Volume 23 | June 5-9, 2017
Four Arrested During Undercover Operation Targeting Illegal Fireworks

The Moreno Valley Police Department recently conducted an undercover operation that resulted in the arrest of four people for selling illegal fireworks in the City.

The Police Department is pursuing administrative and criminal charges against these individuals.

Fireworks are illegal in the City of Moreno Valley. Don't risk ending up with criminal charges and administrative fees and fines of up to $3,500 and up to 6 months behind bars.

The arrests were the result of several citizen complaints regarding illegal fireworks for sale in the City of Moreno Valley. Officers from the Police Department’s POP Team searched several online websites for fireworks being sold in the City. Disguising themselves as potential buyers, they met with the sellers. The sellers were arrested. More than 100 fireworks seized by officers in the operation will be destroyed.

Not only are fireworks are illegal in Moreno Valley, they can cause serious or deadly injuries and spark destructive fires.

To report the use of illegal fireworks please call: 951-247-8700 or 1-800-950-2444.

Looking for a safe environment to enjoy fireworks with your loved ones? Please visit www.moval.org/fourth for details regarding the City of Moreno Valley’s Fourth of July Fun Fest and Parade. 
11-year-old Thanks Firefighters for Saving Her Life After Near-Drowning

Eleven-year-old Ally Hatch and her family visited firefighters at Moreno Valley Fire Station 91 this week to thank them for helping save her life after she nearly drowned in her grandparents' swimming pool.

Firefighters from Station 91 and Station 99 were called to the Moreno Valley home last month after Ally was found unconscious at the bottom of the pool.

A dispatcher talked Ally's mother through how to administer CPR until firefighters arrived.

Ally spent several days in a medically induced coma and was released from the hospital after just five days. She wanted to make sure she thanked the people who came to her rescue.

“The firefighters were so wonderful and kind,” said Tiffany Hatch of her family’s trip to Fire Station 91. “They hugged her and welcomed her and explained the equipment they used to help save her life. They were just great.”

Tiffany is using her daughter's near-drowning experience as an opportunity to educate people about the importance of learning CPR, which she credits with giving her daughter a second chance at life.

“I encourage everyone to learn CPR,” Hatch said. “That was the difference in the outcome.”

The City offers an American Heart Association CPR and first aid class at the Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center.

The next class will be Tuesday, June 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Resident Fee: $49   Non-resident Fee: $64 A $20 materials fee is due on the first day of class.

For more information please call 951-413-3280, email recreation@moval.org, or visit the
City's website at www.moval.org.

Please visit http://rivcowatersafety.org/ for more information about water safety.

Police Officers to Reward Children's Good Behavior with Free Slurpees 

Children across Moreno Valley will be rewarded for good behavior with free Slurpee drink coupons from the City’s police officers this summer.

7-Eleven's community outreach program, Operation Chill, is designed to reduce crime and enhance positive interaction between police and children.

Operation Chill allows law enforcement officers to “ticket” kids they observe doing good deeds or exhibiting positive behavior. The ticket is actually a coupon good for a free 12-oz. Slurpee® at any participating store.

Over the last 21 years, Operation Chill has grown to include more than 900 local law enforcement agencies across the United States and Canada. More than 15 million coupons have been distributed for officers to hand out in cities and towns where 7‑Eleven does business.

In addition to encouraging positive behaviors, Operation Chill provides opportunities for officers to establish a rapport with kids in a neighborhood. The reasons for being “ticketed” are varied, but the end result is the same for every child: A free Slurpee drink and a smile for a good deed.

Residents Learn Lifesaving Skills at Free Sidewalk CPR Classes

Moreno Valley firefighters from Fire Station 91 and Emergency Response Force (ERF) volunteers spent several hours teaching free Sidewalk CPR outside the Moreno Valley Wal-Mart Supercenter on June 6.

Residents briefly interrupted their shopping to learn the basics of how to keep a cardiac arrest victim alive until paramedics arrive.

The class was part of a collaborative effort with the Riverside County Emergency Medical Services Agency (REMSA) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to teach people lifesaving skills of hands-only CPR.

June 1-June 7 marked National CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Week.

Officers Participate in Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

Members from the Moreno Valley Police Department donated their time to run the Moreno Valley leg of the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on June 6. The Moreno Valley portion was approximately 5 miles of hilly terrain..

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an annual event aimed at raising awareness for the Special Olympics. Approximately 200 law enforcement agencies from across Southern California participate in the torch relay which begins in Chula Vista and runs through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

The torch run ends on Friday, June 9 at California State Long Beach. The torch is then used to ignite the Olympic flame for the 2017 Special Olympics.

For more information about the Special Olympics of Southern California, please visit www.sosc.org
Economic Development Department Attracts New Retailers

The City’s Economic Development Department pursued new retailers to Moreno Valley by attending the recent International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference.

ICSC is the largest trade organization for commercial retail industry.  Economic Development staff met with key staff from more than 80 retailers, restaurants, hotels, developers, and brokers to promote the advantages of opening a Moreno Valley location.

This aggressive strategy continues to work for Moreno Valley. Active participation at ICSC has brought hotels to the Quarter and TownGate Square sites (Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, and the recently approved Fairfield Inn Marriott), as well as dozens of new national restaurants and retailers which have recently opened in Moreno Valley.

Watch for new stores, restaurants and hotel announcements in the City's Economic Development Summary, posted monthly at www.moval.org/ed-news.

Child's Place Kindergarteners' Bravery Featured in Newspaper Article

Four kindergarteners at the City’s “A Child’s Place” afterschool program were featured in a recent Press-Enterprise article about how their courageous actions and ability to keep calm helped their teacher who was suffering a medical emergency. They ensured she received the aid she needed.

Destiny Olatunji, her twin sister Deja, Poetry Addison and Ava Williams were attending “A Child’s Place” Child Care Site at Armada Elementary when they noticed their teacher was unconscious.

Destiny, Ava and Poetry Addison stayed with their teacher while Deja ran to the office for help.

“They were my little angels. They saved me,” teacher Rosie Gudino told the Press-Enterprise. “I still can’t believe it. I want to go back to work and give them lots of hugs. I just love my little ones.”

Read the entire Press-Enterprise story here.