September is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sponsors national Preparedness Month 2007. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.

Throughout September, Homeland Security will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of family emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LINKS

Federal

Preparedness Month Center
http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/index.html
US Readiness Center
http://www.ready.gov/
Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov/
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/
Citizen’s Corps
http://www.citizencorps.gov/

California

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
http://www.homeland.ca.gov/
Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov/
Emergency Digital Information Service
http://www.edis.ca.gov/

County of Orange

County Readiness Center
http://www.readyoc.org/
Fire Authority
http://www.ocfa.org/

City of Los Alamitos

Emergency Preparation Center
http://www.losalamitospolice.org/support/emergencyprep.htm
West County CERT
http://westcountycert.com/

Red Cross

National
http://www.redcross.org/
County
http://www.oc-redcross.org/

School Driving Tips

The Auto Club offers 10 Tips to Parents who drop-off and pick-up their children from school. Go to the following link to download the brochure:

www.losalamitospolice.org/operations/parentdropofftips.pdf

9/11 Memorial

The Los Alamitos Police Department extends our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the many victims of the tragic events that occurred six years ago on this day. We hope everyone will take at least a moment of their day to reflect on these events and the lives cut short by this terrorist attack.

We also hope that you will extend a thought or prayer of support to the many men and women of the armed forces who are serving our country in harm’s way. May they return home successful and safe.

http://www.losalamitospolice.org/special/9-11memory.htm

For information regarding Emergency Preparation and Terrorism, please visit these sites:

The Official website of the Federal Government http://www.usa.gov/
Department of Homeland Security http://www.ready.gov/
Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/

California Office of Emergency Services http://www.oes.ca.gov/

Orange County Preparation http://www.readyoc.com/

Image Source: Flight 93 Logo piece, Flight93MemorialProject.org, extracted 9/2004

September is Campus Fire Safety Month

This is the season for families to send their high school graduates off to college. Please take a moment to discuss Safety issues, including Campus Fire Safety this month.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/college/

School Traffic Safety - Plan Ahead and Slow Down

Article by Laura Herzog, News Enterprise

As summertime draws to an end and our children are getting ready to go back to school, the community is asked to plan ahead, and grant extra traveling time. In the hustle and bustle of busy schedules, we are many times in a hurry to get from point A to point B and we forget to plan extra time into our schedule. You may be thinking extra time for what? Our school-age children will be back gathering at some of the busiest intersections in our city.

“Crossing guards are the people in charge of the safety of our kids,” says Sgt. Sharon Kerbow of the Los Alamitos Police Department, “but a lot of times their directions are ignored. We want to remind drivers of how important these guards are to our children. They take their responsibility seriously, and if they give a direction to a driver, it’s for a good reason and it must be obeyed.”

Driving through an intersection after a crossing guard has stepped out into the crosswalk is a violation under California Vehicle Code (CVC) number 22101.Violaters can be ticketed, and the fine is $300-$350. “As long as the crossing guard has the sign up, there is no right turn,” says Kerbow. One of the most dangerous intersections is the corner of Bloomfield and Katella which is now staffed with two crossing guards and a camera.The Los Alamitos Police Department and the city’s crossing guards are united in making it safe for our children to travel to school and are reminding each member of the community of the importance of following the instructions of the crossing guards and obeying the law. “These crossing guards really are saints,” says Kerbow, “and people need to remember that they are the ones who are responsible for our children’s safety. Drivers must pay attention and follow their instructions, even if that means they have to wait longer perhaps through another cycle of traffic light.”

Bicycle Safety - Biking to School

The new school year has just begun and we anticipate large numbers of motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians to make the annual return to our school sites. The increase in traffic around schools during drop off and pick up times creates heavy congestion and many safety problems. Many students walk and ride their bicycles which helps alleviate some congestion, however it is important for students and parents to be aware of the safety concerns associated with these types of travel.

In particular, the safety of children bicyclists needs to be addressed. Each year, over 500,000 people are treated for injuries related to bicycle-involved collisions. Approximately two-thirds of those injured are under the age of fifteen. Statistics have shown that younger bicycle riders are more often responsible for causing collisions than are older riders. This is in part due to their inability to readily identify and react to dangerous situations. The following suggestions are intended to help increase the student's awareness of bicycle safety.

