Fire Files

Newport Beach firefighters battling on Northern California’s frontlines

Numbers around the state of California indicate that there are currently some 625 fires burning. As a result, the Newport Beach Fire Department is actively engaged with 17 fire personnel deployed to Northern California.

The NBFD has three people assigned to assist the incidents in overhead assignments. Captains Charlie Dall and JC Nessa are working as a Safety Officer and Field Observer, respectively, and Civilian Life Safety Specialist Raymi Wun from our Fire Prevention Division has been requested to perform damage inspection as part of the incident management.

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Photos courtesy of NBFD

Fires rage in many parts of Northern California

Three fire engines have been deployed with four personnel on each engine for a total of 12 fighting fire on the frontlines.

Two NBFD Battalion Chiefs, Brian McDonough and Nick Stocks, are operating as Strike Team Leaders. 

“Our crews are spread out across Northern California in places such as Napa County, Monterey County and the Vacaville area,” said NBFD Chief Jeff Boyles. “A tremendous amount of lightning strikes continue to start new fires throughout the vast array of hot and dry vegetation.”

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Engine from Newport Beach joins other companies from around the state

Orange County and fire agencies throughout Southern California have sent as many resources as possible to Northern California, while maintaining adequate service levels here.

Police Files

Bicycle and pedestrian safety operations planned for September

The Newport Beach Police Department will be conducting bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operations throughout the month of September aimed at keeping people who need to go out to exercise or run essential errands safe.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the Newport Beach Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.

These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other traffic violation. Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

“Just because there’s less traffic doesn’t mean traffic rules go out the window,” Lt. Damon Psaros said. “To protect you and your family, we want to make sure those that are out are following rules intended to keep them safe.”

The safety of bicyclists and pedestrians remains a top priority for the Newport Beach Police Department. So far this year, the Newport Beach Police Department has investigated three deadly and 62 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

To keep you and your family safe, the Newport Beach Police Department offers the following tips when out biking, driving or walking:

For Pedestrians:

–Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal.

–Look for cars backing up. Avoid going between parked cars.

–Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume they see you.

–Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night. 

For Drivers: 

–Wait for pedestrians to cross the street. Be courteous and patient.

–Stay off the phone.

–Follow the speed limit.

–Look for pedestrians when backing up or turning.

For Bicyclists: 

–Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.

–Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

Everyone who is out is reminded to practice physical distancing measures, when feasible, staying at least six feet away from others.

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

What’s on the Docket

Veronica Martin, Ronald Lee Martin, Jeffrey Scott Catanzarite & Max Humberto Matos – Friday, August 28 at 8:30 a.m. (Central Court)

Pretrial

Ronald Lee Martin, 68, Corona del Mar, and his wife Veronica Martin, 63, Corona del Mar, Jeffrey Scott Catanzarite, 59, Irvine and Max Humberto Matos, 78, Long Beach, are accused of involvement in a scheme that unlawfully obtained patients for a medical center by paying “cappers” and failing to disclose this to insurers. As a result, they are accused of attempting to defraud multiple insurers of more than $2.9 million

Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.