Citizen’s academy teaches residents the signs and symptoms of illegal drugs

Editor’s Note: Appeal-democrat reporters Jake Abbott, Rachel Rosenbaum and Chris Kaufman are participating in the Marysville Police Department’s citizen’s academy. This is one in a series of articles about their experiences.

So far, participants in the Marysville Police Department’s citizen’s academy have been shown how departments like dispatch and records function, got to ride around on pedal karts with special goggles to mimic the effects of alcohol and drugs and learned about patrol procedures during DUI investigations.

This week’s topic revolved around drugs and the various components that go into investigating those types of crimes, as seen and experienced through the eyes of an expert with the department.

Marysville Police Officer Mike Rossiter led the presentation during Wednesday’s citizen’s academy. Though he has only been with the department for about a year, he has worked in law enforcement for more than a decade and is considered a gang and drug expert.

“This type of class is important because we have no chance of making a dent out there without support from the community and without help from citizens,” Rossiter said.

After starting off with a background on himself and his family, Rossiter jumped into what he said was one of the biggest threats facing youth today: prescription drugs.

He worked methodically through the different varieties he has encountered out in the field, from depressants and stimulants to opioids. He gave tips on how to prevent children from easily accessing those types of drugs and ways of spotting a potential problem.

Rossiter also talked about the different signs and symptoms of heroin and methamphetamine users and the different ways the drugs are consumed.

He talked about some of the different “designer drugs,” or new psychoactive substances, that law enforcement is continually trying to keep up with – what he said were the “legal highs,” or things like synthetic marijuana (spice) and bath salts.

“It was really eye opening. I think it was good for us to see that and to hear more about the condition of our city,” said Stephanie Mckenzie, a Marysville City Council member and participant in the academy. “It’s so easy to go about your dayto-day life and never think about it. For us that don’t come into contact with people living that kind of life, we can easily think it’s not a big issue when it really is.”

Mckenzie said she joined the citizen’s academy to learn more about the department and the officers who work to keep the city safe.

“I’ve enjoyed it, especially getting to know some of the officers and getting to listen to their stories. I haven’t gotten to spend much time with them, so it’s been nice getting to know them a bit more and learning about some of the things the department is working on,” Mckenzie said.

Rossiter ended the presentation with a discussion on some of California’s new marijuana laws and how the department is handling them.

Robert Morris, 69, joined the academy as a way to get more involved in his community. He found Rossiter’s points on the new laws to be the most interesting takeaway.

“I enjoyed learning about the new laws. It’s interesting how some of the crimes he talked about that used to be considered a felony have been reduced to a misdemeanor,” Morris said.

The academy will run through April 3. Some of the future topics include volunteer programs, fingerprinting, victim services, a selfdefense course and a shooter simulator.

FELONY ARRESTS

Oscar D. Avila-velazquez, 24, of the 3000 block of Forstner Court, Live Oak, was arrested by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office at 4:30 p.m. March 1 at O and Elm streets on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance for sale. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Carolina Negrete, 24, of the 1400 block of Ramirez Street, Marysville, was arrested by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office at 10:45 a.m. March 1 at her residence on suspicion of participating in a criminal street gang and probation violation. She was booked into Yuba County Jail.

Cynthia Shelburne, 51, of the 800 block of Jones Road, Yuba City, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department at 9:30 a.m. March 1 at her residence on suspicion of elder abuse. She was booked into Sutter County Jail.

DUI ARRESTS

John D. Vanbiber, 30, of Auburn, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at 4:08 p.m. Feb. 28 at Pleasant Grove Road. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.

Richard P. Agarenzo, 58, of the 5800 block of Griffith Avenue, Linda, was arrested by the Yuba City Police Department March 1 at Walton Avenue and Bridge Street. He was booked into Sutter County Jail.