Texting While Driving - It's Not Worth It

Texting while driving is a serious problem on America's roads. Seventy-one percent of young people say they have sent a text while driving. As a result, thousands of people die every year in crashes related to distracted driving.

(Extra tidbit:  It's not just the young drivers)

Distraction.gov

CERT Class Coming

Are you prepared for an earthquake or other natural disaster?  Can you be a resource to your family and neighborhood when first responders are up to 5 to 7 days from responding?  West County CERT will be hosting their next class April 7, 8 and 14, 15 at the Joint Forces Training Base.  Contact Corporal Stacy Smith at 562-431-2255 ext 445 or ssmith@cityoflosalamitos.org for further details. 

To register, go to the link below or email WestCountyCertAcademy@gmail.com

https://westcountycacert.samariteam.com/

AlertOC - Sign-Up Now

All residents and businesses, please sign up for AlertOC. It is a mass notification system we can use to notify you in the event of an emergency. You can add both home and work locations if both are within Orange County.

AlertOC - Sign-Up here!

Driving Carefully in Heavy Rains

Because the roads can be very slippery, you need to exercise caution in the rain.

Rain is a good thing: it helps water our plants, it can be fun to frolic in; but driving in it? That’s not so fun. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Why Is Rain So Dangerous to Drive In?

Rain actually causes your tires to lose traction—when the road gets wet, the water mixes with the dirt on the asphalt, making it harder for your tires to “hang on” to the road. Simply put, rain makes everything slippery, and puddles that form can lead to hydroplaning. Apart from what the precipitation does to the road and your car, the rain makes it difficult to see. We’ve all been there: you’re driving along and all of a sudden the downpour becomes so thick that it’s hard to see where you’re going.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Plan for More Time on the Road

When it’s raining, even if it’s not that much, traffic tends to move slower (drivers in California are all too familiar with this). And though it may slow you down on your commute to school or work, this is a good thing: you should drive slower in the rain. Always give yourself plenty of time (this means allowing extra time) to get to your destination. Never rush when it’s raining heavily: accidents are even more likely when weather conditions are poor.

Be More Cautious with Braking

When you’re driving in a downpour, you simply cannot brake late the way you can in ideal weather conditions. The roads are slippery, which means you could slide more if you brake too quickly. There’s also a chance that you could get water in your brakes, which will cause them to lose their stopping power. You want to avoid slamming on your brakes—when it’s raining, you should brake with less force. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation.

Use Your Headlights

Even if it’s only lightly sprinkling, your headlights will help you see the road better. Plus, having your headlights on allows other drivers to see you. However, contrary to what you may think, using your high-beam headlights will actually make things worse: the light from the beams will reflect back at you off the water in the air, actually making it harder for you to see.

Do Not Use Cruise Control

While you may think having your car travel at a set speed when it’s raining is a good idea, cruise control can actually become problematic when it’s raining. If your car hydroplanes while you have your cruise control set, your car can actually accelerate—which is not something you want to happen when you’re hydroplaning. Having your foot away from the pedals can also be hazardous when you are driving in torrential rain.

Be Extra Careful After Long Dry Spells

If it’s raining hard after a long period of dryness, you need to be even more cautious on the road. Over time, engine oil and other substances build up on streets, and when rainwater gets added to the mix, a very slippery combination results. The first few hours of that initial rain are the most treacherous. Eventually, the rain washes away the buildup on the streets, but until then, be wary when driving anywhere.

Avoid Standing Water

Staying away from standing water (like large puddles) is the best-case scenario, but if you approach it on the roadway and must drive through it, be sure you slow down. If you don’t, you risk hydroplaning and losing control of your car. Plus, passing through deep water could spell trouble for your car’s engine and brakes.

Stay Off the Road If Possible

Of course, the best thing is to stay at home when there’s a rainstorm. Obviously this isn’t always possible, with school, work, and other obligations, but if you can stay off the road, do so. There’s no sense risking an accident if you don’t have to.

 

Be the Best Driver on a Rainy Day

Because the roads can be very slippery, you need to exercise caution in the rain.

Rain is a good thing: it helps water our plants, it can be fun to frolic in; but driving in it? That’s not so fun. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Why Is Rain So Dangerous to Drive In?

Rain actually causes your tires to lose traction—when the road gets wet, the water mixes with the dirt on the asphalt, making it harder for your tires to “hang on” to the road. Simply put, rain makes everything slippery, and puddles that form can lead to hydroplaning. Apart from what the precipitation does to the road and your car, the rain makes it difficult to see. We’ve all been there: you’re driving along and all of a sudden the downpour becomes so thick that it’s hard to see where you’re going.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Plan for More Time on the Road

When it’s raining, even if it’s not that much, traffic tends to move slower (drivers in California are all too familiar with this). And though it may slow you down on your commute to school or work, this is a good thing: you should drive slower in the rain. Always give yourself plenty of time (this means allowing extra time) to get to your destination. Never rush when it’s raining heavily: accidents are even more likely when weather conditions are poor.

