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Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris Introduces AB 366 to Tackle Drunk Driving Crisis

AB 366 Press Conference
Eight of the 10 U.S. cities with the highest drunk driving rates are in California: Bakersfield, Fresno, San Diego, Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Jose

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) and Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), who tragically lost his grandchild to a drunk driver over the holidays, were joined by Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the California Police Chiefs Association, the Association of Highway Patrolmen, AAA, and Assemblymembers Ransom, Soria, and Krell to announce the introduction of AB 366, the Save Lives with Every Start bill.

Driver with three prior convictions arrested for deadly DUI crash in Dana Point

KCAL/CBS Los Angeles

Authorities on Friday arrested a driver who has three prior convictions for their alleged part in a DUI crash that left an 88-year-old man in Dana Point. 

The crash, which involved a Land Rover SUV and a Ford Transit van, happened around 6:15 p.m. at Golden Lantern and Stonehill Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. 

Paramedics declared a passenger inside of the van dead at the scene. They have been identified as Melvin Joseph Weibel, of Dana Point. He was 88 years old.

Eat Dust, Drones

Politico California Climate

Can self-piloting helicopters help fight California’s most challenging wildfires? Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris wants to find out.

The Irvine Democrat introduced a bill Tuesday, AB 270, that would require California’s emergency management office to set up a first-in-the-nation pilot program to test autonomous firefighting helicopters.

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris Statement on Governor's 2025-2026 State Budget Proposal

Sacramento, CA - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) issued the statement below following Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 State Budget proposal.

“Governor Newsom’s proposed budget highlights the significant challenges facing California while presenting an opportunity to have critical discussions about how to best serve our state. With a modest surplus, there is an opportunity to prioritize energy affordability, protect vulnerable Californians, and strengthen our preparedness for natural disasters.

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris Statement on Reappointment as Assembly Utilities & Energy Chair

Sacramento, CA - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) issued the statement below following her reappointment as Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee by Speaker Robert Rivas.

"I am honored to continue serving as Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee.

This is a pivotal moment for California, as we work to build a reliable, sustainable and affordable clean energy future. In this role, I will continue my work to lower costs and accelerate the development of essential infrastructure.

ABC7: Irvine police unveil new technology as 'Real-Time Crime Center' opens

Local leaders on Thursday celebrated the opening of the Irvine Police Department's new "Real-Time Crime Center."

The agency now has access to more than 1,000 cameras in real time thanks to the RTCC, said Kyle Oldoerp, a spokesman for the Police Department.

That includes live video feed from intersections, private partnerships in the city, the Irvine Unified School District and Flock -- the technology used to read license plates, Oldoerp said.

OC Register: Irvine police unveil technology center to catch crime in real time

Irvine, CA (December 13, 2024) - Irvine has become the first city in Orange County to open its own Real Time Crime Center, where police are using a mix of street cameras and other technology, data and analytics to solve and prevent crime.

The $2 million center, located at police headquarters, is manned by two crime specialists, a crime analyst and a drone pilot. The center’s staff monitors calls that come in to dispatch and identifies patterns, observes footage from security and other cameras around the city and operates a police drone.

NBC4: Irvine Police Department unveils new 'Real-Time Crime Center'

Irvine, CA (December 13, 2024) - The Irvine Police Department is beefing up its crime fighting technology. It revealed a new real-time crime center on Thursday, designed to help solve crimes more quickly and in some cases, in real time. 

The $2 million investment is designed to track and solve crime in real time even before criminals are aware police are watching

Irvine Police say the center has helped solve dozens of crimes in just it’s first month. 

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris, Irvine Police Department Launch Real Time Crime Center

Irvine RTCC

Irvine, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the Irvine Police Department have announced the launch of the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), a cutting-edge initiative designed to enhance public safety through the integration of advanced technology. The RTCC will enable officers, crime analysts, and dispatchers to gather and share critical information in real time, leveraging technology to apprehend offenders, prevent crime, and improve officer safety.