August 4, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Continuing with the National Night Out celebration, the La Mesa Police Department will be hosting its 5th Annual Safety Fair on Saturday, August 6, 2016. The event will begin at 8:00 am and last until 12:00 pm. This event is free to the public and will provide many interactive displays on police related issues; such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and demonstrations by our emergency Special Response Team. We will also display our police vehicles and a Heartland fire truck. In addition, there will be kids fingerprinting and a jump house. Free hotdogs, chips and water will also be provided. The public will be able to take guided tours of the La Mesa Police Department as well.
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May 2, 2016 (La Mesa) - On May 5, officers from the La Mesa Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 8:00 AM at Starbucks, 5020 Baltimore Drive La Mesa.
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March 18, 2016 (La Mesa) -- In July of 2015, the La Mesa Police Department was awarded a $34,363 grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to battle alcohol related crime. This week, the department issued an update on decoy operations, inspections and arrests as a result of the grant funding.
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Drive to support AJ’s Kids Crane and Rady Children’s Hospital
October 2, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department will begin its 3rd Annual Toy Drive on October 5, 2015 which will continue through November 17, 2015. The police department is hoping to collect enough toys to fill their Bearcat Rescue Vehicle, which will deliver the toys to AJ’s Kids Crane in the Mission Valley Ikea parking lot on November 17th.
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August 25, 2015 (La Mesa)—On Thursday, August 27th at 8 a.m., officers from the La Mesa Police Department and community members will come together in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee. All community members are invited to attend. The event is at Starbucks, 5020 Baltimore Drive La Mesa. Please contact Sergeant Brian Stoney with any questions at (619) 667-7555bstoney@ci.la-mesa.ca.us
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The La Mesa Police Department has been awarded a $34,363 grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to battle alcohol-related crime. This is important to the City of La Mesa in order to increase protection for youth and to keep our community safe.
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July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Join the La Mesa Police Department and Heartland Fire and Rescue in celebrating the 4th annual “National Night Out against Crime” and Emergency Preparedness Fair Event, Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the La Mesa Police Station Parking lot (8085 University Avenue - same location as the La Mesa Farmers Market).
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July 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with assault involving great bodily injury for a beating that occurred at the La Mesa Trolley Station on La Mesa Boulevard on June 13th at 8 p.m.
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July 3, 2015 (La Mesa) - The FBI and La Mesa Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect responsible for robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store located at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday, July 2 at 10:07 a.m.
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July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) – There have been reports of a young man with dark hair observed going through people’s mailboxes as he goes door to door in La Mesa. He then mentions neighbor’s names, supposedly to sell educational material.
In response, Claudia Ortega of the La Mesa Police Department provided a refresher on solicitors in La Mesa and how to stay safe:
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May 17, 2015 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police responded to a call reporting a man had been shot inside a home in the 8200 block of El Paso Street on Saturday, May 16th at 5:24 a.m.
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May 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department will be hosting its 4th Annual La Mesa Police Youth Leadership Camp from June 29-July 2, 2015. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Camp is to provide leadership training and life-enhancing skills, personal development training, academic enrichment, team building, and to teach responsibility to one’s family and community. Participants will engage in classroom instruction, discussions, and scenarios; athletic and academic challenges (team and individual); field trips to volunteer community service work; and other activities.
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April 29, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department has provided a roundup of case highlights, traffic information and crime prevention/emergency preparedness news.
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April 7, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It was a perfect spring day in La Mesa for the outdoor swearing in of the new Police Chief, Walt Vasquez (photo, left), joined by his family (photo, below right). The charisma and popularity he brings with him was clear to see in the size and responsiveness of the crowd.
Vasquez began his career in law enforcement in 1986 with the San Diego Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to captain, most recently overseeing SDPD's SWAT team, Canine Unit, communications, property room, information services, and the chief's community advisory boards.
Not surprisingly given this background, his speech today expressed the values he places on public service, teamwork, and community policing.
Below and in video, we give you Chief Vasquez's speech in full.
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March 13, 2015 (La Mesa)--La Mesa City Manager Dave Witt has announced the selection of 28 ½ year City of San Diego Police Department veteran Walter (Walt) Vasquez, as the City’s new Chief of Police.
Witt said that Vasquez competed against candidates from outside the organization and proved that he has exceptional qualities that will help him succeed in his new position. Vasquez is currently serving as Assistant Chief of Police with the City of San Diego overseeing the Canine Unit, SWAT, Communications Division, Information Services, Property Room, and the Chief’s Community Advisory Boards. Vasquez will replace La Mesa Chief of Police Ed Aceves, who retired in December 2014 after 30 years of service.
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November 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--The La Mesa Police Department has been awarded a $38,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries. The La Mesa Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.
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November 18, 2014 (La Mesa)--A suspect armed with a handgun tried to rob the 7-11 Store located at 8747 La Mesa Boulevard shortly before 11 p.m. last night. An employee was working behind the checkout counter when the suspect walked in and browsed for a few minutes, departing without making a purchase. He returned one minute later and walked up to the checkout counter, lifting his shirt to reveal a handgun tucked into his waistband. The suspect demanded that the employee open the cash register.
