New Santa Ana

The City of Santa Ana sues south O.C. cities and the County over the homeless crisis

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Courts, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana 3 Comments

The City of Santa Ana filed two lawsuits on Jan. 13 in its continuing efforts to address the impacts of homelessness.

The first seeks to halt the proposed transportation of homeless individuals into Santa Ana by three local cities, among other relief. The second seeks to abate public nuisance conditions at a facility in Santa Ana operated by the Mental Health Association of Orange County.

The legal actions were authorized by a unanimous vote of the Santa Ana City Council during a closed session meeting on Dec. 17.

Case SA CV 20-0069-DOC (DFMx), filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division, names as defendants the County of Orange and the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. The complaint alleges violations of the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection and due process clauses.

The City of Santa Ana is seeking monetary damages for its past and future expenditures on homeless resources and related services. The City also is seeking injunctive relief prohibiting the proposed transportation of homeless individuals by the above cities to the National Guard Armory in Santa Ana that is operated by the County for temporary nighttime shelter.

The complaint alleges that the city of San Clemente has closed its temporary homeless shelter and has decided to use the Armory to serve its homeless population. Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano are reported to be sharing in the cost of the transportation of such individuals to the Armory. More generally, Santa Ana urges that these jurisdictions have not equitably participated in relieving the homelessness crisis in Orange County. The complaint seeks to re-focus efforts on a more collaborative approach to the crisis.

The complaint also alleges the County of Orange has established homeless services almost exclusively in Santa Ana. In addition to the 200-bed Armory, the County operates a 400-bed shelter in downtown Santa Ana with plans to replace it with a new 425-bed shelter also in Santa Ana.

The City of Santa Ana operates its own 200-bed homeless shelter for Santa Ana residents.

In recent years, the city of Santa Ana has been compelled to spend millions of dollars from its general fund to address health and safety concerns attributable to the homeless population now living here. That money would otherwise have been spent on providing core services to residents, a deprivation that has subjected residents to cruel and unusual punishment and deprived them of due process of law, the complaint says.

Santa Ana also has the largest Latino population in Orange County, 78 percent of a total population of 341,000, and one of the county’s lowest median household incomes. As a result, the burden of servicing the county’s homeless that has been placed on Santa Ana constitutes a denial of residents’ equal protection under the law, the complaint states.

A hearing on a motion for preliminary injunction in the federal case is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 8 a.m. in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.

The second case, filed in Orange County Superior Court, names as defendants the Orange County Association for Mental Health, doing business as Mental Health Association of Orange County, and BT Investment Properties, LLC, which is the owner of the property in question.

In this case, Santa Ana alleges that the operation of the Homeless Multi-Service Center by the Mental Health Association has resulted in negative impacts to public health, safety and welfare. The Santa Ana Police Department received more than 249 calls for service at the location between May 1, 2017, and Jan. 9, 2020, according to the complaint.

The City further alleges that the multi-service center is not in compliance with the City’s zoning code.

Substance found at the Santa Ana Federal building found to be not dangerous

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Emergencies, Federal Government, OCFA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Haz Mat Incident Update: The OCFA’s Haz Mat Team has ran multiple tests and determined the substance to be not dangerous, according to their Twitter page.

O.C. Health will be releasing the building, at 701 W. Santa Ana Blvd., back to the DHS.

Local adjoining streets have been closed much of the afternoon.

Santa Ana man accepts charges after killing two in a DUI crash in 2017

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, CHP, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Vincent de la Vega, 31, a Santa Ana man, was charged with murder in connection with a crash that killed two people on the southbound Orange (57) Freeway in Diamond Bar, according to the O.C. Register.

De la Vega pleaded no contest Monday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He is due back in court on Tuesday, when victims’ impact statements are scheduled to be delivered, according to the Daily Pilot.

De la Vega’s crash victims included Eduardo Goncalves-Lins, 28, of Costa Mesa, and his passenger, Paula Queiroz-Lopes, 24, of Diamond Bar. They were killed in the crash, on Oct. 28, 2017, shortly before 3 a.m.

