BREA POLICE DEPARTMENT
INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
1 CIVIC CENTER CIRCLE BREA, CA 92821
714-990-7189 OFFICE 714-990-7164 FAX

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams.
Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed
online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims’ relatives, friends, and employers.

Some fraudsters have instructed victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain amount, on a specific date, via a pre-paid Visa card. The statement further declares the victim will never dispute the debt.

If you receive these calls, do not follow the caller’s instructions. Rather, you should:

• Notify your banking institutions.
• Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file.
• Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger.
• File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
• Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
• Never give your Social Security number—or personal information of any kind—over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
• Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. The e-mail may include upsetting or exciting but false statements to get you to react immediately.
• Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that request personal information.
• Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches have been applied.
• Check your bank, credit, and debit card statements regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
• When you contact companies, use numbers provided on the back of cards or statements.

CONTACT:

Detective Sandra Stone Office # 714-990-7189 Fax # 714-990-7164 E-mail: sstone@cityofbrea.net

Have you heard of the U.S.M.C. Wounded Warrior Battalion? This is a special battalion of wounded, injured, or ill active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton most of whom have received their injuries while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They proudly served our country, protecting you and I.

With support from our St. Martin de Porres Knights of Columbus Council, I have been fortunate enough to obtain, from donors like you, tickets to various sporting and entertainment events that I pass on to these troops as well as to Disabled vets being treated by the Long Beach VA Hospital. These outings have provided a tremendous boost in morale in helping these guys recover.

Some of our own Yorba Linda community have provided suites for baseball games, fully catered with extra’s thrown in to make it a really special event for these worthy troops. You cannot imagine how special these guys feel being treated in such a manner. This is the kind of treatment they deserve.

I am asking if you know anyone or if you or your company can help with a suite or any other type of accommodations to any sporting event, concert, fishing trip, golf event, or other event that would interest and entertain these folks in a first class style. My goal is for them to have a great time with no cost to them and thus show our appreciation for their service. If you can help, or if you know anyone who may be able to help, please have them contact me. Your support for these wounded, injured, and ill troops is appreciated.
Thank you,
Bob Jones 714-809-8640

ONCE IT’S GONE, ITS GONE FOREVER - DERAIL THE SALE

The Orange County Fairgrounds is for sale.  The State of California has made it clear:  they expect to obtain the “highest return on the property.” Say goodbye to the low impact Equestrian Center, 4-H clubs, the Heritage Farm, and the All American Boys Chorus. Say goodbye to a County Fair with blue ribbons, animals, local arts and crafts.  A Coalition has formed to “Derail the Sale” in order to help preserve our fairgrounds for future generations.

CALL TO ACTION - WE NEED YOUR HELP

1. PLEASE ATTEND!

Informational Hearing hosted by State Assembly members Jose Solorio & Van Tran Regarding the Sale of the OC Fairgrounds

Monday, November 9, 2009

9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

City of Costa Mesa, Council Chambers

77 Fair Drive – Costa Mesa

RSVP John Nam at john.nam@asm.ca.gov or call (714) 939-8469

Ask the Assembly members to carry a bill that will rescind the sale of the fairgrounds!

We don’t need more tract homes or more strip malls. What we need is the fairgrounds to remain as is.  Don’t be fooled by a non-profit group that wants to buy the fair and claims they want to keep it as is. They can easily flip the property to a developer. The only way we can guarantee it will remain the Orange County Fairgrounds is if it remains in the hands of the state. There is no “safe sale”… only “no sale.”

Our state property is NOT for sale! Stop the Sale! Derail the Sale! - Save the Fair!

2. Please call or email your State Senator and Assemblymember today

Every other state legislator in California fought tooth-and-nail to protect the state property in his or her counties.  We’re asking our state legislators to do the same. It’s not too late.  The state has the right at any time to rescind the RFP and cancel the sale of the fairgrounds.

Ask your state legislators to rescind their votes and help carry a bill to STOP THE SALE of the fairgrounds immediately!

Orange County State Elected Officials

To find your legislators go to: http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html

AD56 Tony Mendoza (D) (562) 864-5600 Assemblymember.Medoza@assembly.ca.gov

AD60 Curt Hagman (R) (909) 627-7021 Assemblymember.Hagman@assembly.ca.gov

AD67 *Jim Silva (R) (714) 843-4966 Assemblymember.Silva@assembly.ca.gov

AD68 Van Tran (R) (714) 668-2100 Assemblymember.Tran@assembly.ca.gov

AD69 Jose Solorio (D) (714) 939-8469 Assemblymember.Solorio@assembly.ca.gov

AD70 Chuck DeVore (R) (949) 863-7070 Assemblymember.DeVore@assembly.ca.gov

AD71 Jeff Miller (R) (949) 598-7171 Assemblymember.Miller@assembly.ca.gov

AD72 VACANT

AD73 Diane Harkey (R) (949) 347-7301 Assemblymember.lastname@assembly.ca.gov

SD29 Bob Huff (R) (909) 598-3981 Senator.Huff@senate.ca.gov

SD33 Mimi Walters (R) (949) 457-7333 Senator.Walters@senate.ca.gov

SD34 Lou Correa (D) (714) 558-4400 Senator.Correa@senate.ca.gov

SD35 Tom Harman (R) (714) 957-4555 Senator.Harman@senate.ca.gov

SD38 Mark Wyland (R) (949) 489-9838 Senator.Wyland@senate.ca.gov

*Jim Silva did not vote to sell the Fair.  Please thank him and ask that he support our effort!

