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Volume 20, Issue 2 May-Sept 2012

T.I.P.S.“TIPS AND INFO FOR PUBLIC SAFETY”

The InFourmer

Tim Fournier, Chief of Police New Hope Police Department

September 6, 2012

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer! As we move into fall, please remember to be more observant of

pedestrian school traffic during the morning and afternoon hours. We have School Patrol members out at all three elementary schools to assist walkers safely across the streets. Officers will be concentrating on traffic enforcement in

school zones, so please take your time and slow down.

This fall is turning out to be an exciting time for the police department. We’ve recently hired two new officers; Britni Austin and Erick Dyer. Britni has several years experience as a community service officer and in crime prevention with

Centennial Lakes Police Department. Erick has been an officer with the Mound and Orono Police Departments. Both began their training September 10. Two additional officer openings will be filled in early 2013.

Also, the City Council, North Memorial Partnership for Change, Cooper High School seniors, and the New Hope police department are working together to enact a “Social Host” ordinance. What are social host laws? Current laws provide

for penalties to those who provide alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21, but they fail to address the individuals who

allow a party to take place in a home where they know minors will consume alcohol. A social host ordinance makes it unlawful to provide an environment where underage drinking takes place, regardless of who provided the alcohol. A

person does not meet the definition of a host if they are unaware of illegal consumption on their property while away from their residence. Parents cannot be charged under a social host ordinance if, in their presence, they allow their own

underage child to consume alcohol in their residence. In 2006, not a single social host ordinance existed in Minnesota.

As of September 19, 2011, 76 cities and 17 counties have adopted a social host ordinance. Cities with social host ordinances have found success in the reduction in the number of underage drinking parties. Surrounding cities in the

Robbinsdale District 281 (ISD 281) service area have already adopted social host regulations.

In closing, I’d like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fall. Watch for one more issue of T.I.P.S. before the New Year!

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THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!! See You in 2013!

Feel the Excitement!

Thank you for your donations!!

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New Hope Police Department responded to three residential burglaries between August 10 and August 14, 2012 in which the crimes occurred overnight while residents were sleeping in their homes. One crime oc-curred at the 4600 block of Decatur and the other two in Winnetka Green. The Police Department needs your help to solve these crimes and prevent future crimes! Please call 9-1-1 immediately if you observe any suspi-cious or criminal activity around a vehicle or home. If you have any information you believe would be helpful for investigators please contact Captain Scott Slawson at 763-531-5142. PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 TO REPORT THESE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES:

Someone loitering in driveway or looking into cars Someone you don’t recognize trying to gain access to a house or building Someone carrying a weapon or tool that might be used to break into a vehicle or home Juveniles out after curfew Sound of breaking glass Other strange noises

A FEW TIPS THAT MAY HELP PREVENT YOUR PROPERTY FROM BEING TARGETED:

YOUR HOME: Make sure that side and rear garage doors are secure with extra reinforcement when not in

use. In many of the burglary calls we receive the suspect(s) was able to gain access through one of these side or rear doors, often times unlocked.

Secure the door between your garage and home to make it more difficult for a thief to gain access Lock your windows and doors before turning in for the night. Use a Charlie Bar or wooden dowel for ex-

tra security. Maintain good security lighting on your property. Secure all exterior doors with a 1” deadbolt and high security strike plate or metal door frame. Keep landscaping properly trimmed to eliminate hiding places for a potential thief.

VEHICLES: Park in a locked garage whenever possible. Close all windows, and lock vent wings Don’t leave personal information in your vehicle (SSN, Account #’s, Address) Don’t hide extra keys in or on your vehicle Take valuables with you or lock them in the trunk out of sight

(Before arriving at your destination in case a would be thief is watching)

RECORD THE SERIAL #’S OF YOUR VALUABLE PROPERTY AND MARK PROPERTY WITH YOUR OPERATION ID NUMBER. Remember value is in the eye of the beholder. Even if you have nothing valuable in your bag someone may break your car window to get at it if it is in plain view. Although there is no way to prevent 100% of these crimes, taking these precautions, and calling 911 to report suspicious activity to police immediately will help decrease your chance of becoming a victim, and maybe stop a crime from occurring.

If you have any questions regarding this alert or would like more information, please call Crime Prevention Officer Nichole Korth at 763-531-5140.

BURGLARY PREVENTION

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Update The cities of New Hope and Crystal and the West Metro Fire-Rescue District have teamed up to form the West Metro Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and to provide disaster training for New Hope and Crystal residents. We currently have 21 active CERT volunteers. Applications are cur-rently being accepted for the next CERT training session the weekend of October 5 to 7, 2012.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates people about disaster prepared-ness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organiza-tion, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exer-cises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately avail-able to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness pro-jects in their community.

The next West Metro CERT basic training course is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 5, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7.

The course is free, and open to anyone 15 and older (youth 15 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult). There are many jobs within a community emergency response team suitable for both older adults and those with physical limitations.

Applications for the basic CERT course are available on the city of New Hope’s website at www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/cert or by calling 763-531-5161. The deadline for applications is September 7, 2012, or when spaces fill.

For more information about CERT, visit the website www.citizencorps.gov/cert. The West Metro CERT program is made possible by a grant from the Min-nesota Department of Homeland Security.

