Orange County Sheriff's office reports on school safety, emergency drills and community outreach

Laguna Niguel ' Chief Flores presented the Orange County Sheriff's fall quarter police services report to the city council on Dec. 2, outlining emergency preparedness exercises, school-safety work, community outreach and upcoming training opportunities for residents.

Flores said deputies participated in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill and countywide Alert OC notification tests in October, and that the agency attended the Community First Conference focused on social media's effects on youth and mental health resources. He said the training and information gained help the department support families and teens locally.

The report described school safety assessments at Laguna Niguel Elementary and other local schools, ebike and bicycle safety presentations at Marion Bergeson Elementary, and deputy visits to Mission Lutheran and other student programs to foster positive relationships. Deputies also engaged older adults at a senior resource fair at Sea Country Community Center, sharing information on available services.

Flores highlighted Red Ribbon Week outreach at local schools and a medication take-back event in October run twice yearly in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration. He also noted the department's participation with Laura's House, a domestic-violence agency, through resource-sharing and awareness activities. The sheriff's office announced its next Citizens Academy will begin in March 2026.

Chief Flores closed by thanking residents and partners for continued support and encouraged registration for Alert OC and local preparedness programs.