BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Police honor officer, civilian of year

Laguna Beach Police Cpl. Tony White has been selected as the Police Officer of the Year, and Senior Animal Services Officer Joy Falk has been named Civilian Employee of the Year.

White and Falk will be feted, along with other outstanding officers, volunteers, reserve officers and Police Chief Michael Sellers at the annual police awards breakfast, 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the Montage Resort & Spa ballroom.

The public is invited to attend the event at $40 per person, including breakfast.

For more information, contact Sgt. Jason Kravetz at (949) 497-0307.

Nearly 200 divers seek Laguna lobster

During the opening weekend of spiny lobster season, Sept. 29-30, Laguna Beach Marine officers made contact with 172 divers in the waters from Crescent Bay to Three Arch Bay, according to City Manager Ken Frank.

A Protection Officer and a Marine Safety Officer worked night shifts on that Saturday and Sunday evening to ensure compliance with fish and game laws, Frank stated in a weekly memo to the City Council.

Five citations were issued to divers, primarily for illegally taking short lobster, according to Frank. However, one diver was cited for three separate infractions, including an over-the legal-limit take for lobster and for possessing short lobster from the Heisler Park Marine Protected Area.

Lobster season continues through March 8. Lobsters may be taken only by persons 16 and older with a valid fishing license under state Department of Fish and Game rules. There is a daily limit of seven lobsters per person, and they may be taken by hand only. Lobsters must be a minimum of 3 1/4 inches in length from the eye socket to the rear edge of the shell. For more information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations or www.dfg.ca.gov/marine.

City hires new full-time lifeguard

Travis Lowry, a resident of Laguna Beach, has been hired as a recurrent, hourly lifeguard, City Manager Ken Frank stated in his weekly city memo.

Lowry has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from San Francisco State and extensive experience in Laguna Beach as a lifeguard supervisor.