Goncalves-Lins was involved in a previous accident that morning as he was driving a 2014 Toyota Corolla south on the 57. He veered to the right and crashed into the back of a tow truck that was parked on the right shoulder just south of Diamond Bar Boulevard, according to the CHP. About a minute later, de la Vega’s Toyota Tacoma struck the Corolla, and both Goncalves-Lins and Queiroz-Lopes were thrown onto the freeway, according to the CHP.

The OCFA responded to two Haz Mat situations in Santa Ana today

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Streets are still closed this afternoon after the OCFA investigated one of two incidents possibly involving the highly toxic substance Mercury, according to the OCFA’s Twitter page.

The incident in question started at about 2 pm. at 701 W. Santa Ana Blvd., as the OCFA’s Haz Mat team investigated an unknown substance on an upper level of the Federal Building.

The OCFA indicated that a number of people were possibly exposed. They set up Decon and transported the victims for further evaluation. Fortunately none of the patients are exhibiting any symptoms.

The OCFA investigated another scene, at an apartment complex, at MacArthur and Greenville, at 8:28 a.m. today. That incident involved someone allegedly illegally dumping Mercury.

A woman who resided at the apartment complex did not want the mercury inside her home and left it outside. The substance belonged to a man who lived at the same residence, according to The Fountain Valley Patch.

Mercury (Hg) is a naturally occurring metal. Metallic mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid. When heated it becomes a colorless, odorless gas. Some of the health effects exposure to mercury may cause include: irritation to the eyes, skin, and stomach; cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, weakness or exhaustion, and weight loss. People may be harmed from exposure to mercury. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done, according to the CDC.

Woman arrested for armed grand theft robbery after stealing $2 million of jewelry at South Coast Plaza

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. – On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a female suspect entered a jewelry store located inside the South Coast Plaza shopping center at 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa. She asked to look at and try on several pieces of high-end jewelry. After putting on the jewelry, the suspect asked if she could view the jewelry in the sunlight. She was informed the jewelry could not leave the store while she began walking toward the entrance, where she was stopped by the store security. The suspect then brandished a large knife and threatened the security officers. She fled the store and was followed to the parking lot, where store security was able to obtain the license plate of the vehicle as she drove away.

Based on the license plate information and witness identifications, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) detectives identified the suspect as Karen Yvonne Floyd, 54, Newport Beach, and obtained a search warrant for Floyd’s residence.

On Jan. 13, 2020, detectives contacted Floyd in the lobby of her apartment building and placed her under arrest with no incident. Floyd was promptly booked and is still in custody, being held without bail. Detectives searched Floyd’s residence and recovered the stolen jewelry and the knife used in the robbery. The jewelry, valued at over 2 million dollars, was subsequently returned to the store.

Lane reduction on Bristol Street set for Jan. 15 and 16

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

For two days, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, January 15th through Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, Bristol Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 17th Street and Santa Clara Avenue.

As part of the Bristol Street Rehabilitation Project, the temporary lane reduction is required for construction of the new asphalt pavement.

Please use alternate routes and plan for possible delays since this lane reduction will impact traffic flow.

The lane reduction is subject to change based upon weather conditions.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

A motorcyclist died after crashing into a pole in Santa Ana on Sunday morning

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Motorcycles, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Many of our Facebook readers were wondering what happened today, Sunday, Jan. 12, after the SAPD closed streets at First and Grand. It turns out there was a fatal motorcycle accident, according to the O.C. Register.

Authorities received a call from a witness this morning, at about 11 a.m., after a man driving a motorcycle lost control and crashed into a pole, at the 1000 block of East First St., between Standard and Grand Avenues.

The SAPD police officers who responded found the sole rider of the motorcycle to be unresponsive.

The victim was taken to OC Global Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the SAPD. They did not reveal his identity and the crash is still under investigation.

