Citrus Heights News Briefs: DUI arrests, mayors, Kmart & crime (Jan. 16)

Several highlights from local news this week include a suspected DUI collision involving a light pole and an apartment, a closure announcement for the Auburn Boulevard Kmart store, recognition of former Mayor Sue Frost, and release of local crime statistics for 2015.

Driver crashes off Antelope Road; arrested on suspicion of DUI
Police said a car driving on Antelope Road near Auburn Boulevard lost control in the rain on Thursday, colliding with a light pole, and then crashing into the side of an apartment complex before stopping between two buildings. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 14 and involved a solo male driver around 30 years of age, according to Lt. Jason Russo. After being contacted on scene, Russo said the driver tried to ingest what police believe was a drug, and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Russo said the driver was lucky to have not hurt anyone and advised motorists to drive slower in the rain.

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Lt. Russo said several hundred DUI arrests are made in Citrus Heights each year, with one officer recently being recognized for making more than 30 DUI arrests. The lieutenant said additional DUI arrest data for 2015 and 2014 would be released next week, in response to an inquiry by The Sentinel.

Citrus Heights Kmart to close in April; begin liquidation Jan. 24
According to various news reports across the state this week, company spokesman Howard Riefs announced the closure of four California Kmart stores, including the Auburn Boulevard store in Citrus Heights. Riefs told The Sacramento Bee on Wednesday the Kmart at 8501 Auburn Blvd. would begin a liquidation sale on Jan. 24, in advance of a mid-April closing date. Other closures will reportedly take place in Anaheim, Chula Vista and San Mateo in the next few months.

Council recognizes former Mayor Sue Frost for past service
Continuing a tradition of recognizing the outgoing Citrus Heights mayor at the beginning of each year, former Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost was presented by her colleagues with a bouquet of flowers and a framed “pictorial memorial” of her past year as mayor, during a Jan. 14 council meeting. Current Mayor Jeannie Bruins thanked Frost her service and Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey said she had done a “good job.”

During the meeting, Frost called her year as mayor “the opportunity of a lifetime,” and said she looks forward to continued service opportunities. The five-member council annually votes in a new mayor and vice mayor from among its ranks each year.

[See prior story for more: Council votes in Jeannie Bruins as new Citrus Heights mayor]

Police: 2015 crime in Citrus Heights reduced by 5%, compared to 2014
Crime statistics released by the Citrus Heights Police Department on Jan. 12 showed a five percent reduction in crime for Citrus Heights during 2015, compared to 2014 statistics. Categories of crime with the most significant drops included a 28 percent decrease in motor vehicle theft, an 18 percent drop in burglaries, and a 13 percent drop in assaults, according to statistics provided by Sgt. Jason Baldwin.

In a followup statement, Baldwin called 2015 a “great year” for the police department, and said police personnel meet regularly to discuss crime trends and craft plans for how to reduce those trends, in partnership with active community members.

[See full story for more crime stats: Citrus Heights Police: crime reduced by 5% in 2015]