Welcome to The LAW – Los Al Watch
December 2003

COP Team Note - Thank you for joining The LAW.  We hope this is the beginning of a long and beneficial partnership between the Police Department and those we serve in the community.  We encourage you to print a few copies for your neighbors who may not have Internet access.  This can be a great way to start a conversation with those neighbors.  Neighbors working together in conjunction with the Police Department is the best way to maintain quality neighborhoods.

As we begin this program, we will evaluate what works well and what does not work as well as anticipated.  We will make improvements in the delivery of this service so it may develop into its true potential.

PDF (printable) Version - 900kb

This Month’s Topics

Welcome from the Chief
Holiday Safety and Crime Prevention
Christmas Trees and Fire Safety
Holiday Trash Pick-Up Schedule
Driving While Impaired

Online Presentations

Holiday Safety and Crime Prevention
Driving While Impaired

Welcome from the Chief of Police

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for joining The LAW, our electronic information dissemination program.  With your participation, we will be able to provide you with timely information on crime prevention, police activity and current community topics.  It will also enable us to alert you to upcoming local meetings and special events.  We believe this program will enhance our communication with the community, as well as providing a mechanism for providing Neighborhood Meetings in an electronic format.   The focus of each e-mail will vary depending on the nature of the information it contains.  Some information may be directed to a particular neighborhood and will only be sent to that group, while other messages will be sent citywide.  Most of the correspondence will direct you back to our website via a hyperlink, where the information will be posted for your reference at anytime. 

Our goal is to strengthen police - community partnerships by creating a time efficient method for exchanging information.  Although this strategy is designed to save time for those residents whose schedules are too busy to attend meetings, you may still host a traditional Neighborhood Watch by contacting the Police Department and scheduling a date.  The LAW will be used as a notification tool for those meetings as well.

If, at any time, you decide to discontinue participation in The LAW, go to the Police Department webpage and follow the instructions under The LAW to unsubscribe.  Again, thank you for your participation and welcome to The LAW.

Michael McCrary
Chief of Police
Los Alamitos Police Department

Holiday Safety and Crime Prevention

As Holiday spirits rise, so does crime!

Shopping
Carry small amounts of cash.  Pay for purchases with a check or credit card.  If you have to carry a purse (your front pocket is better), carry it close to your body and always zipped.

If a robber approaches you, remain calm and give up the property the robber wants.  Nothing you own is worth risking your life or safety.  However, avoid being forced into a vehicle or moved from the location.

Do not overburden yourself with packages.  Your attention can easily be diverted from your safety.

Teach your children to go to a store clerk if you become separated.  They should never go to the parking lot or car alone.

Be alert of your surroundings, even when you are in a hurry.

Park in well-lit areas.  Avoid parking next to a van!  Remember where you park.

Hosting Parties
When you are the host have non-alcoholic beverages available, find alternative transportation, and arrange for an official designated driver.

Attending Parties
Eat before drinking - high protein foods stay in your stomach longer, slowing the absorption of alcohol.

Only time will eliminate alcohol from your body.

Know your safe limit.

Never Drink and Drive.

Home Safety
Keep gifts hidden from view through outside windows.

After opening gifts, break down cardboard boxes and put them in bags to hide the fact that you have valuable items in your home.

Your answering machine message should be non-committal as to whether or not you are home.

Alarm systems are a good investment for year-round protection of your home.

Put indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.

When leaving for an extended period, have a family member or neighbor pick up mail and the newspaper.  Also, request a vacation check from the Police Department.

Lock your doors and windows, even when you leave for only a few minutes.

Fire Safety
Use candles with caution around children and pets and NEVER leave burning candles unattended.

Do not use frayed or damaged lighting on your tree or your house.  Turn off your tree lights when you leave or when sleeping.

Place your tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.

Traveling
When traveling by vehicle check road and weather conditions.  Keep your car well maintained to avoid mechanical problems.  Whenever possible, avoid driving alone at night.  Never leave valuables in view inside the vehicle.

When traveling by plane check ahead regarding new carry-on restrictions.  Allow adequate time for check-in.

Identity Theft
Shred mail containing personal information or credit card offers.  Use caution when providing personal information.

Credit Card Fraud
Shred receipts containing your credit card number.  Be cautious when using your credit card on the Internet.  Be sure the entity you are conducting business with is reputable.  If you make a transaction online, ensure it is on a secure/encrypted Internet connection/browser.

Scams
Con artists take advantage of holiday generosity – beware of solicitors on the phone and at your door.  Ask for identification and get specifics how and where donations will be used. There are many disreputable “charities” so make sure you know to whom you are giving donations.

Dealing with Holiday Blues
Limit stress by keeping holiday expectations reasonable.  Start new traditions.  Participate when you can.  Go easy on the alcohol.  Volunteer.  Talk things out with a friend, counselor or clergy member.  Get help when the blues turn to depression.  One local resource to call:

Hotline (562) 596-5548

Please view our online presentation regarding Holiday Safety
 

Christmas Trees and Fire Safety
For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday.  We wish to offer some safety tips to make sure a mishap does not ruin your holiday season.

Christmas Trees
A real tree can add to the spirit of the Holidays by filling your home with beauty and the scent of pine. But a real tree can also pose a fire hazard. Each year, more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees and tragically nearly 40 deaths and 100 injuries result from those fires.

Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap. Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.

Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.

If you use an artificial tree, choose one that tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.

Tree lights
Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

Also, use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.

Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

Tree ornaments
Always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places.

Read labels before you use materials that come in jars, cans and spray cans.

Never place lighted candles on a tree or near any flammable materials.

Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.

Do not hang popcorn chains and candy canes on the tree when small children are present. They may think that other tree ornaments are also edible.

Holiday Trash Pick-Up Schedule

Driving While Impaired (DUI)

The Holidays are generally a time to reflect on the past year and celebrate with family and friends.  Celebrations often involve drinking alcoholic beverages that can impair judgment, especially when it comes to driving.  For your safety, and the safety of others traveling on the road, please do not drive while impaired by the effects of alcoholic beverages, prescription medications, illegal drugs or any combination.  Remember that you do not have to be “drunk”  before your driving is impaired significantly… and where you could be arrested for driving under the influence.  Please utilize a Designated Driver who has committed to celebrating alcohol and drug free. 

…over 20% of all traffic fatalities in the United States each year are caused by drunk drivers.

…it is a crime for anyone with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or higher to operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway.  You can still be arrested and prosecuted for DUI if it is shown that you are impaired by the effects of the alcohol, even if your blood alcohol level is less than .08 percent.

…it is a crime to drink any alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle upon a public roadway.

…alcohol-related traffic collisions kill more young people between 16 and 24 than any other single cause.

…the ZERO TOLERANCE law states that anyone under 21 found driving with a blood alcohol level of .01 percent or higher will automatically lose their driving privilege for one year.  Those without a license will have to wait an additional year to be eligible to apply

Please visit Mothers Against Drunk Driving and take their online pledge not to drink and drive this Holiday Season.

For other driving information, please visit these sites:

California Highway Patrol - CHP
California Office of Traffic Safety – OTS
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA

Please view our online presentation regarding DUI