City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JUNE 18, 2024 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL SUBJECT: RESOLUTION RENEWING THE OFFER OF A REWARD AND INCREASING THE REWARD AMOUNT TO $20,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER OF ISAIAH ARVISO– INTERDEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER ISSUES:
Adopt a resolution renewing the offer of a reward and increasing the reward amount to $20,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso that occurred in the City of Riverside, Police Department case 230015144, for a duration of 60 days and authorize an interdepartmental transfer in the same amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution renewing the offer of a reward and increasing the reward amount to $20,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso, Police Department case 230015144, for a duration of 60 days: and With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record an interdepartmental transfer of $20,000 from the General Fund, Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account to the General Fund, Police Department’s Riverside Reward Program account.
BACKGROUND:
On Sunday, May 28, 2023, at approximately 5:13 PM, Riverside Police Department officers responded to the alleyway in the 3500 Block of Chicago Ave, regarding multiple calls of shots fired with two subjects hit by gunfire. Upon arrival, officers located two subjects in the alleyway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. A male juvenile victim suffered a single gunshot wound to his hip. He was treated at a local hospital and later released. However, 18-year-old Isiah Arviso was critically wounded with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Robbery – Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation with the help of the Forensics Unit. Detectives interviewed several people in the area, but no one could provide information. Over the past several months, detectives have continued to work on the case and up to this point have exhausted all leads.
A press release was distributed regarding the incident in 2023, but no additional information regarding the homicide investigation was received. The investigation remains open, and information is still being sought about the shooting.
On April 16, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 24108 offering a reward in the amount of $10,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso that occurred in the City of Riverside, Police Department case 230015144, for a duration of 60 days, however, as of the writing of this report no one has come forward.
Detectives believe there are witnesses to the events leading up to the shooting or the shooting itself. They believe that increasing the reward to $20,000 could yield useful information that could possibly lead to the identification and ultimately the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso.
Isaiah Arviso
DISCUSSION:
On March 20, 2001, the City Council approved the adoption of a resolution implementing the Police Department’s “Riverside Reward Program.” Guidelines for offering rewards are listed in section 363 of the Riverside Police Department Policy Manual.
Detectives believe that increasing the reward offer to $20,000 may entice one or more witnesses to come forward with information that would help them in the identification and apprehension of the person or persons involved in this murder.
Attached is a resolution renewing the offer of a reward and increasing the reward amount to $20,000 for information leading to the identify of, and the apprehension of, the person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso, which will expire 60 days after the date of City Council’s approval.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 -Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department provides public safety services to the community. Issuing a reward that could positively stimulate the investigation and yield useful information that could possibly lead to the identification and ultimately the apprehension of person or persons responsible for the murder of Isaiah Arviso support this goal.
Equity – The Department provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Issuing a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for murder helps in the achievement of this goal by ensuring that RPD employees can enhance community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Police Department has determined that the benefits of offering a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for murder outweigh the cost of the reward. Additionally, the reward is only paid in the event of an apprehension.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs, the Police Department regularly assesses the various tools and programs at their disposal to help them provide public safety services to the community. The rewards program provides the Department with an additional tool to help keep the community safe.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Regularly assessing the Police Departments programs, making changes as needed and utilizing the programs as appropriate allows the Department to adapt and grow as the needs of the community change. The rewards program is a valuable tool that will help the Department provide public safety services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is $20,000. Upon City Council approval, an interdepartmental transfer of funds in the amount of $20,000 will be recorded from the General Fund, Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account No. 7211200-450247 to the General Fund, Police Department’s Riverside Reward Program, Account No. 3100000-459026. If no reward is offered within 60 days of the Council’s approval, the funds will be returned to the Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account unless renewed or extended.
Prepared by: Chad Milby, Police Captain
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Mike Futrell, City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
Arviso Reward - $20,000 ● Page 2