Holiday Reminder

Please have a safe and pleasant Holiday Weekend and remember what Memorial Day represents.

The Dangers of Leaving Kids in Cars, continued

Every year there are tragic cases where children and babies are inadvertently left unattended in cars and die from hyperthermia. Vigilance is necessary even in mild temperatures, but as the summer heat approaches parents and caretakers must take extra precautions to prevent these terrible events.

The Washington Post produced an interesting article regarding these situations. Don't forget to view the video previously posted which contains tips for prevention.

For other child and vehicle safety information, please visit Kids and Cars.

The Dangers of Leaving Kids in Cars

Copy Machines, a Security Risk?

The attached news video is an interesting story dealing with privacy and data concerns. The piece discusses how modern copy machines often contain data hard drives which store information and digital copies of documents that have been produced on these machines, and how this information can potentially end up in the wrong hands.

The City of Los Alamitos is addressing these concerns with their own equipment. Is your business? The business where you share your personal information?

Managing your personal security often means knowing the right questions to ask.

Be Prepared. Be Safe.

Underage Drinking, DUI, and Preventing Tragedy

The Prom Season and other end of school year activities are upon us and the Los Alamitos Police Department is confident that students, parents, and concerned community members will take a moment to consider the serious public safety issues involved with underage drinking and with driving under the influence. The Police Department wishes everyone a safe conclusion of the school year and our hope is to prevent a tragedy - in partnership with our Community.

Every other year, the Los Alamitos Police Department collaborates with the Youth Center and other community groups and agencies to present the program, Every 15 Minutes. The last presentation was last year and it presents these issues in an immersive and powerful way. To find out more about the program, visit their website. You can see a 10 minute video illustrating this program posted at the top of this article, or on our website.

The following are some important facts to discuss with loved ones.

UNDERAGE DRINKING IS A SERIOUS ISSUE

• Each year thousands of teens are killed or injured in traffic crashes as a result of underage drinking.

• During 2006, 7,643 15- to 20-year-old drivers and motorcycle operators were involved in fatal traffic crashes across the Nation, 1,377 (18 percent) of whom had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, despite the fact that it is illegal for teens to drive after drinking any alcohol.

• Nationally, 64 percent of all drivers or motorcycle operators ages 15 to 20 who were involved in fatal traffic crashes and had a BAC of .08 or higher died as a result of the crash.

• Local community leaders, concerned citizens, and the Los Alamitos Police Department are joined together to prevent underage drinking.

• Teens and parents both need a strong reminder – underage drinking is illegal and can have disastrous consequences.

DRINKING AND DRIVING IS A DEADLY CRIME

• Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident – nor is it a victimless crime.

• Most of those killed in alcohol-related crashes involving teen drivers are the young drivers themselves and their passengers.

• Throughout the year, local law enforcement will continue to watch for underage drinkers and adult providers– and the chances of getting caught have never been greater.

• Remember, giving teens alcohol is not only wrong – it’s against the law. Underage Drinking. Adult Consequences.

For more information please visit www.nhtsa.gov

National Police Week

"It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."
-Vivian Eney Cross, Survivor

Each May during National Police Week the nation pauses to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. This year National Police Week will be observed from May 9 to May 15, 2010.

Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special tribute to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Ceremonies are held in Washington, DC, and in communities across the country. During the ceremonies in Washington, DC, the names of those peace officers killed in the line of duty will be enrolled onto the National Memorial.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. Dedicated on October 15, 1991, the Memorial honors federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.

The Memorial features two curving, 304-foot-long blue-gray marble walls. Carved on these walls are the names of more than 18,600 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1792. Unlike many other memorials in Washington, DC, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is ever-changing: new names of fallen officers are added to the monument each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week. The names of the officers added to the Memorial this year can be found here.

On Thursday, May 13, 2010, there will be a candlelight vigil held at the National Memorial. You may register to view the vigil online by visiting here. You can view the highlights from last year via the You Tube video posted at the top of this article.

For more information about the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Fund and Police Week, please visit NLEOMF and NLEOMF Police Week.

West County CERT Graduation

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, West County Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) graduated another 55 community members in the first of two basic C.E.R.T. academies held this year. Emergency services bureaus from six Orange County cities comprise the West County C.E.R.T. group: Buena Park, Cypress, Los Alamitos, La Palma, Seal Beach, and Westminster.

