Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

A Message from Mayor Cruikshank

Dear Residents,

Thank you for the outpouring of support and well wishes I have received over the past 24 hours. I am happy to report that after getting plenty of rest and following my doctor’s orders, I am feeling much better. Although Mayor Pro Tem Alegria has shown no symptoms of illness, we both remain in home isolation.

I want to reassure you that when Eric and I learned we had potentially been exposed to COVID-19, we took the necessary precautions to protect those around us, and continue to do so. The health and well-being of our residents is a top priority. Please know that all appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the safety of our community.

Certainly, everyone who attended former Mayor Brooks’ party over two weeks ago wishes we knew then what we know now, but public health officials had not yet put in place the social distancing measures and prohibitions on gatherings that have dramatically changed our way of life since.

Having gone through this experience puts me in an important position to let our community know that we can get through this. Even though I had four miserable days, I survived them. We can survive this. But we must all do our part to keep each other safe. That means staying at home except for essential needs, practicing physical distancing, washing your hands frequently and following all guidelines from our public health agencies.

Now more than ever is our time to embody what it means to be a good neighbor. Let’s give this all we’ve got. Together we can help flatten the curve by adhering to social distancing and the “Safer at Home” Order.

Sincerely,

John Cruikshank
Mayor

Beware of Scams and Hacking Attempts

In recent days, local and national law enforcement officials have issued warnings to the public about COVID-related scams and hacking attempts.

The Department of Justice has received reports of:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

Criminals will likely continue to use new methods to exploit COVID-19 worldwide.
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home though a number of platforms. Go to:

• Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov
• Report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov
• If it's a cyber scam, submit your complaint through https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

For more information, visit justice.gov/coronavirus

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau Emerging Cyber Trends Team has seen an uptick in fake emails, texts and phishing scams related to the COVID-19 emergency.

Criminals use fake emails or texts to get you to share valuable personal information, such as, account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. These phishing emails often appear to be from familiar company names or pretend to be someone you know. If you click on a link, scammers/attackers can install ransomware or other programs that can lock you out of your data.
         
Protect your computer and electronic devices by:

1. Keeping your software up to date and by using security software
2. Your cell phone should be set to update software automatically
3. Your accounts should have multi-factor authentication
4. Your data should be regularly backed up, and the backup should be taken offline

For more information, visit: https://local.nixle.com/alert/7891678/?sub_id=11064746
 
Parks and Nature Preserve Closed

As a reminder, out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with guidance from state and local health officials to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has closed the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, all City parks, beaches, community centers, amenities and trails until further notice.

All park buildings, playgrounds, parking lots, restrooms, game courts, and fields are closed. All park programming has been canceled until further notice. This includes all recreational activities, indoor and outdoor sports leagues, instructional courses, and group sessions/private events.

The closures are in accordance with a local emergency proclamation adopted by the City Council last week and come after City Staff and Park Rangers observed a high volume of visitors to City parks and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve despite the “Safer at Home” Public Health Officer Order calling for social distancing.

For a full list of closures, read a press release at: bit.ly/2UexWwo

Cases

As of March 24, there are 662 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Eleven people have died.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

A Message from the Palos Verdes Library District Archivist

Dear Peninsula Community and Beyond: 
 
As the archivist and local history librarian with the Palos Verdes Library District, I hope this letter finds you safe and well. 
 
History is often associated with the past - events of someone or something not connected with us. There is nothing like a global health crisis, however, to realize we are making and living history right now. 
 
During these unprecedented times in our nation's history, the Local History Center is taking the opportunity to bring its public documentation initiative, Your Story is the Peninsula's Story (YSPS) online. With our lives turned upside down with the Coronovirus/COVID-19 breakout, having the ability to contribute remotely is needed now more than ever. 
 
How will this current public health crisis be remembered? I suggest it is much more than the number of cases and deaths; it is how each and every one of us is experiencing it in our day-to-day lives. 
 
I invite you and your family to share your Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak stories with YSPS Online. Parents and educators, please take this as an opportunity to help your students tell their story. 
 
If you are now working from home, homeschooling your children, being homeschooled, stranded at home after college spring break, or serving your community or neighbors in a different capacity, your photos and reflections will help document this extraordinary event.  
 
Your contributions will help build a resource of primary documentation so future generations can understand the history we are now living. All contributions will become part of the Your Story is the Peninsula’s Story Collection on the Library’s digital repository, www.palosverdeshistory.org. Every story matters.
 
To participate, please access the YSPS Online form. Please share the form link with anyone you think might be interested. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. I would also be interested in collecting diaries or journals kept during this time as important documentation of Coronavirus 2020. 
 
Stay healthy. 
 
Sincerely, 
Monique Sugimoto
PVLD Archivist

Closure Information

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

Watch the latest episode of RPVtv’s “Around the Peninsula” featuring an interview with PVP Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Eileen Hupp to find out how you can support local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etJcYqikC9o  

How You Can Help

PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 
 
Neighborhood Watch block captains are available to assist any and all individuals who would like some form of assistance at this time. Those who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com
 
Blood Donations Needed
 
The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. There is no clinical evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible through blood. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma.
 
The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff.
 
This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. Learn how to donate at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Senior Support

Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station’s non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least April 19, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. Advisory board meetings have been canceled through the end of March. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov. 

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43. 

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory
Resources
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify
Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.