Sebastian Azamatov, 5, left, reacts after OC Sheriff Deputy A. Ramos pulls out a piece of pumpkin she carved out during the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event in the parking lot at Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gemma Kilmartin, 8, works on her pumpkin the parking lot at Trader Joe’s during the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children design their pumpkins during the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event at the Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
OC Sheriff Deputy P. Choi reacts when Cruz Garcia, 2, hands him a marker during the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event at the Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children, along with Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies, parents, and Trader Joe’s employees, gather in the parking lot for the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event at the Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children, along with Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies, parents, and Trader Joe’s employees, gather in the parking lot for the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event at the Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children, along with Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies, parents, and Trader Joe’s employees, gather in the parking lot for the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event at the Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Sebastian Azamatov, 5, left, reacts after OC Sheriff Deputy A. Ramos pulls out a piece of pumpkin she carved out during the annual “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy”” event in the parking lot at Trader Joe’s in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Instead of taking a big bite out of crime, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies in San Juan Capistrano are carefully carving one.
On Monday, Oct. 20, deputies assigned to the south county city were on hand at the local Trader Joe’s for “Pumpkin Carving with a Deputy,” an annual outreach event that organizers estimated had its biggest turnout yet this year.
Children yielding markers and stickers worked with deputies to draw designs on pumpkins donated by the store and deputies helped with the carving.
“It’s for us to give back to the community,” said Capt. Justin Montano, who serves as chief of police for the town. “Especially with the little kids, to interact in a positive way.”
Trader Joe’s store manager Brenda Kennedy said the market on Camino Capistrano has been holding the event all five years she has worked there. Children packed tables in the parking lot, chatting with deputies as they worked on their designs.
“It’s really awesome,” Kennedy said. “I love it. It really builds a great relationship with the community and the Sheriff’s Department.”
