Lake San Marcos Security Patrol

11/03/2026

Thank you, Officer Michael, from LSM Security Patrol for escorting the annual Halloween Golf Cart Parade! Our patrol car was the last car to follow and tail the parade, making sure everyone stayed safe during such an exciting and fun community event. It was great to see so many spooky carts and fun driveway parties with neighbors and friends sharing laughs & candy along the way!

10/30/2026

For annual membership info, call anytime: (760) 744-0811 or drop by our office: 1132 San Marino Drive, Monday - Friday, 7am - 3pm. LSM Security Patrol since 1976 - We've got our Members covered 24/7. Follow & LIKE our FB page. 👮👍 Happy Halloween 🎃👻

10/21/2026

Bit by bit, we are getting a variety of apps to remove Lake San Marcos from their websites where we have been designated as a PUBLIC lake for fishing.

Please see below yet another app called FISH BRAIN, where we were shown as a PUBLIC Lake.

Here is their reply…

“Thank you for patiently waiting! As promised, we are back with an update. This is to confirm that the fishing location, "Lake San Marcos," has been successfully marked as 'Private water, no public access'. You'll see a wave icon with a '!' on the mobile app and a 'no entry' sign on the website.
For your reference:

Lake San Marcos fishing near San Marcos, CA (United States) ✅ Check the latest fishing reports from the local anglers 🏆 Follow local fishing regulations ➡ Fish smarter with weather forecasts from Fishbrain

10/19/2026

Thank you Officer Vern for stopping by our Saturday, Oct 17th, annual Holiday Art & Gift Fest at Lake San Marcos. Our traditional community event was a tremendous success, thanks to the fantastic turnout of Lake San Marcos residents, North County visitors, and many of our wonderful community leaders.

A special thank you to Linda & Bob Glance and Terry Thornton for sharing their musical talents 🎶 🎸and to our official Sponsor - Suzanne Sweeney Real Estate for providing delicious 'sweet treats' at our complimentary 🍪 🍪 refreshment table. Your generous contributions helped create a festive atmosphere as such joyful energy filled the room!

Since 2020, organizing these Art & Gift Fests has been my way of giving back 🤝 🎨 🙌 to our lake community and north county creatives / artists. The generous compliments, wonderful feedback, and continued support mean the world to me and every one of our talented, local vendors. Watching this tradition grow year after year has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm grateful to everyone who helps make it possible. With heartfelt appreciation, Kelly Lara 👏 📸✨

10/13/2026

LSM Security e-Bike Notice

The San Diego County Sheriff asked for our assistance in resolving an e-bike crime!

There were 5 kids trespassing on Panorama property so they could fish along the shoreline, which is prohibited.

While these 5 kids were “fishing,” another group of kids arrived. One of the kids in the second group STOLE an e-bike belonging to a kid in the FIRST group. The thief jumped on the bike and took off.

The Sheriff needed to confirm the identity of the kid who stole the e-bike. The description provided was male, of high school age, dressed in black, wearing sneakers with red shoelaces.

The Deputy visited our office to review the Barn Owl camera footage. Using our footage and the description of the thief, the Deputy was able to zero in on the thief who stole the e-bike.

The Deputy recognized the thief and was making an arrest that same day. Funny thing…the thief was wearing the SAME outfit when he was arrested at school!!!

Apparently, the thief and his friends are part of a known ring that steals e-bikes. This is considered GRAND THEFT because the e-bike was valued at greater than $950. The Deputy was really happy we had the camera footage he needed to “nail” the thief!

Lake San Marcos Security Patrol
Office: (760) 744-0811
"Serving the Community of Lake San Marcos since 1976"

10/02/2026

LSM Security Patrol ~ Fran Grizas

Boo! 🎃 Halloween! A time for ethereal ghosts, green-eyed witches, and jiggly-boned skeletons. 👻

While we enjoy Trick-or-Treating, costume parties, cornfield mazes, and pumpkin carving, it made me wonder how other countries might celebrate. 🎃

We are all familiar with the Mexican celebration of Día de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead), but I would suspect that very few know…

Ireland is known as the birthplace of Halloween because the focus of ghosts and spirits returning to earth is rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. In Ireland, children and adults dress up in costumes to ward off evil spirits and carve turnips. The actual Samhain Festival features bonfires and traditional foods like barmbrack (a fruitcake with baked-in treasures) and colcannon (mashed potatoes combined with cabbage or kale). Ancient Celtics believe that the veil between the world of the living and the Otherworld, where fairies and spirits reside, becomes thin on Samhain night and holy water and embers from the bonfires can be used to protect themselves from mischievous spirits.

