SBPD to host prescription drug drop-off this month

The Seal Beach Police Department will host the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is the only date and time scheduled.

The drop off location will be at the front of the Seal Beach Police Department with a “drive thru” style collection station allowing the community to drop off their old, expired and unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs without ever leaving their car. No syringes will be accepted.

SBPD headquarters is located at 911 Seal Beach Blvd., at the corner of Seal Beach Boulevard and Adolfo Lopez.

This is a no questions asked, anonymous drop off location. Participants are asked to remove the patient information from the container.

This program does not include illegal controlled substances. The SBPD is hosting the drop off in partnership with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.  Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

If there are any questions, contact Sergeant Steve Bowles at (562) 799-4100, extension 1160.

To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to www.sunnews.org.

SBPD warns residents about DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITors

The Seal Beach Police Department remind the community to be cautious of door-to-door solicitations in a Monday night, March 26 press release.

Although not all door-to-door solicitations may be scams, the Seal Beach Police reminded the community of the following tips when dealing with solicitors:

• All door-to-door solicitors require a city of Seal Beach business license.

• Always research the company with the Better Business Bureau before writing a check or providing your credit card to any solicitor. This can be done for free at www.bbb.org.

• Door-to-door solicitors have been linked to residential burglaries and thefts. If a solicitor knocks on the door and there appears to be nobody home, this may provide an opportunity for a solicitor to steal from your home or vehicle. These solicitors may pose as tree trimmers, magazine salespersons, gardeners, carpet cleaning Services, florists, or other similar services.

It should be clear that the Seal Beach Police Department is not categorizing any one group or type of service as engaging in criminal conduct. Unfortunately, criminals have assumed these professions as opportunities to walk neighborhoods relatively unnoticed. The Better Business Bureau has issued several warnings against door-to-door magazine sales crews that have been scamming consumers across the country.

“Because sales representatives are typically high school or college-age, victims readily believe the potentially fictitious sales pitch and often pay several hundred dollars for the subscriptions by personal check given directly to the sales reps,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson.

These scams include selling magazine subscriptions to benefit troops in Iraq, to sponsor their athletic team at their school or to pay for some other expense.

Many victims have faced hostile salespeople when refusing to purchase. Police are asking that anyone who is solicited by a door-to-door solicitor or sees a door–to-door solicitor in their neighborhood to immediately call the SBPD at (562) 594-7232.  The SBPD is also encouraging residents and business owners to participate in the recently launched pilot program, Neighbor 4 Neighbor. Based on the “Neighborhood Watch” model, N4N neighbors  share information and prepare for disasters as well as monitor the quality of life issues that affect our community.

To become involved in Neighbor 4 Neighbor or to start a Neighbor 4 Neighbor program on your block and in your neighborhood, call Sgt. Steve Bowles at Sbowles@sealbeachca.gov or call (562) 799-4100, ext. 1160.

Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly

IN SEAL BEACH

Monday, March 12

Suspicious—10:09 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said someone was following the caller. Police unit 207 contacted the caller.

Tuesday, March 13

Suspicious Vehicle—7:15 a.m.—Candleberry and Ironwood—The caller thought a SUV was suspicious because she didn’t recognize it and it was parked in a strange spot. Police unit 106 determined no further police services were necessary.

Disturbance, Vehicle—2:24 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said an unoccupied Lexus had been running for the last 40 minutes. Then the driver returned to the vehicle and left. The call was cancelled prior to the arrival of a police unit.

Wednesday, March 14

Vandalism—8:57 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller reported the vandalism and attempted burglary of the recycling center. No loss that the caller could see. Report taken.

Suspicious Person—5:21 p.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller was in the park with her dogs and kids when an individual on a bike almost hit them. The bike rider rode past them and hit a pole. The caller said the bike rider damaged his bike when he hit the pole, but he kept on riding.

Thursday, March 15

Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—3 a.m.—Fir Avenue—The caller saw a few individuals moving around inside the vehicle, possibly holding a lighter. The caller was concerned by recent thefts in the area. Police unit 206 determined that the driver parked at that location to avoid disturbing his family or neighbors. Field interview.

Citizen Assist—4:45 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue—A woman locked her keys in her car and needed help to pick up a new set. Police unit 241 provided transportation. Assisted.

Illegal Peddler—12:22 p.m.—Marvista Avenue—The caller said that an individual who called himself a tree trimmer was randomly picking houses to approach. Police unit 107 interviewed the man in the field and warned him against violating the municipal code.

Counterfeit Bill—3:20 p.m.—Main Street—The caller said a fake $5 bill came in sometime on Wednesday, March 13. The caller did not know when the bill was received. The caller marked and kept the bill for training. No report desired. Counseled.

Friday, March 16

iPhone—1:34 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller was at a gas station at about 11:30 p.m., Thursday, March 15, when he drove off with his iPhone on the roof of his car. He went back five minutes later and the phone was gone. Report taken.

