From the Desk of Chief Nagel 

The men and women of the Orinda Police Department are not only dedicated to solving crimes for the citizens of Orinda, but are passionate about making sure that those who are responsible are brought to justice. The criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution process requires thorough documentation from investigators, officers and citizens which ultimately results in a "package" presented to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office requesting prosecution.

Depending on the nature of the call, i.e. burglary, theft, illegal drugs, intoxication, vehicle accident, etc. each incident requires its own type of investigation. This investigation includes but is not limited to:

• Interviewing the victim
• Interviewing witnesses
• Interviewing suspects
• Collecting physical evidence
• Measuring crime scenes
• Taking photographs
• Identifying suspects through line-ups

In order for a crime "package" to be complete, the investigators/officers need to collect reports from all responding officers, attach photographs, and if applicable, obtain crime lab reports. It is important that cooperation exists between the victims of crimes and the investigators. When someone is a victim of burglary, investigators need a complete, detailed list of the items that were stolen as soon as possible.   Often the Police Department does not receive a list for days, weeks or months and that delay could hamper the investigation.

Does the District Attorney prosecute every case? No. There are a number of reasons that a case is not prosecuted, or charges are reduced, or plea deals are made.   Once a case is submitted by a local law enforcement agency, a Deputy District Attorney will review the case in light of current law to decide appropriate filing based on the evidence in the case.   Additionally, Contra Costa County receives thousands of cases a year and there are not enough prosecutors, judges, and courtrooms to try every case before a jury.  

For those defendants taken to trial, or for those who plead guilty before a trial, there are also not enough jail cells in the state to hold them. These practical demands, plus the defendant's right to a speedy trial, the seriousness of the case, the strengths and weaknesses of cases, the victim's wishes, public safety, punishment, rehabilitation, and deterrence are all interests that are considered by the prosecutor when deciding how to proceed. A plea agreement is designed to balance these competing interests.

As you can see, there are many factors that go into the prosecution process. Rest assured the Orinda Police Department makes it very clear to the District Attorney's Office of our desire to prosecute every case possible.

"The Nation's 2nd Friendliest City" 

Talk is Cheap: Become a Volunteer Emergency Communicator

 (the amateur radio volunteers) is hosting a class to earn an amateur  

"ham radio" license free of charge  -  in just six evenings with

the help of an experienced, licensed instructor.  

Classes start April 22, 2014 at 7 p.m. in Orinda City Hall's Sarge Littlehale room

Final class includes administration of the FCC exam.

All ages are welcome.

Call Keith at 925.788.2762, or e-mail k6kwr@arrl.net

On Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 10:00am-4:00pm the Senior Trip will be a journey to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.  The gardens demonstrate best practices in conservation and elegance. There is something for everyone; from vegetable and flower gardens, green living, art and entertainment. Register now online at www.cityoforinda.org.

OYA Softball is back in 2014!  Registration is open and we are just a few short weeks away from opening day. Our player pitch softball league is for girls in 3rd-5th grade. Practices are once a week beginning on March 24th with games on Saturday mornings beginning April 12th. Click here to register today to ensure a spot on a team!

Nixle Comes to Orinda!

Nixle is a free, opt-in communication service providing notifications using the subscribers location-based information to send relevant notifications involving: 

• Alerts on emergencies/breaking news                                    
• Advisories on road closures, accidents, and construction activity that may impact traffic  

Nixle is currently used by many of our neighboring Police Departments including Moraga and Lafayette.

The notifications subscribers receive are Customizable; you decide what information you want and how it is received, including:

1. SMS/text message (standard text messaging rates apply)
2. Email
3. Nixle website, subscribers Nixle homepage (once a login is established)

The sign up process is quick and easy.  On your computer or from your smart phone, go to www.nixle.com or, Click Here and enter information such as your name, cell phone number and the geographical areas whose notifications you would like to receive.  A confirmation text will be sent to your cell phone. Simply reply to the text and you will be registered.

Lecture series

Friday, April 11, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Orinda Library, 26 Orinda Way, Orinda

Join us for the second of three Health Matters events sponsored by Orinda Library, Orinda Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of the Orinda Library. Health and Aging experts will be covering various topics, as well as offering free mini-fitness classes suitable for all levels.

From 9:30am-10:30am, Shirley Krohn, Senior Assembly Member with the California Senior Legislature will present -  Preventing Elder Financial Abuse. Financial elder abuse takes many forms. In addition to outright stealing of assets, crimes include forging signatures to obtain loans and lines of credit and fraudulent use of credit cards. While strangers are responsible for 51% of such crimes, at least 34% are committed by family members, friends and neighbors, according to a recent MetLife study.  Ms. Krohn also serves as the President of the Advisory Council on Aging in Contra Costa where she chairs the Legislative Work Group. Shirley heads up The CASE Program (Communities Against Senior Exploitation) organization in Contra Costa County. CASE provides informational sessions for groups of seniors on how to protect themselves from fraud and financial exploitation.

At 11:00am - 12:00pm, What makes a Community Aging Friendly? - The latest research, Dr. Andrew Scharlach, Eugene and Rose Kleiner Professor of Aging at the School of Social Welfare, UC Berkeley.  Mr. Scharlach is also director of the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services. His work focuses on older adults and their families, particularly with regard to long-term care services, work and family responsibilities and aging-friendly communities. These are communities in which a range of transportation and social services are tailored to help people remain in their homes as they age. He has conducted extensive research and evaluation of community aging initiatives, particularly the Village model, a movement in which seniors help seniors coordinate and deliver services within their communities, and assists older adults to age in place.

Registration begins at 9:00am in the Orinda Library Auditorium

Coffee, tea and morning treats will be available

Pre-registration is not required   

Sponsored by the Friends of the Orinda Library  

and Orinda Parks and Recreation Department

This event is free and open to all

For more information, click here  

or contact Beth Girshman, Orinda Library, bgirshma@ccclib.org,  

or call 925-254-2184, ext 15, or visit