BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Body that was found in ocean is identified

A body found floating just off the shore of Santa Catalina Island on Tuesday afternoon has been identified as that of missing boater William Eugene Ott, 61, of Phoenix.

Ott’s 30-foot boat came crashing against the west jetty of the Newport Harbor inlet last week, prompting a 280-square mile search, Orange County Sheriff’s officials said.

Rescue workers identified Ott as the boat’s owner through a plastic bag filled with prescription bottles found floating near the wreckage.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office used fingerprints to identify the sailor after transporting his body from the island to downtown Los Angeles, authorities said.

Police fundraising dinner is tonight

Costa Mesa police will be serving the public in a different fashion tonight, cleaning tables and serving drinks at the Claim Jumper in South Coast Plaza to raise money for charity. From 5 to 9 p.m., officers will work to raise money for the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser, which will donate all tips given to the officers toward providing training and competitions for children and adults with disabilities involved in the local Special Olympics.

The countywide event includes Claim Jumper restaurants in Brea, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and Santa Ana. Over the last five years, organizers have raised more than $70,000 for the Special Olympics program, a news release reported.