FAQS

Is my SONA membership current?

1. LOGIN to the SONA website
2. Select “Your Profile”
3. Select’ View Transactions”
4. All previous online payment dates and amounts will be displayed. Payments that were paid via check may not appear on the previous payment list.
5. If the "Renew Your Membership” option is not shown in the 'your profile' options, your membership is current for the entire calendar year.

Are SONA Dues Tax Deductible?

SONA is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Contributions made to a 501(c)(4) are generally not tax-deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes. While 501(c)(4) organizations are tax-exempt with respect to income related to their mission, their primary purpose is to promote social welfare, which differs from the charitable purposes of 501(c)(3) organizations. As always, we recommend consulting a qualified tax professional to determine how any contribution may affect your individual tax situation.

When did I last pay member dues?

How do I report traffic issues in Sierra Oaks and track what happens?

The most effective way to report speeding, unsafe intersections, damaged signs, or other traffic concerns is through Sacramento County 311, which creates an official record and routes your request to the correct department. You’ll receive a case number you can use to check updates or add comments if the issue continues.

???? 311 or 916-875-4311

If you’re not seeing progress, you can escalate your concern by sharing your 311 case number with your elected officials:

County Supervisor (District 3) Rich Desmond — richdesmond@saccounty.gov

City Councilmember (District 6) Eric Guerra — eguerra@cityofsacramento.org

For information about current County construction or traffic projects: https://sacdot.saccounty.net/Pages/Current-Projects.aspx

What do I do after a big storm?

To report damage to homes or businesses within Sacramento County here.
To report downed trees on public property or street flooding and roads, call 311 or visit 311.saccounty.gov.
SMUD provides Storm Safety tips and instructions for reporting power outages. Report power outages at 1-888-456-7683 or on their website.
For PG&E outages, contact 1-800-743-5000 or report on PG&E’s website.
For downed power lines or other emergencies, call 911.

How can I improve my home’s security and deter criminal activity?

Homes with visible alarm system signage are less likely to be targeted, as it acts as a strong deterrent. Additionally, alarm systems limit how long a burglar stays in your home, minimizing potential damage or loss.
Security cameras can provide valuable evidence, such as a video or photo of the suspect, their vehicle, or how they accessed your home. This footage is extremely helpful for investigations.
Keep your home and yard well-lit. Beyond decorative landscape lighting, install motion-sensor floodlights for added security. Inside your home, leave a light on at night or when you're away to give the appearance that someone is home. Burglars tend to avoid homes they think are occupied.
Place something on your front porch, such as a potted plant, decoration, or furniture, to help conceal deliveries. Packages left out in plain sight are easy targets for thieves.
Leaving garbage cans out past pick-up day may give the impression that no one is home. Be sure to bring them in promptly or ask a neighbor to lend a hand.
If you see anything or anyone that seems out of place or unusual, report it to the non-emergency police number. Burglars often case homes during the daytime before attempting a break-in. Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.

What activities warrant a call to the Sac County Non-Emergency Number (916-874-5115)?

Any suspicious activity
Property or vehicle damage incident (and the suspect is not on the scene)
Stolen vehicle (when the suspect is not present)
Nuisance complaints, such as parking violation, loud music, or noisy party
Abandoned vehicle
A homeless individual has set up a temporary camp in the neighborhood

What should I do if I see a coyote in the neighborhood?

Coyotes are occasionally seen in and around Sierra Oaks, especially during early morning and evening hours. While they typically avoid humans, they can pose a risk to small pets.

Here’s what you can do:

Keep pets indoors or closely supervised, especially at dawn and dusk
Do not feed wildlife—intentionally or by leaving pet food outside
Secure trash, compost bins, and outdoor food sources
Make loud noises (clap, yell, use a whistle or shake a can) to scare off coyotes
Use a short leash when walking dogs; avoid retractable leashes

If you observe concerning or aggressive coyote behavior, contact the California Department of Fish & Wildlife or visit:
https://wildlife.ca.gov/HWC/Coyote

What should I do if I notice an increase in transient activity?

If you’re seeing more transient activity—such as loitering, camping, or rummaging through trash—there’s a dedicated resource available through the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT): 916-874-1025 or email: northhot@sacsheriff.com

Why it matters: The more reports the HOT line receives about a specific area, the more likely it is to receive focused attention and timely outreach. The HOT team works to connect individuals with services while helping keep neighborhoods safe and clean.

How can I contact my elected officials?

City of Sacramento – Councilmember Eric Guerra (District 6)

Phone: (916) 808-7006, eguerra@cityofsacramento.org

Sacramento County – Supervisor Rich Desmond (District 3)

(916) 874-5471, richdesmond@saccounty.gov

Sacramento County Sheriff North Area Problem Oriented Policing Team - northpop@sacsheriff.com

California State Senate – Senator Roger Niello (District 6)

(916) 651-4006, Email Form

California State Assembly - Assemblymember Maggy Krell (District 6)

(916) 319-2006, Email Form

U.S. Congress – Representative Ami Bera (CA-6)

(202) 225-5716 (DC Office) | (916) 635-0505 (District Office), Email Form