In a recent Greenhut blog post, Steven laments, "Community policing -- the idea that police are members of the community and can reduce tensions by acting more humane -- seems to be going out the window." Geez, someone should let the men and women of the department know because community policing is alive and well here – and we’re using up valuable time and resources on this important work.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department Traffic Safety Programs just released their April to June update. Take a look at what's been going on. Warning to Greenhut: don't read below these lines. We wouldn't want to force you to end your lamentations on the evils of law enforcement.
By the way, to find the podcasts mentioned below, search iTunes for "FADD" under podcasts. These mock DUI video podcasts remain two of the most popular Local Government podcasts on iTunes.
Is Your Teen at Risk Program:Community partners from the areas of Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch, Coto de Casa and the surrounding communities joined together to create a information and resource program for parents and teens. The program was presented on Monday, April 30th at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower. We presented information on traffic safety while partnering with the CHP and OCFA. A display booth with traffic safety information was also set up at the event. Over 500 parents at teens attended the program. Another Is Your Teen at Risk program was hosted by the Cities of San Juan Capistrano and Mission Viejo on June 11th at Capistrano Valley High School. In addition to presenting information on choosing a vehicle for your new driver a display / information booth was also set up at event. Over 150 parents and teens attended this program.
Mock DUI Crash Events:Three Mock DUI Crash events were conducted during the second quarter reaching nearly 4,000 students in the region. As with all of our Mock DUI presentations we receive enormous support from several community partners including Steve Concialdi of Friends Against Drinking and Driving (FADD), the Orange County Fire Authority, several ambulance companies, tow companies, mortuaries, Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) and the schools themselves. Mission Viejo High School: On April 5th Mission Viejo High School presented their first Mock Crash event at the school in over 12 years. The impetus for the program originated from a member of the school’s Safe Rides club who contacted our department asking how the program could be presented at the school. The school’s new activity director, Tom Turner, assisted in creating an assembly full of impact. Santa Margarita Catholic High School: For this year’s program Santa Margarita Catholic High School conducted a full, two-day Every 15 Minutes program on May 15th and 16th. With assistance from the City of Santa Margarita a street adjacent to the school was closed to traffic and used for the program. In addition to the usual community partners who assist with mock crash programs we asked if the California Highway Patrol would participate since the event at Tesoro High School was cancelled for this year. Aliso Niguel High School: The final Mock DUI crash event of the year was held on June 8th at Aliso Niguel High School. The ASB responsible for this event was the first group to address the issue of young women’s involvement in alcohol related collision by using a female impaired driver.
Journey Safe Walkathon: Journey Safe, a non-profit foundation formed after the traffic related deaths of s South County resident Gillian Sabet and her boyfriend Jonathan Schulte, conducted their second annual walkathon at JSerra Catholic High School on June 9th. Sheriff Carona attended the event with Captain White and spoke during the opening ceremonies. Our traffic safety booth displayed information about our programs and was staffed to answer traffic related questions. We continue to support this teen peer to peer program as clubs spread throughout the region.
MADD Victim Impact Panels: Our relationship with Mothers Against Drunk Driving continues with the monthly victim impact panels in Laguna Niguel. First time (and sometimes repeat) DUI offenders are sentenced by the court to attend this program where speakers representing victims, family of victims, offenders and law enforcement present personal stories and information on the consequences of drinking and driving.
Media Activity: Steve Concialdi with OCFA and FADD arranged (and paid for) a film crew to video the Mock DUI events at both Santa Margarita Catholic and Aliso Niguel High Schools. These videos from City News Crew were edited down with the Santa Margarita event being presented as an at-scene report with the Aliso Niguel event showing more of the making of a mock crash presentation. →Both videos are available as free podcasts on iTunes under the local government sections. The Santa Margarita event was the top rated download in the local government section for over a week in the nation!← Other traditional media covered the Mock DUI crash events with the Orange County Register also including video footage from the Aliso Niguel event on their Web page.
Individual City Traffic Safety Programs Participation: Aliso Viejo: Aliso Niguel HS conducted their Mock DUI event on June 8th. Laguna Hills: Laguna Hills High School is postponing their mock DUI program for one year due to major construction on campus. No specific events were conducted in Laguna Hills during this quarter. Other regional events were available for the residents of this city. Laguna Niguel: Aliso Niguel HS conducted their Mock DUI event on June 8th. Mission Viejo: In addition to the regional events noted above, Capistrano Valley High School also conducted a Parent / Teen Driving Forum on April 19th. Several resources were provided for the approximately 90 attendees. We presented information during the program and provided a booth with traffic safety information. Rancho Santa Margarita: Santa Margarita Catholic High School conducted their Every 15 Minutes program on May 15th and 16th. The Bell Tower also hosted the April 30th Is Your Teen at Risk forum. San Juan Capistrano: The City of San Juan Capistrano co-hosted the Is Your Teen at Risk forum at Capistrano Valley High School on June 11th. The Journey Safe Walkathon was also held in the city on June 9th.