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Ways to Help Those Displaced By Fires, By Susan True
COMMUNITY NEWS Ways to Help Those Displaced By Fires
By Susan True
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Santa Cruz County, already struggling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now in the midst of another disaster--the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, we’re facing unknown loss of homes and property, and thousands of acres of our beloved forests have burned.
The Community Foundation has established the Fire Response Fund to support our county’s residents who are affected. Donations to the fund will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and organizations directly assisting individuals to meet needs as they arise. 100% of donors’ gifts will be used for grantmaking. All donations are tax-deductible.
The request for help has been heard, with donations coming from across the country.
Evolving Needs
We are in close communication with trusted nonprofit partners who serve the communities affected and those in harm’s way. They are evaluating and responding to needs from the fires as the emergency evolves.
Together, we’ll work to address the short and long term needs of displaced residents through the generosity of people like you — neighbors helping neighbors.
Visit https://www.cfscc.org/ updates/fire-response-fund-grants to learn more about how your donations are helping.
Photo Credit: Stacey Marie Garcia A line of cars waits to drop off donations for evacuees at the county’s Emeline warehouse.
Actions To Take 1. GIVE SUPPLIES
The County of Santa Cruz is coordinating and accepting donations at two sites Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Santa Cruz County Warehouse: 1082 Emeline, Santa Cruz
South County Donation Site: 114 Walker Street, Watsonville
View the County’s Fire Resources website to view the items needed https:// www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/FireResources. aspx (scroll down to the “How to Help” section on the main page).
2. DONATE TO THE FIRE RESPONSE
FUND
Any donation size will help. Make an online donation here. https://www.cfscc. org/donate/fire
“Help” page 20
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COMMUNITY NEWS Burglary Arrests in Evacuation Zones
By Jondi Gumz
Looters and burglars targeting areas evacuated by the CZU Lightning Complex fire have been a problem.
On Friday, deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people — Jose Gandarilla, Susana Luna, Crystal Araujo, Sara Loretz and Crystle Parstch-Lucchesi — in the Fall Creek Drive area of Felton on looting, burglary and grand theft charges.
Deputies said when they tried to stop two cars, one driver stopped, but the other fled and the car ended up in a ditch.
“We’re aware of eight cases so far,” said Sheriff Jim Hart at an impromptu Sunday afternoon press conference with District Attorney Jeff Rosell to highlight their concern.
Those arrested for looting will be prosecuted, Rosell said, and those who pricegouge can expect prosecution as well.
On the weekend, 90 law enforcement officers were patrolling and protecting the evacuated areas, Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Felton, and Scotts Valley to stop burglars and looters.
Two-thirds of those officers were from other communities; the city of Santa Cruz and Watsonville each provided 10 personnel and Alameda County provided 30. reported 86 new COVID-19 cases, the second most since 96 cases on Aug. 10.
The county has 1,714 cases overall as of Wednesday, with 1,265 active.
Of the total cases, 59.7 percent are Latino, more than half are in Watsonville and 36 percent are millennials age 18 to 34.
Daily hospitalizations have ranged from 9 to 15 for most of August. During July, as many as 5 people with COVID-19 were in ICU beds but that number has dropped to one or two in August.
On Monday, 79 law enforcement officers were patrolling for looters, 33 deputies and the rest from other jurisdictions.
They followed up on 17 calls about suspicious vehicles and made two arrests, one a man, 49, from Santa Cruz, who had $5,000 cash, binoculars and a video camera, and the other was a woman, 51.
“It’s against the law (to be in evacuated areas),” said Deputy Chief Chris Clark, noting a resident who had returned got a citation.
The Sheriff’s Office is not letting anyone into the evacuation zones in the unincorporated parts of the county due to the danger. Fire may move unexpectedly and tree branches weakened by fire may fall.
“We understand there are things that were left behind, but again it is too dangerous to let people back in at this time,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on the agency’s Facebook page.
This week, Clark said there were no arrests for burglaries in the evacuated areas, which he took as a sign that the number of officers deployed is having an impact.
Anyone who sees looting or suspicious activity on a security camera is asked to call
COVID-19 Case Update
On Monday, Santa Cruz County
dispatch immediately, 831-471-1121. n
As for testing, positive cases has been 7 percent or lower during August, with 36,810 negative test results.
On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health released guidance regarding the in-person supervision of cohorts of children or youth in educational and childcare settings. A cohort is a stable group of no more than 14 children or youth and no more than two supervising adults in a supervised environment. n
Details can be found at: https://www. cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/ COVID-19/small-groups-child-youth.aspx
