The Capistrano Insider

Sheriff Ducks Us Again

From the city:

Town Hall meeting postponed

The Sheriff's Town Hall meeting scheduled for Nov. 12 has been postponed due to a conflicting event.

The meeting, which was rescheduled from August to accommodate schedules, conflicts with the regional "Is Your Teen At Risk" forum.

The teen forum attracts hundreds of participants from South Orange County for an informative and educational event designed to keep teens safe.

The city is expected to host the Sheriff’s Town Hall meeting in January.

More information will follow when the future date is set.

San Onofre Sirens to Sound: This is Only a Drill ...

On Wednesday, October 21 between 10 am and noon, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), will conduct an emergency test. Federal regulations require that this test be conducted each year.

Sirens will be heard in Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, State Parks, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and throughout the unincorporated areas of Orange County within 10 miles of the plant. Residents will hear a long, steady siren sound. The sirens will be sounded several times for approximately three minutes each time. In some areas, a separate test of the Public Address feature may be conducted. This feature may be used to alert local populations to other emergencies or to provide specific directions.

Remember - This is Only a Test. You do not need to take action and please do not call 911. For additional information on nuclear preparedness, click here.

Supervisor Bates: Anderson Retiring, SONGS Drill Success

From Supervisor Pat Bates' most recent report:

Thank You Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson

Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson has announced he will be leaving the Department next month, creating a significant loss for the Sheriff’s Department. Over the course of his 23 year career with OCSD, Jack has provided the Department with steady leadership. His passion for law enforcement and dedication to public service is evident by the enthusiastic manner in which he has carried out his duties on a daily basis.

Perhaps most notable in his service to Orange County was his tenure as Acting Sheriff for five months in 2008. Taking on the task of Acting Sheriff was a challenge, and Jack met that challenge well. At a time when the Department’s reputation had been damaged by the previous administration, Jack took important first steps towards restoring the community’s trust. He initiated significant changes including introducing the concept of staffing our jails with professional correctional officers other than sworn deputies. This is a reform that will ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars and has been used successfully in many other agencies. It is with much appreciation that I ask the public to join me in thanking Jack for his dedicated service to protecting public safety in Orange County. He is truly one of OCSD’s finest.

SONGS Exercise

This week, I participated in a training drill at the County’s Emergency Operations Center designed to prepare the County in responding to a potential disaster at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The event was a dress rehearsal for a federally graded drill that will take place next month. The SONGS exercise is particularly significant to the 5th District because of our close proximity to the nuclear plant. Virtually every department in the County, as well as local cities, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority, and local school districts were involved in the extensive drill. I am extremely impressed by the professionalism and diligence of all those who participated. Not only as an elected official but as a resident of Orange County, I am comforted in knowing that we truly have a first-rate team that is well-prepared to handle any emergency or natural disaster.

Well, it Sounded Bad...

If you noticed any law-enforcement activity off Ortega Highway around noon Monday, it was authorities investigating something odd in a trash truck.

Initial reports were that a refuse worker spotted blood coming out of his truck; then hair was spotted.

Authorities feared a body had been dumped in the garbage, which had been picked up in Aliso Viejo and was headed to the landfill off La Pata.

But when they got the chance for a closer look, they found it was a large animal, like a goat.

Carona Gets a Stay Out of Jail Card...

The 9th District Court of Appeal has agreed to allow former OC Sheriff Michael Carona to remain free on bond while appealing his corruption conviction. He was due to start serving a 5 1/2 year prison term on Friday.

Here's the court's ruling.