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July 15, 2014 (La Mesa) -- Today, the La Mesa Police Department announced today a partnership with Nextdoor (www. nextdoor.com). Nextdoor is a private social media network for neighborhoods that builds stronger, safer communities by connecting neighbors together.
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November 9, 2013 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Police Department is hosting a toy drive on behalf of the City of La Mesa to support Rady Children’s Hospital. The collection box is located in the La Mesa Police station lobby and they will be collecting toys until November 14, 2013. The La Mesa Police Department will transport the collected toys to AJ’s crane on November 15th. All toys must be new and sealed in their original packaging. Rady Children’s Hospital also asks that no toys include guns, religious themes, or violent games.
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December 4, 2012 (La Mesa) – More traffic enforcement and safer streets are coming to La Mesa in the coming year. Increased special traffic enforcement measures are on tap as a result of a recent $55,000 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety to the La Mesa Police Department. The La Mesa Police Department is dedicated to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.
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March 17, 2012 (La Mesa)—As part of a statewide crackdown on individuals buying alcohol for minors, the La Mesa Police Department, in a joint effort with Investigators of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested six adults for purchasing alcohol for a minor. The action was the result of a compliance check operation on March 16, 2012 in which minors under the direct supervision of detectives and investigators attempted to have adults purchase alcohol for them from six separate retail licensees in the City of La Mesa.
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February 20, 2012 (La Mesa)—Two suspects, one armed with a silver handgun, forced three employees at the Lake Murray Café into the kitchen and stole their personal cash after they were unable to open the restaurant’s safe on February 17 at approximately 9:45 p.m. The suspects were last seen running westbound away from the business, located at 5465 Lake Murray Blvd. in La Mesa.
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January 6, 2012 (La Mesa) – Police seek two suspects who led police on a high-speed chase early this morning in a stolen white 1988 Toyota Camry (CA plate 2LQR720). The chase began when La Mesa Police officers tried to stop a stolen vehicle leaving the parking lot at the Heritage Inn at 7851 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa at 5:49 a.m.
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October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Wednesday night in La Mesa at the Motel 6 at 7621 Alvarado Road near Comanche Drive at 10:12 p.m. The clerk told officers that two men armed with handguns came into the lobby and demanded money.
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June 20, 2011 (La Mesa) -- On 06/15/11, at approximately 6:53 p.m. a witness walked into the men’s restroom at the Vons located at 8011 University Avenue in La Mesa.The witness observed an adult male sitting on the toilet with his pants down.The adult male had a 2 year old child on his lap and the witness observed the child touching the male’s penis.The witness reported the incident to the La Mesa Police Department.
The adult male was identified by La Mesa detectives as 29 year old Russell Cilibraise III. On 06/17/11, Cilibraise was arrested by detectives for Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Child – 288(a) PC and is currently being held on $100,000 bail.
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October 27, 2010 (La Mesa) – Reader comments on local news sites and blogs have had accusations flying in the La Mesa Mayoral race, but how much is really true?
In an ECM exclusive we provide a fact check on the social host ordinance violation that occurred at candidate Laura Lothian’s home on June 23, 2010.
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August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is holding a free open house and tours of the new Police Station on Saturday, September 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Exhibits will be displayed in the Police Station Community Room. At the same time, there will be a BBQ fundraiser sponsored by both the Police Officers Association and the Peer Support Team.
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Drive to support AJ’s Kids Crane and Rady Children’s Hospital 
Submitted by the La Mesa Police Department
July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Join the La Mesa Police Department and Heartland Fire and Rescue in celebrating the 4th annual “National Night Out against Crime” and Emergency Preparedness Fair Event, Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the La Mesa Police Station Parking lot (8085 University Avenue - same location as the La Mesa Farmers Market).
July 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with assault involving great bodily injury for a beating that occurred at the La Mesa Trolley Station on La Mesa Boulevard on June 13
East County News Service
July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) – There have been reports of a young man with dark hair observed going through people’s mailboxes as he goes door to door in La Mesa. He then mentions neighbor’s names, supposedly to sell educational material. 
May 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department will be hosting its 4th Annual La Mesa Police Youth Leadership Camp from June 29-July 2, 2015. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Camp is to provide leadership training and life-enhancing skills, personal development training, academic enrichment, team building, and to teach responsibility to one’s family and community. Participants will engage in classroom instruction, discussions, and scenarios; athletic and academic challenges (team and individual); field trips to volunteer community service work; and other activities.
April 29, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department has provided a roundup of case highlights, traffic information and crime prevention/emergency preparedness news.
December 4, 2012 (La Mesa) – More traffic enforcement and safer streets are coming to La Mesa in the coming year. Increased special traffic enforcement measures are on tap as a result of a recent $55,000 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety to the La Mesa Police Department. The La Mesa Police Department is dedicated to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.
June 20, 2011 (La Mesa) -- On 06/15/11, at approximately 6:53 p.m. a witness walked into the men’s restroom at the Vons located at 
By Kristin Kjaero
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