Latest news with #OmerEdhah
CBS News
03-07-2025
- CBS News
Stockton police have made 61 hires this year, most since 2018
STOCKTON — The Stockton Police Department has made 61 hires so far this year, marking the most for the department in a year since 2018. Just a few years ago, the department had 100 officer vacancies. As of early July, they sit at just over half that. Just over a year ago, the department had 353 sworn officers. As of Wednesday, that number is up to 372. City records show that the last time the department was near this number was in April 2015. "It's about quality over quantity. I think we're meeting in that sweet spot where we're recruiting those quality candidates to fill those vacancies," said Officer Omer Edhah. Recruitment, they say, has been one of their top priorities. On Wednesday,16 new police trainees graduated from San Joaquin Delta College. "With these 16 new graduates from the academy, we can't wait for them to go out and hit the streets and answer the next call for service," Edhah said. Edhah credits the increase to recruitment efforts outside of Stockton. "We've reached corners we have not reached or touched before, as far as recruiting. We've revamped our entire recruiting department. We are recruiting all the time, all over the place," he said. The city has allocated funds in the general fund for 425 police officers. They aim to get to that point and are hopeful to increase those numbers soon, with the possibility of two substations opening up on the south side of the city.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Increased police presence in Stockton aims to curb dangerous driving
( — If you noticed more flashing lights and patrol cars around Stockton on Thursday, it wasn't a coincidence. Law enforcement agencies across the region joined forces with the Stockton Police Department in a citywide effort to reduce collisions and promote safer driving habits. The initiative, part of the Saturated Traffic Enforcement Program, brought more than 20 traffic officers from surrounding departments to target unsafe driving behaviors. Police said this effort isn't just about writing tickets. Lodi City Council appoints acting city manager 'Unsafe speeding, distracted driving, those go into the primary collision factors,' said Omer Edhah, spokesperson for the Stockton Police Department. Edhah says the campaign comes in response to growing concerns about road safety, including reckless driving, red light running, and sideshow activity. Residents like Chinadun Feaster say these issues are all too common. 'They are speeding, speeding. To the point where I'm like, come on now,' Feaster said. During just 30 minutes at the intersection of March Ln and Pacific Ave, FOX40 cameras captured more than a dozen drivers running red lights. 'That's normal,' Feaster said. 'I mean, everybody does it.' Emergency first responders said this behavior has real consequences. Brian Hijak, regional director for American Medical Response in San Joaquin County, says staff members follow a rule of thumb. Man gave teen girl vape pens, cash for sex, say Ceres police 'When the light turns red, wait three seconds- because when the light turns red, there's another vehicle that runs a red light,' Hijak said. 'It's a very somber feeling when I'm notified that a member of our team has been involved in any accident, for that matter, but especially red lights.' This year, Stockton Police has reported 5 fatal crashes, a drop from seven fatal crashes this time last year. With warmer weather and more people going out, officers also want to deter illegal street takeovers and sideshows. 'We want to send a strong message to the community that, for people who want to take part in these sideshows, Stockton's not the place to do it.' Officers emphasize that STEP's goal is not punishment, but rather prevention and getting drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel. Stockton Police say they're continuing to work with city officials to improve traffic safety and are encouraging residents to speak up and report any concerns in their neighborhood. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Massive sideshow operation in San Joaquin County leads to more than 700 stops, 150 cars towed
( — Law enforcement in San Joaquin County hosted a 'zero-tolerance' sideshow operation that led to a massive amount of citations, arrests, and vehicle impounds over Cinco De Mayo weekend. 'As the weather gets nicer, we tend to see more sideshow activity,' Stockton Police Officer Omer Edhah told 'We had seen sideshows in other cities starting up so we took a proactive zero-tolerance approach on the issue.' What is a sideshow and why is California law enforcement cracking down on them? The Stockton Police Department partnered with several agencies, including the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, Manteca Police Department, Lathrop Police Department, and Escalon Police Department, to conduct enforcement in potential sideshow-known areas. In just two days, Friday and Saturday, police made more than 700 traffic stops for violations or illegal modifications, issued 620 citations, impounded more than 155 vehicles, and made more than 33 arrests, according to SPD. Sunday's results have not yet been released. 'A ton of work was done in the background weeks in advance,' Edhah said. Law enforcement said this time of year is typically the start of sideshow season. Because of this, additional sideshow crackdown operations are in the works. 'These sideshows can be dangerous to life and property,' Edhah said. 'We have seen the criminal element introduced during these gatherings where shootings have occurred, and firearms and drugs being involved.' He added, 'Great property damage occurs to roadways and buildings during these sideshows. We want to thank the community for their continued support, and we want to send a message to sideshow participants that Stockton is not a place to conduct them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
