Oxnard Police Farewell Party Goes to the Dogs

As cop retirement parties go, this was a howl.

The party was for two Oxnard crime stoppers who worked 18,200 cases during their careers.

Marco and Dino, Belgian Malinois dogs who served on Oxnard Police Department's K-9 team a combined 13 years, barked their final goodbyes during a recent retirement barbecue in their honor.

In addition to being members of one of the county's oldest police dog units, which was formed in 1980, Marco and Dino were two of the most successful four-legged cops to ever serve the department, officers said.

Last November, Marco sniffed out 35 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine stashed under a south Oxnard house. And in May, he clamped his jaws on a man accused of a drive-by shooting.

Dino was named "top dog" twice last year after sweeping victories in major canine competitions in Phoenix and Chatsworth.

In 1998, he helped subdue two knife-wielding men.

Together, the pair have assisted in 285 arrests since 1994, said Oxnard Senior Officer Steven Moore.

Both dogs now spend their days patrolling the backyards of their handlers.

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Vandals are learning not to try to "get up" in Thousand Oaks.

Officers are crediting sharp-eyed citizens for helping to solve a string of gang-related graffiti crimes that dotted the city since December.

In fact, Ventura County sheriff's detectives say more citizens than ever are reporting vandalism, contributing to a rise in arrests of gang members.

There were 86 gang-related vandalism cases in 1997 in Thousand Oaks and 194 in 1998, the most recent year for which figures are available. A majority of those were graffiti cases in which an arrest was made, authorities said.

"The credit goes to the citizens. They're out there and haven't been hesitant to call," said Senior Deputy Brian Richmond, one of eight full-time officers who handle gang crime in the city.

The deputy said it's helpful when the station receives several calls on a single case, because more information means a stronger case and often a quicker arrest.

Recently, two 16-year-old gang members were busted for spray-painting a block wall. A deputy caught the teens in the act after being alerted by two citizens who called the station.

During questioning, the teens admitted involvement in at least seven other graffiti cases, Richmond said.

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You would think dealing with murderers and rapists for a living would be enough of a horror show.