• Always wear a bicycle helmet when riding. Helmets have been proven to reduce injury during a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends helmets that comply with standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL).
• Make sure the helmet and bicycle have been properly fitted. Equipment which is too big or too small makes it more difficult to maintain control of the bicycle.
• Maintain the bicycle in proper working order. Also, insure the proper lights and reflectors are on the bicycle for times when it is dark.
• While on a bicycle, obey the same rules of the road that apply to motor vehicle traffic (i.e. Stop Signs, Stop Lights, Hand Signals, etc.).
• When riding in the street, ride in the same direction as vehicles are traveling. Use a bicycle lane if one is available. Never ride with more than two bicycles side by side. The safest way to ride is in a single file staying as close as practical to the right curb.
• When riding on the sidewalk, ride in the same direction as the vehicles are traveling. Always be aware of pedestrians and yield the right-of-way to them.
• Check for approaching traffic whenever crossing a driveway or intersection. 70% of collisions, involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle, occur at driveways and other intersections.
• Avoid things that are distracting while riding – such as headphones.
• Don't carry items while riding. Holding objects will make it difficult to maintain control of the bicycle.
• Never allow someone to ride on the handlebars. Vision is obstructed, balance is affected and braking distance/time increases.
• Be aware of hazards such as drain grates, wet pavement and curbs.
• Learn the safest routes between home and school Try to cross streets where there are Stop Signs, Traffic Signals or Crosswalks. Remember, crosswalks are for pedestrians. To travel in a crosswalk, walk the bicycle across.

These bicycle safety tips will only be effective if they become a part of the student's daily riding routine. If enough children practice proper bicycle safety, the number of collisons involving students can be greatly reduced.

Parents, remember the most effective bicycle safety lesson your child can learn will be watching you. If you practice proper bicycle safety, then your child will be more likely to do so, as well.

Submitted by R. Thome, Corporal

Traffic Safety During Power Outages

A reminder due to ongoing power outages in Southern California during this heat wave, and any time you encounter an area with a power loss.

If you're in a vehicle during a power outage, follow these important safety tips:

• STOP at all intersections, then proceed cautiously when traffic permits. The CA Vehicle Code treats uncontrolled intersections as a 4-way stop.
• STOP at all railroad crossings until you're sure the tracks are clear. Rail safety devices require power to operate.
• Obey law enforcement officers who are directing traffic. Situations like these require the full attention of drivers.
• If you have to pull off the roadway, use your emergency flashers to alert approaching traffic.
• Watch out for pedestrians along darkened roadways.

Tips courtesy of the CHP-California Highway Patrol

Website Improvements

The Official site of the Los Alamitos Police Department, http://www.losalamitospolice.org/, is undergoing a re-model. Thank you for your patience as there will be ongoing additions and improvements during this period. Updated information and new features are planned which we hope will improve your experience.

Your feedback as a user of this site is valuable. Please let us know what information you feel would be valuable for our webteam to include. Forward comments to Sgt Sean Connolly sconnolly@ci.los-alamitos.ca.us or 562-431-2255 x 422.

O.C. Health Care Agency Urges Precautions to Prevent Bats from Entering Your Home

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Howard Sutter
August 28, 2007
(714) 834-2178

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has received a number of phone calls this year from area residents who are concerned about bats that have entered their homes.

Several species of bats are native to Orange County and bats are beneficial to the ecosystem for many reasons, including their consumption of insects.

However, bats can carry rabies, a virus of great concern to people and animals.

"Many of our recent calls have been from people who have found bats in their homes," said Hildy Meyers, M.D., Medical Director of Public Health Epidemiology. "In these cases, the bats most likely flew into the homes through an open door or window. We encourage all Orange County residents to make sure their doors and windows have proper screens that will keep bats and other animals as well as insects, like mosquitoes, out of their homes."

Since bats can squeeze into very small spaces, steps should be taken to bat-proof the exterior of your home or other buildings on your property. This includes closing all outside openings larger than 3/8" inch by using mesh, netting, caulking or other sealants.

In 2007, five (5) bats found in Orange County have tested positive for rabies. This is approximately 9% of all of the bats submitted for testing, about the same percentage of positive rabies tests as reported in previous years.

The best advice is to never touch a bat with your bare hands, even if it appears to be dead. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a bat should seek medical attention immediately. If you observe a bat in your home, confine it to one unoccupied room of the house and call your local animal control agency. Animal control officers will remove the bat from the home for testing. Animal control should also be notified if you observe a bat that is acting abnormally during daylight hours. It is very important to make sure that your pets are currently vaccinated to protect them from rabies.

Potential exposure to a bat should be reported to Orange County Public Health Epidemiology at (714) 834-8180. This includes bare handed contact with a bat, sleeping in the same room in which a bat is found or finding a bat in the room of an unattended child.

Distraction Burglary Prevention

The Los Alamitos Police Department is educating the community to combat a form of burglary that does not occur frequently, but when it does occur it is often a high loss crime and targets the elderly and other vulnerable residents. It is suspected that these types of crimes sometimes may go unreported, as their commission requires an element of trust. The victim may feel embarrassed that their trust was violated by the criminal and may lead to the victim avoiding reporting the incident.

