Posted by mmax, My car has been broken into 3 times in front of my house. What can I do or who do I contact? I feel like I’m being targeted. Dear mmax, There are several things you can do to help you prevent yourself from becoming such a target. First and foremost, don’t leave anything in your car. Take it in with you. Even an ashtray full of change is a target. People leave wallets, spare keys to their vehicles/houses, briefcases and other things that an opportunist may steal. If the crime is in progress, call 911. Be able to describe the suspects, what they are wearing, whether they have a bicycle or other mode of transportation, and any other physical characteristics that you can des

Posted by this1girl how long does someone have to report an attempt rape? What’s the statute of limitations in CA? What if it was over 14 years ago? What options does the victim have and what can be done about getting justice? Where can she get help in this case? Dear this1girl, The primary factor is whether the victim is willing to prosecute. The statute of limitations for criminal prosecution would have run out on a 14-year-old case; however, the victim can still file a police report in the jurisdiction where the attempted rape occurred regardless if there is any evidence. You would list the suspect in the report even though he would not be prosecuted on the incident. A Deputy District

Posted by mbridges3 My friend recently filed a police report about a former female coworker egging his truck. Because the eggings have been occurring for several months, he bought a security camera and caught this lady on video. The former coworker was fired two weeks ago because of this footage, and is now harassing and, in my opinion, stalking my friend (her latest voice mail - which he saved - asked if she would see him at his gym [which she is not a member of]). Do I recommend he apply for a restraining order against this lady? Or should he file another police report for this harrassment?   Dear mbridges3 The outcome of this situation relies on your friend. Your friend must be will

Posted by Fellowes Hi Officer Michelle- Do street performers need to have a permit to play on the sidewalks? Even if its just one person playing a guitar for tips? thanks Dear Fellowes, The Sacramento City Code Chapter 5.108 covers Business Licenses and Regulations. According to this code, subsection K describes street performers as musicians, singers or mimes, and those who play an instrument which isn’t amplified. These are exempt from permit requirements. They are also exempt in some malls where foot traffic is prevalent, but Chapter 12.44 describes those circumstances more fully. The exemption, however, does not relieve any entertainment from complying with all other applicable laws

Over the years of writing the “Ask Officer Michelle” column, I have received multiple questions from citizens regarding bicycle safety and some of the laws regarding bicycle riding in traffic. I ran across this free three-day urban cycling skills workshop and thought I would share it with the public. The course starts on one of the three Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m., July 20, 27, and August 3. During one of these three initials meetings, students will learn about bicycle maintenance, and rules of the road. The subsequent meetings will then be offered on Saturdays July 20, or July 24, and July 31, from 9-noon and will cover hazard avoidance drills and on-street skills and drills. Interes

Posted by lesjt Hi, is Mace legal to carry in California for self defense? If so, where is the best place to purchase it? Does the police department offer instructional classes to learn how to use Mace? Dear lesjt, I don’t believe that Mace is still used. Pepper spray, which has an oleo resin base or “pepper oil,” is now used. It is more effective than Mace and can be used on aggressive dogs as well. Dogs don’t have tear ducts, therefore the Mace was found to be ineffective. Pepper spray, because of the oleo resin, works on the dogs. Mail carriers carry this with them. Pepper spray is legal to carry, and you can buy it at uniform supply stores and some hardware stores. I even saw it a

Posted by uga I was just watching the news about the 3 day stand off and I was SHOCKED to see a 300+ pound Police Sergeant on my screen getting paid by tax dollars. When I was a police officer there were height/weight standards and this man was within standards 70lbs ago!! There is No way this Sergeant can pass the run portion of the PT test and I feel he is committing Fraud on tax payers collecting a check and not living up to his end of his contract! Give him 6 months to be IN weight or terminate his employment. That’s where our police and fire departments can start trimming their budgets. Dear uga, The incident you write about occurred on Arden Way in the county. Sac PD’s presence wa

Posted by Richard7852 Hello my name is Richard. I am trying to make a police report on a break-in and robery, between 5:30 pm 5/8/10 and 2:00 pm 5/9/10. The property is in my mother’s name. The garage ( detatched )was the area broken into and things were stolen. My mother is 87 and suffed a stroke 20 months ago, resulting in short term memory lose. After the stroke her doctor said she could no longer live by herself and she has been living with me those 20 months and the house in question has not been occupied since then. I started working on the house in question approx. two weeks ago cleaning out garbage and such getting it ready to rent. Because of my mother’s memory lose i have been t

Posted by ktraffi Hello Officer Michelle, I’m starting a morning exercise routine including a brisk walk from the corner of 2nd Avenue and Alhambra to the corner of 2nd Avenue and Riverside. I’ll be leaving my front door at 4:00 AM four to five weekday mornings. I’m concerned that residents seeing a strange person in street clothes, (I have not been wearing running clothes on my mid morning weekend walks) may be wary or even phone the police. I’m thinking of buying some kind of reflector jacket or vest. Is there any kind of curfew laws I need to know about or should I be prepared to have a patrol car possibly stop me to see what I’m doing? Thank you Dear ktraffi, Let me be the first to c

Posted by mrlurker I have neighnors 2 houses down that own 2 rosters that make alot of noise all day long. Is it legal to have rosters in a residential neighborhood? I feel the neighbors are unapproachable and might cause trouble if I mentioned it. There are alot of cars and young adults that hang out in front of the house regularly. Im not saying they are criminals at all.. but I am reluctant to approach them as if they wanted to cause trouble this would give them a reason and someone to blame. What would you suggest to address this issue? Thank You Dear mrlurker, Well, well, who needs an alarm clock when you have roosters in the neighborhood. There really aren’t too many reasons to ha

