Officer outlines car theft-prevention tactics Northern Division police representative Alan Alvarez announced a new vehicle burglary-prevention program to prevent thieves from ransacking items in unattended vehicles. “We have a lot of problems down at the shores during the summertime with tourists and surfers leaving stuff inside their vehicles,” he said. “This is one of the most preventable crimes there is.” Alvarez suggested drivers do two things to prevent thefts. “The No. 1 way to prevent this: don’t leave your stuff in your car,” he said. “If you’re traveling out and about and you have too much stuff, stick it in the trunk at your first destination. Don’t get to the destination and stick it in the trunk where someone can see you and then leave. Do it at the destination before.” Alvarez said most thefts occur because people leave expensive items like GPS devices, iPods, purses and wallets in a visible area of their vehicles. Alvarez also recommended that drivers store garage openers in a place that cannot be seen and taken so that thieves cannot track thefts back to one’s home. “Report suspicious activity, such as people looking into cars and trying door handles,” he suggested as the second method of prevention. “If you see something, say something.” For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call (619) 531-2000 or (858) 484-3154. Construction to close one lane of LJ Shores Drive UCSD representative Milt Phegley said construction has begun on the Marine Ecosystem Sensing, Observation and Modeling (MESOM) laboratory project at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). Traffic on La Jolla Shores Drive may be impacted due to grading operations for the project, which coincides with a trenching operation by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center across the street. Phegley assured that at least one lane of La Jolla Shores Drive will be open at all times. In other news • The emergency room at UCSD’s Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center opened its doors in early September, doubling the number of beds available for patients, Phegley said. • The LJSA voted unanimously to continue its directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Half of the cost will come directly from the board members and the balance will come from the treasury. • Erin Demorest, representative for District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, announced the city’s Redistricting Committee adopted the final redistricting plan on Aug. 25. If there is no challenge to the plan via referendum or lawsuit, the plan will become final on Sept. 24 and will be put into effect in 2012. The new District 1 would include all of University City, Torrey Pines, Carmel Valley, La Jolla and Del Mar. • The LJSA voted to approve the Mauli Ola surf event on Oct. 8, where surf instructors will teach children with cystic fibrosis how to surf at the shores. Coming up at LJSA LJSA’s next meeting will take place on Oct. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in building T-29. • UCSD’s director of transportation will make a presentation about parking and transportation. • The LJSA will discuss the latest updates on the Avenida de la Playa infrastructure replacement project — a city-mandated project to replace and realign approximately 1,300 linear feet of existing storm drain main, 1,200 linear feet of aging and deteriorated concrete sewer mains and 150 feet of cast-iron water mains on Avenida de la Playa to meet Environmental Protection Agency standards. • The LJSA will also discuss parking issues, kayaks blocking merchant storefronts and the frequency of seaweed removal along the coastline.