New Santa Ana

DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoints coming up this Friday night in Anaheim and in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Crime, Public Safety Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Oct. 27, 2021) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“These checkpoints, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, are essential to keeping the community safe,” Sgt. Dan Miles said. “We are looking for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is dangerous and puts others on the road at risk.”

“Our preference is to have zero DUI drivers on our roadways and that those who decide to drink do so responsibility by always having a designated driver,” said Chief Ron Lawrence. “DUI checkpoints are a way to educate our community and our hope is people learn to plan ahead with alternative transportation when out drinking.”

CMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

CMPD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that does not involve a DUI:

Always use a designated sober driver to get home, which could be a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, a cab or public transportation.
If you see someone who is impaired try to drive, take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor those who are drinking and how they are getting home.
If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint set for Oct. 29 in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. (October 26, 2021) – The Anaheim Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday, October 29, 2021 near Lincoln Avenue and Anaheim Boulevard starting at 6:00 P.M.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. As the state continues to work to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Anaheim Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our primary mission.” Traffic Sergeant Rick Boyer said. “We continue to look for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is still dangerous.

The Anaheim Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.
Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The SAPD is looking for a violent man armed with a broom, who stole a cell phone

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

On 10/13/2021 at approximately 11:15PM, wanted suspect Damian Vazquez (31) took the victim’s cell phone by force and attempted to hit the victim with a broom. Vazquez then threw the broomstick at the victim, striking the victim in the face.

When the victim attempted to get the cell phone back, Vazquez brandished a pocketknife. Vazquez fled on foot before police arrival.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Vazquez is asked to please contact Detective Park at (714) 245-8360 or Spark@santa-ana.org.

Editor’s Note – It has not been determined yet if Vazquez was just having a bad mental health day when he allegedly stole the cell phone and assaulted its owner.

How did a guy who glorifies cop killers end up on the Santa Ana City Council?

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez, Politics, Santa Ana, SAPD 9 Comments

Johnathan Ryan Hernandez celebrated his recent election to the Santa Ana City Council by getting a tattoo of the words “La Raza”, according to the O.C. Register. He was elected to represent everyone in our city but clearly in his mind he is only representing “La Raza.”

Is it any surprise then that Hernandez has been caught on video praising cop killers? Specifically he celebrates the fact that Santa Ana had its own Black Panthers chapter even though members of that chapter ambushed SAPD police officer Nelson Sasscer while he was on duty on June 4, in 1969, and he eventually died as a result.

The Black Panthers that killed Sasscer expressed hatred for police officers and had been accused of being racist against white people. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of at least 15 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation in the 1960’s and 70’s.

Sasscer was a Vietnam War veteran who was the SAPD’s 1968 rookie of the year. A Black Panthers newsletter referred to Sasscer as “Rookie Pig of the Year.”

A Black Panther, Arthur League, was arrested and eventually was found to be guilty of second-degree murder. League served seven years of a five-years-to-life sentence. He returned to Santa Ana after his release then moved to the Bay Area and never lived in Orange County again.

Daniel Michael Lynem, the former leader of the Santa Ana Chapter of the Black Panthers, regrets fostering the anti-police sentiments that led to Sasscer’s murder. “I wish it never happened,” he says. But while Hernandez mentions Lynem in a video conversation he does not note that Lynem regrets Sasscer’s murder!

Today Sasscer’s memory lives on in our city as he is the namesake of Sasscer Park. But not to Hernandez who amazingly refers to that park as “Black Panthers Park” – honoring the murders who killed Sasscer! That should not come as a surprise since Hernandez also said that he’s the first man in his family on his father’s side to not go to jail or prison.

As it turns out a 10-year-old boy witnessed the murder of Sasscer – and he was so affected by what he saw that he grew up to become a police investigator. Louie Martinez III ended up working as an investigator at the OCDA’s office and when he had a chance to talk to Sasscer’s widow he told her “Your husband did not die alone and I am in part who I am today because of him. I have never forgotten him.” You can read his story here.

As for Hernandez it is clear that he is not up to the task of being a Santa Ana City Councilman – and he is in fact a major liability to our city. As a cop hater he should not in any way, shape or form be allowed to serve on any City Council committees involving public safety.

