Laguna Woods establishes public safety grant program; allocates $470,000 for Zone 0 compliance and $30,000 for camera integration

The Laguna Woods City Council on Dec. 17 adopted an administrative policy establishing a public safety grant program and approved initial funding allocations aimed at wildfire mitigation and improved law enforcement coordination.

City Manager Chris explained the program’s two initial funding tracks. First, the city proposed allocating $470,000 of a $500,000 appropriation to help private property owners (notably Golden Rain Foundation and Third Laguna Hills Mutual properties, both within the city's very high fire hazard severity zone) comply with forthcoming state Zone 0 vegetation regulations that require landscape modifications adjacent to buildings. Chris said the request is intended to reduce the financial burden on those private entities and yield broader community wildfire-resilience benefits.

Second, the council approved a $30,000 allocation to help private property owners — including places of worship and businesses — purchase equipment to integrate existing private security cameras with the Orange County Sheriff's 'Connect Orange County' program, allowing deputies to access camera video for calls for service. Staff said the camera program will start after the new year and that staff will proactively reach out to potential applicants.

Public commenters, including the president of the Golden Rain Foundation and a representative from a faith community, expressed appreciation and asked for clarifications about eligibility; staff said eligibility is broad to include private property owners and tenants within the city's jurisdiction and that use of city general fund (not federal grants) provides flexibility to assist private properties when a clear public benefit exists.

The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution adopting the administrative policy and initial funding allocations by voice vote.