This latest basic C.E.R.T. academy provided community members with specialized training in disaster preparation, search and rescue, fire prevention, medical operations, terrorism awareness, critical incident stress debriefing, team organization, and the incident command system. The academy consists of a 20-hour commitment over the course of two weekends. For their final test, class members participated in a large-scale terrorist attack exercise. With additional training, class members may move on to the advanced C.E.R.T. program to become full members of West County C.E.R.T.

West County C.E.R.T. members respond to a variety of call-outs both pre-planned events and emergency incidents. They have responded to everything from assisting on county-wide wild fires, flooding incidents, to traffic control during parades. Recently West County C.E.R.T. was instrumental in assisting during a Point of Distribution (POD) event during the H1N1 flu virus.

Community members living or working within the West County C.E.R.T. jurisdictions interested in attending the next C.E.R.T. academy (tentatively planned for fall 2010) may visit http://www.westcountycert.com/ for more information or send an email to westcountycert@yahoo.com. The academy fills up quickly and space is limited.

Supervisory Leadership Institute

Sergeant Tom Raso graduated from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI) on Wednesday, April 28. SBSLI is a rigorous eight (8) month, 192-hour course of instruction dedicated to enhancing the leadership capabilities of law enforcement's first line supervisors. Sergeants throughout California, meeting the Institute’s strict entrance requirements, are eligible to attend. The program also provides a forum for students to address and debate various concepts related to leadership and professionalism.

All of the Department’s sergeants, except for our newest sergeant who becomes eligible in 2011, have completed the course.

Sgt. Raso’s law enforcement career began in 1990 and he came to the Los Alamitos Police Department 2000. He has worked in patrol and as a motor officer. Tom was instrumental in developing the capabilities of our traffic unit and helping develop the West Orange County Serious Traffic Accident Response (STAR) Team. Tom was promoted to Sergeant in 2006 and works as a Watch Commander.

Chief Todd Mattern and the Los Alamitos Police Department are very proud of Sgt. Raso for his dedication and commitment to completing this rigorous program which enhances our service to the community.

For more information about this leadership program, please visit their website, California POST Commission SBSLI program.

Hotel / Motel Scam

With summer vacations right around the corner, it makes sense to consider possible scams to avoid in your travels. One such hotel / motel scam was forwarded to a Sergeant at our Department and was also featured in an article in the USA Today. The scam goes something like this:

After arriving at your destination you check in at the front desk. When checking in you give the front desk clerk your credit card for all related charges. You get to your room and you are relaxing.

Someone calls the front desk and asks for your room number. The front desk transfers the call to your room and when the phone rings you answer. The person on the other end says, “this is the front desk, after you checked in we came across a problem with your credit card information. Please re-read your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits on the reverse side of your credit card.”

Perhaps not thinking clearly due to your travels, you might give this person your information since the call seems as though it is coming from the front desk. Later you learn it is a scam from someone calling from outside the hotel (or perhaps a criminally inclined employee). They ask for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card information. Sounding like a professional staff member, they convince you that you are talking to someone at the front desk.

If you ever encounter this situation on your vacation, tell the caller that you are coming down to the front desk to clear up any issue. Once you get to the front desk, verify if there has actually been a problem with your credit card information.

This scam highlights the strategy of never providing your personal information except to reliable and confirmed sources. These should be sources you have dealt with previously, or where you have initiated the contact. Reputable businesses do not call and have you provide your information again, especially online or on the telephone. Be suspicious of these requests and always verify you are dealing with a legitimate entity.

USA Today

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Share the Road California!

Facts about motorcycles:

• Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as any motor vehicle on the roadway.
• Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national and state initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to “Share the Road” with each other.
• Riders need to make themselves "high-viz" or "visible." Draw attention to themselves even if other drivers may not be actively looking.
• Approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle. Nearly 40 percent of those crashes were caused by the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist.

The motorist “Share the Road” Checklist

• Expect to see motorcycles at any time, and search frequently for them.
• Check your mirrors and blind spot before merging or changing lanes, especially in heavy traffic. A motorcycle can easily be hidden behind a car or truck.

