Page 3 - The Friday Flyer ● February 16, 2018

FEBRUARY 16, 2018 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3

Melissa Melendez named Woman of the Year

Assemblywoman Melissa Melen- women leaders. Before running parency.
dez has been named the 2018 Elect- “I am ex- for elected office, Her most recent accomplishment
ed Woman of the Year by California tremely hum- Melendez was was leading the charge to grant whis-
Women Lead for her outstanding bled and hon- one of the first tleblower protection to legislative
work in public service. Assembly- ored to be women approved staff in California’s State Capitol.
woman Melendez represents the 67th recognized as by the U.S. Navy Earlier this month, Governor Brown
Assembly District, which includes the Elected to fly aboard EP-3 signed into law Melissa’s Legislative
the community of Canyon Lake. Woman of the reconnaissance Employees Whistleblower Protec-
“Melissa Melendez’s dedication Year,” said Me- aircraft overseas, tion Act ensuring no victim of sexual
to public service is something to be lissa. “Thank conducting re- harassment in the Legislature can be
admired,” said Rachel Michelin, Ex- you to Cali- connaissance and fired for speaking out.
ecutive Director/CEO of California fornia Women
Women Lead. “From being a trail- Lead for al- ering operations. Melissa has five children with her
blazer in the United States Navy to ways standing She served as a husband Nico, who is also a veteran
Russian translator of the U.S. Navy. Nico continues to
passing groundbreaking legislation up and advocat- PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE intelligence gath-
for victims of sexual harassment, Me- ing for women for ten years dur- serve as a commander in the U.S.
lissa Melendez was an obvious choice in politics.” ing the height of Navy Reserve.
for this award.” Melissa was the Cold War and The 67th Assembly District that
California Women Lead is a bi- first elected to Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez flew covert mis- Melissa represents include the com-
partisan organization that seeks to the California sions during Opera- munities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon
identify and recruit women across State Assembly in 2012. Before her time tion Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar
California to government, either by in the State Assembly, she served on the Melissa has distinguished herself for and a portion of Hemet. It also in-
appointment or as candidates. Cali- Lake Elsinore City Council where she being a tireless advocate for veterans, cludes the Riverside County unin-
fornia Women Lead is California’s also served as Mayor and Mayor Pro public safety, improving California’s corporated areas of Lake Mathews,
largest nonpartisan association of Tem. business climate, and government trans- Good Hope, Nuevo and Winchester.

Riverside County ranks 5th in national auto thefts

According to Sergeant Brown of the of special enforcement programs and to at night. RAID was formed in 1993 to reduce
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, educate the citizens of Riverside County • Never hide a spare ignition key in the incidence of auto theft in Riverside
in 2016 Riverside County was ranked in vehicle theft prevention. your vehicle, including under floor County. It currently operates out of the
5th in the entire country in vehicle theft. In 2017, RAID arrested 153 suspects, mats, sun visor, etc. Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
The 2017 numbers are not out yet. recovered 544 stolen vehicles, eliminat- • Never leave the vehicle running at under the direction of a C.H.P. Lieuten-
Sergeant Brown is assigned to Riv- ed 26 Chop Shop operations, inspected any time when you’re not in it. This
erside Auto Theft Interdiction De- 21 businesses, inspected 2752 vehicles includes your driveway, while pick- ant and Riverside Sheriff Sergeant.
tail (RAID), a multi-jurisdictional ve- and recovered vehicles with a value of ing up friends, or while at a grocery The task force is comprised of law
hicle theft task force. At the Regular $5,885,100. store or shopping mall. enforcement personnel from the Califor-
Session board meeting on Feb. 6, he Sergeant Brown suggested the fol- • Never put identifying information nia Highway Patrol, Riverside Sheriff’s
gave a presentation to let the community lowing for vehicle theft prevention: on your keychain. Department, Riverside Police Depart-
know that the task force exists and what Layer 1: Always use common sense. • If you own a frequently stolen ve- ment, Murrieta Police Department, In-
its mission is. Lock doors, remove keys, close win- hicle, like an older Honda, get a dio Police Department, NCIB and the
Sergeant Brown stated that work dows and park in well-lit areas. secondary locking device for your Department of Insurance. The Riverside
trucks and F250s are high on the theft Layer 2: Use a visible or audible vehicle and use it. County District Attorney’s Office has
list with many stolen for the tools inside, device, such as a steering wheel lock, • Use a valet key when valet park- also assigned a Deputy D.A. to pros-
and that the top three targets statewide brake locks or audible alarm. ing. Some vehicles have special va-
are: Layer 3: Install a vehicle immobiliz- let keys which can only be used to ecute all auto theft cases.
Autos: 1998 Honda Civic, 1996 Hon- er, such as smart keys, fuse cut-offs or park your vehicle. Several high-per- In September 2009, RAID was be-
da Accord and 1997 Honda Accord. kill switches. formance vehicles also use special stowed the Distinguished Service Award
Motorcycles: 2007 Suzuki, 2015 Ya- Layer 4: Invest in a tracking system, keys to limit vehicle speed and en- by the Western States Auto Theft Inves-
maha and 2001 Yamaha. such as a GPS or LoJack. gine revolutions per minute (RPM). tigators Association for their exceptional
Trucks and SUV: 1999 Honda CRV, Auto Club and RAID law enforce- • Never leave your parking ticket stub work ethic and attention to detail in the
2000 Honda CRV and 1998 Honda CRV ment agencies provide the following tips in your vehicle. Take it with you so detection, apprehension and prevention
Commercial Trucks: 2009 Freight- to prevent vehicle burglary and car theft: an auto thief cannot use it as a “tick- of vehicle theft. At the Western States
liner, 2008 Freightliner and 2010 Inter- • Whenever possible, park your ve- et” to exit out of the parking lot or Auto Theft Investigators Conference in
national. hicle in a secure garage and lock it. structure.
Vehicle theft remains an epidemic • Always lock your vehicle with the • If you must leave your keys with a October 2017, RAID was presented the
across the United States and is one of windows closed. Never leave valu- valet, always remove all other un- NICB Gary Gray Award for excellence
the most costly property crimes in the ables inside the car, especially not in necessary keys. While you’re en- in vehicle theft investigations.
nation. According to the Riverside Sher- clear view. joying the show or dining out, a RAID is funded under Assembly Bill
iff’s Department, auto theft has dropped • Bring electronics and personal items dishonest valet can copy your keys 183 that provides a registration fee of $1
approximately 25 percent in Riverside into your home or office whenever and later burglarize your home or for every vehicle registered in Riverside
County since the formation of RAID. possible. business. County. This is a user fee and does not
The task force has proven to be a • Use anti-theft or automatic track- • Beware of thieves stealing vehicles impact local budget or burden revenue
valuable resource to Riverside County ing devices. If your vehicle wasn’t during test drives. If you’re adver- budgets. Revenues allocated to a county
law enforcement agencies in their col- equipped with an alarm or hidden tising a vehicle for sale online or on
lective efforts to prevent vehicle theft tracking device when purchased, Craigslist, get driver’s license infor- under California Vehicle Code 9250.14
activity, increase the apprehension and have one installed. mation of the prospective buyer and are to be used to fund programs that en-
identification of individuals involved in • Never leave your keys in your ve- enough other information to ensure hance the capacity of law enforcement
auto theft, increase the recovery of sto- hicle, even at a gas station. the potential buyer will have a strong and prosecutors to deter, investigate and
len vehicles through the development • Park your vehicle in a well-lit area incentive to bring the car back. to prosecute vehicle theft crimes.

THE FRIDAY FLYER

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