Public safety officials address key community concerns with Oxnard Leadership Program

For its second session, the 2025 Oxnard Leadership Program met with public safety officials to better understand the ongoing efforts to protect our communities. Public Safety Day also highlights the ​collaboration between agencies to keep residents and the community safe. The group visited Oxnard Police Department, Oxnard SWAT headquarters, a county jail, and the District Attorney's office. The entire day was coordinated by WVCBA Board Member Tom Cady, retired Oxnard Assistant Chief of Police and Owner of TKC Enterprises, a security services consulting firm.

The day began with Oxnard's Chief of Police Jason Benites who gave a basic overview of OPD and highlighted contemporary issues facing California law enforcement, such as persons in crisis, illegal firearms, fentanyl, Proposition 36 and other state legislation, and homelessness. He also discussed OPD's new drone program, staffing challenges (they're hiring!), and traffic safety. 

Assistant Fire Chief John Colamarino was the next presenter with a brief overview of Oxnard Fire Department and demonstration of Incident Command System (ICS) approach to fire incidents. He also spoke about his experiences with the 2017 Thomas Fire, 2024's former Sunkist Packaging Plant fire, and other major incidents.

From there, the 2025 Oxnard Leadership cohort moved on to OPD's Sturgis Annex, home to the Special Operations Division. Several SWAT team members were on-hand to share details about their mission,  operations, and equipment. Participants toured the training facility and saw one of their newer toys in action, a robot that can climb stairs or other obstacles and can be operated up to 2,500 feet from the remote control. Last year, the robot was instrumental in the safe rescue of a person stuck in a large drain pipe, and in locating a suspect hiding under a bed. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Ventura Government Center where Commander Garo Kuredjian led an eye-opening tour of the county's Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The tour started at booking and ended with a walk through the underground tunnel that inmates use to go from jail to the Hall of Justice.

The day ended at the Ventura County District Attorney's Office where DA Erik Nasarenko and Chief Investigator Scott Whitney spoke about about their mission to seek justice and enhance public safety. They discussed their special efforts to solve cold cases using DNA, dismantling organized theft rings, and protecting children from online predators and human traffickers. 

Cohort members were incredibly grateful that so many local leaders carved time out of their day to present on Public Safety Day. As one person put it, "I'm so grateful to have met some of the people who dedicate their lives to safeguarding ours. Hearing the challenges police officers and fire fighters face daily and the passion for justice of the DA's office is invaluable as a resident."

And another said, "I loved visiting jail and I hope I never have to return!"

---

The Oxnard Leadership Program is generously sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation.

​The Oxnard Leadership Program is an initiative of the Oxnard Foundation For Education And Economic Development (OFEED) a 501(c)(3) organization. Formed in 2014 by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce (now WVCBA), OFEED's mission is to support the interaction with and advancement of education and development of our future workforce, and to assure the Oxnard community has an adequate supply of quality jobs.