The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

July 2008 ISSUE

We do not make jokes, we simply watch the LA Times, the Orange County Register and CID/HOA board of directors and report the facts!

The Orange County Sheriffs Department unveils the Avoid the Ten” DUI Campaign

June 24, 2008

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department today announced the “The Avoid the Ten” DUI Campaign as the department joins other highway safety and law enforcement officials statewide and throughout the country to remind all Fourth of July party-goers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving and to designate a sober driver before the celebrations begin.

According to the OCSD’s announcement, in 2007, twenty- four individuals in California died in traffic related crashes during the Fourth of July holiday period where the driver, motorcyclist, or pedestrian involved had been drinking. Another 581 were injured, many now suffering with life changing disabilities.

Drunk driving is one of California’s deadliest problems. In 2006 (latest figures available), 4,196 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. There were 1,597 killed in traffic crashes that were alcohol involved, with another 31,099 injured.

Police, sheriff and CHP officials statewide are asking for the public’s help: If you see a suspected drunk driver, you are asked to report this crime! Call 911 and give the location, direction of travel and vehicle description. Do not attempt to get involved by attempting to stop the suspected driver. Be the witness who makes your community a safer place to live.

Much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions before going out to celebrate:

Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give that person your key
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to Call 9-1-1

AVOID Programs are named for the number of police agencies in each county .The programs seek to publicize the combined DUI efforts of all law enforcement agencies in California to raise awareness of the problems associated with drinking and driving, especially during major holiday periods.

Additional information about the Avoid Program and operational plans from around the region can be found at www.californiaavoid.org.

The Start of a New OCSD Era: Will Sheriff Hutchens be more accessible?
In less than a Coto kid can hack a computer to change his grades, an aid to Sheriff Hutchens was able set up a meeting so that the CotoBuzz Journal can interview the Sheriff. Compare that to multiple unanswered request to meet with interim Sheriff...

Coto de Caza DUI Collision Lawsuit Notes
Case No 05CC02855 involves a traffic accident that occurred September 22, 2004 at the intersection of Vista del Verde and Mackenzie Lane (undisputed fact). The defendant was visiting Coto de Caza as a guest of Coto de Caza Gold Club, having earlier...

Coto de Caza DUI Collision (Skendarian) Lawsuit Settlement
According to court records filed in Superior Court in Orange County dated November 28, 2006, the Skendarian lawsuit settlement worked out includes:

Call 911 to Report DUIs - ?Avoid the Ten? Holiday DUI Crackdown in South Orange County- "Law enforcement can only do so much" -
The Orange County Sheriff?s Department is preparing for one of the State?s most aggressive impaired driving crackdowns of the year, taking part in the ?Avoid the Ten? campaign as part of California?s holiday DUI crackdown. California?s effort coincides...

Loopholes, the OCWWF and the next OCSD You cannot be part of the solution when you have been part of the problem, as in Lt Hunt. The Spin Machines for Hutchens and Walters for OC Sheriff are full throttle trying to persuade the Orange County Board of Supervisors that their gal or guy is the right person for the job. So much dirt is flowing in both directions putting SUV commercials to shame. Then, there are the Lt. Hunt supporters doing a Hilary impersonation tying to get their guy the number two spot, or any spot for that matter, in the new OCSD.

Star Search – for the OCSD – The Final Episode SetAlthough the process used by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to winnow down the number of candidates to replace much maligned OC Sheriff Michael Carona was at best flawed, the final two candidates represent not necessarily the best of the field, but not necessarily the worst, either.

Public Safety Owners and Orphans
Invariably when we publish public safety statistics, proponents of the status quo ridicule our analysis and detractors use the law of attributions to invoke the proverbial ?it?s not mine/their job?.

A Chat with OC Sheriff Candidates - Coto de Caza's Own Ralph Martin
We have offered the seven identified OC Sheriff candidates; Jack Anderson, Bill Hunt, Craig Hunter, Kevin Keyes, Ralph Martin, Ken Maddox and Paul Walters, the CotoBuzz Journal as a platform to communicate with their respective potential supports. We...

A Chat with OC Sheriff Department Candidate: Craig Hunter
What the OCSD needs is a new leader with a proven track record in law enforcement who will be a strong role model, lead by example with integrity and provide a new vision of teamwork and accountability - Hunter

A Chat with OC Sheriff Candidates: Kevin Keyes
The first and most important priority is to restore honor to the office that was taken by its last office holder- Kevin Keyes