The Tustin News from Tustin, California • Page 1

$100,000 Decision Faces School Board Local Burglaries Double Since 1970 The bid specifications, approved by the trustees Arpil 7, state the security systems "desired are similar and equal to those used by Audio Alarm Systems, of Costa Mesa." District superintendent Larry Sutherland said the specifications were sent to 10 county security firms. Two firms submitted bids. The system in place at the 14 schools utilize microphones in offices and classrooms. The microphones pick up sounds and transmit them through telephone lines to a central station were a human operator monitors the noise. If an unusual sound is detected, the operator calls police.

Sutherland said the district shopped around extensively before settling for an audio alarm system. Sutherland said he and the district's director of maintenance and (Continued on Page 2) that number will increase.by at least ten percent and probably more. "Our citizens are not fearful of crime," Police Chief Charles Thayer told The News. "They leave their doors and windows open and think, 'It won't happen to They do little to prevent burglaries. I think society seems to accept rising crime." Jack Morris protected his home for 17 years and was never burglarized before.

He installed deadbolt locks on the doors, secured windows and bought a burglar alarm because he said he realized, "how vulnerable people are in these homes." He had no. false illusions about the security of his own home, however, "If they want to get in, the pros, they will," he said. He was unsatisfied with the way Tifttin Police handled the case. "The cops did a good smokescreen job," Morris told The News. "They fouled (Continued on Page 2) Doug Bowen, sales manager for Sonitrol, said the $100,000 difference is because Sonitrol would have to make changes in the security system in -order to take over monitoring.

"I would have to say I know of no other company in Orange County that would be completely compatible with this system," Bowen said. "There is no way we could even use the existing wire." "The bid specifications were quite well engineered to suit one company," Bowen said. He admitted he was disappointed his firm could not place a lower bid, but added "I see no foul play." by JOHN ORR-The Tustin Unified School District appears to be locked into a contract with a Costa Mesa firm that provides a security alarm system in 14 Tustin schools, according to information gathered by The News. The contract for providing audio-alarm security in local schools is up for renewal. The school board is scheduled to approve a bid for the contract May 5.

Only two contractors bid on the contract: Audio Alarm Systems, of Costa Mesa, and Sonitrol of Orange County. Sonitrol's bid was some $100,000 higher that Audio Alarm's anything of it since the alarm, "was always going off." It was just another burglary in a city which averages three burglaries a day. Ten years ago, the story was quite different. About 22,750 people lived in Tustin, in 1970 when residential and commercial burglaries were committed 436 times over the city's 3.4 square miles. As the population increased: along with annexations to the city, burglaries kept pace.

By 1976, burglary reports rose to 684. Last year, with a population of 33,700 in a city of 9.6 square miles, burglaries jumped to 977. By the end of 1980, by STEVE GOOLIAN Tustin resident Jack F. Morris, in his 50s, locked the doors and windows of his home, turned on a burglar alarm and went to work at his drycleaning shop in Anaheim one day a few weeks ago. When he got a call later that day from Tustin Police, he had already become a crime statistic.

Stereo equipment, a microwave oven, jewelry, a coin collection and handguns all worth more than $1100 were stolen. The unknown intruder forced the front door operand unplugged the sound-sensing'burglar, alarm. A neighbor later told police' he thought he heard the alarm go off about 12:30 p.m., but didn't think Section I FIFTY-EIGHT YEARS WORKING FOR TUSTIN 10 CENTS PER COPY PHONE S44-4110 THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1980 VOLUME 58 NO. 27 TUSTIN, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA County Drons HOUSING FOR 500 Marines Begin $9 Million Froject prescott Case future he would be resDonsible for CnntemDt of court charees acainst such zoning violations. County officials last summer' received complaints from the Foothill Communities Assn.

(FCA), a North Tustin homeowners group, that Prescott was violating residential zoning laws by selling produce items not grown on the site. Field investigations by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) last July confirmed the allegation, according to EMA Regulations supervisor Frank McGill County zoning laws permit produce sales on a residential lot only from crops grown at that site. Selling other produce is considered a commercial activity. The complaint by FCA, according to its president Neil Harkleroad. was Continued from Page 1 a North Tustin land owner were dropped last week when the county counsel discovered he was after the wrong man.

John A. Prescott, part owner of Saddleback Chapel in Tustin and owner of several properties in the area, was charged last August with contempt of a 1972 court order prohibiting him from selling produce not grown on his lot at the corner of 17th St. and Newport Ave. By the time the case went to Superior Court April 17, deputy county counsel Richard Oviedo said he learned that Prescott had leased the 'and to local resident Desn Cole. 'The action won't be pursued until further violations occur," Oviedo told The News.

He added that he intended to inform Cole that in the Construction was scheduled to begin this week at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter) of military housing units at an estimated cost of nearly $9 million. At groundbreaking ceremonies Monday, Tustin Marine Station engineer Jim Francis said the 216 two-bedroom units for lance corporals and sergeants and their families are expected to be completed by May, 1981. The project will cover 28 acres at the southeast corner of the base with 54 four plexes and could house nearly 500 people. The $8,999,500 contract went to the Gallegos Corp. of Santa Ana, in a managing partnership with the Titan Group of New Jersey.

Southern California Gas Co. will be presenting a "Concern Award" for the project which features solar gas assisted water heating among other energy saving features, according to a spokesman. Participating in ceremonies Monday were Tustin base commander Col. Bennie H. Mann, Ma j.