In Los Alamitos, alleged suspects have posed as estimators for home improvement work and other types of un-anticipated salespeople, calling on the victim at the front of their home.

In general, the scam goes as follows. A person approaches either the home or the resident outside. They will have a reason to sell something to you, to inspect something for you, or otherwise move you to another part of the house or yard. They may accompany you to the back yard to check on the impact of the “work they are doing next door,” or they may want you to show them the problem-plumbing fixture they would like to fix for you. In the meantime, their accomplice(s) walked in the open front or back door, or even an open window, while the resident is in the back yard or another part of the house. The accomplice(s) is looking for high value items while the resident is kept distracted. Most criminals learn their craft in short order and know where to look for cash, jewelry, strong boxes, and safes.

These criminals are appropriately dressed, articulate, have props making them look legitimate (i.e.: business cards, clip boards to jot down their estimates, etc.), and have a variety of strategies to gain your trust.

The crime is insidious as the variety of strategies, approaches, and props to gain people’s trust is only limited by their imagination. The disturbing aspect is that these ruthless people have your trust, and the criminal’s full intention is unknown.

Other methods for the suspects to gain the trust and compliance of their victims include:

• Posing as Neighborhood Watch volunteers
• Posing as utility company personnel
• Posing as a good Samaritan who is reporting an unsafe condition in or around your home
• Posing as police officers

The Los Alamitos Police Department does not want to unduly frighten residents, but it is important to be aware of techniques that are used to gain access to your home. Possible victims and their neighbors should be aware of the varieties of scams used to get through the front or back door of the home.

• Keep your doors locked and attempt to identify callers at your front door before opening. Some people fear that they may be construed as being rude. It is NOT rude to ensure your safety and the safety of your family and property. If the caller does not agree with this treatment, they can leave quietly.
• Utility companies are aware of these types of situations and should have procedures in place for a resident to call and verify the identity of an employee before a resident allows access to the home or property. These companies often hire contractors, who may not have utility company uniforms but they should have some type of identification and they should have a procedure of identifying themselves with the contracting employer. Residents should look up the phone number of the utility company themselves, rather than using a telephone number provided which may go directly to an accomplice.
• Use caution when people you do not recognize attempt to distract you by claiming they have seen something unsafe or dangerous in your yard or somewhere which may encourage you to leave your house. Accomplices may be nearby waiting for the opportunity to take advantage.
• If you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don't let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbor to be present upon their return or ask the caller to contact this person.
• Remember a genuine caller won't mind waiting while you check their identity thoroughly.
• Please look out for your elderly relatives and neighbors as these criminals identify them as an easy target.

Treat every stranger with caution, if you are suspicious of the person’s actions or are unable to reasonably identify the person initiating contact with you in these circumstances, don’t hesitate to call the Police Department and ask for assistance. The Los Alamitos Police Department would much rather respond and determine the situation is as it should be, rather than be called later and find that our resident has been the victim of this scam.

Catalytic Converter Thefts

Crime Advisory: Catalytic Converter Thefts

Several thefts of catalytic converters from parked vehicles were reported from the Apartment Row neighborhood during the past week. This problem has been occurring in other jurisdictions as well. The catalytic converters, which can cost over $500 to replace, are popular among thieves because they contain platinum and can be recycled for cash. The thieves generally crawl under the vehicles and either saw off the converters or remove the bolts that hold them in place. Sport utility vehicles and trucks are frequent targets due to their higher ground clearance. Most of the thefts in Los Alamitos were from Toyotas where only four bolts hold the catalytic converter in place.

Although officers are diligently patrolling Los Alamitos neighborhoods in the late evening and early morning hours looking for the perpetrators of these thefts, we are asking for your vigilance in immediately reporting any suspicious activity.

Police Dispatch (562) 594-7232
Emergency 9-1-1

C.E.R.T. Class #4 Begins September 27, 2007

West County CERT, which includes the cities of Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and the Orange County Fire Authority, will be hosting its fourth CERT class in the City of La Palma beginning Thursday September 27th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is an eight week course that will meet consecutively on Thursday nights through November 15th. Students learn skills in basic first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, and disaster psychology, all of which will be critical during a disaster.

All members of the public who are above the age of 15 are encouraged to attend, and class is limited to 50 students. For more information please contact Sergeant Bruce McAlpine City of Los Alamitos Police Department Emergency Services Coordinator at 431-2255 ext 445 or see http://www.westcountycert.com/ for details.

If you are interested in signing up you can contact Police Department Secretary Catherine Howard at 431-2255 ext.401