The Source - La Palma

La Palma Police Department
Community Newsletter
The Source
See From the Desk
Page 2
County of Orange / Special Districts,
16.5%
North OC Community College
District, 5.6%
OC Fire Authority, 9.0%
City of La Palma, 11.1%
Anaheim Union High School District,
13.7%
Centralia Elementary School District,
29.0%
Educational Revenue Augmentation
Fund, 15.2%
La Palma's Share of the Property Tax Dollar
FY 2012-13 Data
From the Desk of the
Police Chief
Eric R. Nuñez
Police Chief
I hope everyone who celebrated St.
Patrick’s Day had enough corned
beef and cabbage to last until next
year, I know that I did. Nearly 20
years ago, my father-in-law (John
Patrick Finn) told me the only way I
could marry his daughter (Molly Eileen Finn) was if he were to make
me an honorary Irishman, and I
didn’t hesitate to proceed with the
indoctrination. Since then I have
heard more Irish jokes, limericks,
and ballads than you could shake
a shillelagh at and have consumed
my fair share of corned beef and
cabbage. Like all of our older and
ancient cultures, there exist a great
number of traditions, customs and
rites of passages and the Irish are
no exception to this rule. The one
custom of engaging in libations as
part of celebratory behavior is not
unique to the Irish as many cultures old and young also do the
same thing and in fact, in America
we see millions of dollars spent
advertising this form of social entertainment. The police officer in
me needs to at least warn you that
beyond the potential medical harm
Ethyl-Alcohol can do to a body; the
potential pain and suffering that
you could experience as a person
suspected and arrested for being
under the influence of alcohol and/
or drugs is significant but pales in
Issue 98
March 2013
Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20, 2013
9:30-11:30 a.m.
On the Edison Right of Way at Furman Road
(Next to Miller School)
0%
The City of La Palma will be celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees on the Edison right
20%
30%
60%
70%
of way10%
at Furman Road.
The community
is40%
encouraged50%
to participate
in planting
trees,
environmental activities, and a Fun Zone for kids. Community groups, organizations and
individuals are invited to contribute by donating funds for new trees and youth can enter
into an art contest. For more information please contact the Recreation & Community
Services Department at 714-690-3350 or www.cityoflapalma.org.
80%
90%
100%
Arbor Day
Day Celebration
Celebration
Arbor
Club
La2013
Palma Spring Day
Saturday,
April 20,
Saturday,
April a.m.
20, 2013
9:30-11:30
Monday– Friday April 1-5
9:30-11:30
a.m.
On the Edison Right of Way at Furman Road
a.m.
-6:00 p.m.
On the Edison Right of Way at6:30
Furman
Road
(Next to Miller School)
(Next to Miller School) at Central Park
The City of La Palma will be celebrating Arbor Day by planting trees on the Edison right
The
CityWe
ofFurman
La
Palma
willfor
be
celebrating
Daytheir
by planting
trees on
Edison
right
of way
at
Road.
The
community
is enjoy
encouraged
to participate
inthe
planting
trees,
Parents!
have
a place
your
childrenArbor
to
Spring
Break,
April
1-5 2013!
Club La Palma Counselors are
of
way at Furman
Road.
Thea community
is kids.
encouraged
to participate
in
planting
trees,
environmental
and
Fun
Zone activities,
for
Community
groups,
organizations
and
committed
to activities,
creating
thrilling
physical
introducing
innovative
crafts and
building
lasting friendships all
environmental
a Funof
Zone
for
kids.funds
Community
groups,
organizations
and5-12 years old, and will be
centered around
the theme,
“Out
This
World!”
Our for
Daynew
Camp
is and
designed
individuals
areactivities,
invited
toand
contribute
by
donating
trees
youth for
canyouth
enter
individuals
invited
tomore
contribute
by donating
funds
forall–
new
trees andfee
youth
can enter
held
through
Friday
6:30
a.m.
to 6:00
p.m.
The
inclusive
of
$107,
includes an enjoyable excursion
into Monday
an art are
contest.
For
information
please
contact
the
Recreation
&
Community
into an art Services
contest.