Hernandez recently participated in an unpermitted event honoring his cousin, Brandon Lopez, who was shot and killed by Anaheim police officers when they pursued him in a stolen vehicle. That chase ended in Santa Ana. Hernandez immediately called those police officers murderers but we still don’t know the facts. We don’t know for certain if Lopez had a gun, nor do we know what drugs may have been in his system. Those police officers only knew what he was a dangerous felon who had been involved in several armed robberies. We should withhold our judgement until the investigation is concluded.

Of course Hernandez lacks restraint and he appears to favor criminals over our residents. I cannot think of any City Council members on any other City Councils in Orange County who are as a big a liability as Hernandez. At this rate I would not be surprised if residents eventually mount a recall to get this guy off our City Council.

BTW how did Hernandez react when residents called him out for supporting an unpermitted public event? He wrote in an email “F*ck them. Tell them I said that.”

Two suspected Santa Ana gangbangers charged with murdering a rival gang member

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

David Angel Lopez and Anthony Garcia, both 20-years-old, were charged on Monday with a gang-related fatal shooting of 18-year-old Miguel Angel Benitez, a rival gang member in Santa Ana.

The killing happened on Sep. 2, at about 5 pm., at the 1600 block of South Evergreen St., which is just south of Madison Park.

The victim was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body by the responding SAPD police officers. Paramedics rushed Benitez to a hospital where he later died, according to the SAPD.

The motive for the shooting appears to be that Benitez was a member of a gang that is a rival to the gang that Lopez and Garcia belong to.

Lopez and Garcia are facing felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, assault with a firearm and participation in criminal street gang activity. They are also looking at sentencing enhancements for gang activity, discharge of a gun causing death, gang member vicarious discharge of a firearm, gang activity, and personally using a firearm. On top of all that Garcia also faces a felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

No word yet if Lopez and Garcia will argue that they were just having a bad mental health day when they allegedly shot and killed Benitez.

Santa Ana gangbanger convicted of killing a taco truck customer

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Junior Gil, a 27-year-old gangbanger, was convicted Thursday of a series of robberies and killing of 31-year-old Jesse Ruben Gomez, in front of a taco truck in Santa Ana.

Gil shot Gomez on Dec. 9, 2018, in the evening, near South Kilson Drive and East St. Andrews Place, according to the prosecutors.

A witness told the responding SAPD police officers about a robbery that took place nearby along a bike trail. There were also other witnesses and victims of robberies along the trail who gave the police descriptions of the suspects.

When the police officers arrived, Gomez’s uncle was trying to revive his nephew at the scene. The uncle said he was outside his home when his nephew went to get tacos from a food truck. The uncle then heard gunshots, and he found his nephew when he drove to the location.

In addition to being convicted of first-degree murder, Gil was also convicted of a count of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery. The jurors also affirmed sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm and gang activity.

Gil will be sentenced on Jan. 7.

Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento and City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez have not yet confirmed if they think that Gil was just having mental health issues when he killed Gomez.

Lane reductions on Civic Center Drive and Broadway to start on Oct. 26 through April

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Public Works, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

Starting on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, for approximately six months, the following lane reductions will occur on Civic Center Drive and on Broadway due to street and utility improvements needed as part of the Building Number 14 being constructed for the County of Orange:

Civic Center Drive between Ross Street and Broadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction of traffic, both eastbound and westbound
Broadway between 10th Street and Civic Center Drive will be reduced to one southbound right turn lane and one through lane as traffic approaches Civic Center Drive. Northbound Broadway will remain open with two lanes of traffic.

Please use alternate routes and plan for possible delays since these lane reductions will affect traffic flow. Access to businesses will be maintained at all times. We apologize for any inconveniences and thank you for understanding.

Reducciones de carril en Civic Center Drive y Broadway

Translations:

Español

Tiếng Việt

The SAPD arrested a gangbanger suspected in a recent fatal shooting

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Last night, SAPD MET Detectives conducted proactive policing in a known gang territory where a recent gang shooting homicide occurred.

A vehicle was stopped for violating traffic laws and four documented gang members were contacted.

