I met Edgar Torres, when he was 11 years of age, while he attended Piru Elementary School. The family lived in the Colina Vista apartments.

His loving mother, Aida Pizano, remembers those were very hard times for the family. She was a single-parent with a 1-month old baby and eight more children, all consisting of 5 boys and 3 girls. Aida Pizano drew inner strength from her faith and courageously tackled the raising her family of nine children on her own. Aida told me she would take the early Piru Vista van then walk to work at Taco Bell in Fillmore, in later years would transfer to the Santa Paula Taco Bell Store. Edgar and mom worked together at Taco Bell in Fillmore as soon as he got his work permit.

Aida remembers that, though Sergio and Yaira were his older siblings, Edgar took charge of his younger siblings seeing them to Piru Elementary School in the mornings, rain or shine. Later after school, when mom arrived late at 5 PM, when she received extra hours at work, Edgar would pick up his littlest siblings from the next door babysitter, others from school and get everybody to do their homework.

On his own, Edgar took on the lead male role in the house, when his older brother Sergio married young. Mom said that Edgar took on a lot of responsibility and provided counseling to his younger brothers and sisters. He would tell them the importance of going to school and to not miss school! Edgar also enjoyed cooking dinner and did so for his siblings. Mom would call from work to check on the kids and Edgar would give her a full report. Mom arrived home tired from work, but relieved that everybody was home safe and everything was in order at home. Mom said says she was always grateful to Edgar for being so responsible. He knew his mother depended on him and he felt it was up to him to help his mother.

Mom Aida recalls how in these recent years, after dinner both would sit in the back patio, chatting away together for hours until it got dark and it was time to come in. Edgar was a very good and loving son and close friend to her.

Edgar Torres, 24, recently passed away recently. Edgar graduated from Fillmore High School in 2009 and always remembered his dear teacher Ms. Trina Tafoya. Edgar was working as an Agriculture and Landscaping Maintenance worker during the week, worked construction jobs and washed cars on weekends with his good friend Alex “Fresh” Chessani. He also worked at Subway in Fillmore and was the Ventura Subway Store Manager. He had plans to buy a car wash business and a construction concrete mixer business. Edgar’s long-held dream was to purchase a big family house for his mother and all his brothers and sisters.

Edgar’s older brother, Sergio raved that without a doubt, Edgar Torres was THE BIGGEST Raider’s Fan around - Period. Besides football, Edgar also loved other sports, such as basketball, softball and boxing. Edgar trained in boxing for some time, too.

Edgar had recently gathered his brother Sergio and close friends, and formed his own Fillmore “Short Fuse” softball team. Coach and Captain Edgar played one game as team pitcher recently. Sergio recalls Edgar as always being happy, never mad and walking in anywhere and being the “Life of the Party!.”

Favorite food for Edgar was his mom’s “Tacos de Machaca (shredded beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and HOT salsa), as well as, her red Chicken Enchiladas, and yummy Pózole. He LOVED his papaya fruit! “It was no secret that Edgar was a good eater!”, Sergio shared with laughter.

Sergio loved his brother Edgar’s positive energy and the great vibe that he would bring where ever he would go. He would give a lot of good, welcomed advice when people were down. He always had the right words to say, was a really positive and very caring individual. Edgar would always try to help everybody.

Still, he was also the biggest jokester around with brothers and sisters. Always clowning around and would love to imitate people with funny physical postures; like imitating his brother Sergio, when Sergio was sick and mopping around feeling sorry for himself.

Edgar will always be in the hearts and minds of his loving mother Aida Pizano, and his loving brothers and sisters: Sergio, Yaira, Carla, Matthew, Cecilia, Jose Luis, and Bryan. He was a wonderful Godfather to his beautiful nieces Liliana and Natalia, as well as, loving his nephew Sergio, Jr.

Edgar Torres was a loving son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and good friend to many and always found a way to put a smile on everyone's face. Edgar, rest in peace. You did a very good job while here on this earth.

Please support Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid's Coat Drive to raise enough money to put a coat on every child that comes through the line this Christmas in Fillmore.