For April
more 4)
information
please contact
the
Recreation
Community
(Thursday,
to 714-690-3350
the California
Science
Center
to view&the
Space Shuttle Endeavour!
Department
at
or www.cityoflapalma.org.
Services
Department
at 714-690-3350
or www.cityoflapalma.org.
In-person
registration
is required
at the La Palma
Central Park Office, 7821 Walker St.
714-690-3350
ClubProgram
La Palma
Palma Spring
Spring Day
Day
Club
La
Aquatics
Monday– Friday
Friday April
April 1-5
1-5
Monday–
6:30
a.m.
-6:00
p.m.
6:30
a.m.classes
-6:00
p.m.
The City of La Palma is offering water fitness and
swim safety
taught
by the Anaheim Family YMCA held in
for Youth & Adults
at Central Park
atHospital.
Central
Park
the indoor, heated pool at the La Palma Intercommunity
Water
fitness classes, for age 55 years and above,
are being
inhave
a Monday/Wednesday
or Tuesday/Thursday
format;
withApril
50 minutes
lessons
a monthare
Parents!
We
a
place
for
your
children
to
enjoy
their
Spring
Break,
1-5 2013!
2013!
Clubconducted
La Palma
Palmaover
Counselors
Parents!
We have
a place
for for
your
children
to enjoy
theirsafety
Spring
Break,
La
Counselors
are
long
period
for
$40
(or $45
longer
months).
Swim
lesson
forApril
agecrafts
61-5
months
toClub
13 years
old are
offered in
committed
to
creating
thrilling
physical
activities,
introducing
innovative
and
building
lasting
friendships
alla
committed
to creating thrilling
physical
activities,
introducing
innovative
crafts
and
building
lasting
friendships
all
Tuesday/Thursday
format;
with
45–
minutes
lessons
being
conducted
over
a
three
week
period
for
$49.
centered around
around the
the theme,
theme, “Out
“Out of
of This
This World!”
World!” Our
Our Day
Day Camp
Camp is
is designed
designed for
for youth
youth 5-12
5-12 years
years old,
old, and
and will
will be
be
centered
held Monday
Monday
through
Friday
6:30
a.m. to
tolessons
6:00 p.m.
p.m.
The all–
all–
inclusiveHigh
fee of
of
$107, Group
includes
an enjoyable
enjoyable
excursion
Summer
Aquatics
will be
offer6:30
swimming
at John
F. Kennedy
School.
lessons,
will be excursion
conducted
held
through
Friday
a.m.
6:00
The
inclusive
fee
$107,
includes
an
(Thursday,
April
4) to
toasthe
the
California
Science
Center
to view
viewclasses.
the Space
Space
Shuttle Endeavour!
Endeavour!
in 2-week
weekday April
sessions,
well
as one day
session
of Saturday
Registration
will open May 6.
(Thursday,
4)
California
Science
Center
to
the
Shuttle
In-person registration
registration is
is required
required at
at the
the La
La Palma
Palma
Central
Park Office,
Office,
7821 Walker
Walker St.
St.
714-690-3350
Lessons
beginCentral
on Saturday,
June 157821
In-person
Park
714-690-3350
In-person registration is required at the La Palma Central Park Office, 7821 Walker St.
714-690-3350
“Spring Into Action” and join the La Palma/Buena Park Relay For Life Team!
AmericanAquatics
Cancer Society
Take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness
Program
Youth
& Adults
Relay for
for
Life
to save lives from cancer! Help us reach our goal of $5,000 by donating today!
Join us for the Relay for Life Event on Saturday, June 1 & 2, 2013 at
Buena Park Jr. High 6931 Orangethorpe Ave. Buena Park, CA 90620
The City
City of La Palma is offering water fitness and swim
The
safety classes taught
by the Anaheim Family YMCA held in
www.relayforlife.org
the indoor,
indoor, heated pool at the La Palma Intercommunity Hospital. Water fitness classes, for age 55 years and above,
the
are being in a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday format; with 50 minutes lessons conducted over a month
are
long
long
for $40 (or $45 for longer months). Swim safety lesson for age 6 months to 13 years old are offered in a
• period
This Newsletter h as important information about your police department.
