Law and Order

BY HELEN LAME´ January 1 wan’t just the beginning of a new year, it was also the day on which California ushered in new laws. Here are eight of the newest Californian laws that came into effect on January 1, 2019 and which you must be aware of. After all, …

BY HELEN LAME´ On January 1, 2018, California’s recreational marijuana laws came into force. With this, it became the sixth American state to sell marijuana to people 21 years or older. It also means that no one will need to go in to a store with a doctor’s prescription to …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – A traffic stop led to the arrest of a young man, as well as the confiscation of drugs, a gun and narcotics-related paraphernalia Saturday. At approximately 1:48 a.m., Martinez Police conducted a traffic stop in the 3500 block of Pacheco Boulevard. During this traffic stop, they contacted …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – A vehicle was stolen by force and the suspect apprehended Monday, according to Martinez Police. Around 11 a.m. Monday, March 20, a Martinez Police officer was on patrol in the area of Blue Ridge and Roanoke drives when flagged down by a citizen. The citizen reported their …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Last Thursday afternoon, Martinez Police responded to a call about mail theft, which led to the arrest of two people. Around 12:53 p.m. Thursday, March 16, Police responded to the area of Tea Tree Court after receiving a call someone was prying a lock off a mailbox. …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – The Martinez Police Department is offering their second Community Police Academy. The 10-week academy is an informative program designed to increase understanding of the police department’s operations and to allow community members the opportunity to interact with MPD personnel. Topics covered will include SWAT, K9 Program, Dispatch, narcotics, traffic …

MARTINEZ, Calif. – Contra Costa CHP (California Highway Patrol) helped save yet another life after responding to a call about a man contemplating suicide from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge last Thursday. Around 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 17, a call came into CHP about a distraught man on the bridge’s ledge. CHP …

Martinez Police Chief Manjit Sappal (at left) shakes the hand of the 2016 MPD Officer of the Year, Detective Miles Williamson. Williamson was honored during a Nov. 17 dinner at the Shell Clubhouse, hosted by the Martinez Lions Club. (CITY OF MARTINEZ / Courtesy)

Martinez Police introduced their new K9 at the last meeting of the Martinez City Council, Nov. 2, 2016. “Brute” was purchased through various local fundraisers spearheaded by Martinez Grange youngsters, Seth Kozlowski and Lenore Delfino, who helped raise over $13,000. Officer Tom Brenig has been paired with Brute, now on …

A traffic stop turned into a dramatic pursuit last Friday, ending with an occupied Martinez Police vehicle being rammed. At about 1:14 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, an MPD officer made a traffic stop on a pickup truck in the area of Robinson Street and Alhambra Avenue. The truck yielded briefly …