Thank you  Detective J. Mayo so much for your presentation on criminal activity in Yorba Linda and the preventative steps we can take to protect ourselves.

Here is a brief synopsis of his presentation:

The most common crime in Yorba Linda is property theft.  Criminals are becoming more brazen with crimes often being committed during daylight hours and in front of witnesses.

Petty theft criminals are being released early due to jail over-crowding. There are many instances of plea bargains, further reducing the amount of time an offender spends behind bars. Typically, the criminal may serve a few months behind bars and then serve up to 36 months probation. The criminals have nothing to lose by continuing to commit crimes because the consequences are not significant enough.

Most often, these crimes are tied to drug use.

What can we do to protect ourselves?

Home:

• Make sure windows and doors are locked when we are not home
• Do not leave your garage door open and unattended.
• If you see something unusual in your neighborhood, notify the police. (a strange car, people loitering, …)
• Leaving on vacation?  Have someone pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Inform neighbors of your travel plans so if they see something amiss they can report it to the police.
• File a “vacation check” form at the police sub-station on Yorba Linda Blvd and San Antonio. A CAPs volunteer will check on your home regularly during your absence and report anything that seems out of place to the police.
• Install a security system, camera system (real or “dummy system)

Car:

• Do not leave anything in your car, including bags (empty or full)
• Items typically taken from cars are iPods, GPS systems, wallets, and computers.
• Do not show criminals where you store valuables. They stake out fitness gyms and shopping areas.  Do not place items in your trunk when you get there. You have just shown the criminal where to look. Criminals can easily break into your trunk.
• Park in areas that have a lot of foot traffic, not in remote areas.
• Lock your car doors wherever you are, day or night.

We can make a difference in our community!

• Report any activity that seems out of the ordinary.
• Protect your self and your belongings.
• Get to know your neighbors.

Volunteer Opportunity:

If you are interested in volunteering in your community, the CAPS program is a dedicated group of individuals who selflessly give back to their community. The vacation check program is only one of the many ways they assist Bread PD in keeping our community safe. For more information about this program, go to: http://www.joinbreapd.com/article.cfm?id=40

Council Updates:

Budget

General budget was approved with anticipated expenditures of $26,603,544 and revenues of $26,629,254. This shows a surplus of $25,710.
The Capital Improvement budget was approved for $943K. Expenditures approved for the next fiscal year includes:
• The long awaited Dog park In Brush Canyon 30K
• Lining of the Hidden Hills Storm Drains 200K
• Wheel Chair ramp program 50K
• Street Marking and Signs 50K
• La Palma Repairs 100K
• Park Improvements 100K
• Friends Church High School Field Lights* 250K
• Veterans Park Sport Field Lights 113K
• Master Plan of Parks 50K

*This item is our share of the funding for the joint use sport fields at the new Friends High School. We have an agreement with the school to use the fields for our sport activities when school is not in session.

Sewer System Rates

The new sewer rates were approved at the community-approved amount of $86.28 per year but the fee was set at $66.00 per year. The majority Council set the fee lower in anticipation of transferring the sewer system to the Yorba Linda Water District in the near future.
I can understand the desire to transfer the system to the water district but I disagree with this decision.
As I have stated before, the City can provide the service less expensively. Winders proposal would have taken money out the general fund to loan money to the sewer system but had a rate of return of at least 4%. This is better than the rate of return we are receiving currently @ ½% allowing the system to pay back the general fund monies used to subsidize the system. The rates would have been $50.88/ year.
Additionally, this is a possible bargaining tool we have to help negotiate land development on the largest pieces of land in the City. One of the only ways we can control density and development standards in those areas is our control of the sewer system. As our attorney stated: ”it is a small stick”. But it is a stick nonetheless.

Savi Ranch Housing Vote

During this November election, there will be a Measure B vote on the ballot to determine if you would be for or against higher density housing in Savi Ranch. We are, by law, required to provide the opportunity for developers to build higher density homes for low-income families. Savi Ranch has been identified, as one of the sites the Council felt would impact the community the least. Because we have a voter approved building ordinance in Yorba Linda, the voters have to approve the conversion of commercial property into residential in excess of 10 units per acre.
This Measure B vote does not approve any specific project. If approved, any proposed project would have to go through all City or State required planning processes, CEQA, public noticing, etc.
The benefits of this site:
• Off-loads the density numbers required by the state from predominantly the west side into an industrial area
• Help support the businesses in the Savi Ranch area increasing our sales tax revenue
• The area is lower than Yorba Linda Blvd/ Weir Canyon making the project less visible and not as intrusive
• There is a potential to incorporate a community room in the project area to allow for an extension of classes and community events to be conveniently offered to East End residents

For more information on these and other Council Actions from the July 20 Council meeting, go to: http://tinyurl.com/2f53n2w

The Yorba Linda City Council today announced the selection of an Interim City Manager. The Council met in a specially called closed session on Saturday, July 3rd and decided to appoint long time Yorba Linda resident and former Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Rudometkin as the Interim City Manager. Contract terms are yet to be announced.

