SPRING VALLEY LAKE HAS A 50% LOWER CRIME RATE THAN THE SURROUNDING VICTOR VALLEY AREA OR WHY WE NEED OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT

Occasionally I have been asked by a member "Why do we need a Public Safety Department, isn't it a waste of money"? In trying to answer that question, the following facts, which you may not know about our Public Safety Department (PSD), should be considered. This short article can only scratch the surface as to what our Public Safety does for us, but with any luck, it may pique your interest and drive you to find out more. 

The fact that statistically SVL has a 50% lower crime rate than the surrounding Victor Valley area isn't just a fluke or a result of good luck. It makes sense that criminals are less likely to commit crimes where there is a 24 public safety presence.  

Our Public Safety Department (PSD) totals 11 full-time and 2 part-time officers, 2 full-time and 1 part-time dispatchers and 1 office administrator. There are almost always 3 vehicles on patrol, including the nighttime hours. On rare occasions there may only be 2 vehicles on patrol, but that is the exception and only occurs if an officer calls in ill or cannot make it for some other reason, leaving a particular shift short handed.     

The PSD gets an average of 3000 calls per month- that is not a typo. Officers check out everything from residential open doors to suspicious persons and vehicles often observed near residences late at night. They perform identification checks at Association beaches, parks, and buildings to insure that our facilities are only used by members and their guests. Our officers are also the first responder to medical emergencies. Every officer is trained in CPR and in the use of heart defibrillators. It bears repeating that our PSD officers are the first responders, within 3 minutes, to each and every 911 call in the Association. If you don't think that is important, you haven't had a fall, experienced shortness of breath, had a heart attack or a seizure. If your home will be unattended for a few days, you can call Public Safety and officers will keep an eye out for suspicious activity or open doors/windows. One of the most touching moments for me, as a Board member, was when a family member appeared at a Board meeting to personally thank the Association for one of its PSD officers saving her father's life.  

Want to know more about our Public Safety Department and talk to our officers? There will be a "Meet Your Public Safety Employees" open house at the Community Building on March 20^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our Public Safety staff from all shifts will be present to answer any and all questions you may have. Also, the equipment used by the officers will be available to look at and learn about. There will also be free tacos and drinks (nonalcoholic). So show up and grab a free lunch. Come, enjoy, and learn.

Kirt Mahlum

How Can Security Cameras Help the Community of Spring Valley Lake?

The Spring Valley Lake Association is exploring the use of a wireless closed circuit video system to enhance the security and safety of our community.

Just in reading the Daily Press over the last year, it would appear that serious crime continues to increase in the Victor Valley. Over the past several years, our community has enjoyed a much lower level of reported serious crime than the adjacent cities and town. However, recently our community has experienced some very serious home invasion robberies, assaults and burglaries at a rate we have never seen before. 

The question is: What can our community do about it?  

The SVL Association Board of Directors, Public Safety Committee and the Association General Manager have worked hard to bring an extra law enforcement presence into Spring Valley Lake.  The SVL COPs have been working to build the Neighborhood Watch Program and the SVL Public Safety Department continues to help protect Association assets and the community.

The idea behind the video system is to add an additional deterrence to crime. High resolution cameras that can record vehicle, suspect descriptions and license plate numbers can be placed at the access points around the community and at various points on association property. The recorded data will be stored and supplied to law enforcement if it is a criminal act. Signs will be posted to put the criminals on notice. If you commit a crime in SVL, you will be caught.  

This will help solve crime if it happens and send a strong message to the criminal element that the community of Spring Valley Lake does everything possible to help protect the residents and Association property.   

As the State of California continues the early release of convicted felons, and law enforcement funds dwindle, we need to take the additional measures to help protect Spring Valley Lake and the good people who live here.

- Jeff Morgan

With the Election season at hand some questions and concerns have been raised regarding sign placement, and with the intent to make sure that this election is properly managed, I am sending this to clarify the regulations about signs.

Utility Easements - I emailed Sothern California Edison (SCE) to ask about their rules related to sign placements in their easements.  Here is their reply - Thank you for the question.  SCE does not allow encumbrances of any kind on our easements or in our right of ways.  A utility easement is strictly for utility use. Signage of any kind is also prohibited on SCE facilities. (Poles, wires, structures, vaults, meters. etc.)  These questions frequently arise during election campaigns.

So no signs of any kind may be placed within any SCE easement.

8.2 - No sign except those posted by governing agencies, shall be attached to any tree, fence post, utility pole, street sign or placed in the Spring Valley Parkway median.

So no signs on street signs, trees, fence posts or in the Parkway.

8.3 - Signs may only be placed or erected upon property with the permission of the owner or tenant.

8.12.2 - Signs shall have a maximum size of three square feet, with a maximum height of five feet from the top to the ground level.

I hope that this helps clarify any confusion related to signage, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the A.O.

Respectfully yours,

2010 Board Election Calendar

March 5 - 12 noon

Deadline for withdrawal from Candidacy

March 12 - "Date of Record" for Election

March 23 - Mail out Election Materials

April 3 - 10:00am

Meet Your Candidates Forum

April 22 - Ballots returned to TIE Post Office by 5:00pm

April 24 - 10:00am

The Communications Committee will be seeking input in the form of articles, photos, and content in general. Association Members will also be given an open opportunity to make their voice heard in the form of monthly "Letters to the Editor" column. We look forward to this new form of communication and sincerely hope that it will serve as a tool to reflect the positive changes that are taking place in our community.

We are asking anyone interested in writing to please submit your articles, special interest stories, upcoming events/activities, and any suggestions for future enhancements to mpunsal@svla.com. All submissions will be reviewed by the Communications Committee and may be held for publication in later issues. You may also contact Maria Punsal at 760-245-9756. Deadline for submissions will be March 22 for the April Issue.