[Durham INC] Durham Citizens' Newsletter Sept.-Oct. 2011

[Blalock, Amy]

Sowing Safety This Season

With the onset of fall comes school routines, earlier sunsets, cold
weather and holiday traditions. It is important that residents be
mindful of simple precautions and actions to minimize seasonal hazards
and vulnerabilities. This special edition of the Durham Citizens'
Newsletter is jointly sponsored by the Durham Fire Department (DFD) and
Durham Police Department (DPD) to heighten your awareness of safety
strategies and programs.


 

National Observances - October marks two national observances that are
important to your safety, your place of residence and your community -
Fire Prevention Month and Crime Prevention Month. For details about City
of Durham events, visit www.DurhamNC.gov or call:

*         Police Department Public Affairs - 560-4404, ext. 29194

*         Fire Department Public Affairs - 560-4233, ext. 19242

  

Safeguards for October 31 Celebrations

Are you coordinating a fall festival, attending a Halloween party or
going trick-or-treating?  Here are tips to help keep you, your loved
ones and guests safe.

*         Clothing - Costumes should be made of flame retardant
materials. Add reflective markings or tape. Shoes should fit (even if
they don't go with the costume). Carry only flexible knives, swords or
other props. Wear a watch you can read  in the dark. Avoid wearing masks
while walking from house to house. Stay away from open flames. Children
especially should practice how to stop, drop and roll if clothing
catches fire.

*         Decorations - Battery powered Jack-O-Lantern candles are
preferable to a real flame. Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe papers
are highly flammable. Keep decorations well away from all open flames
and heat sources including light bulbs and heaters. Keep exits clear of
decorations so that nothing blocks escape routes.

*         Traffic/Travel - Young children should be accompanied by an
adult. Carry a flashlight. Walk, don't run. Obey traffic signals. Stay
in familiar neighborhoods and on sidewalks.  If no sidewalk, walk on the
left side of the road facing traffic. Don't cut across yards or
driveways, and approach only houses that are lit. Know exactly where
teenagers and loved ones are going. 

*         Pets - Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.
Pets are often frightened during this holiday. Put pets up to protect
them from cars and inadvertently biting someone.

*         Candy - Make sure all candy has wrapping. Check all candy
wrapping carefully. Toss out anything that looks suspect. 

 

For information, call the DPD Crime Prevention at 560-4404 or the DFD
Fire Prevention at 560-4233.

 

Prevent Scrap Metal and Copper Thefts

In recent years metal thefts have accounted for numerous break-ins and
larcenies nationwide and locally. The majority of local incidents have
dealt with the theft of copper. Stolen items have included air
conditioner coils, copper wires, copper piping used for plumbing,
cemetery vases and grave markers, beer kegs, catalytic converters in
vehicles ... even street signs and storm drains. For the residents,
businesses, churches and other victims of metal theft, the cost of the
damage (up to thousands of dollars) far exceeds the value of the stolen
material. Here are proactive strategies you can implement to minimize
these crimes and save the expense of repair or replacement:

*         Install iron gates with padlocks to AC unit and breaker panels

*         Add audible alarms to units and breaker panels

*         Increase lighting on property

*         Install video surveillance

*         Start/participate in an active neighborhood watch

 

Proposed Resident Awareness Program (RAP)

Did you know that if a nearby home is burglarized, your property has an
increased chance of also being a burglary target - a phenomenon known as
"near-repeat"? The police department's proposed Resident Awareness
Program (RAP) aims to stem burglary trends using crime analysis data,
traffic enforcement and community engagement.  The department has
applied for grant-funding to be able to fully implement the RAP
initiative before the 2011 holiday season. To learn more about RAP, call
the analytical services manager at 560-4258, ext. 29160.

 

Connect With DPD Community Services

Residents are encouraged to practice crime prevention year round by
connecting with citizen-based programs offered by the police
department's Community Services Bureau. Education and volunteer
opportunities include: 

*         Neighborhood watch workshop (January or February)

*         Citizens Police Academy (six-week series in early fall)

*         National Crime Victims Rights Week Observance (April)

*         Project Safe Neighborhoods (gun violence prevention) 

*         Gang Resistance Education and Training 

*         Crisis intervention training (mental health crisis)

*         NC Child Response Initiative (child/family trauma focus)

*         Police Explorers (leadership exploration for ages 14-21)

*         Citizen Observer Patrol (trained volunteer support unit)

For information, call the DPD Community Services Bureau at 560-4438.

