Please Note: City Focus is now posted bi-weekly.


February 2, 2010


Daffodil Days are Here Again! 

The American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days campaign is back! The campaign raises significant dollars to support the American Cancer Society’s mission to find the cure for cancer while also supporting research, educational programs, and numerous patient services. Last year, participating City employees raised approximately $800 in donations. Donors will receive a beautiful daffodil bouquet or arrangement of their choice. Anonymous donations can also be made toward cancer services or daffodil and stuffed animal deliveries for adult and pediatric patients. For more information and to place an order, call Jen Alberto at 714-990-7201 or email jena@cityofbrea.net. The deadline to order is Thursday, February 18, at noon. 


Storm Watch
 
The City of Brea experienced a major storm system that passed through recently, producing flash flood-like conditions at the La Canada storm drain. This drain is capable of handling the water, but not the amount of debris flow that is experienced in extreme conditions. 

Maintenance Services scheduled staff to provide sandbags at the fire stations, keep drains flowing, clear fallen trees, and respond to calls from dispatch throughout the week. Approximately 3,000 sandbags were taken from the various locations of distribution during the storms. City crews filled an additional 500 bags that were stationed in front of the Maintenance Services Center. 


Brea Hosts Orange County City Clerks Networking Group 

On January 25, the Brea City Clerk’s Office hosted a meeting of all Orange County City and District Clerks. This well-attended luncheon meeting provided an opportunity for OC Clerks to network, share information and learn more about the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators. 


Congratulations Brea Police Department Explorers!
 
Over the weekend of January 16 and 17, the Brea Police Department and Placentia Police Department teamed up to send ten Police Explorers to the 2010 Chandler Law Enforcement Explorer Tactical Competition held in Chandler, Arizona. 2010 is the 12th year of the competition and the Brea and Placentia Police Departments’ Explorers have participated in the competition every year for the past three years. The competition has grown over its 12 year history and this year a total of 43 teams, consisting of approximately 600 Explorers from around the United States, participated in the competition. This competition, unlike other Explorer competitions, is unique in that all of the events are SWAT based scenarios. I am proud to report that almost every year that we have participated in this event we have received awards for our performance. This year was no different. In total, the Brea and Placentia Police Explorers competed in 11 events and received awards in six of those events. 

Team Events Awards:
1st Place Multi Level Assault
2nd Place Tactical Relay
3rd Place 5 Person Hostage Rescue 

Individual Events Awards:
Placentia Explorer Helen Carreno took 3rd place in the female Explorer 3 mile run.
Brea Explorer Kyle Dack took 3rd place in the male Explorer obstacle course.
Brea Explorer Andrew Penksaw took 5th place in the male Explorer 3 mile run. 

These awards are a direct result of the hard work and training the Explorers put into this competition and the support that the Brea and Placentia Police Departments provide. 


Community Services’ Holiday Programs 

As we enter a New Year, it gives us a chance to look back at our Holiday programs in 2009 and give thanks for our generous and support-filled community. Take a look at the various ways they personified the spirit of giving.
 
Wish Tree: City of Brea employees, local businesses and residents fulfilled holiday wishes for over 300 residents from the Regional Center of Orange County with more than 700 gifts. These contributions are given to children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities. 

Adopt-a-Family: Brea families in need are connected with local businesses, agencies, and individuals who fulfill families’ wishes including Case Management families who have been confronted with tragic, life-changing situations and are unable to afford gifts. This holiday season, 26 families, consisting of 34 adults and 74 children, were adopted. In total, it is estimated that the gifts purchased were valued at over $10,000. 

