BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Eight swimmers pulled from ocean

Laguna Beach Lifeguards rescued eight people from the ocean off of Sleepy Hollow Lane at 2:49 p.m. Saturday, according to police records.

It took about 20 minutes to make all the rescues. One of the victims was reported to be in shock.

Man goes to police station, is arrested

A 28-year-old Anaheim man was arrested on a felony battery charge about 9:25 p.m. Oct. 8 at Laguna Beach Police headquarters after showing up to explain how an acquaintance’s nose got broken earlier in the evening, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

Thomas James Bryant told police he punched the victim because the victim was acting “inappropriately” around Bryant’s friends. The victim accused Bryant of punching him for no reason.

The victim had gone to South Coast Medical Center for treatment of the broken nose, and hospital staff called police about 7:25 p.m. to meet with the victim. Two hours later, the suspect appeared in the police department lobby to make a statement, and he was arrested.

Woman arrested after returning stolen car

A 20-year-old Ramona woman was arrested Oct. 10 in the 300 block of Dartmoor Street on suspicion of stealing a Porsche Cayenne after entering the home of her ex-boyfriend, Kravetz said.

The victim was out of town, and people who were checking on his home noticed that someone had been inside and the vehicle was missing from the garage. Police officers took a report.

While police were at the home, the suspect, Elizabeth McNerny, returned in the vehicle. Police confirmed in a telephone conversation that McNerny did not have permission to be at the house or drive the man’s car. She was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary and felony auto theft.

Stolen credit card used in local bar

A woman’s credit card was stolen from her purse while she was dancing at a bar in the 400 block of South Coast Highway at 1:40 p.m. and used at another local bar, Kravetz said.

The suspect charged $112 on the stolen credit card.

Man arrested after being ejected from bar

A 32-year-old Brea man was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon after he was ejected from a bar in the 200 block of Ocean Avenue at 1:14 a.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

Curtis Allen Dale Jr. allegedly displayed a knife to security staff, but did not overtly threaten them with the knife, Kravetz said. Police were summoned, and the suspect fled. Officers located the suspect and detained him, then found the knife in a nearby planter. No one was injured in the incident.

Police get good deal on older motorcycles

The city got a “deal” on two new 2006 Honda motorcycles for the police department.

While shopping for 2009 models, which had been budgeted, city staff located the 2006 models at Huntington Beach Honda, still in crates and reportedly the only new 2006s available from San Diego to Los Angeles.

Staff reported to the City Council on Sept. 7 there is no difference between the 2006 and 2009 model, but the two older ones are at least $2,000 cheaper. The total cost is $29,800, including tax and document fees.

Council accepts federal grant for officers

The City Council accepted on Sept. 7 a $100,000 grant from the federal Citizens Option for Public Safety, known as COPS. The grant is for front-line law enforcement

COPs was signed into law in 1996 to provide funds for local law enforcement agencies, subject to legislative appropriations and adoption of the state budget in any given year.

Handguns replaced after 20 years of use

The city will spend $24,146 to buy 30 Glock handguns for the police department, according to staff reports.

This is the second phase of a handgun replacement project. Last year, 36 semi-automatics were purchased.

The Glocks replace Beretta 92FS 9 mm Parabellum semi-automatics, which were bought between 1988 and 1992, nearing 20 years of use.

Police handguns take lots of punishment from monthly weapons training and the moist sea air climate of Laguna, which has accelerated maintenance issues, according to Police Chief Michael Sellers.

Glocks have been selected for use by the FBI and the Los Angles Police Department.