The Motorcyclist "Share the Road" Checklist

• Wear brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet. Red, yellow, orange, and white are highly visible and help a rider stand out. Use reflective tape and stickers to make you more visible to other motorists.
• Strategically use your lane position to see and be seen.
• Always use your turn signals each time you turn or change lanes, even if you think no one will see it.
• Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.

For more information, visit the California DMV Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month website. They have more facts, informative videos, and an overview on Motorcycle rider testing.

May is Peace Officers' Memorial Month

This special time has been set aside nationwide to remember those peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the citizens we serve. Services are scheduled throughout the month.

Today, May 7, 2010, six California Peace Officers killed in the line of duty in 2009 and four others from prior years had their names enrolled during a ceremony in Sacramento. Their names are now part of the California Peace Officers Memorial on the Capitol grounds. These are the 2010 Honored Officers.

More services are planned during the month. National Police Week begins May 9 and extends through May 15, which is Peace Officer Memorial Day. The National Candlelight Vigil and Memorial Service are scheduled for May 13 and May 15, respectively. Orange County agencies are holding a candlelight vigil Tuesday, May 25 at 8 P.M., and a memorial service on Wednesday, May 26 at 11:00 A.M. These will be held at the Plaza of the Flags in the Santa Ana Civic Center.

To learn more about the California Peace Officer Memorial, visit their website.

Crime Survivors Awards Banquet

Los Alamitos Police Sergeant Sharon Kerbow was recognized by the Crime Survivors advocacy group April 23, 2010, during their Annual Awards Banquet. Sergeant Kerbow’s nomination reads in part:

“Although customer service is a priority for all employees in Los Alamitos, no one takes it more seriously than Sergeant Sharon Kerbow. Recently completing a rotation in the Detective Bureau, Sergeant Kerbow is back in patrol where she takes compassion to another level. It isn’t just one case than earns her that reputation; it is a list too numerous to name. Whether she is comforting a victim who suffered a violent crime, protecting a witness to a homicide, or investigating a case in which a charity was the victim of fraud, Sharon proudly wears her heart on her sleeve.

Although each case is different, Sgt. Kerbow has been known to act as an advocate for young crime victims and a friend to older victims. From the onset, she makes each case personal, as if the victim were a family member or friend. Her concern for them is genuine and she frequently extends herself beyond her workday by providing her personal cell phone number or reaching into her own pocket to feed a hungry stranger. She’ll stop by to check on victims from previous crimes and ensure that they have the resources they need. She establishes a rapport with troubled youth and, as a result, was called to Los Angeles in the middle of the night because a teen, contemplating suicide, would only speak to her.

Using her wit and charisma, Sharon teaches women’s safety, teen/dating safety, Skills and Assets for Excellence (SAFE) program to fifth graders, and domestic violence prevention classes. She is as passionate about helping people protect themselves as she is about offering reassurance if someone becomes a victim.

As a mentor and instructor for new officers at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center, Sharon teaches the interpersonal skills that have become the icon of her career.

Only those who have suffered as a victim of a violent crime can truly appreciate the value of those words of encouragement and the merits of Sgt. Kerbow’s service to this community. On a daily basis, Sgt. Sharon Kerbow epitomizes compassionate victim assistance in the law enforcement profession.”

Sgt. Kerbow began her law enforcement career with the Los Alamitos Police Department in 1994. Prior to becoming a Police Officer, she was a teacher with the Westminster School District. Having already earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and her Masters in Counseling, she completed the Fullerton Police Academy in 1993, launching her career in law enforcement.

Beginning as a patrol officer, Sharon quickly established a connection with community members and earned the reputation of being a compassionate advocate for crime victims. She was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and assigned to the Detective Bureau in 2007, where she managed the three-person bureau.

In January 2010, Sharon returned to patrol, where she is a Watch Commander. She volunteers at the Precious Life Shelter and serves on the Casa Youth Shelter Board of Directors.

Chief Todd Mattern and the Los Alamitos Police Department are very proud of Sgt. Kerbow and joins Crime Survivors in saying; “Thanks for Going Above and Beyond to Empower Victims of Crime”

For more information about the work of Crime Survivors, please visit their website, CrimeSurvivors.