Watchdog Newsletter Summer 2011 Final
Content
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Livermore Police Department Chief of Police: Steve Sweeney Crime Prevention Specialist: Nichole Aguon Editor: Rich Spivey 925-371-4797
Summer 2011
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Fourth of July information for 2011
Due to budget restraints, the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District and the City of Livermore have canceled the 2011 Fourth of July Celebration typically held at Robertson Park. Until funding for this community event can be restored, there are some alternative celebrations nearby to help commemorate Independence Day: —The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton will have a fireworks display on Friday, July 1, and will hold its Red, White & Blues Festival on Monday, July 4. Visit www.alamedacountyfair.com for more details. —The City of San Ramon and the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce are hosting the annual Star-Spangled Spectacular from 1 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. Included in the event will be fireworks, games, food and beverage booths and entertainment. —The Town of Danville will hold its Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. July 4 along Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville. For more information, visit www.kiwanis-srv.org. —The City of Tracy and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Fourth of July Day in the Park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 at Lincoln Park at East Street and Eaton Avenue. Visit www.tracychamber.org for more information.
—The City of Fremont will hold its Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. July 4 in the historic Irvington District of Fremont. For more information, visit www.fremont4th.org
ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN LIVERMORE
Anyone caught using, selling, or possessing fireworks in Livermore could be fined up to $500 or imprisoned up to 30 days. Fireworks will be seized by police at the owner’s expense. It is unlawful for any person to give away, sell, offer for sale, solicit the sale of, possess, purchase, use, ignite, explode, fire, or otherwise discharge any fireworks within the city.
Persons violating this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00, or by imprisonment in the city or county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and the license shall be revoked.
COURTESY IN SHARING THE PATHWAYS
Unfortunately for cyclists, the term Bike Path is a misnomer. Few communities have paths that are set-aside exclusively for cyclists. In most cases they are multi-use recreational paths for bikers, runners, inline skaters, dog walkers and people pushing strollers, sometimes walking two, three or four abreast. So like any complex system, we need rules to insure safety and avoid chaos. Since cyclists are the fastest moving, they can easily injure others. Also, they are also easily vulnerable to the lack of consideration of others. Thus, we all have a vested interest in following the basic core rules of path use: • Travel in the right hand lane. • Pass on the left. • Announce your passing to other path users – remember others may not hear you (seniors, IPod users, etc) so maybe a bell would help. If you do wear head phones on a bike path, wear only one so you can hear oncoming pedestrian traffic. • Move off the path when stopping. • Travel at speeds, which are safe and appropriate. • Pay attention to the other path users. • Carry away all pet waste and trash. And – Please be smart – wear a helmet! Your kids may be required by law to wear a helmet, and you should be required, by common sense, to wear one as well. Even at slow speeds, a fall of 3-4 feet to the road surface of the path can cause serious injury. And if you get hurt, who will care for your kids?
