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August 2010 - Vol 03, No. 8 |
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| New Blog Coming Soon |
Lookout for Officer Dave's Faves - reviews from Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers |
| Sunnyvale DPS Events |
August 25
Challenge Team Meeting
Click here for more info Sept 2 Peninsula Burn Relay Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
www.aarbf.org
Sept 22Mercury Thermometer Exchange and MedDrop Pharmaceutical Disposal Event Sunnyvale Senior Center
11 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
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| Message from the Chief |  Great Performance in Tough Times
You've probably seen the abundance of stories in the media that tie the economic downturn to local crime rates. The theory would be - a slow economy brings about increases in crimes. For Sunnyvale and many other cities, however, our crime trends seem to be going against this conventional wisdom. In fact, Sunnyvale's crime numbers and rates dropped in most crime categories for the FBI's most recent national reporting period. Overall, our property crime rates dropped more than 8% in 2009; and our violent crime rates dropped 31% during that same time period. Take a look at the table below - our numbers are low to begin with, so you can see that the difference of just a few crimes produce large percentage savings. 
I am certain the work of our dispatchers, officers, and support staff are the foundation of our success. We expect 100% effort, everyday, from every one of our people; and they always come through.
So, back to the economy - Sunnyvale is not immune. In June, our City Council passed a balanced budget that calls for cuts across all departments. In two to three years, Public Safety will trim 15 officers, but will add back 10 civilian professionals to deliver the services that are important to the community we serve. And, like the stories you've seen in the media (although it's difficult to accept), we know it is the new reality - we are adapting to the new economy.
As our service delivery model changes, we will continue to set high expectations for our people, and they will continue to perform. My belief is that because of our people and our intense focus, we will continue to see Sunnyvale post some of the lowest crime rates in the nation and enjoy the rating as one of America's Safest Cities.
Chief Johnson
(408) 730-7140, TDD (408) 730-7501
or email pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us
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| National Night Out |
 On Tuesday, August 3, neighborhoods throughout the country held block parties to celebrate the 27th Annual National Night Out, a unique crime prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch ( www.natw.org).
Fourteen Sunnyvale neighborhoods registered their events with the Department of Public Safety and were placed on a list to receive visits from city dignitaries and DPS personnel. Events included potlucks, ice cream socials, neighborhood strolls and even a lemonade stand competition.
The goal of National Night Out is for neighbors to get to know each other, which helps them recognize who belongs in their area and who does not. It fosters a sense of community and encourages residents to look out for each other. This year City participation included neighborhood visits by City Management Staff, City Council members, Public Safety Personnel in fire trucks, patrol cars, motorcycles and the Bear Cat, as well as the K-9 Unit.
The annual event is a wonderful opportunity for city staff and residents to meet in an informal and positive environment. National Night Out is always on the first Tuesday in August. For more information, please call the DPS Crime Prevention Unit at (408) 730-7140 or TDD (408) 730-7501. |
| Power Pull |
 On Saturday, July 31 Special Olympics held their annual Power Pull Event at California's Great America. Six teams competed for top honors at the event. Teams of 15 members along with an honorary Special Olympics team mate had two attempts to pull a Central Concrete cement truck (46,000 lbs.) a distance of 20 feet. Then each team had two tries at pulling a Sunnyvale Fire Truck (68,000 lbs.) over the same distance. The fastest time on each rig was added together for the combined score that determined this year's winner, Preston Pipes with a time of 15.89 seconds. JJ Albanese came in 2nd with 16.03 and Central Concrete with 16.55. The Sunnyvale DPS team's time was 21.02. For more information about Special Olmpics visit their website at www.sonc.org. To see Power Pull in action, click here |
| Community Outreach Meeting | |
Sunnyvale to Hold Community Outreach Meetings on Medical Marijuana
The City of Sunnyvale will host two community meetings to provide an opportunity to meet with City staff to discuss possible concerns, recommended approaches and feedback on the issue of medical marijuana. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, August 19 from 3:00-4:30 P.M. at the Sunnyvale Library, located at 665 Olive Avenue in Sunnyvale. The second meeting will take place on Thursday, August 26 from 7:00-8:30 P.M. at the Community Center Ballroom, located at 550 East Remington Drive in Sunnyvale. The City of Sunnyvale recently began a process to study medical marijuana collectives, cooperatives and/or dispensaries in the City. The study is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010, and during this time staff is obtaining information and feedback from community members. For more information, call (408) 730-7440 or TDD (408) 730-7501 or visit MedicalMarijuana.inSunnyvale.com. |
| Tip a Cop |
 On July 14 we held our first lunch time Tip a Cop for Special Olympics at Faultline Brewing Company.
