Parking revenues higher, tickets lower

City parking revenues were significantly higher in fiscal year 2009-2010, which ended June 30, City Manager Ken Frank reported July 30. Receipts from parking meters and parking lots were 7% higher than the same period in the previous year, with total revenues about $3.4 million, he said. During the month of June, parking revenues were 12% higher than June 2009, despite gloomy weather.

However, parking ticket revenues are down substantially for the same period, he added.

In fiscal year 2009-10, tickets generated nearly $1.5 million $1,498,253, down from $1.8 million in 2008-09. Revenues in 2007-08 were $1.9 million, according to the update.

Frank said the reduction in revenues was due to new policies, including issuing more warnings and not issuing multiple tickets to one vehicle. The city also put a five-minute “grace period” into effect on city parking meters over the past year, in response to complaints about overzealous ticketing.

Defibrillator saves man from heart attack

Paramedics credited the use of a defibrillator with saving the life of a 56-year-old man who had a heart attack July 18, Frank said. Police officers tried to resuscitate the man by breathing; but when he did not respond, they turned to the device, which indicated a shock was needed to get the man’s heart started. The shock was applied, and paramedics who arrived said it saved the man’s life. He was taken to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo where he is recovering from a potentially fatal heart attack. Frank said it was the first successful use of the device by police officers.

Dog quarantined after biting incident

A German shepherd was quarantined to determine if it was rabid after the dog allegedly bit a man who was walking his dog on a leash in the 1400 block of Cerritos Drive at 7:54 a.m. July 28, Sgt. Louise Callus said. The victim received medical treatment after the dog allegedly ran up and bit him in the thigh.

Woman accuses man of sexual assault

A woman who is staying at the Alternate Sleeping Location accused a male resident of exposing his private parts and asking for a sexual favor at 5:24 p.m. July 28 at the shelter in the 20000 block of Laguna Canyon Road, Callus said. The woman and man had been spending time together, she added.

Alleged LSD trip leads to mother’s arrest

A 20-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested after she was reported to be naked, screaming and knocking on doors at 1 a.m. July 29 in the vicinity of Oak Street and South Coast Highway, Callus said.

Krystal Lynn Ruiz-Olson allegedly told police she had taken LSD.

Ruiz-Olson’s 12-month-old son had been removed from her apartment earlier in the evening by a neighbor who was concerned about the child’s welfare due to the mother’s bizarre behavior, Callus said.

Ruiz-Olson was held at Orange County Jail on $100,000 bail.

The child, who was not hurt, was released to his father, who does not live in Laguna Beach.

Skateboarder slides into vehicle

A teenage skateboarder struck a vehicle and causedg a small dent after sliding down Temple Hills Drive in an attempt to avoid hitting the vehicle at 7:56 p.m. Monday, Callus said.

The teen was skateboarding at high speed with another skateboarder, both Laguna Beach residents. They were riding on long boards and wearing helmets and protective gloves, Callus said.

They were released to their parents after fire and police were called to the scene. One of the skateboarders was reported to be bleeding. The car sustained a small, 1-inch dent to its side but the driver did not want a collision report to be taken.

Traffic stop leads to drug arrest

A Trabuco Canyon man was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana with the intention of selling it after a traffic stop at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday at Myrtle Street and North Coast Highway, Callus said.

Scott Christian Gassaway, 39, was held on $25,000 bail, according to police records.