Heat Keeps Lifeguards Busy; LBPD Citizens Academy Seeks Applicants

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

Grant Funding for Purchase of Trolleys – The City of Laguna Beach has been awarded a $318,000 grant for the purchase of three trolleys. The grant is a State Proposition 1B formula based grant available to all Orange County cities through OCTA. The grant requires 50% matching funds from the City which can be identified within the existing budget.  The new trolleys will replace those that are rented each summer to supplement the City’s fleet of trolleys. 

Hot Weather and Surf Combine for Another Busy Day for Lifeguards – On Tuesday Marine Safety lifeguards logged 145 rescues, 83 medical aids, 2,064 preventative actions, 147 ecological contacts, 515 rule enforcements, and 2,961 public contacts.  Nice weather and surf is predicted for the rest of the week and throughout the weekend.  Beachgoers are reminded to check ocean conditions before entering the water and always swim near a lifeguard.

The Laguna Beach Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizen Academy - The academy starts Thursday, September 6, 2012 and will meet from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for twelve consecutive weeks (the thirteenth week is graduation). Applications will be accepted until August 23.

The Citizen Academy is a twelve-week non-stress course designed to provide community members with a better understanding of the Laguna Beach Police Department and to help foster better communications between police personnel and citizens.   The Academy will include instruction in the following areas: History of the Laguna Beach Police Department, investigations, traffic enforcement, accident investigation, driving under the influence investigation, gangs, narcotics, neighborhood watch, crime prevention, crime scene investigation, police K-9 program and volunteer programs.  There will also be a tour of the police facility as well as vehicles and equipment used by the department. Academy members will be given the chance to shoot at the police firing range and participate in mock scenarios.  There is also a tour of the Orange County Jail.

To obtain an application and announcement for the Citizen Academy, contact the Laguna Beach Police Department at (949) 497-0701. For questions regarding this program, contact Class Assistant Ross Fallah at rfallah@lagunabeachcity.net or Captain Darin Lenyi at (949) 497-0375 or  dlenyi@lagunabeachcity.net.

Applications are mailed, faxed or emailed to you upon request.

Downtown Sidewalk Washing – From May through September, downtown sidewalks are pressure washed monthly by the City’s contractor. The process normally takes two weeks because the work can only be done during early hours before the sidewalks fill with pedestrians. The August washing began this week and will continue through next week. During the fall and winter months the washing is done about every other month, depending on rain. The annual program cost is $95,000.