Link to the gofundme page where you can help support the coat drive: https://www.gofundme.com/t69vmh5h

This project idea started when I was watching the kids waiting with anticipation to see Santa at the North Fillmore Community Storefront for the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department toy giveaway. Looking at the line, none of the kids had on coats. My mind judged immediately “Did the children forget their coats? They knew it was cold and that the wait was long.” The line snaked as the little boy tucked into his mother and the realization hit me like the cold wind- The little boy didn’t forget his coat. He doesn’t have a coat.

Please join Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid’s Winter Coat Drive. In December we will be giving away brand-new warm winter coats to needy children of the Santa Clara Valley who are standing outside in line in Fillmore to receive their toy from Santa. There are no “administrative” costs. You send the money and our teams go and buy the coats.

As Marion Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund says:

“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

When you place a warm coat on cold little shoulders, you know that a warm coat makes a big difference.

Link to the gofundme page where you can help support the coat drive: https://www.gofundme.com/t69vmh5h

Laura Bartels, Director
Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid
PO Box 236
Fillmore, CA 93016

"Join the City in front of City Hall for a tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 8th"?

Now in its third year the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley’s First Lego League Robotics Program has a solid group of true robotics lovers and keeps adding to their program with new youth! Club members from both Santa Paula and Fillmore sites form the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley’s Robotics Team, The Stompers. The Stompers went back to basics and taught new members the ropes as they prepared to enter the 2016 First Lego League Challenge. With the guidance of coaches, Lorenzo Manzano and Manuel Ortiz, practicing for the challenge included preparing for the robot game, project and core value portions of the competition. While at the First Lego League Challenge they put their science skills to use and utilized robotics and technology to discover innovative ways to help solve the problems associated with the current handling of trash and recycling. For their project portion of the competition the team chose to focus primarily on how to spread awareness on the importance of recycling. Coach Manuel Ortiz explains, “Through their research The Stompers came up with the idea to create a recycling program that would be created by students for students.”

With twenty-five teams competing, The Stompers impressed the judges during the core value presentation with an amazing display of teamwork while explaining their recycling solution. Jan Marholin, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley proudly states, “It is exciting to see our youth embrace robotics and the critical thinking skills that go with it. Whenever youth are engaged in a project, their passion and investment in it shows.” Recognizing the importance of hands-on science, technology, engineering and math learning opportunities, Time Warner Cable through its Connect a Million Minds Initiative, is the proud sponsor of The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley First Lego League Robotics Program.

About Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds
Time Warner Cable's (TWC) Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) is a five-year, $100 million philanthropic initiative to address America's declining proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which puts our children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy. Using its media assets, TWC creates awareness of the issue and inspires students to develop the STEM skills they need to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. Program highlights include: original PSAs that challenge public perceptions of STEM; a unique website, www.connectamillionminds.com, and "The Connectory", a one-of-a-kind online resource that makes it simple and easy for parents and students to find informal science and technology learning opportunities in their communities. Local TWC markets have activated CAMM across the country with community-specific programs and partnerships.

To promote safe riding and the wearing of safety equipment, the Fillmore Police Department will be holding a Bicycle and Skateboard Safety Rodeo on Saturday, December 12th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The event, which is free to the public, will be held at Two Rivers Park (River St. at D St., Fillmore) and will feature safety instruction, an obstacle course, bicycle and skateboard safety inspections, and proper helmet fitment. The park also features a BMX track and a skate park for all to enjoy.

Thanks to the generous help of the Fillmore Fire Foundation, Fillmore Police Department’s Citizens Patrol, First 5 Ventura County – Fillmore, Fillmore Lions Club, Fillmore Rotary Club, Fillmore Women’s Club, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Ragatz Performance Bicycles of Santa Paula, and SkateLab of Simi Valley, there will be free helmets for children who do not have them and raffles for new bicycles and skateboards.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Millions of Americans ride bicycles, but less than half wear bicycle helmets. For example, a national survey conducted in 2001-2003 found that only 48% of children ages 5-14 years wore bicycle helmets when riding. Further, older children were less likely to wear helmets than younger children. In 2010 in the U.S., 800 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 515,000 sustained bicycle-related injuries that required emergency department care. Roughly half of these cyclists were children and adolescents under the age of 20. Annually, 26,000 of these bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents are traumatic brain injuries treated in emergency departments.”