An archive of OC Fair articles can be found at: www.ocunfair.com

Please join the Yorba Linda City Council and the Planning Commission Tuesday, October 13, 7 PM at the Travis Ranch Elementary School and take part in the Town Center Development process. We are dedicated to making sure everyone is given the opportunity to participate in this important community project. Your opinions are important to us and will be given every consideration while we proceed with developing plans to re-vitalize the town center.
At the previous three meetings, there has been discussion about various aspects of this development project and our consulting firm has refined the plans for our collective review. I am interested to know what would attract residents from the east side of town. Are you interested in an expanded library? A Cultural Arts center? More retail? If so, what types of stores would attract you to the area? What are your feelings about a parking structure? A bridge over Imperial? These are all items that have been discussed.
Hope to see you all there Tuesday evening!

My vote on the Yorba Linda Equestrian feasibility study was predicated on a variety of concerns. I would like to preface this with a reiteration of my support for the equestrian community, their interests and ensuring safe, reliable trails and access to equestrian facilities. In 2006 when I ran for Council, I pledged support for an equestrian stable. The equestrian leadership indicated at that time, if given the land, they would find an independent business to build and run a horse stable in our community. I was and continue to support that idea.

I have followed with interest as the equestrians identified locations in our community to provide a stable facility site. I have worked with our Supervisor and his office staff identifying locations within Yorba Linda’s sphere of influence that might provide greater acreage while still providing easy access for our community members. I am in communication with a regional equestrian group and would support a limited partnership to determine a regional need for such a facility. My votes have reflected I support open and safe access to the trail system.

I am not in support of the City building another business and then hiring a managing company.

Within the study’s scope of work, the consultant clearly stated the proposed equestrian center would require significant City funding. The expectation is the City would build the facility and contract with a company to manage the business. Similar facilities in surrounding communities have apparently cost $6-9 million to build.

We are in the process of cutting our budget and back-filling the shortfall with general funds. We are eliminating the Fiesta Day Parade, 2010 Fireworks show, we are reducing service and reducing staffing levels. Is this the time to proceed with a project we cannot afford?

The equestrians have a $250,000 ear-marked fund for use to build a stable. Although unusual, some members of this Council has determined over the years interest has raised the amount to about $450,000. These funds would be used to offset some of the building costs. This is hardly enough to cover a project this large.

The second and third phases of this study are time sensitive. Determining the need and financial viability of this project will be valuable information at the time the project could potentially be funded. What is determined as need or financial viability will change in 5, 10 or 15 years. Mayor Schwing suggested we complete Phase one of the study to determine if the site selected, (a portion of the lakebed off Buena Vista) was viable. The cost for this portion of the study was about $24,000. This information would withstand the test of time and I was in support of this suggestion. After discussion, the majority of the Council wanted to proceed with the entire study. I could not support funding the entire study.

Lastly, this business carries a tremendous liability for our community. If there were a personal or equine injury, the City would most likely be sued. Even if there were insufficient evidence of neglect, we would have to defend the City in any possible lawsuit.

My voting decision has created a considerable amount of anger among some of the equestrians and I can understand the disappointment. As an elected official of the City, it is my responsibility to spend and protect the citizens money wisely and to balance the needs of many.

I continue to support the concept of providing the land to an equestrian collaborative group, preparing the land, whether it is to fund an EIR, gain support from the Wildlife, Fish and Game Authorities, provide water source to the site. At that point, interested individuals should take this on as a private business or a community collaborative. I have been informed there may be grants available for facilities such as this. I would encourage the collaborative to gain as much knowledge and begin the process of gaining the funds to build the Equestrian Center.

1. Do not forget your telephone book with contact numbers in it

2. One thing we learned during the fire was to leave our doors unlocked.  We locked the doors when we left fearing the possibility of looters after the fire.  The neighborhood was secured by police after the evacuation was lifted, so looters was not an issue.  What happened was that the firefighters needed to check our attic for embers because of small fires they put out in our yard and on our patio.  They had to break 2 doors and a window to get in.  When the window was broken, it tore the roman shades. 

We were very fortunate that there was no fire in our attic or our house.  If we had left the doors unlocked there would have been about $15,000 less in damage. 

