It was a cool, relaxing Sunday morning when more than 80 neighbors gathered in Rossmoor for a Neighborhood Meet & Greet, “Chili Day In January,” a Neighbor 4 Neighbor Event, to hear about crime prevention and emergency preparedness on Jan. 26.
It was a cool, relaxing Sunday morning when more than 80 neighbors gathered in Rossmoor for a Neighborhood Meet & Greet, “Chili Day In January,” a Neighbor 4 Neighbor Event, to hear about crime prevention and emergency preparedness on Jan. 26.
Organized by a call from Block Captain Christine Teng to Winslow ‘Wink’ Chase of the nonprofit, Organized Communities Emergency Volunteer Association (OCEVA), the event was hosted by Jack and Laura Tanner at 3311 Druid Lane in Rossmoor. There were several organizations represented at the event including OCEVA, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Rossmoor Homeowner’s Association (RHA), West Orange County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Bob Peter’s Fire Protection, and PPE Disaster Supply Company of Los Alamitos.
“The Rossmoor Home Owner’s Association is trying to encourage residents to create a sense of community, encouraging safety, preventing crime and violence, and to prepare for emergencies and disasters,” said Teng. “I think it’s important for us to band together, and it’s important for neighbors to keep a watch out for other neighbors.”
“Essentially, the Neighbor 4 Neighbor event today is to get neighbors to know each other and work together,” said Chase of OCEVA, a disaster preparedness public charity located in Seal Beach. “This is the fourth event held in Rossmoor,” he continued. “Seal Beach and Stanton are taking this city-wide, and the cities of Los Alamitos and Cypress are also supporting these events, with one even being held in Irvine.”
While enjoying several varieties of homemade chili and cornbread, residents and attendees got to hear from Orange County Sheriff Deputy Cynthia Mata, who has been patrolling the Rossmoor neighborhood the last 4 months and has worked for the department for several years. She spoke on tips to prevent burglaries and how to be a good witness when observing suspicious behavior.
Mata advised the residents to lock all doors and windows, never leave a hidden key outside, never leave valuables in the car, lock car doors, and to leave lights on timers along with a radio or television when going on vacation. “The Sheriff’s Department can do vacation checks, driving by your residence as well,” she said. “Use surveillance cameras, motion detection lights and to make your home bright at night.”
“There have been vehicle thefts in the area over the last month although it’s been quiet the last week or so,” continued Mata. “Bottom line, lock up your stuff.”
She advised residents that if they see suspicious activity, to call it in, and to take note of what a suspect is wearing, giving a head-to-toe description. She also said to notice if they were on foot, riding a bike or in a car, to notice license plate numbers and that even a partial license plate number would be helpful. “Be a good witness and don’t engage a suspect,” said Mata. “Call it into dispatch, and call 9-1-1 if it’s life-threatening.”
The event drew to a close with Chase questioning the crowd about what to do in the event ‘the Big One,” (earthquake) occurs. He got an accurate response from a boy in the crowd who said to get under a table. “Drop, cover and hold on in the event of an earthquake,” said Chase. “If you are outside, stay there. If you are inside, stay there.” He continued, “The number one cause of injury during an earthquake is falling objects. Cut feet are the number one injury after an earthquake, so have shoes by your bedside.” Chase also spoke of a Reverse 9-1-1 service where residents can get a call, email or text in the event of a major disaster or emergency. His wife, Patti Laird also told the crowd to prepare for a major quake by packing enough food, water, medications and supplies for two or three weeks.
“The most important thing is to know your neighbors in the event of a disaster,” said Chase, who also teaches disaster first aid at Leisure World in Seal Beach.