Posted by Houndgal Two "neighbor" questions - 1) My neighbor wants to know if it’s permissible for someone whose property shares a fenceline with hers for that person to tear down their common fence without her permission. 2) You mentioned being able to enfoce noise codes between 11 pm and the next morning. We’ve got a recurring problem with people who play loud music (loud enough so you can hear it from outside in your shower with the water running). We’ve been told that the "noise code" is that if it’s disturbing anyone, it’s too loud - there is no time when it’s okay to disturb your neighbors. Is that accurate? Thanks.   Dear Houndgal, So you are now seeing a little more of your

Posted by Sorren Hey Officer Michelle! I have been working at a hotel on Auburn and Howe ave for about a year now, and late at night, we very regularly are put into some somewhat dangerous situations with gang-oriented locals. I was wondering about the legal rammifications behind a citizens arrest. I have taken the California Powers to Arrest class, and I was wondering if the process for citizens arrest is different if one is not employed specifically as a security guard. I work inside of the hotel, and patrol the parking lot when I’m not busy, because of all of the sketchy people in the neighborhood. I have been in several situations where there would be someone outside smoking mar

Posted by gramy_24 With two recent break-ins to my car and fear of my home next, I find myself asking questions like. If I were to see these people in the middle of the night in my car what can I do? Do I confront them not wanting to lose my valuables and pay another 1000 dollar deductable b/c they break my door and hope they don’t shoot me? Call the police and hope they get there in time before I lose everything again? Or do I have the right to confront them being a registered gun owner? This is an honest question, what can I do? Living in Land Park this is becoming much to common- Can you guys set up a bait car or something and catch these guys?? Dear gramy_24, Your dilemma is most un

Posted by c.ayres Michelle, for several years now my 2 daugters ages 11 and 7 have been harrassed and bullied by 2 other children in our community. My husband and I have made reports to the community managers but it continues. This year it has worsten, the kids stop in front of our cars, making us wait for them to move, thus creating major headache while attempting to pull in and out of our community and garage. They vandalize our front entry way, leaving trash, nasty letters about the girls, rip flowers off of my planters, and break our porch decor. My girls get things thrown at them, hit, hair pulled, and called dirogetory names, and their toys either get broken or stolen. I tell my gir

Posted by nicole Officer Michelle, Hi I live in an apartment complex and I saw my neighbors dealing drugs. I called the police and notified the apartments about the activity I witnessed. The apartments don’t seem to be to willing to help me with the situation. What else can I do? We have had a lot of on going problems with these neighbors and I have a young child. I am very concerned about her and our safety. Dear nicole, There are several avenues you may take to help rectify this problem. You say that you have called the police before about this problem which means it has been documented that we have been there for narcotics related calls. This will aid in the justification of eviction

Posted by lpoulsen Help! My daughter’s 1st birthday is at the end of the month and I’m itching to get back on the beach cruiser! I managed to find an infant helmet and I’ve done a little bit of research about attached infant bicycle seats vs. wearing a backpack type carrier while riding. I’d prefer to ride with her in the backpack but not sure if it’s legal. I checked out VC 21202 but it’s a little fuzzy. What is the law regarding carrying babies on bikes? Thanks!! Dear lpoulsen, You definitely got a good start on your homework. You may look at California Vehicle Code Section 21204. It states as follows: 21204. (a)( )1 A person operating a bicycle upon a highway shall not ride other tha

Posted by nickolushenry Hello Officer Michelle, I recently received a citation/ticket at my local park for having my dog off the leash while playing fetch. As I am new to the area, is my dog required to be on a leash all the time or is it if I am only at public parks? As I own a Pitbull I stay away from the dog parks due to any incidents Pitbulls always seem to get the blame and some parks even ban them. So is there anywhere I can go to play fetch with my K9 best friend? Dear nickolushenry, You’re in luck. There are several dog parks in Sacramento. The following parks are off-leash dog parks: Bannon Creek Dog Park; Glenbrook Dog Park; Granite Park - Dog Park; Jacinto Creek Park -Dog

Posted by bmcomm Dear Officer Michele, A registered sex offender recently moved in next door to my home. Per Megan’s list, this person was convicted of "lewd and lascivious behavior" with a child. I have 2 questions: 1) What is the Sacramento city police department’s policy regarding notifying neighbors that a registered sex offender has moved in (we have had no notification). 2) What are the residency restrictions for someone whose crime involved a child? I live .2 miles from an elementary school. Many thanks for your response. Dear bmcomm, The laws in the state of California are pretty specific. There are two laws that are specific to registered sex offenders (or 290s as law enforceme

Posted by chriso I ride my bicycle around downtown alot. I just heard from a friend of mine that while he was riding his bike downtown an officer stopped him and told him to get off of the sidewalk and ride in the street. Are bicylists not allowed to ride on the sidewalk? I am not very comfortable riding in the street without a bike lane. Dear chriso, The truth of the matter is that the sidewalk is meant for pedestrians. In other words, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks. Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as other “vehicles” and must ride as close as “practicable” to the right. Sacramento strives to be a bicycle friendly city with many bicycle routes, so people are e

Posted by livin.life My oldest daughter is looking to buy her first car. A couple of weeks ago someone told me there is an upcoming police auto auction. Is this true? If so, when and where are the police auto auctions held? How much is the minimum amount of money a person should have to purchase a vehicle? I just ran across this site - wow! - this is interesting! Thanks for your help. Dear livin.life, I spoke to our fleet manager who handles our police vehicles, both marked and unmarked. The Sacramento Police Department has a contract with the city who leases these vehicles. When the police department is finished with the cars, they are usually too beat up to sell.  We drive them an