The Public Safety Committee met on August 5 in the City Council Chambers. The following departments provided monthly statistics for the month of July.
Animal Control
Officer Middleton, from Animal Friends of the Valleys, reported that AFV responded to 241 calls during the month of July. There were six violations; 36 citations issued; and zero quarantines. There were 112 licenses sold; 10 dogs turned in by owners; seven stray dogs impounded; five cats turned in by owners; one stray cat impounded; and six wildlife impounded. There were 10 dogs and 14 cats abandoned at the shelter. There were also confinement checks done on dogs that are "escape artists." She said that these checks are done to make sure the dogs are still in their yards and not running free where they could be lost or injured.
Officer Middleton noted that there were six calls regarding rattlesnakes and added, "That's a lot." She warned that rattlesnakes will go where rabbits go. She also noted that a "vicious dog" loose on Wild Rice Dr. has been reported several times. "We haven't seen it yet, but reports state that this dog bites." She wants anyone walking on or near Wild Rice to be aware that this dog may be out.
With the heat of summer, Officer Middleton recommends that people do not leave dogs in a vehicle, even for a short time. She said that owners can be cited "if the officer believes the animal can be in danger."
According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, the interior temperature of a vehicle can rise more than 20 degrees in less than 10 minutes and over 30 degrees in less than 20 minutes, and cracking the windows makes no difference. In Canyon Lake, where summer temperatures are usually over 100 degrees, that's over 130 degrees in the time it takes to grab milk and bread at the grocery store.
For those who must leave their dogs outside at home during the day, Officer Middleton suggests leaving a small wading pool in the yard for them to cool off. It is also a good idea to have multiple bowls of water in case one tips over. She stresses that "water must be available at all times" especially during summer.
Emergency Preparedness Committee
Director Nancy Carroll noted that although the CLEPC is "dark" during summer, they continue working to help keep the City safe. There is a ham radio check each Monday at 7 p.m., and they are still working on getting the antenna up on the feed barn. Nancy also noted that they have purchased a few new radios to replace the old ones that no longer work.
The next meeting of the CLEPC will be on Thursday, September 4, at 6:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers.
Canyon Lake Fire Services
Due to helping with wildland fires in Northern California, Fire Captain Brent Carter was unavailable. Mayor Randy Bonner read the Riverside County Fire Department/Cal Fire's incident report for Canyon Lake for the month of July.
The report indicated responses to 65 calls for medical assistance, two false alarms, one other miscellaneous, eight public service assistances, one residential fire, one standby, five traffic collisions and one vehicle fire. This totaled 84 calls for the month of April, with an average response time of 4.3 minutes.
Station 60 responded to 46 calls for medical assistance, one false alarm, one other miscellaneous, four public service assistances, one residential fire, one standby, three traffic collisions and one vehicle fire.
Station 94 responded to 14 medical, one false alarm, four public service assistances and two traffic collisions. Station 5 responded to five medical assistance calls.
Canyon Lake Police
The Police Report submitted by Police Chief Mike Judge informed the Public Safety Committee that the Canyon Lake Police Department handled 383 calls during the month of May.
The report stated there were 11 Part 1 crimes:
Assault (4):
July 7, 2014 – Domestic violence – A husband was physical with his wife in the 22000 block of Canyon Club Dr. One suspect in custody.
July 9, 2014 – Domestic violence – 23600 block of Brook. One suspect in custody.
July 11, 2014 – Domestic dispute – Resident refused to allow girlfriend obtain her property from the house on 29000 block of Yellow Gold Dr.
July 11, 2014 – Domestic dispute – in the 30000 block of Big River Dr.
Burglary (1):
July 15, 2014 – Burglary – Reporting party's Honda CRF-50 was taken from garage of his residence in the 23000 block of Brooks Dr.
Grand Theft/Petty Theft (6):
July 4, 2014 – Petty theft – Medication taken from the reporting party's purse during a party in the 23000 block of Schooner Dr.
July 13, 2014 – Petty theft – Registration tags and registration documents for the reporting party's Chevy Tahoe were taken from the vehicle in the 29000 block of Vacation Dr.
July 18, 2014 – Petty theft – A surveillance camera was taken from the location in the 31000 block of Railroad Canyon Rd.
