• RivCo DA Speaks in Wildomar

Riverside DA, Mike Hestrin spoke for about 40 minutes at the Wildomar Rotary Club. He took a dozen or so questions and then stayed after for anyone on one that people wanted to engage in. 

Riverside County DA Mike Hestrin at the July 26th Wildomar Rotary Club meeting.

The DA spoke about a couple of task forces he's put into operation, Gang Impact Team and the Cannabis Regulation Task Force. 

There have been a couple high profile raids in the county using the Gang Impact Team. One out in Coachella and the other in Hemet (from the powerpoint, there seemed to be a lot of arrests and a lot of confiscated guns... enough to help a small country overthrow their leader). 

RSO Press Release detailing the raid

He was telling us that another one was in the works, but he couldn't elaborate... I guess he thinks the bad guys read Wildomar Rap or something. ☺

The Cannabis Regulation Task Force deals with more technical aspects of the law when it comes to cannabis. Now that it's legal in the state, there are laws that have to be followed. Including environmental laws that are often ignored by illegal growers, where they use and then dump pesticides, often stealing water or electricity. Then there are the illegal pot shops that show up out of nowhere.

Quote of the day

"You wanted it legal, congratulations, it's legal. Now you have to follow the law."

— RivCo DA Mike Hestrin

I asked about a new law that I'd recently heard about, but didn't think it could possibly be real... but it is real!

It's known as AB 1810, which has been labeled by some as a rush job bill backed by the governor (according to many sources, including the San Diego Union-Tribune). 

"Now, in the worst example of rushed reform yet, Gov. Jerry Brown this week signed into law Assembly Bill 1810 — a budget “trailer bill” with no credited author that takes effect immediately. It includes a provision that appears to allow defendants charged with any crime to get the charges put on hold and perhaps eventually dismissed if they can persuade a judge that the offense resulted from a mental disorder that a mental health expert says is treatable."

Please follow the link above to read the entire Op-Ed.

The idea that any criminal, much less a serious offender such as a murderer or a rapist, could claim their actions were due to a mental disorder, which could include something as common as depression, and then avoid the judicial system, is appalling. Let's hope this one gets overturned before any lasting damage can be done.

Use this link to visit the Wildomar Rap facebook page.

The added bonus was the last minute change to the DA's plans... he landed babysitting duties as his wife was needed elsewhere. His two-year-old son didn't make a peep, as he was content to wear his fireman's helmet, play with dinosaur toys and draw with crayons. Kudos to this little tykes parents, they're doing something right.☺

Last week's guest speaker was State Senator Jeff Stone, and in the past six months, Sheriff Stan Sniff and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez have spoken to the club too.

State Senator Jeff Stone addressing the Wildomar Rotary Club, July 2018.

Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff, April 2018.

State Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, November 2017.

I didn't really plan on this being a free advert for the Wildomar Rotary Club, but as long as I'm this far into it... the club meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, at noon, at the Elks Lodge on Mission Trail. 

For those that can't meet in the day, there is one evening meeting per month. The location is Pie Nation, and it's held on the third Thursday, meeting starts at 6:30, but it's suggested that you get their earlier than that if you're going to be ordering food. (If you haven't been into Pie Nation recently, they've expanded the restaurant into the adjoining unit, there's plenty of seating.)

There is no charge to attend, and there are no obligations to join. The Club's website can be found at this link, where you'll find write-ups of recent meetings.

There is also a club facebook page. You can check it out to see who the coming speaker(s) will be, and other updates around town: LINK

For those that don't know what the Rotary Club is about, we're a service organization with over 1.2 million members worldwide. Rotary International was established in 1905 and the Wildomar club was established in 2009. For more information about Rotary's mission, visit the Rotary International website: LINK

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"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty."
– Sacha Guitry

Wildomar Rap once pretended to speak Italian and is now married to a Sicilian. Caveat Emptor ☺

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• Riverside County Blue Light Ceremony 2015

Monday, December 14th starting at 6:00pm Riverside County held a Blue Light Ceremony at the County Administrative Center on Lemon St (downtown Riverside), honoring all those that have died while serving the community, in the roll of a law enforcement officer.

It started with the pledge of allegiance and an a capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Sheriff Stan Sniff gave the formal address, reminding all those in attendance how brave officers go into the direction of danger, to help people they don't know, when others would be heading away from the scene.

The honor roll included the reading of 62 names of officers that have died while on duty since Riverside County's incorporation back in 1893.

The surviving families of several of the fallen officers were in attendance, and were each given a single white rose.

Before the ceremony officially ended, blue glow sticks were handed out to those in attendance. At the count of three, we all activated them and they turned out the lights for a moment. Not really long enough to get more than this shot, but it was stirring while it lasted.

Below are 2016 Mayors of Lake Elsinore and Wildomar, with their shared Chief of Police Captain Leonard Hollingsworth.

2016 Lake Elsinore Mayor Brian Tisdale, Captain Leonard Hollingsworth and 2016 Wildomar Mayor Bridgette Moore.

It was a great honor to attend this event and to shake hands with many of the people that have been elected to stand watch over our county. Including Sheriff Stan Sniff, and DA Michael Hestrin. I also met murdered officer Ryan Bonaminio's father.

I had followed his son's case back when it happened (2010) and though I was tongue tied (what does one say in such a situation) it was a privilege to shake his hand. Actually, it was his forefinger, because his hands were filled with plates of food at the reception following the ceremony. 

(link to Press Enterprise story on Ryan Bonaminio)

Many thanks to the officers that put themselves in the line of fire for our behalf. Even for those that are just as likely to say unfair things about them to their faces. May you always be safe.

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“Training should hurt, but never injure…if there is no pain, there is no fear…if there is no fear, then you’re not really training.”

― T. Blauer

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: when you encounter a police officer, even if it's to be handed a traffic ticket you don't deserve... just say, "yes sir" and "thank you", and you'll soon be ready to continue on with your day.