Counseling—7:36 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller’s residence was egged overnight.

The caller said the vandals also got the neighbors’ homes on either side. Report taken.

Vandalism—8:53 a.m.—Aqua Place—The caller said someone, possibly juveniles, kept breaking the decorative inserts on the caller’s block wall between her home and Bolsa Avenue.

The caller only wanted the information documented at this time.

Saturday, March 17

Suspicious Person—6:30 a.m.—Bluebell Street—The caller said two men banged on the caller’s door and then took off.

Police unit 106 was unable to locate the suspects. However, the officer did find that the suspects left a business card for an auto repair service.

Person Down—3:52 p.m.—Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said that an individual who appeared very drunk was now laying in the street. Witnesses saw him tumble and fall. Bystanders dragged him off the road. Assisted.

Palm Tree—5:39 p.m.—15th Street—The caller said that palm fronds from a city-owned tree fell and broke the rear window to the caller’s Buick sometime that afternoon. Report taken.

Sunday, March 18

Attempted Petty Theft—2:10 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said two suspects tried to steal $300 worth of property (diapers, Tide and Red Bull). The merchandise was recovered and undamaged. Report taken.

Vehicle Burglary—5:23 p.m.—7th Street and Ocean Avenue—Someone smashed the window of the caller’s car overnight. Report taken.

Grand Theft Report—6:25 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The catalytic converter was taken from the caller’s vehicle. Report taken.

Traffic Hazard—9:39 p.m.—Bolsa Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard—A small tree was reported down in the center median. Message left for Public Works.

IN Leisure World

Tuesday, March 13

Disturbance—1:11 p.m.—Knollwood Road, Mutual Unknown—The caller said cleaning people refused to leave until the caller paid them. Police unit 106 counseled the cleaners about the payment issue. Peace kept.

IN ROSSMOOR

Monday, March 29

Patrol Check—7:19 a.m.—St. Albans Drive—The caller requested a patrol check for a large tree that had fallen over and was now leaning against the wires and pushing the pole over.

The caller said the pole looked like it was going to fall.

Patrol Check—2:09 p.m.—Kensington Road—The caller said the driver of a white Dodge was in a verbal dispute with a teacher that morning over a parking issue.

The caller was concerned it would happen again that afternoon and requested a patrol check of the school area when the school got out at 2:30 p.m.

Citizen Assist—2:19 p.m.—Wembley Road—The caller said that a man who lives at the location kept putting trash cans in front of his house so no one will park there.

Suspicious Person in Vehicle—4:43 p.m.—Kensington Road—The caller said an individual had been living out of a motorhome for the past week.

The vehicle was parked across form the school.

Tuesday, March 20

Suspicious Person in Vehicle—8:27 a.m.—Foster Road—The caller said a car with Virginia plates was occupied by a man and located outside of a neighbor’s house.

The home was unoccupied because it was being remodeled. The caller said the car was not from the area.

Suspicious Vehicle—11:39 a.m.—Mainway Drive.

Burglary in Progress—9:13 p.m.—Chaucer Road—The caller, a pet sitter, was about to leave when she saw the doors were open.

Then she saw a light come on upstairs that was not on when she arrived.

The deputy who responded was contacted by a neighbor who said his garage door was open and shouldn’t have been.

The neighbor requested a walk through of his garage. The deputy determined there was nothing suspicious. No screens were missing.

Wednesday, March 21

Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:42 a.m.—Foster Road—The caller saw two men in a vehicle that had been driving around the neighborhood in van for the past 40 minutes.

When she started to follow the van, the driver pulled over and started doing yard work. The other suspect sat in the van. The caller thought this was suspicious.

Burglary Report—2:23 p.m.—Kenilworth Drive—The caller requested a walk through of the property. The deputy was unable to locate the caller. The garage was locked. It appeared no one had entered the residence.

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—3:25 p.m.—Blume Drive—A young man reportedly got into a fight with a young woman. He yelled and threw his skateboard. The caller thought the young man had anger issues.

Thursday, March 22

Illegal Parked Vehicle—8:11 a.m.—Harrisburg Road and Pemberton Road—A deputy performed a patrol check for construction vehicles parked in front of a fire hydrant.

No vehicles blocked the hydrant when the deputy got there. The deputy told a construction worker that he and his coworkers should not block hydrants in the future.

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—9:31 p.m.—Bostonian Drive and Montecito Road—The caller requested a patrol check for two men on bikes racing up the street.

Friday, March 23

Suspicious Person or Circumstances—9 a.m.—Bostonian Drive and Martha Ann Drive—The caller said a man carrying a tool that looked like a crowbar walked out from a neighbor’s house. It turned out the man was from the gas company.

Saturday, March 24

Disturbance, Music or Party—12:23 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard.