BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Fire prevention focuses on kitchens

The Laguna Beach Fire Department joins the National Fire Protection Assn. and fire departments across the nation to observe Fire Prevention Week 2006, Oct. 8-14, marking the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The focus this year is to spread the word that more fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home. Residents are encouraged to inspect their homes for fire dangers, and to create a fire-safe environment, ensuring that working smoke alarms are properly placed throughout homes and offices.

Throughout the month, the Laguna Beach Fire Department will be making efforts to increase awareness for fire safety in and around our community.

Fire drills and firefighting demonstrations/presentations will be held at local schools and a special “Fire Station Tour Day” will take place Saturday, Oct. 14.

The event will feature fire station tours for the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each of the city’s four fire stations: Forest Avenue, Agate and Glenneyre Streets, Alta Laguna and Tree Top Lane, and 2nd Avenue in South Laguna.

For more information on fire safety or emergency planning, contact (949) 497-0700.

Reception turns violent at hotel

A reception for a canceled wedding at a hotel turned violent early Sunday, Sept. 24, when a friend of the former bride allegedly attacked the ex-groom, Det. Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

The groom had reportedly canceled the wedding a week before the event, but the couple decided to hold the Hotel Laguna reception anyway, police said.

During the event, one guest — whose wife was a friend of the former bride — in the early morning allegedly challenged the former groom to a fight, and also allegedly pushed two hotel employees, Lenyi said.

Hotel employees called “911,” and, when police responded, the suspect — who had apparently been drinking — then challenged the police to fight, Lenyi said.

The suspect, who was 6-feet-4-inches tall and weighed 250 pounds, laughed when police used a taser device on him, and said: “Go ahead and tase me again,” Lenyi said.

Police tased the suspect again with no apparent effect, and repeated the tasing a third and fourth time before subduing the suspect, Lenyi said.

The suspect was taken to South Coast Medical Center for treatment after being tased, and arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and refusing an order by police.