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IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT
Anyone watching children who are in, on or around water must understand that drowning happens quickly and suddenly. Any source of water is a potential drowning hazard, especially for young children and weak swimmers. Understand the risks: • Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injuryrelated deaths for children ages 1 to 14 years. • Drowning usually happens quickly and silently – many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than 5 minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time • The place where drowning is likely to occur changes with age: o Children under 1 year most often drown in bath tubs, buckets or toilets o Children 1-4 years most often drown in home pools o Older children most often drown in natural water settings • Know the water hazards in your community and make sure children stay away. These hazards could include: o Drainage ditches o Garden ponds o Creeks and streams o Walls and cisterns o Canals Maintain constant supervision: • Maintain constant supervision of children whenever around water • Avoid distractions when supervising children around water • Have children or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone – always maintain constant supervision! • Block access to unguarded, non-designated swimming areas • Alcohol and water do not mix. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm
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Know how to respond to an aquatic emergency: • If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability • Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number • Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn what to do. Insist that babysitters, grandparents and others who care for children know these lifesaving skills Article by American Red Cross
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THIS SUMMER, FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE TIPS TO AVOID GRILLING INJURIES
There is no better time to start thinking about cooking outdoors than when the weather starts to warm up and it stays light outside longer. While grilling can be a great alternative to cooking inside, did you know that almost 60% of all grill fires on residential properties occur in the summer? These fires, that can damage property and cause injury and even death, are often preventable. Follow the tips below to make sure you keep you and your family safe when grilling this summer: • Grills should only be used outdoors and at least 10 feet away from a house or any building • Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire • The grill should be placed well away from deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches • Children and pets should stay away from the grill area • Grills should be kept clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grill itself and in the trays below the grill
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• Never leave a grill unattended • Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from the grill Charcoal grills • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the lit fire. • Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoor, even if ventilation is provided. • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. • Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals. • Store charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. Gas Grills • Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when operating a gas grill. • If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
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National Night Out
Now is the time to start planning to celebrate the Annual national Night Out, which is held the first Tuesday of August each year. This year, we encourage you to plan a party with your neighbors for Tuesday, August 2, and invite the Livermore Police and Fire Departments to join you.
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For more information - call the Livermore Police Crime Prevention Unit at: 371-4978
Page 5
National Night Out is designed to get neighbors together and send a message to criminals that ‘CRIME IS NOT WELCOME in this neighborhood”. It also provides an excellent opportunity to get to know neighbors better, introduce new neighbors, and help create a sense of community. If you plan on holding a National Night Out party on August 2, please let us know as soon as possible so we can put you on the list for a visit. This is an ideal opportunity to get to know some of the Police and Fire employees that patrol your area. Your party can be as simple as an ice cream social and can be a full BBQ dinner with games and entertainment. The possibilities are endless and we would love to hear what you plan.
GET SECURE ALERTS FREE FROM YOUR LOCAL POLICE SIGN UP @ WWW.NIXLE.COM
Page 6
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED CITY PHONE NUMBERS
Abandoned Vehicles Animal Shelter Block Party Permits Bus Service Complaints about: Construction Noise Side Yard Structures Trash/Old Cars, etc. Weed Abatement Neighborhood Preservation Gang/Crime Tipp Hotline Graffiti Hotline Hazardous Materials L.A.R.P.D. Police Records Senior Citizen Center Public Works Request for new Traffic Enforcement Requests Livermore Police Web Sites Welcome to Livermore Do not call list Fire emergency American Red Cross Police Department Engineering/City/Permits Wheels Police Department Building Department Code Enforcement Fire Prevention 371-4824 803-7040 960-4440 455-7500 371-4987 960-4410 960-4450 454-2362 960-4444 Police Department Removal Fire Prevention Livermore Parks Police Department Maintenance Department/Street Lights Engineering Department Police Department Emergency Vehicles stored on streets http://www.ci.livermore.ca.us https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/ 911 415-427-8000 371-4790 373-5600 454-2362 373-5700 371-4900 373-5760 960-8020 960-4500 371-4850 371-4987 371-4824 UPDATED
NEW WEB ADDRESS FOR CITY OF LIVERMORE www.cityoflivermore.net
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REMINDER: Call the City of Livermore’s Free Thermometer Exchange Program (925/960-8100) at the Water Reclamation Plant
DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursdays starting @ 4:00pm – Livermore Certified Farmers Market July 2nd – Resume and Interviewing Workshop July 14th – Car Seat Checkout July 25th – City Council Meeting
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Livermore Police Department Vision Statement
“Leaders in law enforcement through community partnerships” The Livermore Police Department will be a leading law enforcement agency, setting standards for professionalism, integrity, and innovative service.
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POLICE NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
We recommend that you program the nonemergency number into your cell phone so that the number will be available when needed. The non-emergency number for Livermore Police is 925/371-4900. Always call 911 to report a crime in program or if you have an emergency situation.
