News Briefs

CLPOA holds Community Patrol contract workshop

With the current $2 million Community Patrol contract expiring the end of November, the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association held an open workshop via Zoom Tuesday to hear proposals for the new contract and to obtain community input.

Community Patrol provides enforcement of the association’s rules and regulations, controls access to the community through services at the entry gates and observes and reports to law enforcement more significant violations of local law.

Cory Gorham, Community Patrol’s Senior Member Services Manager, made a presentation at the workshop and in addition to an overview of Community Patrol’s responsibilities, presented proposed changes for the new contract. He is proposing Gate Attendants, whose average turnover is seven new hires a month, be given a raise of $1.00 per hour. Cory also proposed additional training, upgrading patrol vehicles to five vehicles, updating uniforms and other minor alterations.

Community members weighed in on concerns and suggestions, including asking for additional law enforcement help, more security presence in Fairway Estates and issuing more speeding citations to both slow traffic and provide revenue.

The existing three-year contract with Allied Universal expires on Nov. 30.

Banners honoring military offered by city for a fee

The City of Canyon Lake Banner Program is seeking to recognize the community’s veterans in time for Veterans Day. To pay tribute to an active duty service member or veteran, residents and friends can purchase a street banner that will include the individual’s name, his or her service branch and logo and the name of the sponsor.

Each banner, which costs $200 (or $150 if a replacement), will be displayed within Canyon Lake for up to two years. Applicants may request a general location for its display (although this is not guaranteed), City Clerk Ana Sauseda said.

To apply for a banner, the honoree must have verified military status and must either live in Canyon Lake or be an immediate family member of someone who does. The application form can be found on the city’s website and should be emailed to the Ana at asauseda@cityofcanyonlake.com. Alternatively, she can be reached by phone at (951) 244-8547.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but should be submitted by Sept. 30 to ensure installation before Veterans Day.

Library still offering virtual activities to local patrons

The Canyon Lake Library continues to offer limited services during express hours. Canyon Lake residents can call 951-244-9181 to schedule an appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in order to pick up their held items.

The library also offers free mobile printing. Patrons can send documents to the library’s printer via their smartphones or other devices and pick the printing up during Express Hours.

Although libraries are unable to provide typical in-person programs and services due to the pandemic, the Riverside County Library System continues to offer virtual activities for patrons.

The latest activity being offered is a series of free learning workshops for kids. The library system has partnered with Microsoft to offer four different online sessions throughout the month of September.

The first session features the Smithsonian National Zoo and will take place on Sept. 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Information about this event and the other three workshops can be found by visiting the Riverside County Library System Facebook page.

Telephone, online scams prevalent during pandemic

As more Canyon Lakers are doing work and school from home due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, online and telephone scams are on the rise. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and informed about typical scams and learn how to be protected from fraud or identity theft.

Telephone Based Scams. With Caller ID Spoofing, the scammer alters the Caller ID information that displays to the call recipient in an attempt to conceal who they are or falsely represent a company. Some scam artists may pretend to be calling from the IRS, a bank or credit card company, or a cable or phone provider with complex schemes to make it seem more legitimate.

Legitimate companies will never make an unsolicited call and ask for personal information such as social security numbers, usernames and passwords or financial information such as banking or credit card information. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a caller, you should ask the caller to provide you with your account number so you can verify the caller. If the caller gives this to you, then hang up and call back the company using the number that is located on your bill or our official website.

An example based on recent reports are callers appearing to troubleshoot your cable services and ask you to perform a box reboot. While distracting you with technical troubleshooting and waiting for equipment to restart, they will attempt to solicit personal and financial information in exchange for providing you with a special discount.

Phishing attempts: Phishing generally refers to email messages that appear to come from trusted companies, but then attempt to direct you to a fake website, where you are asked to provide sensitive and personal information such as passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers and more.

Phishing attacks are not limited to email, however; they can also occur through instant messaging, in web browser pop‑ups and through spyware programs that may have been secretly installed onto your computer.

Pharming: A set of technical tricks that changes the destination of the URL that you see in your browser and directs you to an “undercover” site. Stay clear of sites “without identity” or with a hidden identity.

Spyware, Trojans & Keyloggers: Sites that secretly install malicious software onto your computer to track your use of Internet usage and send the information to those who intend to misuse it.

If you are suspicious of the website or electronic communication, contact the company directly by going to their official website or contact their customer service team.