Marin County District Attorney

DA Frugoli and ADA Bruce met with students from Brandeis school for an open and honest conversation about local government, the inner workings of the DA’s office and global problems such as racism. The DA’s office feels privileged several students expressed interest in an internship with our office.

Please join today, May 6th at 6pm at the Marin County Law Library via zoom as the library welcomes Otis Bruce, Jr., the Marin County Assistant District Attorney. Mr. Bruce first worked in Marin County as a legal assistant in 1989. In 1995 he became the county's first black prosecutor. In 2011 he served as president of the Marin County Bar Association. In 2020 he was appointed Marin County Deputy DA. To register for this free event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-thursdays-at-the-marin-c

May the fourth be with you as we reopen. Hopefully, soon we won't be wearing these pesky masks! #maythe4thbewithyou

Reiki, our facility dog, is here to provide support in difficult times

MCDA congratulates our amazing interns on being recognized as Outstanding Intern Team of the Year 2019-2020. It was heartwarming that Tiara and Hajra, our former interns, stopped by to say hi and to pick up the Resolution in the office. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! Way to go!

In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week our victim witness team set up a booth in the farmers market in front of the Civic Center! They handed out over 250 insulated bags, service information brochures and other items. It was heartwarming to see and talk with our neighbors, including seniors and Spanish speaking residents as we are slowly coming out of COVID! As the County opens, we are looking forward to seeing you again! #NCVRW2021

Marin County District Attorney is Hiring for DDA I - Temporary Position

Congratulations Battalion Chief Jason Golden! Yesterday, Southern Marin Fire District's Fire Chief, Chris Tubbs, congratulated Jason Golden on becoming our ne...west Battalion Chief with an informal badge pinning. We'd like to invite the public to join Southern Marin Fire District's Board of Directors and staff in the Formal Swearing In and Badge Pinning Ceremony for Battalion Chief Jason Golden on Wednesday, February 24th at 7pm PST via Zoom Video. In order to attend, please download this month's packet which is located on our website: https://bit.ly/3clmgRU Music: https://www.bensound.com

Reduce Your Risk of Catalytic Converter Theft The Bay Area, including Novato, has recently seen a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicle exhaust... systems. Precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium are used in catalytic converters. The price of some of these metals has risen sharply in recent years and as a result, has led to an increase in the theft of catalytic converters. Cars that are often the most targeted are hybrid vehicles, like a Toyota Prius, as these vehicles have two power sources. The catalytic converter is used less frequently and the metals are less likely to corrode, meaning they are worth more to thieves. The height of these vehicles also makes access to the exhaust system, underneath the vehicle, easier. Thieves look for easy targets when it comes to catalytic converter theft as they are looking for a quick removal. To reduce the risk of having your catalytic converter stolen, we suggest you: ~ Park your car in a locked garage when possible, but if this isn’t an option, park it in a well-lit and well-populated area. ~ If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask your local mechanic to weld the bolts on to make it more difficult to remove. ~ Alternatively, you can ask your mechanic to etch your license plate number on the catalytic converter. This helps police identified those that have been stolen if it is recovered. ~ You can purchase a ‘Cage Clamp’ which is a security device that locks in around the converter to make it harder to steal. ~ If you have a security system on your car, calibrate it so vibration sets it off. This ensures the alarm activates if a thief tries to saw off the converter. We are asking for the community for assistance in providing any information about these crimes or the suspects. Please contact the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361, if you have specific information regarding a recent catalytic converter theft or see suspicious activity.

Sergeant Wilbanks awarded the Service Above Self award by the Rotary Club of Marin Evening for his dedication to the success of the Marin County Sheriff’s Offic...e Cadet program. We’ve had 25 Cadets since the program began. 14 of those 25 are now currently working at the Marin County Sheriff’s Office as Deputies. In 2014, Sergeant Gary Wilbanks volunteered to help design and implement a new Sheriff’s Office cadet program. The cadet program offers college students a rewarding hands-on learning experience in all divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Cadets serve alongside experienced law enforcement staff and receive a valuable introduction to a law enforcement career. Sgt. Wilbanks makes sure each cadet receives training in Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures and specific job training from experienced sworn and non-sworn personnel. From inception, Sgt. Wilbanks has been responsible for recruiting, hiring, and supervising prospective cadets. Sgt. Wilbanks ensures each cadet participating in field-related activities passes a formal training program. Sgt. Wilbanks sees that each cadet will learn report writing, traffic control, basic evidence collection, and community relationship building, to name a few. While cadets are compensated during their 16-25 hours workweek, they must be enrolled in college with at least nine units per semester or six quarter units each semester while maintaining a 2.0 or better GPA. Sgt. Wilbanks makes sure each cadet understands that his or her college classes take priority over their work schedule, and he does everything possible for each cadet to have educational success. Sgt. Wilbanks is very passionate and has consistently gone beyond the call of duty while supervising the cadets. He has personally mentored several of them in becoming full-time deputy sheriffs or police officers. He works diligently in ensuring that their education remains a priority while being very flexible with their Sheriff’s Office schedules. He cares deeply about each cadet as if they were family members, helping them achieve success every step of the way while reaching their goals. Congratulations Sergeant Wilbanks.

