BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Police, federal officials mum on arrests

Newport Beach narcotics officers assisted Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in an arrest that may have involved two houses just blocks apart in a West Newport Beach neighborhood.

Newport Beach police reported an arrest at 6:54 a.m. Tuesday in the 4800 block of Seashore Drive. Newport Beach and federal authorities refused to disclose further details.

Katie Vaccaro was walking her dog at around 7 a.m. when she saw a helicopters circling the neighborhood and police cars surrounding a home on River Avenue.

“I knew something was up,” Katie said. “There was a bunch of cars and dogs sniffing around.” The 16-year-old said that she did not see anyone get arrested.

Newport Beach police officers honored

The Newport Beach Police Department honored a number of employees at the 36th annual Police Appreciation Breakfast held Wednesday morning at the Newport Beach Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The event, hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and other sponsors, recognized officers and civilians for their work in the community.

More than 400 people attended the banquet, police said.

Damon Psaros was honored as officer of the year, and animal control Officer Valerie Schomburg was named civilian of the year. Terri Craft was honored as supervisor of the year, Dave Bixler earned reserve officer of the year, and Sandy Meadows was volunteer of the year.

Officers Chris Kimble, Mario Montero, Richard Henry and Neal Schuster were recognized with the award of merit for their work in saving a passenger trapped in a submerged vehicle in the bay just off Harbor Island Drive.

Other award of merit winners were dispatcher Brian Eberhardt and Lt. Bob Oakley.