Traffic & Safety Committee: January 2020 News

Meeting with Sheriff’s Personnel: This past month three sworn deputy sheriffs and a community service repre- sentative from Dana Point Police Services attended our regular committee meeting. The purpose was to establish a better line of communication and announce intentions for an enhanced policing profile.
The community service representative spoke about the possibility of a Neighborhood Watch program within our community which would boost communications between the Sheriff’s Department and our residents. It is also designed to get neighbors working together on issues of mutual concern.
The deputies indicated that we are going to receive more patrol time, and if a traffic violation occurs within the community (such as failure to stop at stop signs), citations may be issued.
Limited Powers: Frequently minor issues develop which may or may not require a police presence. Far too often, folks first phone the gate or office instead of the sher- iff. This only delays the immediate response of trained first responders. Our staff and patrol officers are not authorized to perform police duties and normally will not respond until the emergency, if there is one, has been controlled. Upon receiv- ing a call necessitating police service, our staff will instruct the caller to phone the sheriff. Calling the gate or office could cause a delay in receiving emergency service. The point is to phone our sheriffs directly on any police-related matter. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergency dispatch, call (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011.
Porch Pirate Hits Niguel Shores: Recently, a new modus operandi has developed among thieves. The thief can- vases neighborhoods for recently delivered parcels left on porches. These thieves walk up to the porch, quickly abscond with the package, and flee to a nearby car. Thieves that steal in this fashion have been dubbed as “Porch Pirates.”
In November, we had at least five such incidents in one day. Monarch Bay had a similar number, and the remainder of Dana Point was hit, as well as Laguna Niguel. Nobody directly saw the suspect(s) but deputies and victims started to look at security cameras and door bell video systems. (Their effectiveness varies, but most allow a view of the porch and the area out toward the street). Soon a rough idea of when the crimes occurred and a general description of the suspect and his car developed. Our post commander, Jesus Banda, and our office staff poured through records and our video surveil- lance tapes. After a lot of searching they “got it”—a clear video depicting a car and license plate number, and better yet, an extra-clear picture of the suspect and his unique tattoos. Our deputies now know who the suspect is, and are presently searching for him.
How did the thief get inside our gated facility? The video clearly shows that the suspect drove right up to a secured gate and acted as if he were frustrated that it wouldn’t open. A resi- dent apparently seeing this then drove up behind him, tripped the barcode reader, and opened the gate which allowed the suspect’s car a clear path inside.
—God Bless . . . Tim Murphy