Rudometkin served the City from 1977 to 2007. He became the Department Director in July 1980 and retired from a similar position in the City of Pomona in February 2009. Upon retirement, Rudometkin formed his own consulting business called SR Consulting Inc. Since establishing the business, Rudometkin has worked for the City of Aliso Viejo and most recently as the Interim Director of Yorba Linda’s Park and Recreation Department.

Mayor John Anderson stated that the selection of Rudometkin was unanimous and said “The City Council is very excited to have Steve rejoin the staff in this new capacity. He had an outstanding career here during the City’s formative years and we all felt that he would be a tremendous asset in this new role.”

Rudometkin stated that he is thrilled with the appointment and “looks forward to working with the City Council and staff for the next six months.” Rudometkin will be working alongside current City Manager Dave Adams through a transition period.

Anderson stated the selection of Rudometkin will allow “the current workload to continue and will provide the City Council enough time to talk about a permanent selection for the City Manager position.”

COYOTE UPDATE

Thanks to everyone who attended the “Java with Jan” this past Friday to discuss the coyote problems we are experiencing in our community. We were honored to have Orange County Animal Control representatives attend to give our residents an opportunity to ask questions and learn preventative techniques when dealing with the coyotes. I want to thank Stephanie Waterman, the Chief of Field Services and Katie, the Community Education Supervisor for attending and giving us practical advice.

Key Points:

o This is a county-wide problem. The Wildlife, Fish and Game agency has now become involved to devise an aggressive plan to help with this situation.
o There are community volunteer programs being developed in south county that will be beneficial for our community to investigate.
o We cannot leave small animals unattended in areas that they are vulnerable, including our backyards.
o Coyotes can scale 8 foot fences.
o Coyotes work in packs. If you see one on the trail and they run past you, they may be attempting to bait your dog to run after them so the rest of the pack will close in and attack. Keep your dog on a leash and keep them close to you if you see a coyote
o Coyotes will harm large dogs and other animals if they are hungry.
o Deterrents:
• whistle,
• can filled with pennies, marbles ,…that make loud noises,
• air horns
• Two blocks of wood, if smacked together sounds like a gun shot
• If you bring a whistle, carry it on a lanyard around your neck so you do not drop it. You never want to get into a crouched position around a pack of coyotes. Once you are on all fours, you are now more vulnerable to be attacked yourself.
• If the coyote continues to approach, DO NOT RUN or turn your back on the coyote. Continue to exaggerate the above gestures while maintaining eye contact and moving toward an area of human activity
o Gas Company employees are told to carry umbrellas with them so if confronted they can open and close the umbrellas to startle and scare the coyotes away.
o Pepper spray does not work the same on animals as it does on humans, may not be effective.
o Someone asked about wasp spray. This does permanent damage to the coyotes eyesight. A blind coyote will attack anything around it, making it much more dangerous.
o An internet source suggested carrying a super soaker filled with vinegar.
o One resident uses a stun gun, not the type with the darts. The snap of the gun when activated, scares other dogs and coyotes away.
o There are products on the market that can help secure your yard.
• Break Away fencing can be installed on the top of wrought iron fences to keep coyotes out
• Roller fencing
• At home depot, they sell a product that contains cougar urine. This is advertised to keep coyotes out of the area.
o Keep yard areas clear of large brush to eliminate coyote hiding places. Through Animal Control, there are Explorer Scouts available to help senior citizens to clear their yards
o Do not leave food sources within easy reach- garbage cans, dog/cat food.

After searching the internet, I found this website that has many additional hints on living with the coyotes and minimizing their impacts on our lives. The site also references sound track deterrents that are available. One of our residents has purchased this CD and her experience has been positive thus far. It is an intermittent sound of lion hissing. For more information on this and other tips, go to: http://www.cpngov.com/safety/docs/2009/coyote_deterrents.pdf

The Yorba Linda Country Riders are celebrating their 40th year as an equestrian club in Yorba Linda. Their Anniversary Show, held at the Paxton Equestrian Center, was held Sunday, June 13 highlighting Western and English riding along with an outstanding demonstration of the Norco competition team! They kicked up a lot of dust as they raced around the arena with precision and grace. Congratulations to all the winners during the competition today and here’s to many more years of supporting the equestrian lifestyle.

