BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday

Laguna Beach Firefighters are reminding residents to turn their clocks forward by one hour this Sunday, and to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time.

“With the vast majority of residential structure fires occurring between the late evening hours and 6 a.m., early detection is absolutely the key to survival,” said Laguna Beach Fire Engineer Jeff Priest. “Smoke alarms and a well-practiced fire escape plan are critical elements in saving lives.”

The proper maintenance of a smoke alarm is just as important as having one. Smoke alarms should be cleaned at least once a year and tested monthly.

This year, Daylight Saving Time begins earlier in the year, and clocks will be set forward Sunday at 2 a.m.

Firefighters say it is a good time to change smoke alarm batteries, and then to do so again when Daylight Saving Time ends in the fall.

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

Partygoers accused of room damage

A party March 4 at the Aliso Creek Inn was so rowdy that police were called twice to the location and a 16-year-old girl was removed from the party for her own protection due to the presence of alcoholic beverages, Det. Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

The next day, damage was reported to two rooms, including one that was allegedly flooded with water from the toilet, and in another instance of vandalism, a pillow was placed into a microwave, causing black smoke throughout the room.

Visit to police station turns into drug arrest

A Newport Beach woman has pleaded guilty to being under the influence of drugs and possession of methamphetamine after being arrested Feb. 28 during a visit to the Laguna Beach police station.

Linda Jeanine Vollaire, 44, went to the Laguna Beach police headquarters to talk to detectives about an unrelated matter, Lenyi said.

While talking to police, officers suspected she was under the influence of a drug and arrested her. Her vehicle was parked in front of the station and it was searched. Police found methamphetamine inside.

Vollaire was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, and possession of methamphetamine, a felony.

She pleaded guilty to the charges on March 2 and a hearing on a judgment in the case is set for April 2, a District Attorney spokeswoman said.