Gen. Joe Koler, Lt. Col. Noel Keller and station chaplain Tom Schultz. Tustin Mayor Don Saltarelli, Tustin Chamber of Commerce President W.G.

and Mr. and Mrs. Rudy ,1 r- -i i 1 4 MARINE HOUSING BEGINS-On hand Monday to turn the first shovel of land where 216 hWiSte 11 be built at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter) base were from left Chaplain Tom Schultz, Chamber of Commerce President WXk Cols' Sin commander Col. Bennie H. Mann, Major Don Saltarelli, Maj.

Gen. Joe I I 1 i A I 1 1 1 Koler, ana Mr. ana ivirs xvuuy uauC6UiJ, r- NEWS Photo in the dark over uncertain terrain. BREAKDOWN VERY UNUSUAL' The heavy aircraft is equipped Tustin Helicopter Base Commander Views Rescue Gallegos were also present. Youth Foils Robbery Try An armed robbery attempt at a Tustin service station last week was foiled when the 16-year-old attendant broke free of the suspect's grasp and called police.

Tustin Police arrived at the Mobil station at 17102 McFadden Ave. about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, but could not locate the male Caucasian suspect wearing a motorcycle helmet over a ski mask. The man had grabbed the station attendant, stuck a handgun in his ribs and demanded money, police were told. The attendant ran from the suspect and hid behind a car while another employee called police.

The. man fled on foot behind the station. The employees later said no motorcycle was heard or seen in the area. The suspect is further described as about 6-foot-2 and 160 lbs. very similar to the CH-53 choppers at the Tustin base.

Both models have extended maintenance schedules, he said. HAPPY TTME-Former Tustin City Adminstrator Harry with hover and landing ngnis, Mann said, and his pilots practice with and without lights. (Continued on Page 2) Helicopter Search Ends Speed Chase A commercial burglary early Tuesday morning in Laguna Hills led to a high-speed chase by Highway Patrol officers and sheriff's deputies and ended in a helicopter search of the North Tustin area near La Loma Drive and Red Hill Avenue. Sheriff's Lt. Wyatt Hart said one 17-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged with burglary co'ncerning the window smash of World Home and Auto Stero Center, 23501 De La Carlotta, Laguna Hills, about Tuesday, April 29.

The commanding officer of the Tustin Marine base told The News he thought, "It's very unusual," that three of the helicopters broke down during the recent rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran. Col. Bennie H. Mann, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (Helicopter), Tustin, said the RH-53D "Sea Stallion" helicopters used in the rescue attempt are and can fly long distances. The RH-53, however, is designed for mine sweeping, sub search and has a permanent probe for mid-flight refueling.

The CH-53 mission is primarily troop and cargo transport, Mann said. The commander said he had "no idea" what went wrong with the three "birds" in Iran other than the official military account previously released. He did say that the air taxi maneuver which reportedly preceeded the collision of one helicopter In the Iranian desert with a C-130 transport plane Gill embraces Ruth Poe, lett, ana riorence during retirement banquet for the two long-time city employees, held April 22 at the Saddleback Inn in Santa Ana More than200 persons turned out for the dinner and bestowed gifts and best wishes on the pair. Mrs Poe retired April 15 after 20 years as City Clerk while Mrs. Kortmeyer retires May 1 after 24 years as Deputy City Clerk Monsignor Father John Sammon was master of ceremonies.

Numerous honors were bestowed on thetwo by local civic leaders including Congressman Robert Bad-man, the Orange County Board of Superisors and Major Don Saltarelli. NEWS Photo Tustin Turn-Ups BY BILL MOSES Stero equipment worm an unknown amount was recovered, Hart said "nothing unusual," especially Foothill Graduate Makes It to The Great White Way running over saying 'Who are A Janelle said. "So I knew the musical very well." She flew to New York after hearing that a suitable Guenevere had not been found in the Big Apple. "Burton wanted-someone young," the 26-year-old said. The producers had already auditioned some 800 actors and actresses.

Arriving in New York, Janelle caught a two-hour nap at her hotel and hustled over to the theatre. "They wouldn't even let me in," she recalled. "But I persisted. I said, 'You're going to hear roe Burton himself allowed her inside to watch the auditions. "It was really incredible," she said.

"I ended up poking my head out on stage it Janelle said her long red hair may have had something to do with the director's reaction. "I waited outside with my suitcase," Janelle said. The producer finally came by and asked her if she would be in the production as a stand-by to fill in when the star could not perform. "I said okay," she said. The production, featuring a cast of 45 people, is one of the most expensive ever produced.

Janelle said, mostly because Burton has insisted on a top-rate production. Janelle has other stage experience besides her 100 performances in Sebastian's "Camelot." She may be best known for her role as Dick A Tustin girl has climbed the ladder of theatrical success from the local stage to the footlights of Broadway. Janelle Price, a 1972 graduate of Foothill High School, will be the understudy for the role of Guenevere in the Broadway production of "Camelot," produced by Richard Burton and opening in New York City this summer. "My audition was a spur of the moment thing," Janelle told the News. The 1976 graduate of UCLA heard that Burton was on the West Coast trying to find someone to play King Arthur's queen in the musical.

Janelle called her agent and had him set up an audition in New York. "I did 'Camelot' at Sebastian's A and singing "ine simpie ju ui The director came Dinner Playhouse last year, Gone Sailing.