California state law (21212 VC) requires all bicycle riders and skateboarders, under the age of 18, to wear helmets.

The City of Fillmore Municipal Code (14.60.020 FMC) also requires that all bicycles be properly licensed. Doing so aids law enforcement in identifying owners of lost or stolen bicycles and, to aid Fillmore residents in complying with this ordinance, free bicycle registration will be available (with proof of residency), as well.

Prepared by: Sergeant Kevin Vaden

Special Education Director Mary Williams and Program Specialist Krystal Sarabia-Rocha presented the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board an overview of FUSD's Special Education Program (SEP). FUSD has a total of 540 SEP students throughout the district.

Since 2002 the FUSD student percentage with disabilities has increased by 11.8%. The largest increases are in Autism (12X). Autism continuing to be on the rise with a 2009-2010 survey indicating Autism is 2.9% nationally, and a 9.9% population in California. Boys are four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with Autism. Orthopedic Impairment (3X) is FUSD's second largest increase and Intellectual Disabilities (2.5X) the third.
The categories of disabilities range from physical impairment to learning disabilities. FUSD's largest three are; Specific Learning Disability with 292 students (54.1%), Speech and Language Impairment with 106 students (19.6%) and Intellectual Disabilities with 42 students (7.7%).

Special Academic Instruction at FUSD serve both mild-moderate and moderate-severe disabilities and is styled to meet each students' needs. Through the Resource Specialist Program the student receives intensive instruction in specific areas, such as math and English, for part of the school day and attends regular class the remainder.

With the Special CONTINUED »

The American Red Cross encourages individuals and organizations to give something that means something this winter by making a lifesaving blood donation or hosting a blood drive.

Blood donations often decline from now to New Year’s Day when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. Seasonal illnesses, such as colds and the flu, can also have a serious impact on blood donations

In addition, there are fewer blood drives during the winter months when many hosting organizations postpone drives while people are traveling for the holidays. Severe winter weather may also cause scheduled blood drives to be canceled.

Despite the busy holiday season and threat of extreme freezing weather, the need for blood remains steady. Organizations can help by hosting a blood drive during the winter months, and eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.

Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more about hosting a blood drive. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.

Red Cross Blood Donation Centers:

American Red Cross Woodland Hills Donation Center
6338 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Simi Valley
12/11/2015: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
12/7/2015: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/9/2015: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd

Ventura
12/15/2015: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Each year during the holiday season law enforcement sees a substantial increase in burglaries. Over the last few years this trend has evolved into mail and package thefts. During the month of December the US Postal Service and entities such as UPS deliver millions of packages to mailboxes and porches. Now, with the convenience of online shopping more people expose themselves to opportunistic criminals driving through neighborhoods looking for unattended packages and full mailboxes. We have received information about solicitors knocking on doors, possibly casing residents, while at the same time grabbing Christmas cards, checks and gifts cards from mailboxes. We also receive calls for suspicious vehicles following delivery services and stealing packages after porch delivery.

Here are a few tips to protect your deliveries during the holiday season:

1. Assure someone is at the residence if a delivery is expected. If this is not possible have the delivery sent to a place of employment or request the package is held at the Post Office for pickup.

2. Tracking numbers, most agencies will send you a tracking number to allow you to see where your package is and when it will be delivered.

3. Promptly retrieve packages and mail from your residence.

4. Drop off outgoing mail at the Post Office or hand the mail to the Postal Service delivery person.

5. Encourage your Neighborhood Watch group to call the police for any unusual activity in your area. People in your neighborhood usually know who resides and visits your residence. Neighbors should be calling law enforcement if unknown people are seen going through your mailbox or loitering around your residence.

6. Most importantly be aware of your surroundings, protect yourself and your property by locking doors and windows and making it harder for criminals to steal your valuables.

Have a wonderful holiday and call the police department for crimes or suspicious activity in your neighborhoods.

Nature of Incident: Holiday Mail and Package Thefts
Location: City of Camarillo
Date & Time: November 30, 2015 1:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Community Resource Unit
Prepared by: Deputy Mario Molina
News Release Date: November 30, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Deputy Mario Molina (805) 388-5155
Approved by: Captain Cory Rubright

The Fillmore City Council is deciding on a couple of issues in the next few months. One is an upgrade to the water treatment plant, the other is selecting someone to operate the Fillmore Equestrian Center.