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Livermore Police Department Chief of Police: Steve Sweeney Crime Prevention Specialist: Nichole Aguon Editor: Rich Spivey 925-371-4797
Summer 2011
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Fourth of July information for 2011
Due to budget restraints, the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District and the City of Livermore have canceled the 2011 Fourth of July Celebration typically held at Robertson Park. Until funding for this community event can be restored, there are some alternative celebrations nearby to help commemorate Independence Day: —The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton will have a fireworks display on Friday, July 1, and will hold its Red, White & Blues Festival on Monday, July 4. Visit www.alamedacountyfair.com for more details. —The City of San Ramon and the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce are hosting the annual Star-Spangled Spectacular from 1 to 10 p.m. July 4 at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd. Included in the event will be fireworks, games, food and beverage booths and entertainment. —The Town of Danville will hold its Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. July 4 along Hartz Avenue in downtown Danville. For more information, visit www.kiwanis-srv.org. —The City of Tracy and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Fourth of July Day in the Park from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 at Lincoln Park at East Street and Eaton Avenue. Visit www.tracychamber.org for more information.
—The City of Fremont will hold its Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. July 4 in the historic Irvington District of Fremont. For more information, visit www.fremont4th.org
ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN LIVERMORE
Anyone caught using, selling, or possessing fireworks in Livermore could be fined up to $500 or imprisoned up to 30 days. Fireworks will be seized by police at the owner’s expense. It is unlawful for any person to give away, sell, offer for sale, solicit the sale of, possess, purchase, use, ignite, explode, fire, or otherwise discharge any fireworks within the city.
Persons violating this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00, or by imprisonment in the city or county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and the license shall be revoked.
COURTESY IN SHARING THE PATHWAYS
Unfortunately for cyclists, the term Bike Path is a misnomer. Few communities have paths that are set-aside exclusively for cyclists. In most cases they are multi-use recreational paths for bikers, runners, inline skaters, dog walkers and people pushing strollers, sometimes walking two, three or four abreast. So like any complex system, we need rules to insure safety and avoid chaos. Since cyclists are the fastest moving, they can easily injure others. Also, they are also easily vulnerable to the lack of consideration of others. Thus, we all have a vested interest in following the basic core rules of path use: • Travel in the right hand lane. • Pass on the left. • Announce your passing to other path users – remember others may not hear you (seniors, IPod users, etc) so maybe a bell would help. If you do wear head phones on a bike path, wear only one so you can hear oncoming pedestrian traffic. • Move off the path when stopping. • Travel at speeds, which are safe and appropriate. • Pay attention to the other path users. • Carry away all pet waste and trash. And – Please be smart – wear a helmet! Your kids may be required by law to wear a helmet, and you should be required, by common sense, to wear one as well. Even at slow speeds, a fall of 3-4 feet to the road surface of the path can cause serious injury. And if you get hurt, who will care for your kids?
