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Community Meeting and Q&A With UCI Police Department

Monday, December 12, 2022, 3 p.m.

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Passcode: 627390

In recent months, cities in Orange County — and Irvine in particular — have reported multiple burglaries and mail/package thefts. The Irvine and UCI Police Departments have experienced an increasing volume of incidents in Turtle Rock, our closest neighboring community, and in University Hills. ICHA is hosting the Community Meeting with the police department to help residents protect their homes and to better understand recent activities and prevention. Recent incidents reported in University Hills include:

• Between September-November, 2022, several bicycles including an e-bike stolen were from residents' garages.
• Between November 25-26, the mailbox parcel lockers in the area of Coltrane Ct./Cervantes Ct. were opened and contents were stolen.
• On November 10, mail/ packages were reported stolen. Three subjects were captured on surveillance. They have not been identified.
• On November 7, miscellaneous mail belonging to University Hills residents were found in a dumpster near Schubert Court.
• Between October-November, 5 homes were burglarized/vandalized.

Previous and current UCIPD Investigations:

• On 10-05-2022, UCIPD conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Howser St./Graham St. The driver was in possession of multiple victims' identity information and firearm ammunition. The driver was arrested.
• On 10-10-2022, UCIPD officers responded to a residence in University Hills regarding a burglary alarm. Officers conducted an area check and heard noises coming from inside the residence. Additional officers, Irvine PD’s K-9 and drone were deployed to the residence and utilized to conduct a search of the area. No suspect was located inside the residence and the homeowner was able to return safely. No crime occurred and the noises heard were unrelated to the alarm.
• While police departments have increased their presence in the community in the past month, please remember that it is the responsibility of each resident to monitor sensitive mail, and to be proactive about picking up mail and packages in a timely manner. Be alert and maintain communication with neighbors when traveling.

Call Campus Police Dispatch at (949) 824-5223 if you see, hear or learn about suspicious behavior and/or activities. Race, gender, and religious affiliation are not considered suspicious. Suspicious activity is any situation or occurrence which may seem “out of place” or “unusual” in your neighborhood, at any time of the day.

In Memorium — Jose Perez

It is with sadness that the ICHA team must report the passing of Jose Perez on October 13th. Jose worked as Lead in ICHA’s Asset Management team since 2018. Jose was a good and kind man, full of integrity, a diligent worker, and always quietly looking out for others. He is already deeply missed. During his prolonged illness, the ICHA team provided food for his family, donated sick time, and kept him and his family in our hearts. The day of his passing, the ICHA staff created an impromptu pictorial memorial in the break room and gathered as a team to commiserate, remember our coworker, and focus on the personal bonds we share that truly make us a workplace and a community.

Jose is survived by his wife and three teenage daughters.

MAKE IT GLOW -- SAFELY!

• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, loose connections, or frayed or bare wires. Discard all damaged cords.
• Don't connect lights while adjusting them on a tree or house. Inspect lights and plug them together before hanging.
• Indoors or out, use only lights that have been tested for safety. The lights should have the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) label.
• Don't let light bulbs rest on tree needles and branches. Use a clip or twist-tie to keep bulbs upright.
• Watch young children around lights and decorations with small pieces that could be ingested.
• Unplug lights and decorative outdoor lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.
• If you buy an artificial tree, check for a "flame resistant" label.
• Do not leave candles burning unattended.
• Do not overload electrical outlets and circuits.

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING -- ONLY WHEN YOU'RE HOME!

Keep your home and family safe by practicing fire safety. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of all home fires, followed by heating equipment, and an electrical malfunction.

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Never leave food unattended!
• Use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking.
• Keep the stovetop, burners and oven clean from grease and debris.
• Never use your oven for storage.
• Never pour water on a grease fire! Cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove.

Residents Who Participated in Events, Groups Are More Likely to Know Their Neighbors and Feel Good About Living in University Hills

ALL RESIDENTS

• Find the range of Uhills events and activities to be satisfactory. They also appreciate that opportunities exist without necessarily participating in them!
• Residents in households with school-aged children (ages 6-18) were modestly more likely than average both to be involved in formal groups and to attend formal events. 

If you attended virtual events, did you feel connected to the community? 

Spotlight on Renters

• Almost one-third of respondent households lived in University Hills for less than a year.
• Another third of households lived in University Hills for 1-2 years.
• 28% of households included at least one infant or preschooler (ages 0-4)
• 22% included one or more school-aged members (ages 6- 18).

This is not to say that the age profiles of University Hills and Orange County are identical. The survey (and the charts) confirm that our neighborhood has a dramatic deficit of 19-to-29-year olds, reflecting the academic profession. People move to University Hills only after completing an advanced degree and getting hired.

Ken Chew, Professor Emeritus, Urban Planning and Public Policy (Contact: Chew@uci.edu).

Get Involved! Homeowners Representative Board

Is Now Accepting Nominations

The University Hills Homeowners Representative Board, (HRB) is a community-elected body of resident volunteers. Each year, four of the HRB's seven members are elected to serve a one- or two-year term. Please consider volunteering your time, talent and effort to your community by serving on the HRB. The HRB meets once a month with a minimal amount of subcommittee work associated with service as a board member. Your community will thank you.

To be nominated as an HRB candidate, submit your statement by clicking here or on the link below. Candidate statements are due by Saturday, December 31, 2022. Voting will take place in late February, and those elected will be seated at the March, 2023 HRB meeting. 

The HRB:

• Advises the Irvine Campus Housing Authority on community matters and architectural improvements and advocates on behalf of residents to build community.
• Manages budgeted funds to promote community building activities and programs.
• Is kept informed of Irvine Campus Housing Authority’s policies, procedures, and planning.

Over the past several years, HRB members have:

• Organized informational forums on Emergency Preparedness, Covid 19, the OC Power Authority, policing in University Hills, and coyotes.
• Organized numerous entertaining events such as community movies, parties, concerts, and the upcoming Holiday Bazaar.
• Supported efforts to protect our environment by advocating for the use of nontoxic pest control, the introduction of sustainable electric landscape maintenance equipment, Earth Day events, and CRV recycling.

For the full Uhills Holiday Event Guide, see our latest Upcoming Events e-blast or go to https://uhills.org

Are You a Dog Owner? It Is Your Responsibility to Pick Up After Your Pet

Please review the following rules about pets to ensure that the common areas of University Hills may be enjoyed by all:

• It is the responsibility of pet owners to pick up after their dogs in all common areas.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when outdoors.

ICHA reserves the right to send to an unsubscribed e-mail certain important communications such as construction notifications or emergencies. The unsubscribed status will be respected for all other ICHA or HRB communications.