The name "Laguna Niguel" is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna" which means lagoon and the word "Nigueli" which was the name of a Juaneno Indian village once located on Aliso Creek. The genesis of Laguna Niguel was the establishment of the Laguna Niguel Corporation in 1959 by Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, making it one of the first master planned communities in California.

On November 7, 1989, 89% of the voters in Laguna Niguel voted in favor of incorporation and on December 1, 1989, Laguna Niguel became the 29^th city in the County of Orange. Encompassing 13.8 square miles, the city has a population of 67,000. It has two community parks, two regional county parks, twenty-two neighborhood parks, four mini-parks and two small county parks within city limits.

Laguna Niguel's police services are provided through a contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Lieutenant Linda Solorza serves as Chief of Police Services. She supervises the 36 community services officers, deputies, investigators and sergeants assigned to the city. Community programs offered by the city include Emergency Preparedness, Elderly Support Program (ESP), Neighborhood watch, Business Watch, Apartment Watch, Citizen's Academy, parenting classes and the Police Auxiliary Citizen's Team (PACT).

Statistical analysis shows Laguna Niguel with a low rate of Part 1 Crimes—homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft and auto theft. Measured in crimes per 100 residents, Laguna Niguel shows 1.48, a 30% decrease from 1997.

E-mail the Police Services Chief for the City of Laguna Niguel: