Police arrest woman for on-campus thefts
San Diego police officers arrested a women suspected of stealing wallets and purses in unoccupied classrooms at local schools, including Spreckels Elementary and La Jolla Elementary.
A total of nine cases were reported between January and the second week of February. Thefts also occurred at Kate Sessions Elementary, Bayview Terrace Elementary, Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary in Clairemont and Mason Elementary in Mira Mesa.
The suspect was filmed trying to open classroom doors at Kate Sessions. She is seen entering a classroom and leaving within a minute. A wallet was reported stolen from the same classroom.
The same suspect was caught on film using stolen credit cards from the various campus thefts.
The suspect, Jessica Wagner, 31, was arrested Feb. 16 when she was caught allegedly shoplifting from a J.C. Penny story in Mission Valley.
Kate Sessions Elementary Principal Sue Devicariis said the woman filmed entering an unlocked classroom came onto the campus on a Wednesday during lunch when the school gates are open so parents can picnic with their children.
“People did question the women when she came on campus,” she said. “They thought she was lost, but she always had a good reason as to what she was doing.”
Police are continuing their investigation. Anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim in one of these thefts is asked to call Det. Gregg Goodman, (858) 552-1718.

Lectures explore ‘new’ Middle East
The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC), 4126 Executive Drive, presents a three-part lecture series on the conflicts and future of the Middle East in “The Challenge of a ‘New’ Middle East.”
The first part of the lecture will focus on the inherent instability and growing fragmentation of Israeli politics and the strong need for political reform. Following part one, the next part of the series centers on the Israeli-Lebanese border and its future. The lectures conclude with Israel-Iran relations. The lectures will be presented by Jacob Goldberg.
Goldberg is an internationally renowned lecturer and consultant on the Middle East. He was a former regional and international affairs adviser to the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehu Barak. He graduated from Tel-Aviv University with a B.A. in Middle East History and Arabic Language and later earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Middle East Politics at Harvard University.
This event begins with part one on Monday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. Part two continues on Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. It concludes on Wednesday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. Admission for one lecture is $10 for JCC members and $12 for non-members; the entire series costs $25 for JCC members and $30 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased by calling the JCC box office, (858) 362-1348, or visiting www.lfjcc.org.

Daylight Saving comes early this year
It’s time to move the clocks ahead on Sunday, March 11, when Daylight Saving Time takes effect.
The Burn Institute and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association wants to remind everyone to replace the battery in their smoke detector after changing their clocks one hour ahead.
The Burn Institute is also offering free smoke alarms to any residents 55 years and older who own their own home and do not have a working smoke alarm.
To request a free smoke alarm, call (858) 541-2277 or visit www.burninstitute.org.

UCCA sponsors Bike Safety/Helmet Fair
The University City Community Association, in conjunction with County Supervisor Ron Roberts, will hold a Bike Safety/Helmet Fair on Saturday, March 17.
Childen who attend the fair will be fitted with free helmets. The San Diego Foundation is providing 500 helmets of all sizes.
Other organizations will present information on healthy lifestyles, including the San Diego Police Department Northern Division, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency North Regions, Safe Moves, the San Diego Bicycle Coalition, the San Diego Padres and others.
The five public UC schools are also involved, as well as the EdUCate! Foundation.
The free fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of San Diego, 5055 Governor Drive. For information call Mary Kay, (858) 452-8158.

Water Authority warns about imposters
The San Diego County Water Authority warns residents to beware of individuals posing as employees of the San Diego Water Authority or pretending to represent a local water utility. These imposters arrive without an appointment and try to gain entry into the home under the pretense that they have been sent to check the home’s water system or to test the water quality. The imposter’s usual intent is to commit theft or fraud.
After receiving a report of a person posing as an employee of the San Diego Water Authority in the Santee area, the Water Authority issued this warning because there is no governmental agency called the San Diego Water Authority.
“We have had reports since 2000, so it could come up anywhere. It’s just where [the imposters] are practicing their arts,” said John Liarakos, media relations representative for San Diego County Water Authority.
The Water Authority and its employees do not fix water problems or test water systems in residences and rarely have a reason to ask for entry. In addition, an official employee will have proper identification and be willing to show it and provide a supervisor’s phone number at the agency for verification. Any employee who refuses to wait until the supervisor is contacted should be considered an imposter and the police should be notified promptly.
Follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim:
“¢ If the water agency needs in-home contact with a resident, someone would call first to make an appointment.
“¢ Be alert if someone asks to collect an overdue bill. If your service is subject to being discontinued, you will be contacted with notices or correspondence about your bill and instructions on how to pay it.
“¢ Water agencies do not sell or endorse water filters, cleaners, softeners or other products.
For info, visit www.sdcwa.org or call (858) 522-6600.