Crime & Safety

Redlands Honors Local Heroes

Story courtesy of Carl Baker, City of Redlands spokesman

The Redlands Police Department recently recognized a number of employees and volunteers, local businesses and welcomed new members to the department.

This is the second Redlands-Loma Linda Patch's article on the honorees, as presented by city spokesman Carl Baker.

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In this installment, Walmart is recognized for their generosity. And a city crime analyst is recognized for her drive.

Below are a few of the stories:

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Redlands Wal-Mart

Over the last 10 years, the Redlands Police Department has given over 1,500 bikes to at-risk youth and victims who have had their bicycles stolen.

Most of the bikes have been given out at bike rodeos put on by Citizen Volunteers.  None of the smiles that have been brought to children’s faces would have been possible if not for the generosity of the Redlands Wal-Mart which has donated all 1,500-plus bicycles.  In addition to donating the bicycles, Wal-Mart has also helped fund the annual Christmas Block Party at the Community Center each year by donating $12,000 in cash and in-kind donations over the years.  The Redlands Police Department is grateful to have such a great community policing partner in Wal-Mart.  

Redlands Police Crime Analyst, Amy Varela

Amy Varela first started working part-time with the Redlands Police Department as a Crime Analyst on Dec. 17, 2012.  She quickly immersed herself in learning the Redlands Way.  She brought with her a wealth of knowledge and quickly proved her value in several investigations.  In April 2013, she was hired to be the full-time crime analyst for RPD.

Varela has had a direct impact on solving several investigations.  For example, on a recent murder investigation detectives received information that a man matching the description of the suspect was seen driving a vehicle in the area in which the homicide victim was abducted.  The informant provided detectives with a license plate to the suspect’s car. Varela quickly determined the license plate was incorrect. Suspecting a few digits were incorrect, Amy began the tedious task of trying to figure out the correct license plate.  Using all of the different databases available to her, she was able to determine the correct plate. Not one, but two of the license plate digits were incorrect. Her attention to detail and perseverance helped lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspect and hold him accountable for the crime of murder.

In another example, Varela was able to link a series of residential burglaries to a parolee.  The parolee had a GPS ankle monitor on him, and Varela was able to identify him being at the location of several of the burglaries. The information was passed on to detectives who made the arrest.

Members from all bureaus of the department seek her out to dig into the different databases that often prove to be the key to solving crime. She has proven to be a valuable asset to the Department.    


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