The turn out was huge with local dignitaries, many familiar faces and new friends joining us for the event. Over $2000 was raised to support Special Olympics. For more information about Special Olympics, visit their website at www.sonc.org. |
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Thank You Letter Regarding Apollo 11 Samples |
 Department of Chemistry, Stanford University Stanford, CA 94350-5080Maria T. Dulay, Ph.D.
mdulay@stanford.edu
July 16, 2010
Dear Chief Johnson,
I am writing to express my personal gratitude for your department's assistance in temporarily housing, at the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, a lunar sample from the Apollo 11 mission and a Martian meteorite that were used during Science Week presentations at Vargas Elementary School, May 23-28, 2010. This correspondence follows up on the letter that Dr. Carl Allen, Manager of the Curatorial Facility at NASA-Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, sent to Officer Bradley Militano last month, thanking him for the instrumental role he played in working through the logistics of ensuring that these extraterrestrial materials were kept safe and protected at the Sunnyvale DPS until Dr. Simon Clemett returned to Houston with these materials at the conclusion of Science Week. (Dr. Allen shared his letter with me recently.)
As a parent of a Kindergarten student at Vargas, I created and organized Science Week at the school partly to encourage the importance of discovery and to fill a gap in the school's curriculum. The successful implementation of this endeavor required the involvement of many people. I cannot adequately express how incredibly grateful I am for what your department, and in particular Officer Bradley Militano, has done to help make the future brighter for these students at Vargas by helping to give them the opportunity to be the first school in the nation to have had the chance to see these extraterrestrial materials, which rarely leave the Curatorial Facility at NASA/JSC-Houston. Your department played a very crucial role in helping to make Science Week truly successful and meaningful for the students and teachers.
Again, your department has my utmost gratitude and respect for going beyond your normal duties especially during Science Week to help young people realize their potential and aim for the stars! And, I can confidently attest that there are many parents at Vargas who feel the same way. For many parents, teachers and staff at Vargas, Officer Bradley Militano's role as the school's NRO represents your department's support of education of their children. You all give these students the chance to see that if you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen in your life. You all at the Sunnyvale DPS are an amazing group of individuals.
Sincerely yours,
<signature on the original>
Maria T. Dulay, Ph.D.
P.S. Here is a link to the ABC7 news clip of the event
cc: Dr. Freda Rossi, Principal, Vargas Elementary School
Dr. Benjamin Picard, Superintendent, Sunnyvale School District
Dr. Simon Clemett, Scientist, NASA/JSC-Houston (Science Week presenter)
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford , CA 94350-5080
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| National Back to School Month |
 Join the Team!
USDA. FNS. Team Nutrition.
Enroll your school as a Team Nutrition School! As a new Team Nutrition School, you will receive a resource kit of materials to help you plan and carry out activities for your students and their families.
Child Nutrition Program Resources
Find School Breakfast Week promotional resources and activities, cycle menus for afterschool snacks, history of the National School Lunch Program, copyright-free Child Nutrition Program photos, and much more!
Bulletin Board Resources
Help your students and staff learn to make healthful food choices by creating a colorful bulletin board in your child care center, classroom or cafeteria.
Farm to School and School Gardens
Children learn a great deal from growing their own fruits and vegetables. Find out how how to start a school garden of your own!
Packing Food Safely
Find information on packing safe lunches, food safety tips for traveling, and food safety at temporary events. |
| Neighborhood Resource Officers - 2010-2011 School Assignments | |
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Crossing Guard Highlight |
 Name: Mary Mc Ilroy Location: Knickerbocker/Mango (Sunnyvale Middle School) Years of Service: 10 Years How did you hear about the job?: Mary Mc Ilroy learned about the crossing guard position when she received her City of Sunnyvale utility bill. Safety Tip: "Don't ride your bike, skateboard, or scooter in the crosswalk if there are several other people trying to cross as well." |
|  For questions and comments about the Sunnyvale DPS newsletter Beyond the Badge, you can e-mail us at: pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us © 2010 City of Sunnyvale, CA |
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