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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2023 | 7 By Michele Walter Our Community Awareness Program is focused on keeping our community safe and to notify the proper authorities to resolve issues. We want to stay vigilant, keep an eye on our community, and provide presentations to keep you informed. Our January program had great participation. Officer Montez from the CHP gave a wonderful and informative presentation on Safe Driving for Seniors. Participants received a certificate of completion to show to their insurance company to see if they qualify for a discount based on this class. Sgt. Robert Jauregui and Officer Joshua Hixson from the Banning Police Department gave an update on the homeless situation. Officer Hixson is our new homeless liaison. Janet Delacruz from Riverside Department of Mental Health said that she is helping the homeless with mental health issues and housing arrangements, if they are interested. Mike Romero gave an update on the problems that Securitas is encountering on a daily basis and answered questions from the audience. Our next program is Tues., Feb. 7 from 1 to 3 pm in the Main Clubhouse. Alyssa Vernal, Correctional Captain from the Larry Smith Correctional Facility will give a presentation. Some residents may not know that there is a correctional facility here in Banning. You can be sure this will be very informational. There will be a question and answer period. Please make time to come and listen to Captain Vernal. There have been some concerns that pets are not on leashes. Here are some rules that must be adhered to from our CC&Rs: 5.02 – 2/ All pets (including cats) MUST be kept under the owner(s) direct control and leashed at all times when outside the owner's residence. 5.02 -3/Owners are responsible for picking up after their pets. Owners are responsible for disposing of their pet's waste in a proper trash receptacle. California State Law prohibits dogs from running at large on any public street, park, or other public areas or upon private property (other than that belonging to the dog owner). A dog must be restrained by a substantial leash not exceeding six feet and be in the control of a competent person when off property. Just a reminder: trash cans should be put in the street, not on the sidewalk. We need to be mindful of residents running, walking, using walkers, or in wheelchairs. If your trash cans are on the sidewalk, our residents cannot in most situations get around them. Please have the courtesy to keep your trash cans on the street only, everyone will appreciate it. SECURITY & PREVENTION TIPS/SCAMS & FRAUDS: What is a scam? A scam is a dishonest attempt by an individual or organization to obtain something of value from you, such as personal information or money. Scammers may pose as a legitimate organization or government agency. Scam attempts can be made over the phone, in person, through email, or by text message. The scammer will either try to win the victim's confidence or threaten the victim. ONLINE SHOPPING SCAMS Scammers use fake online shops – impersonating famous brands like Amazon, Costco, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy, offering great discounts to lure people in to buying items. But buyers will not receive the items they order. Always look for red flags like too-good-to-be-true prices and discounts, incomplete item descriptions, and aggressive sales tactics. TECH SUPPORT SCAMS You get a call or a pop-up on your computer claiming to be from Microsoft (or Norton or Apple) about a problem on your computer. They say if you give "Tech Support" access to your hard drive, they can fix it. Instead, they install malware on your computer and start stealing your personal information. MEDICAL ALERT SCAM This is a telemarketing scam targeting seniors and caretakers, and promises a "free" medical alert system. The robocalls often claim that a family member or friend already paid for it. Seniors are asked to provide their bank account or credit information to "verify" their identity. As a result, they are charged a monthly $35 service fee. The system, of course, never arrives, and seniors are left with a service charge and have trouble getting a refund. UTILITY SCAMS You receive a call from someone pretending to be a representative from your utility provider, claiming you missed payments and unfortunately your service will be shut off by the end of the day if you do not immediately pay. The caller is usually angry or threatening. If this is the first time you hear about a payment being due, hang up! There are strict regulations governing the cut- off of utilities and the legal process includes several notices being sent to the customer first. PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS, ACTIVITIES AND THEFTS DIRECTLY TO BANNING POLICE DEPARTMENT, CALL 911! Again, I am asking everyone on behalf of Securitas to keep your garage doors closed at all times of the day, unless you are working in the garage. A good idea for nighttime is to check around 8 pm to make sure your garage door is closed and all doors are locked. If you get in a regular habit of checking, you will feel much safer and Securitas will not have to call you at midnight. Securitas only does garage door checks from 8 pm to midnight. Hope to see everyone on Feb. 7. Let us all be informed and stay safe. For more information, please contact Michele Walter at (951) 202-8009 or email crystalwater@dc.rr.com. Community Awareness Program

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