MET Detectives collaborated with Homicide Detectives and it was discovered that one of the detained occupants was wanted for questioning in a gang homicide. It was also determined that two other occupants in the vehicle were persons of interest on an unrelated incident involving witness intimidation with associated gang enhancements. The fourth occupant was found to be in violation of his probation.

All suspects were arrested and transported to the Santa Ana Police Department where they were interviewed by Homicide Detectives.

One of the arrestees was subsequently booked for PC 187, Murder. The investigations are ongoing.

– ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, at approximately 5:01 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the 1600 South block of Evergreen Street after receiving calls of a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper body. Officers immediately began life saving measures. Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. The victim underwent emergency surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Orange County Coroner’s Office conducted their investigation and identified the victim as Miguel Angel Benitez.

This is still considered an active homicide investigation. This investigation is a gang related homicide and qualifies for the Gang Homicide and Felony Assault Reward Program.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Homicide Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact (714) 245-8390.

Editor’s Note – Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez has been actively trying to defund the SAPD MET division.

Why do Costa Mesa police officers ticket and arrest criminal vagrants while the SAPD ignores them?

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs, homeless, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Santa Ana residents are beyond fed up with the dozens if not hundreds of drug addicts that have taken up residency on our streets. Residents often call the SAPD only to find that our police will rarely arrest these vagrants even when there is cause to do so.

In stunning contrast the Cost Mesa Community Policing Unit officers rode 23 miles throughout Costa Mesa, on Tuesday. They made seven drug-related arrests, including one warrant. They also made sure the trash piles they came across got cleaned up.

Why doesn’t Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento make sure this happens in Santa Ana too? While members of our City Council are busy participating in planned riots our city is a mess and it seems that no one at City Hall cares.

Unpermitted event in honor of Brandon Lopez set for Oct. 23 in Santa Ana

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez, Santa Ana 12 Comments

Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez is promoting an event on his Facebook page that apparently has not been permitted by the City of Santa Ana. The event appears to be in honor of Hernandez’ cousin, Brandon Lopez, an armed felon who was shot and killed in Santa Ana by Anaheim police officers after they tracked him down in a vehicle that was reported stolen by a girlfriend.

The event is set for Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 11am-7 pm. That is unfortunate as the event will take place after the scheduled 5K run in DTSA. There is also a scheduled Santa Ana College football game at 1 pm at the Santa Ana Stadium.

The event will take place at the intersection of Santa Ana Blvd and Bristol Street, Santa Ana, CA

The event is being marketed as #justice4brandonlopez – “We are standing in power as Black + Brown commUNITY” and is being presented by Artivist Entertainment and Grand Performances with support from Funk Freaks Records and the Cheat Code.

The event will feature live performances by:

Aloe Blacc
Maya Jupiter
The Philharmonik
Jehmal Jones X Doughboy Tony
Miss Mari

Speakers include:

Nellie Turtleheart LeGaspe
Daniel Michael Lynem
Pastor Nati Alvarado
Theresa Smith (L.E.A.N)
TheBlackOC
Dr Mondo
Councilman Johnathan Hernandez
(and more)

Other activities include:

This event will mark the unveiling of the Brandon Lopez + George Floyd mural by Fernando the Artist
A grotto to be established on site,
Vegan, Taco, Mexican, Soul Food Vendors in the event precinct

It is amazing that an elected City Councilman, Johnathan Ryan Hernandez, is supporting and promoting an event that is not permitted by the City of Santa Ana. It should come as no surprise though given that Hernandez has also been dishonoring our flag at City Council meetings, sitting down and refusing to face the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance:

The SAPD will have the right to shut down the event. But will Mayor Vince Sarmiento actually enforce the law this Saturday?

Major Santa Ana street closures and traffic delays coming this Saturday, Oct. 23

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Running, Santa Ana, Sports, Traffic 2 Comments

Major street closures and traffic delays are expected in Santa Ana on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.