Be More Cautious with Braking

When you’re driving in a downpour, you simply cannot brake late the way you can in ideal weather conditions. The roads are slippery, which means you could slide more if you brake too quickly. There’s also a chance that you could get water in your brakes, which will cause them to lose their stopping power. You want to avoid slamming on your brakes—when it’s raining, you should brake with less force. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation.

Use Your Headlights

Even if it’s only lightly sprinkling, your headlights will help you see the road better. Plus, having your headlights on allows other drivers to see you. However, contrary to what you may think, using your high-beam headlights will actually make things worse: the light from the beams will reflect back at you off the water in the air, actually making it harder for you to see.

Do Not Use Cruise Control

While you may think having your car travel at a set speed when it’s raining is a good idea, cruise control can actually become problematic when it’s raining. If your car hydroplanes while you have your cruise control set, your car can actually accelerate—which is not something you want to happen when you’re hydroplaning. Having your foot away from the pedals can also be hazardous when you are driving in torrential rain.

Be Extra Careful After Long Dry Spells

If it’s raining hard after a long period of dryness, you need to be even more cautious on the road. Over time, engine oil and other substances build up on streets, and when rainwater gets added to the mix, a very slippery combination results. The first few hours of that initial rain are the most treacherous. Eventually, the rain washes away the buildup on the streets, but until then, be wary when driving anywhere.

Avoid Standing Water

Staying away from standing water (like large puddles) is the best-case scenario, but if you approach it on the roadway and must drive through it, be sure you slow down. If you don’t, you risk hydroplaning and losing control of your car. Plus, passing through deep water could spell trouble for your car’s engine and brakes.

Stay Off the Road If Possible

Of course, the best thing is to stay at home when there’s a rainstorm. Obviously this isn’t always possible, with school, work, and other obligations, but if you can stay off the road, do so. There’s no sense risking an accident if you don’t have to.

 

Holidays are a wonderful time for family, festivities, and gatherings, however crime often increases during the holiday season.  To learn about things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim, please click here.

A Message from Griffin News and our SRO

School Resource Officer Nelson made the Griffin News this week (:13).  Together they brought a friendly reminder, and a few laughs, to the students and staff at Los Al High.

#GriffinNews #LosAlPD

PET OWNER TIPS FOR THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY

The Fourth of July can be a frightening time for animals, with the loud sounds of firecrackers and fireworks often sending pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter. Long Beach Animal Care Services reminds all animal owners that they can save themselves and their pets a tremendous amount of heartache and anxiety by following a few simple suggestions:

·         Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death)

·         Double check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape

·         Make certain pets are wearing identification, including the name and current telephone number of owner

Anyone who loses an animal in the City of Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Signal Hill or Cerritos should visit www.petharbor.com or the City's pet lost and found online at www.longbeach.gov/acs. If one does not see their pet online, please visit the local shelter in person on Sunday, July 5, 2015, between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St., between Studebaker Road and the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway.

Taking special care of your pets during the Fourth of July is responsible pet ownership, just like licensing and keeping identification tags on pets, and making sure they are spayed or neutered.

The shelter will be closed Saturday, July 4, 2015, but Animal Control Officers will be responding 24-hours a day to emergency calls, such as stray and injured animals, and animals that have bitten others.

Animal Care staff will contact owners of lost pets that have identification tags or microchips. Animals with identification will be held at the Village for fourteen days, pending being claimed by their owner. Animals without identification will be held for a minimum of six days before being evaluated for adoption.

The shelter is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The shelter is closed on Monday, Tuesday and holidays. For Animal Care Services or more information call 570-PETS (7387). After-hours emergency phone calls for services are automatically transferred to the Fire Department for dispatch service.

For further information regarding Animal Care Services and responsible pet ownership, visit www.longbeach.gov/acs or call 562.570.7387.

LOS ALAMITOS POLICE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONS THE PUBLIC OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS

As the 4th of July fast approaches and we celebrate the birth of our nation with family and friends, the Los Alamitos Police Department would like to remind the public that the use of fireworks in the City is illegal. 

Across the nation, approximately 10,000 people sustain eye injuries and burns from the use of fireworks each year, and as reported by the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org), children between the ages of 10 and 14 are three times as likely to suffer a fireworks related injury as the general population.  Most of these injuries are directly attributed to the use of illegal fireworks as well as those approved as Safe and Sane.  Moreover, millions of dollars of fireworks related property damage are reported annually.  

The use, possession, or sale of fireworks in Los Alamitos is a crime and is punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year in county jail.  The Los Alamitos Police Department will be actively enforcing California Health and Safety Code violations related to fireworks.  

The Police Department wants everyone to celebrate Independence Day safely and responsibly.  Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the professional fireworks display and festivities presented during the 4th of July Spectacular held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.  The event is free to the public but a nominal $5 fee per vehicle will be charged for parking.

The public is encouraged to report fireworks activity to the Los Alamitos Police Department at (562) 594-7232.

LOS ALAMITOS POLICE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONS THE PUBLIC OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS

As the 4th of July fast approaches and we celebrate the birth of our nation with family and friends, the Los Alamitos Police Department would like to remind the public that the use of fireworks in the City is illegal. 

