City Manager's Message

August is a busy month as summer winds down, and we prepare for the start of the school year. I hope you' have had an opportunity to attend our popular Summer Concert Series held on Sunday evenings in Central Park. They are a great way to end a summer weekend in Rancho Santa Margarita; we are hosting two more this month and I am pleased to report that our attendance is higher than ever! While you are here, I encourage you to take a moment to check out the renovations to the Civic Center and Bell Tower Regional Community Center. The majority of construction is complete and I think you'll agree that our beautification project meets the high standards that residents and visitors have come to expect in this beautiful City.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic

Wednesday, August 3^rd
Bell Tower Regional Community Center
22232 El Paseo

6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Cats only)
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Dogs & Cats)

 
INFO: (714) 993-9193
www.scvvc.org
 
Bring your cat or dog for their life-saving vaccinations provided by the Society for California Veterinary & Vaccine Care (SCVVC)'s low-cost clinic. OC Animal Care will provide pet licensing services, including AVID micro identification chips (price includes registration and continuous, 24/7 lifetime monitoring).
Cash or credit card ($3 processing fee) only; checks are not accepted.
 
Important Rabies Information
If you have a prior rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic.
 
Vaccines for dogs include:
Rabies - $7.00
DAP/DHPP - $19.00
Bordetella - $14.00
Lyme - $22.00
Microchip - $28.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet
 
Vaccines for cats include:
FVRCP "3-in-1" - $18.00
FELV - $21.00
Purevax - $20.00
Microchip - $28.00
$2.00 hazardous materials disposal fee per pet
 
Prices are subject to change. Clinic will cancel in the event of rain.
 

Crime Prevention

Whether you're walking the lake, hiking a local trail or hunting virtual creatures, you can reduce the risk to yourself and your family of becoming the victim of a crime while enjoying time outdoors this summer by taking a few simple precautions.

1. Scope Out Your Destination Before You Go

While all Poke Stops and Gyms are located in public places, it’s still a good idea to do some research on the area you’ll be visiting before you make your way. Some are bound to be safer than others, and by doing a simple Google search, you could avoid ending up in a potentially unsafe area. This is especially important if you are playing Pokémon Go when traveling and you are not familiar with the neighborhood.

 
2. Parents Should Accompany Children

Your child might not be too enthusiastic about being escorted, but it’s best if parents accompany their younger children the first time they visit a Poke Stop or Gym to make sure it’s a safe environment. For older kids, set up a pre-determined check-in time so you know they arrived safely and are enjoying themselves in a secure location.

 
3. Remain Aware of Your Surroundings

It’s easy to get distracted while playing Pokémon Go, so make sure you check in with your surroundings regularly and stay aware of where you are in the real world. While bumping into a tree or stepping in a puddle might be harmless, the game has been known to have glitches that accidentally place Pokémon in the middle of streets and other dangerous locations. Remember to also remain aware of those around you. Many of the people you encounter will also be playing Pokémon Go, which can be a fun way to meet new friends! However, there are still people out there who may have other intentions, so don’t get so distracted by catching Pokémon that you don’t notice telltale signs that someone nearby is looking for trouble.

 
4. Be Respectful of Private Property

If you see a Pokémon in someone’s yard or private area, DO NOT seek it out without permission, no matter how rare it might be! Trespassing on private property is against the law.

 
5. If You’re Going Out at Night, Be Extremely Careful

Avoid going to your favorite Poke Stop or Gym after dark–even if it is safe during the day, robbers or other criminals might be present at night. Players engrossed in the game have become victims of armed robberies, and the trend is unlikely to stop until players become more aware and stop putting themselves in compromising situations. If the temptation to seek Pokémon at night is too strong to resist, try to adventure with a group of players instead of going by yourself or, at the very least, let a friend or relative know where you are going and when you plan to return. Underage players should also be mindful of local curfew laws to avoid having your fun night cut short by a ride home in a patrol car.

  
6. Parents Should Download the App

Even if games are not your favorite past-time, it’s worthwhile to download the Pokémon Go App for a day to familiarize yourself with it. By studying the structure of the game and how it is played, you’ll be better prepared for the potential safety risks players might encounter. While Pokémon Go is obviously a huge hit across all age groups, it carries with it a very particular set of safety risks. If players are smart, stay aware of their surroundings, and avoid getting into risky situations, there’s no reason why this creative game can’t be just as safe as it is fun.

 
RSM Police Services non-emergency number: (949) 770-6011.

Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Training

Monday, August 29
Bell Tower Regional Community Center