BCEC Holiday Food Basket: Brea Community Emergency Council’s Holiday Basket Program was once again a huge success. Over 10,000 lbs. of food were presented to needy families. With help from approximately 50 volunteers, 189 families, consisting of over 749 adults, teens and children, received boxes filled with food, gifts and food cards to make their holiday a bit brighter. In addition, as part of the Toys for Tots effort, the Kiwanis Club included toys, gifts and gift cards to 346 teens, children and infants. The families that received the baskets were all local, low-income residents who struggle to keep food on the table. 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Every year the Salvation Army raises money throughout the County in various forms. The traditional red kettle is an integral part of the holidays. This season more than 350 volunteers from organizations such as the Brea Lions Club, Rotary Club of Brea, Brea Kiwanis, North County Sertoma, and Brea City Employees, raised approximately $3,900 in 22 days. Some of the money raised will be filtered back to the Brea community to assist with emergencies throughout the year. 

Christmas Tree Distribution: In response to a need for Christmas trees for families, for the third year Brea Olinda High School’s Baseball Team Boosters purchased and donated 27 Christmas trees to the Family Resource Center. The trees were marked at the school’s local tree lot, and families picked up their trees on December 4 and 5. 

Thanksgiving Dinner Donation: In partnership with The Cause Community Church and Brea Baptist Church, a Thanksgiving Dinner was distributed on November 24 and 25. Twenty-seven Case Management families, consisting of 39 adults and 67 children, received a large bag of essential ingredients and a grocery voucher to serve a Thanksgiving Dinner. The distribution was held at the Family Resource Center. 

The Glory of Christmas Production: This holiday season, the Crystal Cathedral donated 150 tickets for their “Glory of Christmas” production on December 4 and 5. The tickets are distributed to Brea agencies that serve low-income and at risk families, Case Management families, the Brea Senior Center, and Brea Canyon High School. All of the recipients were thrilled to be able to attend. 

“Om” for the Holidays: On December 16, the Community Center’s Fitness Center hosted the 7th Annual “Om” for the Holidays fundraiser, one of the largest yoga classes ever held. Over 60 people from all over Orange County participated. Over $1200 was raised in three hours which will be used for Brea residents facing financial difficulty throughout the year. 

Angel Tree Program: Continuing with its annual participation, the Brea Senior Center received holiday gifts for their clients, donated by Brea Mall patrons. A total of 58 home-delivered meal and case management clients received gifts through the Brea Mall Angel Tree Program. Eleven volunteers sat at the mall assisting patrons with information related to the Angel Tree Program, collecting donated gifts, and answering any questions. Additionally, four volunteers wrapped and delivered gifts. Gifts included flashlights, blankets, Velcro shoes, writing tablets, large print books, clothing, and personal grooming products. 

Food Distribution: This year, North Hills Church supplied the Senior Center’s Case Management with simple-to-prepare meals for Brea homebound clients. 

Adopt a Senior: Ambassador Church and the Senior Center began a new partnership by “adopting” several Brea seniors during the holiday season. Ambassador Church provided services which included light yard work, friendly visits, and delivery of a warm meal the week of Christmas. 


Integrated Law and Justice-Orange County Update 

Another tool for our police officers has been added to the COPLINK component of the Integrated Law and Justice Agency of Orange County (ILJAOC) system. The data from all of Orange County’s Domestic Violence/Emergency Protective Orders (both current and those recalled/no longer valid) are now part of the ILJAOC COPLINK Node. What that means is the information is now available and refreshed approximately every four hours to connect addresses, people, vehicles, etc., who are both protected by those orders and those who are restricted by those same current orders. The clear benefit is that when an Officer is being dispatched to an address on some type of call for service (especially those involving unknown trouble or a disturbance), and the address is run prior to the officer’s arrival, the responding personnel will know if the location involves a Domestic Violence/Emergency Protective Order and can certainly raise their awareness of the potential danger. It is reassuring to know that over time, injuries will be avoided and perhaps even lives saved as a result of having ready access to this information in the COPLINK System. 

COPLINK and ILJAOC have proven to be very valuable tools for our patrol officers and detectives as they provide links to the thousands of pieces of data collected by Orange County Law Enforcement agencies, and by other agencies that are linked to our system. This system has helped our officers solve several crimes and identify dozens of suspects. As a charter member of the Board of ILJAOC, I am very excited to see more progress by this comprehensive data collection and distribution system.