| December 13, 2018 |
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Volume 6 Issue 43 |
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| Spitzer: LA’s Lax Attitude Toward Homeless Firebugs Endangers Us All |
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The threat of wildfires, once seasonal, is now near-constant for much of California. Photo courtesy of Pixabay. |
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As published in the Orange County Register.
The unimaginable horror faced by California residents and firefighters who watched a monstrous wall of flame obliterate an entire town is a tragedy that most of us will remember forever.
News went around the world that all of California seemed to be on fire with a death toll that would be unimaginable. In the end, it’s the job of elected officials to set the highest standards of public safety so that we at least have a fighting chance in the future of controlling something like this.
For past three decades as a California Assembly member and currently as an Orange County supervisor, I have been consumed with giving firefighters, police, and prosecutors the support they need to excel at their jobs despite budget cuts and rising crime.
So it was with great concern and disbelief that I watched a recent news report detailing how Los Angeles city officials have condoned campfires by homeless individuals in the extremely dry, mountainous brush areas.
The Los Angeles mayor said the vagrants could not be arrested because the city does not have “No Trespassing” signs posted in the area. Instead, he dispatched a team of counselors with no law enforcement authority to roust the homeless. This was met with limited success.
It’s unclear to me how many signs Mayor Eric Garcetti thinks he would need to cover the Santa Monica Mountains behind Bel Air and the Getty Museum. Apparently he is more concerned with creating bureaucracy than with the lives of citizens.
In Orange County, we do not allow the lives and well-being of our residents to be placed at risk by the homeless population.
I led efforts with my Board colleagues to clear homeless encampments from three miles along the Santa Ana River and place the individuals in shelters. Orange County has anti-vagrancy and anti-camping laws and we are currently negotiating with a federal judge to provide enough shelter beds so that law enforcement can vigorously enforce these laws. The reason is obvious.
During November, two Los Angeles brush fires started in homeless encampments including one that involved our beloved Griffith Park. And who can forget the massive Skirball fire last year that burned down six Bel Air homes – which not surprisingly — was caused by vagrants who were cooking a meal. A synagogue that almost went up in flames has recently sued the city for failing to clear the homeless encampments.
Los Angeles’ ludicrous stance on fire prevention has a direct impact on Orange County. California is a mutual response state and each county sends firefighters to help where they are needed most. We assisted in the Camp and Woolsey fires.
Any preventable fire that erupts in Los Angeles, caused by vagrant campfires or smoking, drains much-needed resources from Orange County and puts the lives of our firefighters at risk. Just this month, a firefighter from Washington state working on the Malibu fire was run over by a truck as he slept.
We have our own vast mountain regions to protect. Earlier this year, the Holy Fire burned 31 square miles through the Cleveland National Forest and Riverside County. In 2017, we had the Canyon 1 and 2 fires in Anaheim Hills that consumed 14 square miles. One of our engine companies was working the Grapevine fire in Central California when Canyon 2 broke out and got stuck in traffic trying to return home.
Los Angeles has taken an opposite viewpoint and has now seen its city and county become the second largest homeless site in the nation. It’s logical to assume that the dense brush on the hillsides is an attractive place to build a campsite and create a makeshift galley for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To not vigorously enforce the area as a no-fire zone is just plain reckless.
Orange County has an ordinance forbidding campfires in parks, recreational areas, and wilderness sites except within a designated fire ring or with a permit. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a dedicated homeless outreach team aimed at mitigating the impacts of encampments. Deputies ensure the ordinance is enforced and that the threat of illegal campfires is removed.
If the Orange County Fire Authority is alerted to an illegal fire anywhere in the county, it has the authority to respond with law enforcement of that particular jurisdiction and extinguish the blaze.
Even if vagrants don’t intend to burn down numerous homes due to a campfire, they can still be charged with felony arson under Penal Code 452 because their action was so reckless. And if the fire kills someone, this becomes a manslaughter case.
In January, I will become Orange County’s next district attorney. This means I have the authority to set an example for the rest of the state regarding a no-tolerance stance on homeless firebugs or any other type of homeless crime. Many of these individuals just need a lucky break to get on their feet and I will continue to help with this effort, as I have for the past eight years. However, I will not tolerate anyone who violates our laws and jeopardizes our community safety.
I hope Los Angeles can follow this lead.
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| Spitzer Serves Final Day on the OCTA Board of Directors |
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Supervisor Spitzer (right) and Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson (second from right) received proclamations from their fellow Board members to honor their last day with OCTA. |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer served his last day as a member of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors on Monday, December 10. Spitzer has served on the OCTA for 12 years. The Board of Directors presented proclamations to Spitzer and fellow Director Shawn Nelson for their service.
Formed in 1991, OCTA keeps people moving by reducing freeway congestion, improving safety and efficiency on local roads, providing bus service and regional multimodal connections, helping people find ways to leave their cars home, and providing safe, convenient transportation to those with special needs.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the work we accomplished during my time here at OCTA. I will miss my colleagues on the Board, but I am confident they will continue to make excellent strides in delivering reliable transportation solutions to Orange County residents,” Spitzer said. |
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| Outgoing Orange City Mayor and Councilmember Honored |
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(L to R): Outgoing Mayor Tita Smith, Supervisor Spitzer, Former Mayor Carolyn Cavecche, and incoming Mayor Mark Murphy. |
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Supervisor Spitzer with incoming Councilmember Chip Monaco. |
Congratulations to outgoing Mayor Tita Smith and Councilmember Fred Whitaker for completing their tenures on the Orange City Council. Both were praised for their years of public service during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Congratulations as well to Mayor Mark Murphy who was sworn in as the new mayor and Councilmembers Kimberlee Nichols and Chip Monaco who were also sworn in.
