Penal Code 264.2 an Officer will immediately notify United Against Sexual Assault, and/or an advocate of your choice so you will have a support system to assist you through the entire process. An advocate can accompany and support you at sexual assault medical examinations, at Police and District Attorney Interviews, and in court. United Against Sexual Assault advocates will further help you with problems that arise with your family, friends, school, work, or housing. Advocates can answer your questions, inform you of your options, advocate for your rights, connect you to counseling and victim funds, and talk with you at any time. Advocate services are confidential.

As a victim of either domestic violence or sexual assault, you have the right to: Be treated with respect, dignity and courtesy no matter what your race, age, lifestyle, or occupation.

• File a complaint and receive services regardless of the relationship between you and the suspect.
• The form of communication you find most comfortable.
• Have a counselor throughout the entire process.
• Privacy when meeting counselors or law enforcement officers.
• Receive an explanation about all procedures and forms.
• Voice complaints and expect to have them heard.
• Talk about, or not talk about, what happened to you.

Victim's Resources and Important Phone Numbers / Link

• Emergency 9-1-1
• Dispatch 762-2727
• Business 778-4372
• Petaluma Police Department Victim Advocate 778-4533
• YWCA 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline 546-1234
• United Against Sexual Assault (UASA) 24-hour Hotline 545-7273

Temporary Restraining Order Clinic

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 1:00 PM, Courtroom 17, NO LATE ARRIVALS
• Petaluma Peoples Service Center 765-8488
• Sonoma County Legal Services 546-2924

Victim Assistance

• YWCA Counseling for Women in Abusive Relationships 546-1234
• District Attorney Domestic Violence Counselor 565-2311
• Victim/Witness Project 565-8250
• Victims of Crime Resource Center (800) – VICTIMS

Emergency Shelters

• YWCA – Women's Emergency Shelter 546-1234
• Manna Home 576-1471
• Community Action Partnership 544-6911
• Redwood Gospel Mission / The Rose Shelter 573-0490, call after 4 PM

Crisis Counseling Hotlines

• YWCA 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline 546-1234
• Sonoma County Mental Health 576-8181
• Social Advocates for Youth 546-3432
• Child Protective Services 565-4300
• Orenda Center Hotline 565-7450
• United Against Sexual Assault of Sonoma County (UASA) 545 – RAPE Emergency
• Food and Clothing Supply, Transportation, Information and References
• YWCA of Sonoma County Rummage Sale 546-9922
• Friends in Sonoma Helping (F.I.S.H.)
• Santa Rosa 527-5151
• Sonoma Valley 996-0111
• Marriage and Family Counseling

County Mental Health Outreach

• Sonoma 996-3644
• Family and Service Agency* 545-4551
• California Parenting Institute* - Santa Rosa 585-6108
• Recourse Mediation Services 525-8545

*a nominal fee may be requested for services

Counseling for Offenders

• Sonoma County M.E.N. 528-2636

The Petaluma Police Department understands the special concerns involved when interviewing children who are victims of child abuse. The interview process is completed at the Redwood Children's Center, a facility designed to be a safe, warm, child-friendly environment.

The detectives of the Petaluma Police Department have received specialized training in the area of interviewing children who are victims of sexual assault and work closely with the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, the Sonoma County Child Protective Services, Health and Human Services and the Redwood Children's Center, as a multi-disciplinary team to reduce the trauma to a child victim. This limits the number of interviews and adults the child victim has to talk to regarding the crime. This approach allows each agency to collect accurate factual information and ensures the quality of the case presented is as thorough as possible.

To visit the Redwood Children's Center, go to www.vomchildrensfoundation.org.

In 1947, California implemented the nation's first sex offender registration program to track the whereabouts of persons convicted of specific crimes. The registrant is for life, unless the offender is relieved of this responsibility through the legal process. In 1995 a child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of 7 year-old Megan Kanka in a New Jersey suburb. The offender lived right across the street from the Kanka residence, however the Police Department was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester because at the time the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public.

The law was changed to permit the release of this information to the public and on May 8, 1996, President Clinton signed the law, dubbed "Megan's Law" in remembrance of little Megan Kanka. The California State Legislature signed California's version of Megan's Law into effect on September 25, 1996. This law was implemented to allow potential victims to protect themselves and allow parents to protect their children.

The Petaluma Police Department and Megan's Law

The Petaluma Police Department is committed to keeping children safe and parents informed about sexual offenders living near them. In 2007, the Petaluma Police Department assigned one of its Detectives the sole primary function of managing sex offenders that reside within the City of Petaluma. The Detective is responsible for registering sex offenders who move into, within or out of the City of Petaluma. The Detective is responsible for ensuring that all sex offenders registered in the City of Petaluma comply with the legal requirements demanded of them. The Detective tracks each and every registrant to ensure that conditions such as probation and/or parole are complied with and provides regular updates to department personnel as to the status of all sex registrants. The Detective is responsible for investigating all violations of registration requirements. For more specific information regarding names and locations of these offenders, the Megan's Law CD ROM is available to view for the public from 7:00am to 5:00pm, Monday - Friday in the Police Department lobby, located at 969 Petaluma Boulevard North.