Tuesday/Thursday format; with 45– minutes lessons being conducted over a three week period for $49.
•
Ang papel na ito ay may nakalagay nang informacion tungkol sa aping policia.
Summer
will
swimming
lessons
John F. Kennedy
High School. Group lessons, will be conducted
Summer
• EsteAquatics
documento
conbe
tienoffer
e informacion
importanta
d elatd epartamento
de policia.
in 2-week weekday sessions, as well as one day session of Saturday classes. Registration will open May 6.
Lessons begin on Saturday, June 15
In-person
714-690-3350
In-person registration is required at the La Palma Central Park Office, 7821 Walker St.
Chief’s Message
continued from Page 1
comparison to the cost and loss if you were to get into a drunk-driving related accident killing and/or injuring an innocent
person. Just this past week, I attended the Orange County MADD Awards at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda,
where Orange County’s finest and the Orange County’s Prosecuting Deputy DA’s were acknowledged for their efforts in
addressing a very serious and preventable crime. I say serious not because the actions of the drivers rise to the level of
felony conduct but because of the potential harm and disaster that can occur as a result of this high risk behavior (drinking and driving). There were a number of agencies who had “Century” award recipients who are labeled such because
they managed to make 100 or more DUI related arrests for the 2012 calendar year. In each of those cases those officers
are solely dedicated to the traffic bureau as DUI Officers and that is the primary and in most cases their only function. In
La Palma we are not so fortunate in terms of being able to be as specialized, as our officers’ primary function is to patrol
and enforce such traffic laws as time permits. That being said, I was honored to attend the awards luncheon to support
Officer Scott Flynn who has been with us since 2008, and was La Palma Police Department’s 2012 MADD Award recipient for arresting 37 drunk drivers. Although we will never know how many lives Officer Flynn indirectly saved from serious
injury or death, we do know that the streets were made a lot safer as a result of his due diligence and concern for others.
"May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night."-Old Irish Saying.
Project Safe Streets
La Palma Police to Hold Zero
Tolerance Distracted Driving
Enforcement Operation
As part of April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, La Palma PD will be actively ticketing those
texting or operating hand-held cell phones on April 3rd and April 16th. Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited with no warnings. The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279. Last April, over 57,000 tickets were written statewide for texting and hand-held
cell use. There were nearly 450,000 convictions in 2012. Whether it’s a ticket or a crash, as the campaign theme
states, “It’s Not Worth It!” Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at
risk. In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted. Nationally, an estimated 3,331 died in 2011. As a result,
law enforcement across the state, including La Palma Police are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and
texting. This April will see over 225 local agencies plus the CHP conducting zero tolerance enforcements. “We all
know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn’t stop some people from continuing
to do it,” said La Palma Police Chief Eric Nuñez “This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell phone use while driving. We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved,
they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families, and others on the road.” Drivers who
use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger,
inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood
alcohol content of a legally drunk driver. Studies also show that there is no difference in the risks between handsfree and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when
the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on
the road. When over one third of your brain’s functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone
talking, you can become a cell phone “zombie.”
To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, La Palma Police offers drivers the following tips:
•
•
•
Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving
Include in your outgoing message that you can’t answer while you are driving
Don’t call or text anyone at a time when you think they may be driving
La Palma
Neighborhood Watch
Residential Burglary
Next Meeting
Wednesday
April 10
7:00 p.m.