CERT UPDATE

D.A.R.E. is excited to announce the implementation of its new keepin’ it REAL (kiR) elementary school curriculum. The D.A.R.E. program is committed to keeping up-to-date with the latest information and studies; in this effort has updated the curriculum over nine times since it began 30 years ago. Our new kiR curriculum’s design is based on the Socio-Emotional Learning Theory (SEL). SEL identifies fundamental, basic skills and development processes needed for healthy development including: self-awareness and management, responsible decision making, understanding others, relationship and communication skills, and handling responsibilities and challenges. The curriculum uses this theory to teach youth to control their impulses and think about risks and consequences which will guide them to healthy choices not only about drugs but across all parts of their lives. As they grow to be responsible citizens, they will lead healthier and more productive drug-free lives. The keepin’ it REAL Elementary curriculum was developed to work closely with D.A.R.E.’s middle school program. Both programs were developed with Penn State University. Rigorous scientific evaluation has shown kiR (keepin’ it REAL) to be “evidence-based.” Furthermore, the Society for Prevention Research ranked kiR among the most cost effective and efficient prevention programs, citing a cost benefit ratio of 28:1 ($28 in benefits for every $1 spent).

Back to School, and back to D.A.R.E. lessons! Officer Korth is back in the classroom at Sonnesyn Elementary presenting the newly updated kiR “keepin’ it REAL” curriculum. We are in week three, and technical difficulties aside all is going well. Below is an excerpt from the D.A.R.E. Parent letter created by Minnesota D.A.R.E. to announce and explain some of the updates to the D.A.R.E. Curriculum. ******************************************

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Crime Prevention Tip LOCK OUT CRIME! Take the time to lock your home, your car, and your computer! Many crimes are crimes of opportunity. Take away the opportunity by making it more difficult to access your property.

The next issue of TIPS will be out at the end of the year or early in the new year. If you have concerns , or would like more information on any topic featured, please contact Officer Korth at 763-531-5140.

N E I G H B O R H O O D

W A T C H

Next T.I.P.S. Issue

SAVE THE DATE!

Citizen’s Police Academy Started Sept. 13

September DARE at Sonnesyn

October 5-7 CERT Training

October 18 Half Pint Safety Camp

October 17 & 24 8 Hr Defensive Driving

December 14 DARE Graduation

Sonnesyn Elementary

We just finished National Night Out/Night to Unite and it’s time to meet again? Well, I know there is at least 5-6 neighborhoods planning their Fall events to get together with their neighbors before the snow flies. If the police department did not make it to your August event and you’d like more time to ask questions or have concerns addressed, please give Officer Korth a call so we can schedule someone to visit your Fall meeting. Our patrol staff has worked hard to attend as many meetings as they can to update neighbors on the trends they are seeing and to answer questions. If you think it’s been too hot for a bonfire this summer, Fall and Winter can be an excellent time to have one!

Time to Meet … Again

NCPA, through the Safe Communi-ties initiative is offering on-line train-ing for those involved in or inter-ested in starting a Neighborhood Watch. There are also trainings available on Drug Trends, and those meant to help parents receive cur-rent information to help them raise drug-free children. Please check with Officer Korth if you missed the links to these webinars.

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Halloween is fast approaching and it will soon be time to remind kids what they need to do to be safe. Below are a few tips that can help kids have a safe and fun time while trick or treating.

Costumes Make sure the costume is short and snug. Baggy sleeves, big capes, puffy skirts can trip

you up and catch fire if they brush against jack-o-lanterns or candle flames.

Shoes should fit properly. Big floppy shoes (clown shoes, adult shoes) that are hard to walk in may make you fall.

Costume props should be flexible. Props can hurt you badly if you fall. Make sure swords, knives, etc. are made of flexible plastic or rubber.

Make sure the eyeholes in my mask are wide enough.

Streets Make sure drivers can see costume in the dark. Be original with a glow in the dark costume by

attaching some reflective tape and stickers. Attach glow sticks to your costume.

Don’t go it alone while trick or treating, Go trick or treating in a group.

Kids, if you’re under age 13, make sure you go with an adult. Older kids should always go with buddies.

Cross the streets at crosswalks and intersections. Stop at street corners. Look left, right and left

again before crossing, and don’t cross between parked cars!

Remember, never step into the street without looking to see if a vehicle is coming.

Treats

Pick only wrapped candy when you trick or treat. Ask your parents to check all treats to make sure

they are safe.

Sign Up Now for Half Pint Safety Camp 2012!

We just finished hosting our Safety Camp and will now start plans for Half Pint Camp in October. This camp is accepting registrations now and we suggest you sign up early if you want your Kindergartner or 1st grader to attend this camp. We had a waiting list for Safety Camp this year and had to turn some families away. Half Pint camp is a wonderful way for your younger child to be introduced to a variety of safety issues in shorter sessions that the 3-day camp. (for younger attention spans) Children will also get some time to have fun and play. This camp is held the Thursday of MEA break. Call 763-531-5151 for more information or to register. Date: Thursday, October 18 (MEA) Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (Graduation will be held from 3:30-4 p.m.) Fee: $20 Residents of New Hope & Crystal $27 Nonresidents

Halloween is Just Around the Corner!

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The crime stats below represent data collected from

January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012. Please check the city of New Hope website at: www.ci.new-hope.mn.us for the

most recent 90 day period.

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The crime stats below represent data collected from April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. Visit the Police Inci-dent Map at http://gis.logis.org/NewHope/PIMAWeb/PIMAWeb.aspx for recent calls for service and the weekly arrest report.