This week’s Cochino List includes One Seventeen Food Store and Jobento yet again

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Jan. 2 to Jan. 10. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

One Seventeen Food Store, 2102 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
Jobento, 1228 E. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit
Update: Crepe Maker at MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Suite 9100, Santa Ana, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 5.
Update: Dollar Tree at 631 S. Main St., Santa Ana, which was ordered closed Dec. 30 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.
Update: Car wash at 76 station, 13561 Newport Ave., Tustin, which was ordered closed Dec. 31 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 3. But it was closed again on Jan. 10 for another rodent infestation.
Samara Restaurant, 1160 N. Kraemer Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Art Of The Party, 17290 Newhope St., Suite A, Fountain Valley, Closed: Jan. 9, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 10
La Taverna, 727 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, Permit downgraded to prepackaged food only: Jan. 8, Reason: Insufficient hot water/plumbing in disrepair
Cristi’s Restaurant, 821 S. Beach Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 8, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 9
ARC, 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite F, Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
Island Grill, 4390 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
S&J Gran Cafe, 12835 Harbor Blvd., Suite E-6, Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
Jerky King, 5414 Walnut Ave., Suite E, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 8
Nuoc Mia Vien Dong, 13894 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 7
Baskin-Robbins, 201 Main St., Suite B, Huntington Beach, Closed: Jan. 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 7
7-Eleven, 8761 Knott Ave., Suite 101, Buena Park, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 2
Sushi Yun, 3505 E. Chapman Ave., Suite E, Orange, Closed: Jan. 2
Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
Cauldron Ice Cream, 14001 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: Jan. 2.
Update: L.A. Brisket at 2930 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 5.
Update: Big Chopsticks at 4953 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, which was ordered closed Jan. 2 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.
Update: Momo Tea Bar at Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 169, Anaheim, which was ordered closed Dec. 27 because of insufficient hot water, was allowed to reopen Jan. 6.

SAPOA President responds to the Register’s Op-Ed against the recall of Councilwoman Iglesias

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, Cecilia Iglesias, Elections, Gerry Serrano, Politics, Santa Ana, SAPD, SAPOA 3 Comments

Editor’s Note – While we do not support the current recall campaign against duly elected Santa Ana City Councilwoman Ceci Iglesias, to be fair we have extended an opportunity to Gerry Serrano, the President of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, known as SAPOA, to rebut the Op-Ed that recently was published in the O.C. Register regarding the recall.

Truth & Facts: Cecilia Iglesias is unfit for office

By: Gerry Serrano

Recently, the OC Register and other news blogs have posted articles that are very misleading. The articles tend to reduce support for and are slanted against our blue-collar public safety professionals, the very same people that dedicate themselves to protecting and serving our community. The question is why? There are facts to the contrary that should be reported.
Truth be told, Councilwoman Cecilia Iglesias has been ruthless and unethical going back to her days on the Santa Ana Unified School Board. She has attacked teachers and school employees and their respective unions. She has bullied them, and no one has ever stood up to her. That’s newsworthy.

Now, as a Councilwoman, she has become more unethical and her behavior risen to an unacceptable level, verging on criminal. Our elected officials are held to a higher standard. They are not above the law and surely must be held accountable.

Local citizens, thousands of them, initiated a process to recall Ms. Iglesias because Santa Ana is suffering from a housing crisis and she voted no for affordable housing; she supports President Trump’s immigration policies of building a wall and separating children from families at the border; she opposed revenue initiatives supporting after-school programs, homelessness and public safety; and, she posted a video advocating the defunding of the Santa Ana Police Department. Good reasons to question her ability to represent the citizens of Santa Ana. That’s newsworthy.

The Santa Ana Police Officers Association does not take a position on federal immigration policy, but we do advocate and support after-school programs, addressing homelessness and providing the best public safety to our community.

Facts: the city of Santa Ana finished the fiscal year ’18-’19 over $6 million in the positive, per their budget. They underestimated revenues by over $16 million. (page 128, city report) Claiming that needed programs can’t be funded is wrong. That’s newsworthy.

