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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Capitola Police Department

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Capitola Police Department

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Official page for Capitola PD. Prior to posting ensure you read & follow the site rules. Proudly serving Capitola, CA. Comments not monitored.

Email [email protected]. For City communication, email [email protected]. Capitola is an intimate beach village tucked in a river valley in Santa Cruz County on the Monterey Bay. Located an hour away from San Jose and an hour and a half from San Francisco, Capitola enjoys a lively population full of tradition and an interesting history. With a population of approx 10,000 residents, the population steeply rises between the months of April through September to approx 40,000-60,000. Prior to posting to this site ensure you read and follow the Terms of Use Agreement under General Information

10/14/2026

Yesterday and today, Capitola PD is conducting traffic safety operations funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety and California Highway Patrol. We are focusing heavily on pedestrian safety and enforcing e-bike rules throughout the City!

⚠️ E-BIKE MARKETING vs. CALIFORNIA LAW
Don't rely solely on what the manufacturer advertised online. Many advertised "e-bikes" exceed legal motor or speed limits and are legally classified as mopeds or motorcycles in California:

🛑 Pedals Required: If it lacks functional pedals or the motor exceeds 750W, it’s not a legal e-bike.
🛑 Class 3 Age Limit: Must be 16+ to ride a Class 3 (up to 28 mph) e-bike.
🛑 Helmets: Required for riders under 18 on all e-bikes, and for ALL ages on Class 3 e-bikes.
🛑 No Modifications: Using apps or tuning kits to bypass speed limits makes the vehicle illegal on public roads/paths.

Let's keep Capitola safe for everyone. Check your bike's actual legal classification before heading out! 🚲🌊🏍️

10/13/2026

We had a fantastic time last week at New Brighton Middle School giving three presentations—one for each grade level! Our officers enjoyed getting out to chat with the students and positively interact with our school community. The focus of the collaboration was promoting DUI and e-bike safety:

DUI Education: Students had the opportunity to try out our "impairment goggles." These goggles offer a hands-on way to show how coordination and reaction times are affected by alcohol, sparking vital safety conversations in an engaging environment. Students learned many of the rules when it comes to never driving, or biking, impaired!

E-Bike Safety: With so many students riding e-bikes in Capitola, we shared key tips on safe riding habits, helmet safety, traffic laws, and staying visible on the road to keep everyone safe.
A huge thanks to New Brighton Middle School for hosting us for such a great day of assemblies. We’re proud to support our local students and families!

We know e-bike safety is a big community concern, and remain committed to fair education and enforcement when appropriate.

10/12/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and your Capitola Police Officers are proud to wear pink patches once again the next several days in support of breast cancer awareness, research, and support services.

Stop by the Police Department during business hours to snag your own pink patch, or say hello to our officers out in the community. Reshare to show your support for an important cause, and help us raise awareness! Together, we can make a difference!

10/08/2026

THE MONTE FOUNDATION FIREWORKS SHOW IS COMING UP! 🎆

The annual Monte Foundation Fireworks Show is coming up! Join us Sunday, October 11, for a spectacular show.

Road closures begin at 7 PM
Fireworks begin at 8 PM

We hope to see everyone there!

ROAD CLOSURES & TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Multiple road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place throughout Capitola starting at 7 PM.

📍 45th & 47th Avenues
Closures at Crystal, Emerald, Garnet, Jewel, Opal, and Topaz Streets.

📍 49th Avenue / Capitola Road

📍 Opal Cliff / Cliff Drive / Wharf Road
Multiple closures in the area.
➡️ Traffic should use Portola Drive and Opal Cliff Drive away from the Village.

📍 Esplanade / Stockton / Riverview
Closures and turn restrictions will be in effect. Follow posted detours and traffic signs.

📍 Capitola Avenue / Monterey Avenue
Multiple closures and traffic restrictions will be in place. Follow posted signage and detours.

⚠️ Please do not move or drive around barricades. Plan ahead, allow extra time, and follow the directions of officers and posted signs.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe. We hope to see you at the fireworks!

10/04/2026

🚚 Honk, smash, and touch a truck! 🚚

We had an absolute blast yesterday meeting everyone at the Capitola Mall for the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery's Zoom Honk Smash: Touch a Truck Fundraiser!

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to chat with our officers and get an up-close look at our vehicles. Events like this are what Capitola is all about, and we loved getting to connect with so many of you!

Thank you to the Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery for hosting such a great event for a wonderful cause. See you all next year! 🚔💙

10/02/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC INCIDENT UPDATE: Hit-and-Run Arrest 🚨

Last night around 11:30 PM, CPD responded to a major collision on the 4600 block of Capitola Road (near 46th Avenue).

The suspect was seen driving recklessly at high speeds before crashing into two PG&E electrical boxes, a fence, and a home.