To obtain specific information as to past offenses and a picture of a particular offender, it is necessary to make an appointment with the Sex Registrant Detective at the department. Detective Matthew North is responsible for registering the offenders and doing public disclosures. He can be contacted at 707.778.4481, or emailed at mnorth@ci.petaluma.ca.us.

Other Ways to Obtain Sex Offender Information

Sex Offender Identification Line – The Sex Offender Identification Line is a telephone service for use by the public and organizations to identify serious sex offenders. The cost for calling the 1-900-463-0400 line is a flat rate fee of $10.00 for information on up to two individuals.

To use the 900 line, you must be at least 18 years of age, and you must know the following information about the person you are checking:

• The name of the person, AND one of the following:
  • an exact address, or
  • exact date of birth, or
  • California driver license or identification number, or social security number.

If you know only the person's name, you will need to provide a complete description of the person.

You can view Megan's Law Public Information at the Petaluma Police Department. You need to call Detective Matthew North at 707.778.xxxx to set up an appointment. In order to view Megan's Law, you must:

• Be 18 years of age.
• Provide a valid California Driver's license or identification card.
• Sign a statement that you are not a registered sex offender; that you understand the purpose of the release of information is for the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders; and that it is illegal to use the information to harass, discriminate or commit a crime against any registrant.
• State a distinct purpose for viewing if required by local law enforcement.

You can also access the Megan's Law Information link (Megan's Law Information (Attorney General) through the California Attorney General's Office. You can access the same web site through the Petaluma Police Department web site under Helpful Links, State of California Links, and Megan's Law Information.

Use of this information

The release of this information to the public is a means of assuring public protection and not to punish the offender. The information may not be used to harass the offender or commit any crime against the offender. Public safety is best served when offenders are not concealing their location to avoid harassment.

You can reduce the risk to yourself and your family by taking simple precautions:

• Practice good security – at home, at the office, and in your vehicle.
• Be alert to locations and situations that make you and your family vulnerable to crime, and be aware of people around you and your family.
• Educate yourself on crime prevention tactics. For your assistance, contact your local law enforcement agency or the Crime and Violence Prevention Center of the California Attorney General's Office.

Teach your children to avoid situations that put them in danger of abuse, molestation or abduction. Help protect your child by establishing a home environment where your child feels safe to tell you anything, without fear, shame, ridicule or punishment.

A safe and supportive home environment, combined with clear instructions about what behavior is acceptable and what is not, will guide you child's actions and encourage your child to tell you if something improper happens.

Many parents warn their children not to talk to strangers. More often than not, an abuser or abductor is known to the child. He or she can be a school bus driver, teacher, relative, neighbor or family friend.

It is best to teach your child to avoid certain situations or actions. Children should know from an early age that some behavior is not acceptable, and that they have the right to tell an adult to leave them alone.

Here are some specific rules you can teach your child:

• Stay away from people who call you near their car, even if they offer to take you somewhere exciting
• If someone tries to take you away, yell, “This person is not my father (mother)” and scream.
• You don't have to keep secrets from your parents. No one can hurt your parents or pets if you tell what happened.
• No one should touch you in the parts covered by your bathing suit, and you should not be asked to touch anyone there.

Arm yourself with information. The 900 line is a tool to protect you and your family. For more information, call the Petaluma Police Department, or view the California Attorney General's home page: http://www.caag.state.ca.us.

Identity theft crimes are on the rise and are one of the quickest growing crimes. Statistics show that identity theft crime has risen 1400% since 1997 and credit bureaus report losses of millions of dollars every year. In 1998, the U.S. General Accounting Office released a report detailing the damage this crime has caused. Losses totaled over $75,000,000 in 1997 alone. With the use of internet increasing every year, the instances of this crime go up every day. The Federal Trade Commission projects that one in four people will become victims of this crime.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves acquiring pieces of someone's identifying information, such as a name, address, date of birth, social security number, mother's maiden name, and any other information used to establish a person's identity. This information enables the criminal to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing everything from automobiles to loans and credit cards, applying for social security benefits, and establishing services with various utilities and phone companies. The criminal can also use the new identity to avoid traffic or criminal court charges; this is called Evasion of Due Process. Another type of identity theft is Immigration Fraud, which is an impersonation of a U.S. citizen in order to avoid laws which prohibit the employment of undocumented workers.

As a result of the dynamic growth of identity theft, Penal Code section 530.5 was enacted in 1998, making it illegal for a person to use your information fraudulently.