City Council
Chambers
Wednesday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m., police responded to the 7900 block of Westra
Lane on a report of an interrupted Residential Burglary. The suspects were last seen running north on Westra Lane from San Simeon Drive. Officers arrived on scene and conducted an area check but were unable to locate the suspects. The victim told officers that
he had arrived home from shopping and found the two male suspects running from the
front door area of his home. The suspects ran north from the location. Two suspects were
described as black males, both in dark jeans and dark jackets. A possible third suspect
was described as a black female driving a late model blue Audi A6 sedan with a license
plate similar to 6FQT528. It appeared that the suspects first attempted to enter the home
through the rear sliding glass door and then pried open the side garage door. The victim
told officers that some of his wife’s jewelry was missing. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and spoke to a neighbor that was able to provide information regarding the suspects
and their actions. The case has been referred to investigations for follow-up.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions
of:
Trader Joe’s
La Palma Recreation Department
La Capilla Mexican Restaurant
Crescent Car Wash
Medical Wellness
Charlene Hatakayama, State Farm
Michele Steggell ERA
G & G Tailoring
Waldman Tax Service
Tamra Kim
Charlesetta Medina – Mary Kay
La Palma Intercommunity Hospital
Infiniti Beauty Supply
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Sally Hawkins, California Prudential
La Palma Police Association
Gerard Goedhart
Steve Hwangbo
La Palma Car Wash
Yum Yum Donuts
A’Roma’s Restaurant
Pizza Hut
Anthony’s Hair Salon
Vicencia & Buckley
Linda Frese
The Vincenti Family
As-Sar Ben-Dog Groomer
Medieval Times
The Lew Family
OKI
Johnnie’s Jr. Burgers
Bradford Portraits
Classics in Flowers
Mario Santos
Carl’s Jr.
John Alvis
La Palma City Council
Hannam Market
Sincere thanks to each of you for caring enough
to invest your time and talent to make La Palma
a safe and welcoming community.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
An Investment of Time for Peace of Mind
Thank you again for your generous
contributions for our
28th Annual Appreciation Banquet
Get involved in your community by helping to keep it safe. You are invited to attend any Neighborhood Watch
meeting, held every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers. Contact Captain
Jim Engen at (714) 690-3381 for more information.
City News Briefs
Upcoming Budget Meetings – The City Council has begun the Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget development process.
This is always an important undertaking, and the process
for this subsequent fiscal year takes on added importance
given the numerous challenges facing the City. Resident
input is always encouraged and welcomed. The schedule below lists the City Council dates where the public
will have the opportunity to engage in the budget development process. For more information, please visit the
City’s website at www.cityoflapalma.org. The dates listed
below are all regular City Council meeting dates.
•
•
•
•
April 16 – Presentation of proposed Capital Im-
provement Program (CIP)
May 7 – Preliminary General Fund budget presented, review and discuss
May 21 – Proposed budget presented; department presentations and overviews
June 4 – Public Hearing to consider adoption of FY 2013-14 budget
State of the City Luncheon – Mayor Steve Hwangbo
will deliver this year’s State of the City address on Friday,
April 19, 2013, with a focus on “Sustaining La Palma’s
Vision.” The luncheon, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. will be held at the Central Park Royal Palm Room,
7821 Walker Street, La Palma, Ca 90623. This event is an
opportunity to bring together businesses, civic organizations, residents, and City leaders. Advance tickets will be
available through April 5, and a limited number of tickets
will be available at the door. For more information please
visit www.cityoflapalma.org/StateOfTheCity or please call
(714) 690-3350 to book your reservation or become an
event sponsor.
Sign up to Stay Informed – Don’t want to miss out on
any La Palma news? Sign up for our Notify Me email news
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Calendar of Events
City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
Tuesday, March 19
7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
Tuesday, April 2
7:00 PM
Neighborhood Watch Meeting
City Council Chambers
Wednesday, April 10
7:00 PM
2013 La Palma State of the
City Luncheon
“Sustaining La Palma’s Vision”
Featuring Mayor Steve Hwangbo
Friday, April 19, 2013
11:30 a.m.
Central Park “Royal Palm Room”
For further information and to purchase tickets,
please contact the City at (714) 690-3350.
La Palma Police Department
7792 Walker Street
La Palma, California 90623
www.cityoflapalma.org
[email protected]
(714) 690-3370
For emergencies dial 9-1-1
Go to www.cityoflapalma.org and sign up for
immediate publishing notification of the Source by
clicking “Notify Me” and register. Get involved in your
community by helping to keep it safe. You are invited
to attend any Neighborhood Watch meeting, held
every second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.,
in the City Hall Council Chambers. Contact Corporal
Les Parsons at (714) 690-3385 for more information.
www.cityoflapalma.org