 

Fire Prevention Week

A house fire is everyone's worst nightmare - trapped in a room with
growing fire, smoke and anxiety. It's a desperate situation, but you can
be prepared if there's a plan.  When a home evacuation plan is created
and practiced, it can make the difference between life and death.  This
year for Fire Prevention Month, the Durham Fire Department presents a
safety contest, "Protect Your Family from Fire - With a Plan." Fourth
and fifth grade students and their families are encouraged to enter.
Show-off your family's home evacuation plan for a chance to win a prize
and lunch where the Durham Exchange Club announces its Firefighters of
the Year! 

 

Here are tips to remember when creating and your evacuation plan:

*         Make sure you've got two ways to exit each room

*         Make sure your family has a meeting place outside the home

 

Once you're out of the home:

*         Make sure everyone is accounted for

*         Never go back into the house

*         Notify the fire department

*         Make sure children know important information like your
address (they may have to make the call to 911)

 

Other fire prevention tips to remember:

*         Check your smoke alarm batteries monthly

*         Install smoke alarms on every floor 

*         Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

*         Never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended

*         Properly discard smoking materials; wait until they are cooled
before throwing them in the trash

*         Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose fitting sleeves when
cooking.

*         Give space heaters space, at least three feet

 

Remember to "Fall Back"

When setting your clocks back on November 6, remember to change the
batteries in your smoke alarm!

 

Big Sweep Stream Cleanups Saturday, October 1

Join neighbors to clean up the banks of Durham's streams and lakes as
part of Big Sweep, October 1. Last year, 619 local volunteers did their
part to free our waterways from litter. This year, you can make a
difference by volunteering to help. The first 10 groups to register will
receive a free t-shirt to give away at the cleanup. For information or
to sign up, visit www.KeepDurhamBeautiful.org
<http://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/> .

 

Bull City Connector Linking Downtown, Campus Connections

Park your car and let the Bull City Connector take you where you want to
go! It's a convenient, fare-free, and frequent bus service connecting
visitors, business travelers, students, and downtown workers to key
destinations in and around Durham, including Duke University, Durham's
historic downtown, Ninth Street and Golden Belt. Whether you're looking
for dining, entertainment or conducting business, this environment
friendly bus service offers an alternative way to get to where you're
going. For information and a route map, visit www.BullCityConnector.org.


 

Subscribe to the City Manager's Report

Receive the latest information and important City news via e-mail with
the City Manager's Report. The report from City Manager Thomas J.
Bonfield highlights the latest happenings in Durham City Government. To
subscribe, visit www.DurhamNC.gov/ManagersReport. 

 

Durham ... Beyond the Headlines

It's that time of year, when organizations are looking for speakers.
The City of Durham is available to talk to you on a wide variety of
topics about your city.  For us, it's simple.  We want to build strong
partnerships with our residents by providing presentations on topics
ranging from where your tax dollars go, our water quality, code
enforcement in neighborhoods, to parks and recreation and the list goes
on...  Frankly, we want to be your best resource for getting answers to
important questions about Durham.  Call us at 560-4123 or email us at 
SpeakersBureau at DurhamNC.gov.  We're waiting ...

 

Your City - Your Channel

DTV8 provides programming to keep Durham informed on the important
issues and services involving residents every day. City government
produced programs include scheduled meetings of the Durham City Council
and the Durham Planning Commission. The City also produces "City Hall
This Week," a program dedicated to informing citizens on what is going
on inside Durham's city hall, and "CityLife," a show featuring
information on current City issues and upcoming events. For a
programming schedule, or to watch DTV8 live on the Web, visit 
www.DurhamNC.gov/DTV8. 

 

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Persons who require assistance should call (919) 560-4197, TTY (919)
560-1200, or e-mail ADA at DurhamNC.gov no later than 48 hours before the
event.

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