Water Treatment Plant:
Fillmore is inquiring on a new technology that proposes to lower the utility costs of the Fillmore Wastewater Treatment Facility (FWTF). Pasteurization Technology Group Inc. (PTG) gave a presentation at the November 10, 2016 Fillmore City Council Meeting outlining their M-1000 System and its capabilities. CEO & Co-Founder Greg Ryan stated the technology combines eco-friendly wastewater disinfection with the generation of renewable energy would save about $20,000 per month and grow to over $50,000 per month.

Ryan presented a chart with presumed savings per household based on a 1% increase in Fillmore's population. After seven years the savings is reported to be $19 per year. At eight years it climbs to $172 per year and continues: nine-$250, ten-$334, eleven-$423, 15yrs.-$837, 20 yrs.-$1,512.

Presently the FWTF meets California Title 22 which is the California Code Regulations of the California Department of Public Health related to recycled water. The M-1000 System also would comply with Title 22.

The process is claimed to generate approximately 192 kW of electricity and disinfect up to 1.0 million gallons of wastewater per day, with the intention of offsetting the operational cost of the FWTF. The saving is due to taking the Ultra Violet (UV) System now being used and putting it offline. The M-1000 system uses both the heat from the turbine and the heat from the exiting treated sanitized water. Two pre-heater units will pre-heat incoming wastewater by transferring thermal energy from outgoing heated and disinfected wastewater prior to discharge. The waste heat recovery unit increase temperatures of pre-heated wastewater by up to 3 degrees to the level required for disinfection.

How the pasteurization CONTINUED »

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten has announced that Brock Gustin William Baker and Mark Stephen Avila, pled guilty to failure to warn of a concealed danger, a felony violation of Penal Code section 387(a); interference with enforcement, a misdemeanor violation of Health and Safety Code section 25515.4, and two misdemeanors in violation of Labor Code section 6423(a)(2), related to storage of hazardous substances and repeated failures to communicate with employees about hazardous substances.

Baker and Avila’s guilty pleas were entered as to charges in the indictment returned by the Ventura County Grand Jury in connection with their involvement in an explosion that occurred at Santa Clara Waste Water Company located at 815 Mission Rock Road in Santa Paula, California on November 18, 2014.

Baker and Avila will face sentencing on June 1st, 9amm courtroom 12 of the Ventura Superior Court.

Cases against the others are pending.

UPDATE: District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that California Department of Justice will be formally joining the Ventura County District Attorney in the ongoing prosecution of multiple individual and corporate defendants charged with environmental and other crimes related to the November 18, 2014, explosion at the Santa Clara Waste Water Company facility located in Santa Paula, California. This joint prosecution effort will include all aspects of the case as well as the ongoing investigation into the storage of thousands of gallons of chemicals recently discovered through execution of a search warrant on November 5, 2015, at the company’s facility in Santa Paula.

Santa Paula Police Department

On Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at approximately 4:32pm, Santa Paula Police Dept. dispatch received a report of an injury vehicle vs. pedestrian traffic collision in the 700 block of E. Main St., Santa Paula. Responding officers arrived on scene and the investigation into the collision began. At this time it appears the 69 year old pedestrian was walking south across Main Street to her vehicle when she was struck by the westbound vehicle, driven by a 26 year old female. At this time of day, the setting sun can be blinding to westbound drivers. According to the female driver, the sun was bright and making it difficult for her to see while driving her vehicle when suddenly she "hit something".

The pedestrian sustained severe injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. She is currently listed in critical condition.

The investigation into the collision is on-going, however, it does not appear that alcohol or drugs were a factor. Anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact the SPPD.

Prepared by Sgt. Jeremy Watson

Santa Paula Police Department

On 11-19-15 at approximately 0041 hours, a Santa Paula Police Officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The Officer turned his vehicle around to conducted a traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled over to the side of the road prior to the officer initiating the stop and the officer observed a male subject, later identified as Martin Quezada, 29 years of Fillmore, who was driving exit the vehicle and switch positions with a female passenger. The female passenger then sat in the drivers seat and the vehicle began to drive away. The Officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop and contacted the occupatns of the vehicle. It was determined the female, who was now driving, was driving with her drivers license suspended. The passenger (Quezada), who had previously been driving, was also found to have a suspended drivers license. The male driver was asked to step out of the vehicle and during the course of the contact, a hypodermic syringe was located as well as several baggies of cocaine in Quezada's possession. Quezada was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance.