Residents and visitors attending the 5K Run and local football games are advised to take alternate routes and allow for extra travel time during the following events and street closures:

5K Run: Street closures in effect from 2 a.m. to 1 p.m. The race takes place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. See the 5K route map with all closures here. Major street closures include:

Main Street from south of 17^th Street to north of Santa Ana Boulevard
Broadway from south of 17^th Street to north of Santa Ana Boulevard, except for limited access at 15^th Street
Ross Street from south of 10^th Street to north of Santa Ana Boulevard
Flower Street from south of 10^th Street to north of Santa Ana Boulevard
Civic Center Drive from east of Coach Dick Hill Way to west of Bush Street
Other streets adjacent to the 5K route closures will be limited to local access

Santa Ana College football game: Begins at 1 p.m. at Santa Ana Stadium, North Flower Street and Civic Center Drive. Expect heavy traffic before and after the game.

Mater Dei High School football game: Begins at 8 p.m. at Santa Ana Stadium. Parking for attendees will be available at 5 p.m. Expect heavy traffic before and after the game.

Additionally, the City received notice of an unpermitted event on Saturday. In order to ensure public safety, Bristol Street will be closed in both directions between Civic Center Drive and 1^st Street from approximately 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Cierres de calles y retrasos de tráfico el sábado 23 de octubre

Lea en español
Đọc nó bằng tiếng Việt

Anti-masker Trumper convicted of trespassing at a Mother’s Market in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Disease, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Marianne Campbell Smith , a Trumper from San Juan Capistroano, who refused to leave the Mother’s Market in Costa Mesa after employees noticed she was not wearing a mask asked her to do so, was convicted on Wednesday of trespassing. She will now have to do 40 hours of community service.

Smith claims that she cannot wear a mask due to an unknown health condition. She is a 57-year old registered nurse who is married to Morton Irvine Smith, a sixth-generation heir of the Irvine development family.

To date she is the only O.C. resident to end up in court for refusing to wear a mask, which is a local ordinance in that city. Face coverings have been required in public in Costa Mesa since April of 2020.

Smith was found guilty, by a jury, of guilty of misdemeanor trespassing and obstructing a business or its customers.

Judge John Zitny also sentenced Smith to pay a $200 fine. Smith was also ordered to stay away from the market’s Costa Mesa location for a year.

It was the first mask-related criminal conviction in a county known for its vocal minority of anti-maskers who have staged oceanfront protests and picketed government meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith continued to insist she was innocent as she walked out of the courthouse.

A Costa Mesa bar owner was also charged with disregarding COVID restrictions but that was was dismissed in August of this year.

The O.C. prosecutor told the jury that Smith went into the Mother’s Market to get attention. Surveillance video showed Smith inside the market waving at her fellow anti-mask protesters gathered outside.

Smith apparently was attending a rally to protest mask mandates on Aug. 15, 2020, when she and two other women entered the Mother’s Market in Costa Mesa.

Smith’s defense attorney, Frederick Fascenelli, said Smith was trying to buy chips and a salad when she was followed by store employees and a security guard who told her to put on a mask or leave.

She told them that she had a medical condition that prevented her from wearing a mask, he said.

However the store employees tried to accommodate Smith by offering to shop for her but she declined the offer then refused to leave the store after several requests by the store employees.

Smith was also carrying a sign at the time, under her arm, that read “Healthy people do not wear masks” on one side and “Economic Health = Public Health” on the other, according to video played in court.

When Smith tried to checkout with her groceries the store employees refused to serve her so she took the groceries and left $5 near the cash register, according to the security video footage. She was accompanied by second woman, Jennifer Marie Sterling, 56, of Laguna Beach. She was wearing a skirt with “Trump” written across it at the time.

At about the same time the anti masker protesters outside of the store began to move toward the store’s entrance, which resulted in the store employees locking the door. Smith proceeded to harass an elderly store customer. She told him, “You don’t have to be scared. It’s all a lie.”

Smith told the police officers, when they arrived at the store that she was “doing this for her cause and for our freedom.”

The anti masker protestors outside held signs that read, “Keep your politics off our faces” and “My body my choice.” They yelled that the officers were “fascists” and chanted “let her go.”

Sterling was also charged in the incident and pleaded no contest to an infraction as part of a plea deal. She was ordered to make a $50 donation to a COVID response fund for nurses. She was offered a chance to do community service instead but declined the offer.