⚡ Power was knocked out to ~325 units for an extended period while Central Fire and PG&E worked the scene. Emergency roadwork to fully repair infrastructure led to closures on Capitola Road this afternoon.
🚗 Vehicle was totaled, but thankfully no major injuries were reported.
🏃‍♂️ The suspect, a 24 year old male resident of Santa Cruz County, fled on foot but was later identified and arrested for hit-and-run.
⚖️ The case is being forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

Did you see anything? 🎥 If you witnessed the crash or have security cam/ dash cam footage near 46th Avenue & Capitola Road, please call our non-emergency dispatch line or message us!

10/01/2026

Capitola, CA – Capitola Police Department announces they have been awarded a $57,881.00 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in their community.

“This is important to the City of Capitola to increase protection for youth and to address crime at problem locations,” said Captain Leo Moreno.

The grant is one of nearly 50 awarded in California to local law enforcement agencies through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.

These grants strengthen local law enforcement efforts by combining theirs with ABC agents who have expertise in alcoholic beverage laws to help reduce alcohol-related harm within their community.

“Our Alcohol Policing Partnership program can improve the quality of life in neighborhoods,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “The communities where the grant program’s resources have been invested have seen a real difference.”

The APP program was created in 1995 to strengthen partnerships between ABC and local law enforcement agencies. The program is designed to keep alcohol away from minors and prevent harm to the community.

The funds will be used to help prevent alcoholic beverage sales to minors and obviously intoxicated patrons, illegal solicitations of alcohol, and other criminal activities such as the sale and possession of illegal drugs.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.

For Additional Information contact: Phone: (831) 475-4242
Authorized by: Captain Leo Moreno #501

09/30/2026

🚨 PARENTS: IS THIS YOUR TEEN’S “BIKE?”🚨

This electric motorcycle was recently impounded, and the rider cited after popping wheelies and riding in the roadway at night.

What Parents Need to Know:

🛑⚠️NOT Street Legal: These high-powered electric motorbikes are NOT classified as bicycles under California law. E-bikes have working pedals and a small motor UNDER 750 watts. Electric motorcycles, which often reach high speeds, require a driver’s license, registration, and safety equipment to operate legally in public.

🚔Subject to Impound: Unlicensed riders on unregistered vehicles face citations, tows, or even criminal consequences for related violations.

📝Parental Responsibility: The parent was notified following this incident. Parents can be held criminally or civilly liable for allowing unlicensed juveniles to operate vehicles, especially if it leads to injuries or worse.

Please talk to your kids about road safety and vehicle laws. Just because something is legal to purchase online does not make it street legal, message us if you aren’t sure! Let’s work together to keep our community safe!

-Moto

09/25/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC & ROAD CLOSURE ADVISORY: Capitola Beach Festival (Sept 26–27) 🚨

Planning to head into Capitola Village this weekend for the Beach Festival? Please plan ahead for significant road closures, detour routes, and heavy pedestrian traffic!

⛔ ROAD CLOSURES & ADVISORIES
-Esplanade & San Jose Ave: Closed starting Saturday at 0700 hours.
-Little Wharf 3-Mile Fun Run (Sat 0700–1100): Cliff Drive, Wharf Road (49th Ave to Stockton Ave), Esplanade, the 100/200 blocks of Monterey Ave, and the 100 block of San Jose Ave will be closed to all vehicular traffic.
-Stockton Bridge (Sat 1830–2130): Closed for the Lighted Nautical Parade. Vehicles on Stockton Ave will be diverted onto Capitola Ave.

🅿️ PARKING & DETOURS
-No Parking / Tow Away Zones are posted in the area and will be enforced.
-Shuttle buses for race participants will operate from 49th Ave to Capitola Mall.

Please follow all detour signs and directions from law enforcement and race volunteers. Drive slowly and watch for pedestrians throughout the Village!

📅 Event details: https://capitolabeachfestival.com

09/23/2026

Welcome to the Team! 🚔

Today, we proudly swore in our two newest police officers, Officer Salvador Mendoza and Officer Jose Becerra along with MSO Jacquelyn Anguiano!

⭐️Officer Salvador Mendoza brings 12 years of law enforcement experience from the Watsonville Police Department, where he spent significant time serving as a detective. His investigative skills and experience make him an invaluable addition to our agency.
⭐️Officer Jose Becerra joins us with a strong background in law enforcement and community safety, bringing experience from both Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Security and the San Jose Police Department.
⭐️MSO Anguiano made department history today! Having successfully completed her field training program the other week, she has earned her spot as our department’s very first solo Multi-Service Officer (MSO).

All three were officially sworn in by Chief Ryan surrounded by family, friends, and City Staff—with their loved ones pinning their badges. Please join us in congratulating Officer Mendoza, Officer Becerra, and MSO Anguiano, as they begin this next chapter serving our community!

Address

422 Capitola Avenue
Capitola, CA
95010

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18314754242

Website

https://www.cityofcapitola.org/police

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