What to do if you become a victim of Identity Theft:

• Set up a folder to keep detailed history of this crime.
• Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents pertaining to the crime.
• Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing, for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your own accounts that have been used fraudulently. Carefully monitor your mail and credit cards for evidence of new fraudulent activity. Report any fraudulent activity to credit grantors immediately. You may be asked by banks and credit grantors to fill out and notarize affidavits for the frauds, which could become costly. The law does not require that a notarized affidavit be provided to creditors. A written statement and supporting documentation should be enough.
• Notify the US Postal Inspector if your mail has been stolen or tampered with, or if you suspect someone has filed a change of your address with the post office. Call: US Postal Inspection Service (See phone listing under Federal Inspection).
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem. The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from the identity theft. Their hotline number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
• Call the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus to report identity theft. Ask to have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts. Ask for copies of your credit reports. Credit bureaus must give you a free copy of your report if it is inaccurate because of fraud. Review your reports carefully to make sure no additional fraudulent accounts have been opened in your name or unauthorized changes made to your existing accounts. In a few months, order new copies of your reports to verify your corrections and changes, and to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.

Credit Bureaus

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241 , Atlanta , Georgia 30374-0241

• To order your credit report, call 1-800-685-1111
• To report fraud, call 1-800-525-6285

Experian
P.O. Box 949 , Allen , Texas 75013 -09949

• To order your credit report, call 1-888-397-3742
• To report fraud, call 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union
P.O. Box 390 , Springfield , Pennsylvania 19064-0390

• To order your credit report, call 1-800-916-8800
• To report fraud, call 1-900-680-7289
• Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity. Request a change of PIN and a new password.
• If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the companies listed below. Put stop payments on any outstanding checks that you are unsure of. Cancel your checking and saving account and obtain new account numbers. Give the bank a secret password for your account (not mother's maiden name). When creating a password for ATM cards, don't use common numbers like the last four digits of your social security number or your date of birth date.

National Check Fraud Service (843) 571-2143
SCAN (800) 262-7771
TeleCheck (800) 710-9898
CheckRite (800) 766-2748
CrossCheck (707) 586-0551
Equifax Check Systems (800) 437-5120
International Check Services (800) 526-5380

• Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline to report fraudulent use of your social security number at 1-800-269-0271. To order your Earnings and Benefits Statement, call 1-800-772-1213. Their web site is www.ssa.gov.
• Contact your local DMV if you suspect another license was issued in your name. If this has occurred, request a new license number and fill out the DMV's complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process. Send supporting documents with the completed complaint form to the nearest DMV investigation office.
• What is the financial loss to you? Attach all supporting documentation.
• If you have a credit issue that can not be resolved by your claim of identity theft, you may want to consult an attorney. You may need to seek legal action against creditors and/or credit bureaus if they are not cooperating in removing fraudulent entries from your credit report, or if negligence is a factor. Call the Sonoma Bar Association to find an attorney who specializes in consumer law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Preventive Actions

• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery.
• Us the post office instead of leaving outgoing mail in your mailbox.
• Never give personal information over the phone, such as your social security number, date of birth, mother's maiden name, credit card number, or bank PIN code, unless you initiated the phone call. Protect this information and release it only when absolute necessary.
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information you don't want before discarding them in your trash or recycling bin.
• Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and ID's, or cancel the ones you do not use and maintain a list of the ones you do.
• Order your credit report from the three major credit bureaus once a year to check for fraudulent activity or other discrepancies.
• Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles, or unattended gas pumps. Keep track of all your paperwork. When you no longer need it, destroy it.
• Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords. Do not record them on any cards or on anything in your wallet or purse.
• Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
• Save credit cards receipts and match them against your monthly bills.
• Be conscious of normal receipt of routine financial statements. Contact the sender if they are not received in the mail.
• Notify your credit card companies and financial institutions in advance of any change of address or phone number.
• Never put your credit card number or any other financial account number on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.
• If you applied for a new credit card and it hasn't arrived in a timely manner, call the bank or credit card company involved.
• Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
• Closely monitor expiration dates on your credit cards. Contact the credit card issuer if replacement cards are not received prior to the expiration date.
• Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal information or credit card numbers.
• Consider removing your name from Direct Marketing Associations mailing and telephone lists.

Direct Marketing Association

Direct Marketing Associations mail preference list:
P.O. Box 9008 , Farmingdale , NY 11735

Direct Marketing Association telephone preference list:
P.O. Box 9014 , Farmingdale , NY 11735

To opt out of direct marketing lists:
(888) 5opt-out/567-8688, (800) 353-0809

If you think you are the victim of identity theft, contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Although the law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction you reside is required by law to take a report of the theft of your identity, the investigation of your case may be referred to the agency in whose jurisdiction the money, goods or services were actually obtained or the fraud was committed.

All impersonations involving an evasion of due process that occurred in Petaluma will be investigated by the Petaluma Police Department. Financial fraud, however, will only be investigated by the Petaluma Police Department if the crime occurred in Petaluma , and there are workable leads that are likely to identify a suspect.

Additional Informational Websites:

City of Petaluma Police Department
Crime Prevention
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Privacy Rights Clearing House
International Association of Financial Crime Investigators