The prosecutors argued that the case was not about masks but trespassing,

$11M Federal grant will be used to enhance O.C. streets

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority earlier this month awarded nearly $11 million in federal funds for paving and upkeep of streets across Orange County, helping maintain the county’s high-quality pavement conditions for the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The funds totaling $10.9 million, from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), are intended to offset revenue losses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“These funds will help continue Orange County’s commitment for high-quality pavement conditions that make it possible for our residents, workers, and visitors to travel safely and efficiently,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

The funds will be distributed to Orange County cities and the county using a formula based on population, with each receiving a minimum of $200,000. Anaheim, with more than 350,000 residents, is set to receive more than $1 million, while a city such as Villa Park, with fewer than 6,000 residents, still gets $200,000. The population-based formula is consistent with how funds are being distributed statewide through the California Transportation Commission.

Although local cities and the county may have received state and federal stimulus funds for a variety of needs, the use of CRRSAA funds ensures that the money goes directly to transportation needs.

Based on pavement management plan reports submitted by local agencies, there is a backlog in current and projected Orange County pavement needs.

The use of the federal CRRSAA funds will help make up for decreases in transportation funding from both local and state sales tax, which declined during the pandemic and impacted agencies abilities to maintain roadways.

The funds will be used specifically for pavement preservation, preventative maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

About OCTA: The Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county’s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail, environmental programs and active transportation.

An Anaheim man overdosed at the Theo Lacy jail

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (October 20, 2021) – On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died of a suspected overdose.

The inmate was booked into jail on October 18, 2021, on a parole violation. In the early morning, he was found unresponsive in his cell.

Medical attention was provided by deputies and corrections medical staff.

The inmate was pronounced deceased by paramedics at the Theo Lacy Facility. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances.

The decedent was identified as Ryan Forney, 32, of Anaheim.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

Editor’s Note – Forney was mentioned in a 2013 article by the O.C. Register regarding a fire in Placentia. At the time he was an aspiring firefighter enrolled in the fire academy at Santa Ana College. He saved a dog trapped in the backyard of a home that was on fire.

The Santa Ana City Council approves a new Park at Raitt and Myrtle

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana residents will be getting a new park at the corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets and new restrooms at three existing park locations.

The Santa Ana City Council recently approved funding and construction contracts to begin the projects, which are being funded in part by the City’s recreational cannabis tax revenue and the Revive Santa Ana pandemic recovery initiative.

“The Santa Ana City Council believes creating new parks and improving our existing ones should be a top priority for our community’s health and well-being,” Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said. “Our densely populated and heavily developed city offers too little green space for our residents, but we will change that for this and future generations of Santaneros.”

Raitt and Myrtle Park

The new, 1.18-acre park will be built on two City-owned parcels at the northeast corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets. It will feature a skate park, play equipment, exercise area, drought-tolerant landscaping, drinking water fountains, lighting, a public restroom, and other amenities.

The project includes a stormwater runoff basin and infiltration system designed to manage stormwater from the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Stormwater infiltration benefits the environment by improving water quality, increasing local water supplies and reducing flooding.

On Sept. 21, the City Council awarded a $2.7 million contract to EM Construction to build the new park, with a total estimated cost of $3.4 million. Funding for the project comes from the City’s cannabis public benefit funds and State park and water management grants.

The park is expected to be completed in 2023.

Park Restrooms

New restrooms will be built at Campesino Park, 3311 W. 5th St.; Memorial Park, 2102 S. Flower St.; and Madison Park, 1528 S. Standard. The City identified these three park restrooms because they are targets for vandalism and require major efforts to maintain due to their age and condition. This improvement project includes demolishing the existing restroom buildings, installing new pre-fabricated restroom buildings, and site improvements to provide an accessible path of travel to these facilities.

On Oct. 19, the City Council awarded a $1.4 million construction contract to Santa Ana-based iBuild Spectrum, Inc. to complete the project, which has a total cost of $1.7 million. Funding for the work comes from Community Development Block Grants and the federal American Rescue Plan Act through Revive Santa Ana.