The City of Orange is in good hands. That's for sure! |
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| Spitzer Administers Oath of Office for Local Elected Officials |
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Supervisor Spitzer administering the Oath of Office for Phil Yarbrough on Monday, December 10. |
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Supervisor Spitzer administering the Oath of Office to Mayor David Shawver. |
Supervisor Spitzer had the pleasure of administering the Oath of Office to Phillip Yarbrough and John Shawver, two local elected officials who won re-election to the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Directors and Mayor of Stanton, respectively. Although he was unable to attend himself, Supervisor Spitzer also sent a representative to swear in his friend Barry Cooper to the Tustin City Council.
(L to R): Mayor Chuck Puckett, Mayor Pro Tem Allan Bernstein, and Councilmembers Letitia Clark, Austin Lumbard, and Barry Cooper. |
Before administering the Oath for Mayor Shawver, Spitzer spoke about the importance of this tradition. “I’ve taken the Oath of Office many times, each time I was elected to public office, and while some may view the Oath as routine, I’m here to tell you it is not at all. The Oath of Office is sacred; it is our contract with the community to promise to do everything with the interests of the public in mind, and to serve to the best of our ability,” Spitzer said.
Spitzer was pleased to administer the Oath of Office for Phillip Yarbrough, who has served on the RSCCD Board of Directors since 1996. Phil has devoted much of his time to promoting excellence in education for all RSCCD students and the greater Orange County community.
Spitzer also administered the Oath to Mayor David Shawver of Stanton, who has served on the City Council for more than 20 years. Mayor Shawver is a giant in the city; a warm presence who listens as much as he leads.
Supervisor Spitzer’s Field Deputy Al Tello administered the Oath of Office on his behalf for Councilmember Barry Cooper, who was recently elected to the Tustin City Council. Councilmember Cooper is a Marine Veteran and a proud member of the Tustin community, having served as Commissioner for the City of Tustin, member of the Tustin Community Foundation, and as the 2007 Volunteer of the Year from the Tustin Public Schools Foundation.
Congratulations to all of the elected officials!
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| New Yorba Linda Mayor is Youngest Female Mayor in California History |
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Mayor Tara Campbell (C) with members of the Yorba Linda City Council (L to R): Councilmember Carlos Rodriguez, Councilmember Peggy Huang, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Haney, and Councilmember Gene Hernandez. |
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Tara Campbell, the newly named Mayor of Yorba Linda, has also made history as the youngest female Mayor in California history at only 25 years old.
Mayor Campbell, who also serves as the Communications Director for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Andrew Do, is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, strong leadership, and government efficiency. A passionate and enthusiastic leader, Mayor Campbell is a role model for young women everywhere.
Prior to serving on the City Council, Mayor Campbell was appointed unanimously to Yorba Linda’s Parks and Recreation Commission in 2015 and was immediately elected as Chair Pro Tem. She served as Chairwoman of the Commission where she prioritized revitalizing our parks and ensuring the safety of children in City parks. She also served on Yorba Linda’s Sports Advisory Committee and Yorba Linda Public Library’s One Book, One City Committee.
Congratulations to Mayor Campbell on your historic position, and best of luck to you as you serve the people of Yorba Linda. |
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| 24th Annual CHOC Toy Drive and Ride |
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Click on the image above to view more information. |
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| Senior Santa & Friends Needs Your Help! |
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Click on the image above for more information. |
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Events Around the District |
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Anaheim
Annual Ornament Workshop
Saturday, December 15, 11:00 am– 12:30 pm
Anaheim Canyon Hills, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Veterans Resource and Job Fair
Friday, December 14, 8:30 am—4:00 pm
One-Stop Center, 17891 Cartwright Road, Irvine
Orange County Great Park Farmers Market
Sunday, December 16, 10:00 am—2:00 pm
Orange County Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd.
Children's Garden Workshop: Wind Spinners for the Garden
Sunday, December 16, 10:00 am—11:00 am
Orange County Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd.
Orange
Tweens Create: Gingerbread Houses
Thursday, December 20, 2:00 pm—3:00 pm
The Woman’s Club of Orange, 121 South Center Street
Tech Tutor Saturdays
Saturday, December 22, 10:00 am—12:00 pm
Main Library, 407 E. Chapman Avenue
Silverado
Give Back Night
Wednesday, December 19, 4:00 pm — 6:00 pm
Library of the Canyons, 7531 East Santiago Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Books for Breakfast
Saturday, December 15, 9:15 am—9:45 am
Main Street and El Camino Real
Farmers Market
Wednesday, December 19, 9:00 am—1:00 pm
Tustin Branch Library, 345 E Main St.
Villa Park
Music and Movement Storytime
Thursday, December 20, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
DIY Family Fit It Nite
Thursday, December 20, 6:30 pm— 7:30 pm
Hurless Barton Park, 4579 Casa Loma Ave.
Sunday Concerts: Green/Orozco Family Annual Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 16, 1:30 pm
Richard Nixon Library and Museum, East Room, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
For questions or comments regarding Spitzer’s E-Newsletter
please contact the Supervisor's office staff at: (714) 834-3330 or Montana.Sudul@ocgov.com
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