Natel Engineering Co

Operation Desert Storm generated a bonanza of tips for the FBI's Ventura office from defense-industry whistle-blowers who declared that they had firsthand knowledge of fraudulent practices in the production of defense weapons. "They'd be watching the ground warfare on CNN and realize they'd worked on a particular missile or airplane that they could see in action in wartime, and they knew they were not good products," said Gary G. Auer, FBI supervisor for Ventura.

Here in the third-safest city in America, Simi Valley's Police Department is being hammered into one of the chief campaign issues of the 1996 City Council race. To be sure, the four challengers voice other complaints about life in Simi Valley and promise improvements if they are elected. The challengers say there are earthquake-damaged buildings to be razed; wheels to be greased for new businesses; and torn fences to be mended between the council and the school board.