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Minutes of the General Meeting—5/13/08
At 6:45 p.m., Annette Morris, RRRA President, called the meeting to order by first greeting the residents present and introduced the first speaker, Mr. Mike Feyder of COPSS.
Community Outreach Promoting Safety and Security (COPSS) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in December of 2006. The Mission of COPSS is to promote preparedness through proactive community outreach, particularly in the Harbor Area Communities. Mr. Feyder is one of five founding board of directors. He revealed that out of 98 councils, 7 are in the harbor area, such as San Pedro, Harbor City, Wilmington and P.V. Peninsula. Since the Port of L.A. or Long Beach receives 40 % of all shipments into the United States, there were serious concerns for implementing a disaster plan for preparedness and evacuation. Disasters include: natural; chemical, terrorist; accidents, etc.
Mr. Feyder revealed that, according to Cal Tech scientists, within 30 years, they predict 99% a catastrophic earthquake from the San Andreas Fault. The # 1 priority is the safety factor to people in the area. First responders, fire, P.D. port police, etc. are only as good as the support from the people themselves. In emergencies, people must be prepared to survive on their own for the first 96 hours before they can expect any help. Here are other suggestions from Mr. Feyder. Be prepared with:
* Emergency supplies in Home; Car (including walking shoes)
* Have 30 days supply of medication
* Identify outside relatives for contact information
* Ham Operators are encouraged; identify who they are
* Find people resources (doctors, nurses, public service)
* Have available $1’s, 5’s; convert coins into bills
* Check out website: www.copss-ca.org
* COPSS provides services for obtaining supplies
Mr. Feyder ended his presentation by asking all present to spread the word to friends and neighbors. He also encouraged all to enroll in the Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) classes given by the City of Lomita, 6/7, 6/14, & 6/21 at Lomita City Hall. (310) 325-7110.
Annette then called upon Deputy Sheriff Richard Johnson, our assigned Neighborhood Watch officer. He shared the crime stats for our area and compared to other neighborhoods in Lomita, RR is in a relatively safe area. The frequently reported crimes have been 1). Theft from vehicles and 2). residential burglaries. He advised keeping objects in cars such as wallets, purses, GPS, or anything a thief might take, out of sight 3). Lock doors, garage doors. 3). Call sheriff and report anything or anyone suspicious. (310) 539-1661 or 911.
Neighbors expressed concerns about children from Harbor Hills getting into their yards. Deputy Johnson assured them that he would follow-up on their complaints and speak to the Harbor Hills administrators. The children apprehended were mid-school or high school age.
The meeting concluded with Skeeter Morris reporting that there will be a City Council meeting to address the issue regarding the landscape strip on PV Drive North on May 27th. He encouraged all to attend this meeting to support RRR by voting “NO”. If 50% of the residents reject the city’s plan of increasing the amount of assessment, the city will have to decide if they continue to subsidize the maintenance costs to maintain the land area in question or let nature take over.
Delicious refreshments were served as residents and neighbors socialized, getting to know each other. Thanks to the hospitality of Annette and Skeeter Morris, and to our special guests, everyone present left informed and motivated to be prepared for any emergency.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane H. Kuniyoshi for
Chet Stewart, Secretary
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