July 18, 2014 – Petty theft – Reporting party returned from vacation to find miscellaneous items (not specified) missing from her house in the 22000 block of Canyon Lake Dr. The items were eventually returned.
July 25, 2014 – Grand theft – A golf cart was taken in the 22000 block of Canyon Club Dr.
July 26, 2014 – A U.S. flag was taken in the 23000 block of Canyon Lake Dr. North.
The report stated that there were 14 Vandalisms/Public Intoxications:
Vandalism (9):
July 2, 2014 – A pontoon boat cover was cut in the 23000 block of Giant Fir Pl.
July 3, 2014 – A vandalism reported in the 29000 block of Vacation Dr.
July 6, 2014 – A boat was keyed multiple times on the driver's side in the 30000 block of Swan Point Dr.
Jul 7, 2014 – The back wall of a residence was vandalized with graffiti in the 29000 block of Ketch Dr.
July 13, 2014 – The boat dock was damaged at a residence in the 30000 block of Clear Water Dr.
July 13, 2014 – Two neighbors in the backyard of a residence attempted to pull wires from security camera in the 23000 block of Outrigger Dr.
July 30, 2014 – A neighbor of the reporting party threw a bottle into the reporting party's backyard, and the bottle broke on the patio in the 29000 block of Ketch Dr.
July 31, 2014 – The reporting party advised his work vehicle was vandalized in the 31000 block of Railroad Canyon Rd.
July 31, 2014 – $3,000 vandalism damage to property in the 31000 block of Railroad Canyon Rd. One suspect in custody – Jennifer Gary (46).
Public Intoxication Arrests (5):
July 4, 2014 – Victor Vidrio (45).
July 4, 2014 – Alen Wuintana-Martinez (28).
July 5, 2014 – Kent Taylor (65).
July 16, 2014 – Donna McKenzie (52).
July 18, 2014 – Taylor Dreese (19).
Traffic Enforcement:
There were 21 traffic citations issued (including miscellaneous). It was noted that the number of traffic citations issued increased due to 4th of July celebrations.
There was one DUI arrest – Brian Gerard (46) was arrested for felony DUI on July 4, 2014.
There were nine non-criminal traffic collisions
There was one fatal collision on July 1, 2014.
Community Patrol
Director of Member Services for the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association, Susanne Cordeiro, reported that Jay Cregeen has replaced Dominic Gutierrez as Securitas Account Manager.
Susanne reported that Community Patrol answered 544 calls for service. There were two calls involving RSO (Riverside Sheriffs Office), 14 animal related (such as barking dogs), 58 disturbances (such as loud noise/parties with 15 verbal warnings issued), 17 verbal abuse, 33 failures to comply (such as refusing to hand over POA card), three suspicious persons (with zero RSO contact), with an average response time of 5.34 minutes.
There were 238 citations and 15 warnings issued with 30 for speed enforcement, three stop sign violations, 72 parking (on streets/parks/parking lots), 10 expired registrations/decals, three golf cart (speed/warning), 10 for no helmets and two curfew violation.
There were 27 incident reports including vandalisms reported at Outrigger Park (perimeter fence), Roadrunner Park, Holiday Harbor, North Ski Area, Longhorn Dr., Canyon Lake Dr. South (street sign), Roadrunner Park and Outrigger Park (perimeter fence); property damage at the Campground, North Ski Area Men's Restroom, the 3rd tee on the Golf Course (a broken tree branch), the Main Gate (gate arm), Sierra Park, East Gate (awning), at the Rental Docks (docks swaying), the Main Gate (gate arm), Holiday Harbor loading dock and Continental/Golden Gate (street sign); graffiti at Canyon Lake Dr. South (street sign) and at the Lodge; vehicle accidents at Vacation Dr., Canyon Lake Dr. South, Canyon Lake Dr. South, Canyon Lake Dr. North, Canyon Lake Dr. South and Canyon Lake Dr. South; and a concrete spill at Point Marina.
There were 44 confiscated expired POA cards and 75 confiscated expired passes (expired/no drivers license or expired guest passes). For the month of July, there were 31 process servers with a service time of 15 minutes (escort by officer to Blue Bird, verifying the address of service, actual service time of two minutes, then escorted to nearest exit gate).