The Hungry Ghost festival will be enjoyed if you are visiting China. Teng Chieh marks the end of the lunar new year, where the custom is to set out a mouth-watering banquet of treats to lure wandering spirits to your table so that directions can be provided to those souls wandering around and trying to find their way to a peaceful afterlife. 👻

And if you find yourself in jolly ole’ England, a Halloween staple is bobbing for apples which will predict your future and carving beets and turnips, known as “punkies.” And did you know that “mischief night” originated in the United Kingdom where it is called Mizzy Night?

Ognissanti is celebrated in Italy, where people leave out bread and candles, and families gather for solemn remembrance of those that have died.

In Sicily, the custom of the "Dead Ancestors' Visit" is observed, where children are told that their ancestors have left them gifts. But in other parts of Sicily, the “Feast of the Dead,” includes a table of lavish foods and offerings for the dearly departed.

Cambodia celebrates Pchum Ben, a 15-day festival in October to honor the dead, while in the Philippines, Pangangaluluwa is celebrated by visiting homes and praying for departed souls.

Haiti observes Fet Gede which honors the spirits of the dead and is derived from African traditions. The Voudou tradition involves people cleaning and decorating graves to welcome the spirits of the dead, known as loa, and honoring them through rituals, food, drumming, and dancing. During a Fet Gede particular attention is shown to Baron Samedi, known as the father of the deceased spirits.

In Guatemala, the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes (Giant Kites) involves creating and flying large kites as offerings to the dead. Key traditions include visiting and cleaning family graves and making offerings of flowers and food. Many families also gather at cemeteries for grave-side picnics, sometimes eating the dish "fiambre,” that includes sausages and cold cuts, pickled baby corn, onion, beets, pacaya flower, different cheeses, olives, and chicken.

Austria celebrates Pumpkin Festival, also known as Kürbisfest im Retzer Land. The festivities include costume parades and lantern processions. Some Austrians believe that leaving bread, water, and a lighted lamp out will welcome dead souls back to earth for the night.

Korea celebrates Chuseok which is done according to the lunar calendar. It is a day of visiting ancestral hometowns and feasting on traditional foods

If you visit the LSM Security office on Halloween, I will be wearing my Dracula t-shirt, which I purchased from a very industrious young man outside Bran Castle in Romania. Yes, that Bran Castle, the mythical Transylvanian home of blood-thirsty Dracula!
Transylvania is famous for its vampire legend of Count Dracula, popularized by Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic horror novel. And while Count Dracula was purely fictional, Vlad Tepes who inspired the book was very real. Throughout history he was referred to as “Vlad the Impaler” for his agonizing method of empaling his enemies on long spikes.
Stoker took artistic license when he used Bran Castle, built between 1377 and 1388, as the backdrop for his story and combined it with the evil work of Vlad Tepes to create the story of Dracula.

Bran Castle, popularly known as “Dracula’s Castle” draws a million visitors a year, with the largest crowds appearing on Halloween. Many arrive with strings of garlic and gauze bags filled with poppy seeds, used to ward off spirits and vampires. And yes, some Romanians still rub garlic on their doors and windows to protect against poltergeists while others spread poppy seeds around their farm animals and pets believing it will bring good luck and protect them from harm.

Is it a coincidence that Bram Stoker was born in Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween?

Don’t rely on garlic and poppy seeds, sign up for a LSM Security Patrol membership and let us ward off all the evil doers! Call 760-744-0811. Our office is located at 1132 San Marino Drive, Suite 101, Monday thru Friday 7 AM till 3 PM.

09/07/2026

Wishing our Lake San Marcos community a safe and Happy Labor Day! Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of the holiday. Our on-duty Officers will remain available to take calls 24/7.
Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8th, from 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM. For annual membership info, call anytime: (760) 744-0811 or drop by our office: 1132 San Marino Drive, Monday - Friday between 7am - 3pm. LSM Security Patrol since 1976 - we've got our Members covered 24/7. Follow & LIKE our FB page 👍

09/02/2026

On August 31st, between approximately 7:40 PM and 8:00 PM, while on patrol near the boathouse, Officer Vern noticed a broken tree branch that was hanging over the middle of the bridge roadway and appeared to be at risk of falling onto a passing vehicle. Recognizing the potential safety hazard, we immediately took action to prevent an accident.

We notified the Lake House regarding the issue, and they advised us that they would be sending their landscaping team to address the tree. Fortunately, an off-duty landscaper from the Lake and Lodge was nearby and was able to assist us in safely cutting down the damaged branch before it could fall onto the roadway.

While the branch was being removed, Officer Vern assisted by directing and guiding traffic to ensure the safety of passing vehicles and everyone involved. This was a great example of Officer Vern taking initiative, working together with others, and putting public safety first. We appreciate his quick thinking and willingness to go above and beyond to help keep the Lake San Marcos community safe.