The restrooms are expected to be completed in summer 2022.

El Concejo Municipal aprueba un nuevo parque y baños

E l Concejo Municipal aprueba un nuevo parque y baños

Công viên và phòng vệ sinh mới

Hội đồng thành phố phê duyệt công viên mới, phòng vệ sinh

The Santa Ana City Council adopts rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances, effective Nov. 19

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Civic Affairs, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday night adopted two new ordinances to help protect renters: a Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits residential rent increases to no more than 3% per year, and a Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, which limits the allowed reasons for which a renter can be evicted. The new ordinances are not effective until November 19, 2021.

“The adoption of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinances will finally address the long-standing plea from so many of our rent-burdened working families in Santa Ana,” Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said. “These new ordinances will stabilize our neighborhoods and prevent the trauma of being displaced by excessive rent hikes and unjustified evictions. Landlords and property owners will continue to have the ability to responsibly manage and generate a reasonable return on their investment.”

Key requirements of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance include:

Increase in residential rents are limited to the lower of 3% per year, or 80% of the percent change in the Consumer Price Index over the most recent 12-month period. If the CPI is negative, no rent increase is permitted.
The City will publish the allowable rent increase effective for this year at www.santa-ana.org/renterprotections no later than November 19, 2021. Thereafter, the City will publish the allowable rent increase no later than June 30 of each year, which shall be effective as of September 1 of that year.
The rent cap does not apply to residential buildings constructed after February 1, 1995, or to mobile home spaces offered for rent after January 1, 1990.
Any owner of residential rental property or a mobile home park may petition for relief from the cap, but will need to provide evidence that a rate increase in excess of the annual allowance is necessary to provide a fair and reasonable return for their property. The City Manager, or designee, may consider a variety of relevant factors and will decide on the petition within 60 days of receiving a complete application. The petition will be available on the City’s webpage no later than November 19, 2021.
Property owners are required to provide written notice of the Ordinance and tenant’s rights at commencement of a lease or as part of any notice to increase rent. A template written notice will be available on the City’s webpage no later than November 19, 2021.

Key provisions of the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance include:

After 30 days, an owner shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in a written notice.
“Just cause” includes certain at-fault causes such as default in payment of rent, breach of a material term of the lease, committing a nuisance, criminal activity, and other actions.
“Just cause” also includes certain no-fault causes such as the intent of the owner to occupy the property, removal of the property from the rental market, and demolition or substantial remodel.
Before issuing a notice to terminate for just cause, the owner shall first give notice of the violation with a time period for the tenant to fix the violation(s).
Under a no-fault just cause termination, the owner shall either provide 3 months of relocation assistance or waive payment of rent for the final 3 months of the tenancy.
The Just Cause Ordinance shall not apply to certain types of residential property, including housing produced in the last 15 years; deed-restricted affordable housing; hotel and transient occupancy; hospital and care facilities; dormitories; and other shared living quarters.
Property owners must provide notice to existing tenants before December 19, 2021, or at commencement or renewal of their lease of the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance protections. A written notice will be published by the City at www.santa-ana.org/renterprotections no later than November 19, 2021.

The full text of the adopted Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinances will be available on the City’s website before November 19, 2021, at www.santa-ana.org/renterprotections in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The City has also prepared user-friendly information for both tenants and rental property owners, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

If tenants or rental property owners have any questions, please e-mail us at rso@santa-ana.org or call (714) 667-2209 to speak with one of our representatives.

If you would like to learn more, please join us on Wednesday, November 17 via Zoom for a virtual workshop. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available:

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86965511633?pwd=b2lxZUJTNlVMTGxxUEtKTlc5dWF5Zz09

Webinar ID: 869 6551 1633

Passcode: 566142

About Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world-famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat, the second-most populous city in Orange County, and is home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. About three-quarters of the City’s residents are Latino. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.

Concejo Municipal Aprueba Ordenanzas de Desalojo por Causa Justa y de Estabilización de Renta

Hội đồng Thành phố Thông qua Sắc Lệnh cho Ổn Định Tiền Thuê Nhà và Sắc lệnh Trục xuất Có Lý Do Chính Đáng