The Police Officers Association supports this recall because since Ms. Iglesias has been in office her slanderous comments about the Association, her lies, have been repeated and continuous, interfering with the Association’s right to represent its members. (see compliant) She violated the City Charter by interfering in a civil service personnel hiring creating huge financial exposure for the City. She filed a frivolous lawsuit against the City of Santa Ana costing taxpayers thousands. She voted “No” on the Centennial Education Center which is “No” to a much-needed branch library and “No” to a community center and park improvements. This is not about a contract vote over a year ago, rather she is unfit and her behavior illicit. That’s newsworthy.

Finally, someone had the courage and will to stand up to an unfit and unethical politician. Over 16,000 residents signed a recall petition for various reasons. That’s newsworthy. This is a democracy and the will of the residents should not be silenced. Posts and stories that mislead the public are wrong. The city of Santa Ana deserves BETTER.

The SAPD is searching for a missing elderly man with dementia

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD, Seniors Leave a comment

Jose Ayala (74) was last seen walking away from his family’s home today at approximately 7:45 AM. Ayala suffers from Dementia and Schizophrenia and has a history of walking away from his residence.

Description: Male, Hispanic, 5’6”, 168lbs., Gray hair, Gray Mustache & Brown Eyes. Last seen wearing a white long sleeve shirt and black/green checkered shirt.

Last Seen In the Area Of: 300 Block of East Grant Street.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jose Ayala please contact Santa Ana PD Dispatch at (714) 834-4211.

Santa Ana welcomes a new Library Services Director from Rancho Cucamonga

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Brian Sternberg, Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, CA – Brian Sternberg joined the City of Santa Ana this week as the new Executive Director of Library Services.

Sternberg’s arrival sets the stage for renewed growth at the City’s libraries, which in the current fiscal year became a standalone department. Among his responsibilities will be overseeing facility upgrades and expanded hours at the Newhope Branch Library.

“I’m looking forward to helping Santa Ana’s libraries modernize and evolve to better serve the community,” Sternberg said. “Public libraries are an essential cultural resource that not only offer a wide array of books and physical materials, but also should be community anchors that provide hands-on and interactive educational experiences through new and innovative programs and services.”

Prior to coming to Santa Ana, Sternberg served as Assistant Library Services Director at the City of Rancho Cucamonga since June 2015. His accomplishments in that role included the development of a regional children’s museum inside a local library and providing high-speed broadband service to library customers.

Sternberg also has served in several capacities at the Los Angeles County Library, including North County Regional Administrator for 14 libraries and two bookmobiles, and as Assistant Library Administrator for Public Services, where he provided space-planning expertise and project management support for a number of library refurbishments. A Chicago native, he previously worked as a branch manager and in other roles at the Chicago Public Library.

Sternberg received his bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from DePaul University in Chicago and his master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. He is a graduate of the California Library Leadership Institute and attended the Planning and Design of Public Libraries Program at Harvard University, Graduate School of Design.

“I’m happy to welcome Brian Sternberg to our wonderful city,” said City Manager Kristine Ridge. “His years of experience at public libraries, large and small, and the many new ideas he has brought with him will help to transform our library system.”

Santa Ana’s first library opened in the 1890s and today the Santa Ana Public Library operates two branches that contain more than 238,000 books, thousands of videos and audio recordings, and numerous other materials.

The Main Library at 26 Civic Center Plaza has a computer lab, learning center and history room, and the Newhope Branch Library at 122 N. Newhope St. has a computer lab, learning center and teen space. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org/library.

Next week is your last chance for Christmas tree recycling pickup in Santa Ana

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Recycling, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The holiday season has come to an end, so let’s start the new decade on the right foot by recycling. Next week is the last week for Christmas tree recycling pickup in Santa Ana.

Waste Management is collecting Christmas trees during regularly scheduled trash pickup through Jan. 17. Trees taller than 4 feet must be cut in half. Please remove all decorations including tinsel, lights, ornaments and tree stands. Place the tree at the curb. Flocked trees will be collected but cannot be recycled.