Page 2
IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT
Anyone watching children who are in, on or around water must understand that drowning happens quickly and suddenly. Any source of water is a potential drowning hazard, especially for young children and weak swimmers. Understand the risks: • Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injuryrelated deaths for children ages 1 to 14 years. • Drowning usually happens quickly and silently – many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than 5 minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time • The place where drowning is likely to occur changes with age: o Children under 1 year most often drown in bath tubs, buckets or toilets o Children 1-4 years most often drown in home pools o Older children most often drown in natural water settings • Know the water hazards in your community and make sure children stay away. These hazards could include: o Drainage ditches o Garden ponds o Creeks and streams o Walls and cisterns o Canals Maintain constant supervision: • Maintain constant supervision of children whenever around water • Avoid distractions when supervising children around water • Have children or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone – always maintain constant supervision! • Block access to unguarded, non-designated swimming areas • Alcohol and water do not mix. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm
Page 3
Know how to respond to an aquatic emergency: • If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability • Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number • Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn what to do. Insist that babysitters, grandparents and others who care for children know these lifesaving skills Article by American Red Cross
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THIS SUMMER, FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE TIPS TO AVOID GRILLING INJURIES
There is no better time to start thinking about cooking outdoors than when the weather starts to warm up and it stays light outside longer. While grilling can be a great alternative to cooking inside, did you know that almost 60% of all grill fires on residential properties occur in the summer? These fires, that can damage property and cause injury and even death, are often preventable. Follow the tips below to make sure you keep you and your family safe when grilling this summer: • Grills should only be used outdoors and at least 10 feet away from a house or any building • Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or under a surface that can catch fire • The grill should be placed well away from deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches • Children and pets should stay away from the grill area • Grills should be kept clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grill itself and in the trays below the grill
Page 4
• Never leave a grill unattended • Keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from the grill Charcoal grills • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the lit fire. • Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers. Charcoal should never be used indoor, even if ventilation is provided. • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. • Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals. • Store charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. Gas Grills • Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when operating a gas grill. • If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
National Night Out
Now is the time to start planning to celebrate the Annual national Night Out, which is held the first Tuesday of August each year. This year, we encourage you to plan a party with your neighbors for Tuesday, August 2, and invite the Livermore Police and Fire Departments to join you.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For more information - call the Livermore Police Crime Prevention Unit at: 371-4978
Page 5
National Night Out is designed to get neighbors together and send a message to criminals that ‘CRIME IS NOT WELCOME in this neighborhood”. It also provides an excellent opportunity to get to know neighbors better, introduce new neighbors, and help create a sense of community. If you plan on holding a National Night Out party on August 2, please let us know as soon as possible so we can put you on the list for a visit. This is an ideal opportunity to get to know some of the Police and Fire employees that patrol your area. Your party can be as simple as an ice cream social and can be a full BBQ dinner with games and entertainment. The possibilities are endless and we would love to hear what you plan.
GET SECURE ALERTS FREE FROM YOUR LOCAL POLICE SIGN UP @ WWW.NIXLE.COM
Page 6
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED CITY PHONE NUMBERS
Abandoned Vehicles Animal Shelter Block Party Permits Bus Service Complaints about: Construction Noise Side Yard Structures Trash/Old Cars, etc. Weed Abatement Neighborhood Preservation Gang/Crime Tipp Hotline Graffiti Hotline Hazardous Materials L.A.R.P.D. Police Records Senior Citizen Center Public Works Request for new Traffic Enforcement Requests Livermore Police Web Sites Welcome to Livermore Do not call list Fire emergency American Red Cross Police Department Engineering/City/Permits Wheels Police Department Building Department Code Enforcement Fire Prevention 371-4824 803-7040 960-4440 455-7500 371-4987 960-4410 960-4450 454-2362 960-4444 Police Department Removal Fire Prevention Livermore Parks Police Department Maintenance Department/Street Lights Engineering Department Police Department Emergency Vehicles stored on streets http://www.ci.livermore.ca.us https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/ 911 415-427-8000 371-4790 373-5600 454-2362 373-5700 371-4900 373-5760 960-8020 960-4500 371-4850 371-4987 371-4824 UPDATED
NEW WEB ADDRESS FOR CITY OF LIVERMORE www.cityoflivermore.net
Page 7
REMINDER: Call the City of Livermore’s Free Thermometer Exchange Program (925/960-8100) at the Water Reclamation Plant
DATES TO REMEMBER: Thursdays starting @ 4:00pm – Livermore Certified Farmers Market July 2nd – Resume and Interviewing Workshop July 14th – Car Seat Checkout July 25th – City Council Meeting
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Livermore Police Department Vision Statement
“Leaders in law enforcement through community partnerships” The Livermore Police Department will be a leading law enforcement agency, setting standards for professionalism, integrity, and innovative service.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
POLICE NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
We recommend that you program the nonemergency number into your cell phone so that the number will be available when needed. The non-emergency number for Livermore Police is 925/371-4900. Always call 911 to report a crime in program or if you have an emergency situation.
Page 8