Penni Allen

3.  a) I forgot my phone charger.  Like most of us, I rely on my phone to contacts.  Also, I only took my computer hard drive, not the monitor or keyboard.  Where I evactuated to did not have any computer access, so when my cell phone battery died, I had no way of contacting anyone whose phone number I didn’t have memorized!  Nor could I email them.  A lot of people were unnecessarily worried, because I couldn’t reach them.

      b) The one I regret the most:  Not checking on ALL of my neighbors.  I live in the Hills condos, all us neighbors try to help each other as much as possible.  One of my neighbors is a single woman, so I helped her get packed up.  The others are all married or have roommates to help them.  As I was about to drive off, I had a thought that I should go check on one other neighbor/friend.  But I dismissed it, figuring her husband was home to help…they wouldn’t need my help.  Plus, my daughter was becoming hysterical by this point.  So I drove off and got out of there.  After the fires, my friend’s husband told me how awful it was for them.  You see, they only have one car.  His wife had gone to the hairdresser that morning and the police would not let her back in.  His two daughters and he kept waiting for her to come home, but she couldn’t.  Finally, he took what he could carry.  (They had to leave their cats behind.)  They started walking out as the fire was on the opposite side of the street.  He kept trying to flag someone – anyone – to give them a ride.  Finally, someone stopped.  His girls were so worried all night about not only their home, but also their pets.  How I wish I had just gone over and asked if he needed help!

     c) I packed up a change of clothes for my daughter, but it didn’t even dawn on me to pack up clothes for myself or my husband.  I just assumed we would be back in a few hours.  Ooops!  So much for optimism, huh?

Nancy Brisco

4) Lay out on livingroom floor all suitcases, tote bags, grocery bags, large trash bags, and zip lock bags to pack the below selections:

          - Photographs and valuable Pictures on Wall. Put in individual plastic bags to protect from each other.

          - Important Documents, like insurance.

           – Computer Floppies or Backup.

          - Purse, including Camera (take photos of home/condo for insurance).

          - Address Book.

          - Pack suitcases with Clothes and toiletries, etc., as though going on a long trip (forgot to do before).

          - Jewelry into suitcases.

          - Sleeping Bag and Pillow.

          - Before leaving: Close curtains/shutters/blinds/windows – to keep out  fire’s heat.

5) Turn ON lights - for visibility.

6) Turn OFF Air Conditioner/Heater – so that fire is not inhaled to your unit.

7) Close and Lock your Fire Safe. Put some/all contents in suitcase.

Lock front door. (Jans note-comment above suggests maybe not locking the door- Will have to ask FD?PD what they suggest)

9)  If sleeping while fire is near and your car is packed, wear Street Clothes, have Wrist Watch on and Purse nearby, ready for immediate  evacuation!

Patti Ruckert

We have a variety of important issues coming before Council that deserves everyone attention!  Read below for specifics!

June 9-  starting at 6:30 pm at City Hall  
This is a joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission to look at the specific plan for our Town Center project. The consultant will present their first set of ideas regarding our downtown. If you would like to be part of the process, plan on attending.

 June 10- Special Council Meeting regarding our budget, 6:30 pm at the Yorba Linda Community Center.
 We have a budget shortfall of about $3M before the state raids our coffers for an additional approximate $1.5 M. There are significant cuts being proposed. You can review the report presented at Council June 2 by going to: http://www.ylonline.org/export/MG43181/AgendaFrame.htm
It is important to understand this fiscal challenge and its effects on our community.

June 16 – Decisions regarding the Landscape maintenance Arterial District (LMAD)- 6:30
 At our next regularly scheduled Council meeting we will dedicate a major portion of the time discussing and making decisions regarding the Landscape Maintenance Arterial District. Last year we held a special election to increase  the LMAD fees we pay on our property tax bills once a year. That election measure failed necessitating  balancing the shortfall by backfilling that account with General Funds. This year we are mandated by the Water District to reduce water use 20% due to the drought. We held a Special Council meeting June 3 to discuss how to accomplish this reduction.  There are significant changes we need to make to meet the mandate and also to balance the budget. It is estimated with all of the staff recommendations, which are significant, we have not met the 20% water use reduction mandate.  The presentation we viewed will be posted on the City website early next week.
It is important to pay attention to this meeting. If you wish to make comments regarding the  LMAD presentation and the proposed changes to our community be sure to come to the meeting.  If you are unable to come to the meeting, be sure to watch the discussion via your computer on the City Website or if you have cable television, on channel 3.

June 17- 6:30 pm – continuation of Council meeting of June 16 for those items that would have been addressed at the normally scheduled Council meeting. This is in an effort to make progress on agenda items that we are usually unable to complete. 

This summer I will be hosting a monthly neighborhood meeting in the park to hear your concerns and discuss Council actions to gain your input. Bring your dinner and I will bring the dessert! Join me for the first meeting June 18 at 6 pm at Box Canyon Park located off La Palma Ave. Turn up Via Lomas De Yorba West to the top of the hill to access this park. Bring a chair as the park is in the process of being rebuilt since the fires. Look forward to seeing you there!