Across the nation, approximately 10,000 people sustain eye injuries and burns from the use of fireworks each year, and as reported by the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org), children between the ages of 10 and 14 are three times as likely to suffer a fireworks related injury as the general population.  Most of these injuries are directly attributed to the use of illegal fireworks as well as those approved as Safe and Sane.  Moreover, millions of dollars of fireworks related property damage are reported annually.  

The use, possession, or sale of fireworks in Los Alamitos is a crime and is punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year in county jail.  The Los Alamitos Police Department will be actively enforcing California Health and Safety Code violations related to fireworks.  

The Police Department wants everyone to celebrate Independence Day safely and responsibly.  Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the professional fireworks display and festivities presented during the 4th of July Spectacular held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.  The event is free to the public but a nominal $5 fee per vehicle will be charged for parking.

The public is encouraged to report fireworks activity to the Los Alamitos Police Department at (562) 594-7232.

PET OWNER TIPS FOR THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY

The Fourth of July can be a frightening time for animals, with the loud sounds of firecrackers and fireworks often sending pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter. Long Beach Animal Care Services reminds all animal owners that they can save themselves and their pets a tremendous amount of heartache and anxiety by following a few simple suggestions:

·         Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death)

·         Double check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape

·         Make certain pets are wearing identification, including the name and current telephone number of owner

Anyone who loses an animal in the City of Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Signal Hill or Cerritos should visit www.petharbor.com or the City's pet lost and found online at www.longbeach.gov/acs. If one does not see their pet online, please visit the local shelter in person on Sunday, July 5, 2015, between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St., between Studebaker Road and the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway.

Taking special care of your pets during the Fourth of July is responsible pet ownership, just like licensing and keeping identification tags on pets, and making sure they are spayed or neutered.

The shelter will be closed Saturday, July 4, 2015, but Animal Control Officers will be responding 24-hours a day to emergency calls, such as stray and injured animals, and animals that have bitten others.

Animal Care staff will contact owners of lost pets that have identification tags or microchips. Animals with identification will be held at the Village for fourteen days, pending being claimed by their owner. Animals without identification will be held for a minimum of six days before being evaluated for adoption.

The shelter is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The shelter is closed on Monday, Tuesday and holidays. For Animal Care Services or more information call 570-PETS (7387). After-hours emergency phone calls for services are automatically transferred to the Fire Department for dispatch service.

For further information regarding Animal Care Services and responsible pet ownership, visit www.longbeach.gov/acs or call 562.570.7387.

LOS ALAMITOS POLICE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONS THE PUBLIC OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS

As the 4th of July fast approaches and we celebrate the birth of our nation with family and friends, the Los Alamitos Police Department would like to remind the public that the use of fireworks in the City is illegal. 

Across the nation, approximately 10,000 people sustain eye injuries and burns from the use of fireworks each year, and as reported by the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org), children between the ages of 10 and 14 are three times as likely to suffer a fireworks related injury as the general population.  Most of these injuries are directly attributed to the use of illegal fireworks as well as those approved as Safe and Sane.  Moreover, millions of dollars of fireworks related property damage are reported annually.  

The use, possession, or sale of fireworks in Los Alamitos is a crime and is punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or 1 year in county jail.  The Los Alamitos Police Department will be actively enforcing California Health and Safety Code violations related to fireworks.  

The Police Department wants everyone to celebrate Independence Day safely and responsibly.  Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the professional fireworks display and festivities presented during the 4th of July Spectacular held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.  The event is free to the public but a nominal $5 fee per vehicle will be charged for parking.

The public is encouraged to report fireworks activity to the Los Alamitos Police Department at (562) 594-7232.

It's Not Worth It - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Help keep our teens stay safe, visit “Impact Teen Drivers” at http://impactteendrivers.org/ for information about Distracted Driving. “It’s Not Worth it”

5 Seconds - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.

53% - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

“It’s Not Worth it”, In 2014, nearly 53% of drivers admitted to making a driving mistake while talking on a cell phone.

61% - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

In 2014, 61% of California drivers surveyed said they had been hit or nearly hit by a driver who was talking or texting on a cell phone.

3,154 and 424,000 - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

According to the latest data from NHTSA, nationwide in 2013, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated additional 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

Take the Pledge - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Take the pledge to remain distraction free by visiting http://www.distraction.gov/ or  http://www.whatdoyouconsiderlethal.com/

It's Not Worth It - Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Help keep our teens stay safe, visit “Impact Teen Drivers” at http://impactteendrivers.org/ for information about Distracted Driving. “It’s Not Worth it”

Prevent Distracted Driving

Prevent distractions by following the steps below;

1. Never text and drive
2. Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel
3. Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving
4. Make a pact with your family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone with kids in the car.
5. No eating or drinking while driving
6. Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player or other devices while driving
7. Pull over and stop to read maps.
8. No grooming
9. No reading
10. No watching videos
11. Try not to get too involved with passengers
12. If something falls to the floor, pull over before trying to reach it.