When sorting through subject matter for this monthly article, I always come back to the same question. What information would people find interesting and useful? Always important, but never easy to find out what our residents and businesses need, or want to know.

So, to that end, the City has launched a new Web site feature to encourage residents to share their ideas and comments. Please log on to www.cityofrsm.org, and answer the questions of the month by clicking on “Submit Comments” on the right side of the homepage. By answering the listed questions you help us to help you.

There will be new questions every month; just about the time you are reading this article. Also, there will be a spot to make any comments you want to leave, regardless of the questions for that month. Thanks ahead of time for your input.

Police Services

The City of Rancho Santa Margarita presents a Community Emergency Preparedness Academy, for residents. Many useful topics are addressed, including First Aid, CPR and AED’s, earthquake and disaster preparedness, necessary emergency supplies, and other important topics. For more information, call the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve Rhyner, at (949) 635-1809.

Neighborhood Watch is a very effective program that has been around for many years. When the community works together with our Safety Personnel, amazing things can happen. The “eyes and ears” of residents, along with timely calls to Police Services, are a great deterrent to criminals. For an emergency, obviously call 911. To make a report that is not an emergency, call (949) 770-6011. To contact

Rancho Santa Margarita Police Services for information on Neighborhood Watch or any other Police Services’ program, call (949) 635-1811.

City Code Enforcement

The purpose of the City’s Code Enforcement Program is to maintain and improve the general appearance, health and safety, general welfare, and property values of the residential neighborhoods and commercial districts. In an on-going effort to maintain the quality of life in the City, Code Enforcement Officers respond to citizens’ complaints regarding observed and alleged violations of the Municipal Code.

The following is general information regarding what constitutes a violation:

As our City population has grown, the need for code enforcement has also increased. The City takes a “compliance through cooperation” approach to code violators, but will issue citations as necessary. Our Code Enforcement Officers, Dale Birney and Bill Peterson, are very qualified and hard working individuals. If you have any questions about City Code Enforcement, please call Dale or Bill at (949) 635-1800 ext. 6703. You can also file a complaint online through the City's Request Partner application.

Finally, thanks to those of you that are sharing your thoughts and concerns, by answering our monthly questions.