With regard to decal lane compliance, Susanne stated that gate runners are still there, but "it seems to be getting better."
Community Patrol requests residents to keep their vehicles and homes locked and secured. They also remind everyone that there is a strict summer curfew until 10 p.m. for everyone under the age of 18.
A reminder to Canyon Lakers is the helmet law that says anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, roller skates or rollerblades. Kids will be cited for not wearing a helmet. It is highly recommended that adults wear helmets as well. This will not only set an important example for the kids, but will help protect their heads, possibly lives, as well.
Marine Patrol
Marine Patrol conducted 133 boat inspections and 11 fishing license/permit checks. There were 42 disabled boat tows, five miscellaneous tows (non-motorized/disabled) and five battery assists. One warning citation and 50 verbal warnings were issued (mostly due to the 4th of July celebration).
There were three quarantine tags/service seals issued and five AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) inspections for "Quagga." There were eight non-operation agreements and 11 escort hours. There was a total of 487 total boat engine hours.
Code Enforcement
Officer Mike Feeney provided the report for the month of July. The report included a report on property inspections, business licenses, building permits and abandoned inoperable vehicles.
The report indicated three bank-owned (foreclosed) properties were registered with the City, and one one was already registered. Six new cases were opened on vacant properties. One stagnant pool was drained. Mike noted that people often ask where the stagnant water goes. He said it goes directly into the sewer system, not the storm drain (which drains into the lake).
One business was cited for failure to maintain landscaping. There were 14 violations for an expired business license. Two cases were closed regarding building permits.
There were two cases of abandoned vehicles, however both complied.
With regard to NPEDS (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System – Only Rain in the Drain), there were two cases of fluids (from aquariums, one saltwater) being drained into the street. Both parties were warned and advised to drain into flower beds in the future.
Special Enforcement
Special Enforcement Officer Ivan Henery stated that Special Enforcement primarily patrols the non-residential areas around BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Land, the North Ski Area and the Jump Lagoon. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in these areas, nor are shooting and fireworks. He noted that they patrol both the land and water. Ivan said that no shell casings were found during July, and no evidence of narcotics was seen.
Ivan said that although personal watercraft are not allowed on Canyon Lake, there are some who will launch in the BLM land. He spoke to a couple of Jet Ski riders to help educate them with regard to Quagga mussels and how to prevent them from spreading.
Ivan stated that Special Enforcement helped Marine Patrol on the 4th of July, especially in the lake. He noted that they spent a good deal of time controlling traffic at the fireworks show and said, "Everything went smoothly even with a lot of (boat) traffic."
At this point in the meeting, the Public Safety Committee welcomes public comments, questions, and concerns.
Donna Ritchie, who operates a website concerning safety issues by Canyon Lake residents, voiced concerns over issues at Outrigger Park. She stated that drug usage and sex occurs often. She also noted that some of the barbed wire faces the wrong direction, which "keeps people in instead of out." Chief Judge noted that although there is extra patrol at all parks, these kids recognize patrol and police early, and run.
Donna also inquired as to gate runners. She said that it puts the community at risk when a driver runs a gate then is chased by Community Patrol. She wondered if POA cards are being taken from drivers who are asked to turn around. Susanne Cordero noted that Community Patrol officers are not allowed to reach inside a vehicle to grab a card. Donna suggested keeping the gate lowered until the officer can take down the vehicle license plate number.
Finally, Donna noted that a lot of the community "is misinformed." She asked if it was possible to have a "Coffee with a Cop" to help answer questions and discuss community issues. Chief Judge stated that he has had two of these gatherings in the past six months. He said that he is "absolutely willing" to do another, possible in September.
Citizen Dale Welty said that "a lot of stuff is going on" with teens and asked about helping the community becoming better educated and get a better strategy with the citizens, security and RSO. He noted that he sees many os what appear to be drug deals going on at the tennis courts.
Chief Judge noted that "we still aren't getting all the calls regarding the tennis courts. We need people to call." He added, if possible, to get a description and/or license plate number. He advised not to take photographs saying, "Don't get that close!"
Mayor Bonner reminded everyone to call 9-1-1 if they see anything suspicious. "I've never heard RSO say people call too often," he said.
The next meeting of the Public Safety Committee will be Tuesday, September 9, at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chamber.