08/30/2026

Our members benefit from many of our 'courtesy' services such as closing garage doors. This is a common occurrence as on average we close 800+ garage doors a year. If a non-member has left theirs open, we'll make a quick onetime stop and leave a postcard with the precise time we came by. We typically preform these courtesy task between 11pm and 4am - prime time for prowlers and thieves.
For annual membership info, call anytime: (760) 744-0811 or drop by our office: 1132 San Marino Drive, Mon-Friday between 7am - 3pm. LSM Security Patrol since 1976 - We've got our Members covered 24/7. Follow & LIKE our FB page.

08/16/2026

Aug 2026 Quail Call Article - by Fran Grizas

Your travel agent created the perfect itinerary. You have spent endless hours researching every country you will visit in breathless wonder. And your travel wardrobe has been spread across your spare bedroom for weeks just waiting for that moment
when it will all fit neatly into your suitcase.

But that tiny voice in your head keeps insisting you are overlooking something. And just like that…you remember to check the expiration date on your passport! ARGHHH!
How have ten years passed since your last international trip? But before you rush into some cockamamie scheme to secure a renewed passport, let’s examine everything you should and should not do! Did you know there are 2 types of passports? A passport card and a passport book are both valid for travel but serve different purposes and have different restrictions.

A passport book is valid for all international travel, by air, land, or sea. A passport card is only valid for land and sea border crossings into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Gema de las Heras, Consumer Education Specialist for the Federal Trade Commission, (FTC), advises that passport scammers are running amok, “If you search online, the top
results might show official-looking websites that say they can renew or get you a passport.

Some of these websites are private companies that charge you for services that are free on the U.S. Department of State website, while others are scammers trying to take your money and personal information.”

There are 4 types of passport scams, and this is how they work.
1. Passport application document scam - This scam involves fake websites or services offering to help you fill out your passport application for a fee. Often, these are
sophisticated look-alikes of official government sites. Scammers lure you with promises of simplified processes and quick turnaround times.
2. Passport expedited scam - During peak travel seasons, scammers offer to expedite your passport processing for a high fee. Victims pay hefty sums for expedited services
that are either nonexistent or unaffiliated with official passport agencies.
3. Passport fraud - This broad category includes stolen or counterfeit passports sold or used under false pretenses. Scammers might use stolen personal data to apply for a
passport in your name. Be wary of anyone offering to sell you a passport or asking for your personal information over email or phone.
4. Phishing scams - Phishing scams involving passports often come in the form of emails purporting to be from official agencies, asking you to provide personal information or click on malicious links. Emails or messages mimic official sources to
trick you into divulging sensitive information. Look for signs of phishing such as poor grammar, urgent language, and unofficial email addresses.

To avoid passport scams, know this:
The U.S. Department of State is the government agency that handles passport services.
Go directly to Travel.State.Gov to avoid clicking on a scam website. All the forms you will need to apply for or renew a passport can be found on this site.

For your convenience, the Twin Oaks Post Office (located at 420 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA) does process passport applications. They offer services for both new passport applications and renewals, including passport photos. You can also find
information about passport processing times and requirements on the USPS website. If you are applying for a passport, gather the required documentation: Form DS-11, completed but not signed - Form DS-64, completed but not signed - Evidence of U.S.
citizenship - Photocopy of evidence of U.S. citizenship - Evidence of parental awareness - Photo ID - Photocopy of photo ID - Passport photo.

To prove U.S. citizenship, you can use a U.S. passport, a U.S. birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. Other acceptable documents include a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) or a foreign birth certificate listing
your parents, along with their marriage certificate if applicable.
To renew a U.S. passport, you& #39;ll need to submit a completed Form DS-82, your most recent passport, and a passport photo. If your name has changed, you& #39;ll also need to
include name change documents. If your name has changed since your last passport was issued, you& #39;ll need to provide a certified copy of your legal name change document,
such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Regardless of whether you are applying as a first time U.S. passport holder or a passport renewal, the fee for a passport book is $130.

If you process your application at the US Post Office, there is an additional $35 Execution/Acceptance Fee. The Post
Office can also take your passport photo for an additional $15. A passport card costs $30 plus $35 Execution/Acceptance Fee, if processing in person at the post office.
Renewing a U.S. passport typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for routine processing. If you need your passport sooner, you can pay an extra $60 for the expedited service, which takes 2 to 3 weeks.
And of course, if you want to apply or renew via US mail or online, go to Travel.State.Gov for step-by-step details.

And now that you have your passport and your suitcase is packed, don’t forget to call LSM Security Patrol and put your home on the Vacation Check list so we can watch over your home while you are away! Bon voyage! Buen viaje! Gute Reise! Buon
viaggio!

Our office is located at 1132 San Marino Dr, Suite 101, Monday thru Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 760-744-0811.