For questions regarding Christmas tree recycling, call (714) 558-7761.

Weigh in on Fair Housing Issues at upcoming Santa Ana workshops

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Affordable Housing, Civic Affairs, Civil Rights, Housing, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The public is invited to join the City of Santa Ana, the County of Orange and other area cities for a special discussion on fair housing issues at a series of workshops this month.

The Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing workshops are conducted every five years as required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This year, 34 cities and the County of Orange are participating in a regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.

The public input received at these meetings will be used by county and city agencies to help address housing needs and prioritize funding. The community meetings are grouped by regions: North Orange County, Central Orange County, West Orange County and South Orange County, but residents from anywhere in the county can attend any of the meetings.

Learn about the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing process and how it contributes to advancing fair housing opportunities for all county residents. Share your thoughts on existing fair housing barriers and help form fair housing goals and priorities.

South Orange County:
Thursday, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Mission Viejo Saddleback Room II
200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

West Orange County:
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m.
Westminster Miriam Warne Community Room
14491 Beach Blvd.
Westminster, CA 92683

Central Orange County:
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.
Santa Ana City Council Chambers
22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92702

North Orange County:
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.
Fullerton Public Library Community Conference Center
353 W. Commonwealth Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832

For more information:
714-765-4300 ext. 4891
mgallardo@anaheim.net

Translation services available upon request.

The SAPD arrested an Uber driver on charges of sexual assault

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, Tustin Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Special Crimes Section detectives arrested an Uber driver on January 8, 2020, for a sexual assault that occurred in July of 2018. Amir Attia, a 45-year-old resident of Tustin, was arrested for the sexual assault. On the date of this incident, the victim, a 25-year-old woman, was involved in a traffic collision and arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) by the Tustin Police Department. The victim reported that upon her release from the Tustin Police Department, she requested an Uber respond to drive her home.

Attia, an Uber driver, drove the victim from the Tustin Police Department to her home in Santa Ana. Somewhere along the way, Attia stopped and sexually assaulted the victim. This was confirmed through DNA evidence.

Attia was arrested and confessed to sexually assaulting the victim. He was booked at the Orange County Jail for PC 289(d) Digital Penetration and PC 243.4(a) Sexual Battery. His bail has been set at $150,000.00. Attia has a previous conviction for sexual battery from 1993.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives are asking that anyone with information regarding this case, or who may have been victimized by suspect Attia, contact Corporal Maria Lopez at 714-245-8542, mlopez15@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is looking for four suspects who attacked two juveniles and tried to rob them

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On December 30, 2019 at approximately 9:55 pm, both juvenile victims were walking westbound on W. Wilshire Avenue east of S. Ross Street. An older model, tan colored Honda Accord, with a sunroof, was also traveling westbound on Wilshire Avenue and stopped near the victims. Four suspects exited the vehicle and approached the victims.

The suspects questioned the victims about their gang affiliation and demanded the victims’ property. The victims refused and started to run away. The suspects chased the victims and assaulted both of them. One victim was also struck with a baseball bat.

The suspects took both victims’ property and fled the location in the suspect vehicle westbound on Wilshire Avenue and then northbound on Flower Street. The victims suffered minor injuries.

Anyone with information identifying the suspects in this case is asked to contact Detective Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or Dprewett@santa-ana.org.

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

The SAPD is searching for a carjacking and kidnapping suspect

January 22, 2020 - Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD - No Comments

Tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting is the first one of the year

January 21, 2020 - Civic Affairs, Santa Ana - No Comments

A Santa Ana sexual assault suspect was shot while resisting arrest on Monday night

January 21, 2020 - Santa Ana - No Comments

Costa Mesa man arrested for stealing from his employer

January 21, 2020 - Costa Mesa, Crime, Fountain Valley - No Comments

Google Ad

Parent Union 5th Annual School Choice Fair