Here are some photos from the Celebration and Rededication of the Yorba Linda parks damaged during the Freeway Complex Fire. The ceremony for all damaged parks (Box Canyon, Bryant Ranch, Jean Woodard, and Eastside Community) was held at Box Canyon Park and the enthusiasm from all the parents and children was readily apparent. The children could not wait to start climbing on the castle and pirate ship! A few of the parents could not wait either!!
Today was a big day, signifying our community’s resilience and hope. It was a day of celebration and healing for the neighbors and the community.  I hope everyone in Yorba Linda has an opportunity to visit all of our community parks, especially the newly repaired parks.

Here are some pictures taken at the 2010 Yorba Linda Celebration of the Arts. Thank you to Gabriella Rollins, and the Arts Alliance for hosting this event in cooperation with the Tommy Lasorda Foundation and the City of Yorba Linda. Look forward to next years event!

Last year I hosted the “Dinners in the Park” series, an informal and open forum inviting community members to discuss their ideas and concerns.
I am now hosting a new open forum series, Java with Jan, at Java Joes, 4973 Yorba Ranch Road. The first meeting is scheduled on June 4, 8:30 am – 10:00 am. You are invited to discuss any topic that interests you. Additionally, I will give brief updates on the City and plan to have occasional speakers attend. If you have ideas regarding topics you would find interesting,post a comment on this site. Look forward to seeing you.

BUCKLE UP DAY AND NIGHT

Seat Belt Ticket Increases to $142

Brea, Calif. – If you‟re planning to hit the road for a late spring or early summer getaway, be sure that everyone in the car wears their seat belt on every trip, day and night. Law enforcement throughout the state, including the Brea Police Department will be looking for unbelted drivers and passengers as part of the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization, May 24 – June 6. This year, fines and fees have increased from $132 to $142 for first time adult seat belt violations. For children under 16, the fine is now $445 for a first time offense.

“There is absolutely no question that seat belts save lives,” said Chief Billy Hutchinson. “Buckling up will not only save you a heavy fine, it can also save your life or the life of a loved one.”

Seat belt violators will receive citations – no warnings. The Click It or Ticket campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to help save lives on California‟s roadways.

“Wearing a seat belt is just simply the easiest and most effective thing you can do on the road to protect yourself and your family,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “That means buckling up day and night, on every trip.”

More than 600 permanent Click It or Ticket highway signs, which have been up since 2005, will be updated to reflect the new „Minimum $142‟ in the coming months.

Currently California has a seat belt usage rate of 95.3 percent, but that still means over half a million people are not buckling up. Properly restrained drivers, passengers and children have a 50 percent better chance of surviving a crash than unbelted occupants. Those ejected from vehicles in crashes or roll-overs are up to 35 times more likely to die than restrained occupants.

More than 150 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the CHP will be participating in this year‟s Click It or Ticket mobilization. Funding to support California‟s Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For additional information contact Sgt. Bill Smyser, PIO, at (714) 990-7620 or after hours, call the on-duty Watch Commander at (714) 990-7624.

(YORBA LINDA, CA) May 13, 2010 — Today the management of John Force Racing, Inc announced a change in the 2010 cruise night car show schedule and a refocusing of the promotional efforts at the home of the 16-time Funny Car championship dynasty. John Force Racing will continue to host the ALL FORD Car Show on Sunday, August 8^th and the perennial fan favorite John Force Holiday Car Show on Sunday, December 5^th but the monthly cruise nights scheduled for May through October have been cancelled.

“After several discussions it was decided that we can better focus our efforts on our two big shows in California; like the ALL FORD Car Show scheduled for Sunday, August 8^th and the John Force Holiday Car Show on Sunday, Dec. 5^th,” said Show Director; Craig Hoelzel.

John Force Racing will also continue to host the ALL FORD Car Show, Thursday, September 2^nd in Brownsburg, Indiana in advance of the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. After moving the majority of the JFR funny car operations to the Brownsburg facility, the Yorba Linda headquarters will now be rented out for movie film shoots and banquet rentals.

“We love the car show crowds, but we just needed to refocus our efforts on what makes the best use of our time and efforts in regards to our facility,” said team owner John Force.  “We look forward to having the two big shows a year here in California and the other Ford show back at our Brownsburg facility.”

The food drive promotion to benefit the Orange County Food Bank will continue at the ALL FORD Car Show on Sunday, August 8^th and a lucky winner will receive a 52” Sanyo big screen TV.  Fans are encouraged to bring a can of food to that event and receive a ticket to possible win the TV.  The more cans of food, the more tickets you receive.

An updated car show schedule and additional information will be available at www.johnforceracing.com.

For additional information about John Force Racing contact Elon Werner, 214-244-1184, elon@johnforceracing.com or Dave Densmore, 214-244-0008, denswood@aol.com.