BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Family seeks missing man

The family of a man who went missing in the area eight years ago has mounted a renewed effort to find him.

William (Bill) James Henry was on vacation from upstate New York when his car was found abandoned on the 1100 block of Laguna Canyon Road on July 26, 1998. He was last seen or heard from on July 20.

The family has distributed “missing person” fliers, but Laguna police have not reopened the case and no calls have been received regarding the individual, Det. Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

Anyone with information may call Laguna Beach Police Det. Andy Ross at (949) 497-9369 or the National Center for Missing Adults at (800) 690-3463.

Police get grant for traffic safety

The California Office of Traffic Safety has awarded the Laguna Beach Police Dept. a $112,980 grant to beef up traffic safety. The money will be used to enforce laws prohibiting aggressive drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Chief Michael Sellers said Tuesday.

The grant will pay for four DUI saturation patrols, five DUI checkpoints, four special enforcement operations targeting aggressive drivers who run red lights, pass traffic on the right or drive in center turning lanes, and four special enforcement operations at intersections with a high number of traffic collisions.

Half of the money will be used to purchase new equipment designed to assist in traffic safety, Traffic Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

The department will purchase two radar “feedback” trailers — portable devices that track and display the speed of approaching vehicles — and five permanent, pole-mounted “feedback” signs; plus a message board to inform drivers of an accident ahead or other traffic conditions, Kravetz said.

He said DUI checkpoints will be set up over the holiday season and during the high-traffic summer months.