Officers conducted a records check of the license plates located on the Chevrolet truck and the registration returned to another vehicle. Further investigation revealed the truck was stolen out of the City of Fillmore. Both Quezada, who was already in custody, and the female were charged with 10851 VC, Vehicle Theft and they were transported to the Santa Paula City Jail. Upon further investigation, it was determined the female was not involved in the theft of the vehicle and she was released without charges for this offense. She was issued a citation for driving on a suspended license.

Quezada was later lodged at the Ventura County Main Jail for the charges of 10851 VC, Vehicle Theft; 11350 H&S, possession of a controlled substance; 135 PC, destruction of evidence and 11364 H&S, possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On Saturday, November 21, 2015, Sheriff’s detectives conducted compliance checks at the residences of sixty two (62) registered sex offenders throughout the county. The compliance checks were part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE / ELEAS) Grant.

Thirty six (36) of the offenders were found to be in compliance with their registration requirement. Twenty five (25) registrants were not contacted because they were not home or had moved. One (1) registrant, Paul Warnock (Age 63) of Fillmore was arrested for being out of compliance with registration requirements. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail. Sheriff’s detectives will follow-up to determine if the remaining registrants not contacted are out-of-compliance.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps on an ongoing basis, to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residences and in compliance with any probation or parole terms.

Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their community.

Nature of Incident: Sex Registrant Compliance Sweep
Report Number: N/A
Location: Areas of Thousand Oaks / Camarillo / Moorpark / Newbury Park / Oak Park / Ventura / Santa Paula / Oxnard / Ojai / Oak View
Date & Time: Saturday, November 21, 2015 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau
Thousand Oaks Police Department Investigations Bureau
Prepared by: Sergeant Ryan Clark
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau / Sexual Assault Unit
News Release Date: November 23, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Ryan Clark / 805-384-4721
ryan.clark@ventura.org
Approved by: Captain Melissa Smith

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

With the holiday season upon us, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illness.

“Bacterial pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter can be present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices,” Smith said. “Properly prepared and handled foods can assure us all a safe meal every day of the year.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths annually in the United States are related to foodborne diseases.

Foodborne diseases can be prevented by simple safety steps in the kitchen. Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after food preparation, and especially after handling raw foods. Clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water after each use. Be sure to cook foods thoroughly and to refrigerate adequately between meals. Consumers can find more information about Food Safety Tips for Holiday Feasts on the CDPH website.

Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination can occur at the farm level, during processing and handling, and as a result of poor food handling practices at home.

Symptoms of foodborne disease can include diarrhea, which may be bloody, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Most infected people recover from foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Additional resources for information on food safety include the federal Food and Drug Administration Food Information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Consumers can also access the national Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC” (bacteria) Web page.

California Highway Patrol

Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) to help avoid tragedies for California motorists.

In 2014, over the Thanksgiving weekend, 45 people died in collisions on California roadways – a 36 percent increase from the same period in 2013. In addition, the CHP arrested almost 1,000 people for driving under the influence.

“Having a safe Thanksgiving drive this year—and being here to enjoy next Thanksgiving—can be as simple as buckling up,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Nearly half the people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction over Thanksgiving last year were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.”

The MEP will begin Wednesday, November 25, at 6 p.m. and continue through Sunday, November 29, at 11:59 p.m. During the MEP, CHP officers will not only be enforcing the law, but also assisting motorists.

“Buckling up, avoiding distracted driving, traveling at a safe speed, designating a sober driver – all are especially important during the holidays,” Commissioner Farrow said. “During the MEP, our officers will emphasize education and enforcement throughout the state to ensure everyone can enjoy their holiday.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges “Buckle Up America – Every Trip. Every Time.” Nationwide, more than half the drivers and passengers killed in crashes are not wearing seat belts. The NHTSA estimates that nationally, seat belts saved the lives of 12,854 passenger vehicle occupants in 2013.