Just before the Winter Break, NUSD learned we needed 200 backpacks for students when we returned in January. Thanks to the Sparkle Foundation Incorporated and ...the Novato Police Department, 200 backpacks (with supplies inside!) were delivered to the District Office on January 4. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Quarterly meeting of Marin County Coalition to End Human Trafficking is on January 13th from 10:30 am-noon. Please join us via zoom (zoom information is in the agenda below) or visit mcchet.org to find out more!

It's International Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and we would be doing an injustice if we didn't express our appreciation for all of the great agencies we ar...e fortunate to work with here in Marin County. Thank you all for being the best bunch of beat partners we could hope for! Marin County Sheriff's Office, Novato Police Department, San Rafael Police Department, Central Marin Police, Mill Valley Police Department, Sausalito Police Department, United States Park Police Association of National Park Rangers (US) Fairfax Police Department, Ross Police Department, Belvedere Police Officers' Association, Tiburon Police Department, Golden Gate Bridge Patrol

Community Unity in Indian Valley this morning-educating our community about safety for equestrians, bicyclists, walkers and their dogs. Thank you to the Marin Bicycle Coalition,the Marin Conservation League and the Marin Horse Council for spreading the word on how to safely share the road. A rider wearing a PLEASE PASS WIDE AND SLOWLY vest is a community volunteer who is there to help educate people how to safely pass a horse, help keep the trails safe and check for hazards ...or obstructions on the trail. This collaborative program today is not new, but was located in Indian Valley today in response to a recent incident where an equestrian was seriously injured when she was thrown from her horse after bicyclists scared the horse by skidding in front of it. Sadly they left the scene rather quickly. A full account of the incident is in the Marin Independent Journal today. Thank you to our community leaders. See more

****UPDATE 2:49PM: We have identified the female and are in contact with family. Thank you to everyone who shared, tweeted, routed, liked, commented and all tha...t other social media stuff. It worked! *** PLEASE SHARE *** Do you know who I am? On December 10, 2020 around 3PM, the pictured female was found walking on South Highway 101 near Highway 580. We are approximating the female to be between 35-45 years of age, approximately 5'03" to 5'05". She was located barefoot and wearing the pictured sweater and purple leggings. We have been unable to communicate with her to determine who she is, if she has family or where she is from. She is currently being cared for at a local hospital. If you have any information or know who this is, please contact Deputy Rudolph at (415) 479-2311 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for December 9 updated COVID-19 data, a message from Dr. Africa about Men’s Mental Health, and a recap from today’s communit...y conversation event. Full update: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/covid-19-status-update-120 Subscribe to daily updates by email: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/subscribe

RETIREMENT ALERT After 27 years in law enforcement, Lieutenant John Snetsinger, a Santa Rosa native, retired today. Lt Snetsinger began his law enforce...ment career in the city of Belmont. Three years later, he joined SRPD as a patrol officer. Lt Snetsinger served as a Field Training Officer, training many new officers. Lt Snetsinger later spent 5 years as a detective, fighting for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Lt Snetsinger also had the collateral duty of computer forensics. In 2004, Lt. Snetsinger was promoted to sergeant. During his 10 years as a sergeant, Lt Snetsinger supervised the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, was part of the team that established the Family Justice Center, and supervised our School Resource Officers. In 2014, Lt Snetsinger was promoted to Lieutenant. He was a patrol watch commander, fleet services manager, tactical commander and he oversaw the traffic bureau and special events. Lt Snetsinger continued to give back to the community by being on Verity's Board of Directors for 8 1/2 years. "Lt. John Snetsinger’s leadership through his compassion and guidance of his staff and projects made a difference in our community and department." - Chief Navarro Thank you for your years of service. Enjoy retirement Lt Snetsinger!

It’s been a special day here at the Sheriffs Office!!! Pack the Patrol Car has been such a success!! We had a special visit and donation from Molly, a very pr...oud Sonoma County resident! Molly spent her own money to buy toys to donate... and for her generosity, Sheriff Essick gave her one of his very own Challenge Coins!! Molly, we love your #sonomastrong spirit! #packthepatrolcar #sonomasheriff See more

An open conversation about how we continue creating an inclusive community by Not In Our Town To register: https://zoom.us//regi/tJYtce2uqTosG9ECTItx2WoqXdxv7mQObPTl

TAKE ACTION to empower your neighbors and community to stand up against hate, together! This week, (November 30th December 6th) is #UnitedAgainstHateWeek! UAH...W is a call for local civic action by people in every Bay Area community to stop the hate and recognize implicit biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns and cities. NIOT Novato has participated annually in #UnitedAgainstHate Week since 2018. In honor of #UAHW, NIOT Novato is hosting a Virtual event on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 6pm. The event will include a TED Talk entitled, What It Takes To Be Racially Literate to raise awareness surrounding implicit bias and an open conversation about how we continue creating an inclusive community. The Virtual session will also highlight a speaker series for early 2021 entitled, A More Just Novato. To register for this event, please visit: bit.ly/NIOTNovatoUAH NIOT Novato is a community organization that promotes safe, inclusive and equitable Novato partnerships with the City of Novato - City Government, Marin County District Attorney, Novato Unified School District, North Marin Community Services, and Novato Police. In 2018, the Novato Police Department began working with Not In Our Town Novato to improve relationships between law enforcement and the community and to remove barriers for the reporting of hate crimes and hate motivated incidents. To file a report online, please visit: Novato.org/hateincident or call 415-897-1122. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.