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September 2010 - Vol.03, No.9 |
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| Sunnyvale DPS Events |
September 22
Mercury Thermometer Exchange
and MedDrop
@ Sunnyvale Senior Center
11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
September 29
Challenge Team Meeting
September 30
Parent Project Fall Session begins
Contact PSO Davis: (408) 730-7145
October 2 & 3
Statewide Auto Extrication
Fire Station #2
October 9 Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast @ Fire Station #2 8:00 A.M. -11:00 A.M.
October 27 Sunnyvale Challenge Team meeting Click here for more details
October 30
Howl'oween Pet Parade Click here for more details
Child Safety Seat Inspections available on Wednesdays by appointment: (408) 730-7179
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| Message from the Chief | 
Working to End Gang Violence
For most Beyond the Badge readers, the idea that our city needs to keep an eye on gangs and the violence those gangs bring is a foreign concept - although we hear the struggles several East Bay cities face daily, the concept seems far removed from Sunnyvale. The fact is, we do have criminal gang activity in Sunnyvale, but the chance that you will see it or fall victim to it is minimal. The gang activity DPS typically deals with ranges from graffiti, to drug use and sales, to auto theft, to gang-on-gang assaults.
We have made several adjustments to the way we monitor and prevent gang activity in the recent years: we participate in a regionalized gang suppression effort that includes officers from Sunnyvale, Mountain View and the FBI; we have provided specialized gang suppression training to 16 officers across the department, and we use those officers everyday to target and investigate gang activity, in addition to their routine patrol duties; and we have leveraged technology to build databases that provide instant access to information on gang activity in the region and state. We are also working within the region to ensure that punishment for criminal gang activity by the courts is quick and harsh. Neither you nor I want to see any innocent people victimized. On the prevention side, we are making sure our message of zero tolerance is strong in our schools in our neighborhoods. We do this by partnering with the schools to deliver our message in the classroom, by providing after school youth activities, and by providing parenting classes for families that are having difficulty controlling their kids' behavior. Our Challenge Team has been particularly helpful in connecting the variety of resources and help we need to make a positive difference in the lives of our kids. If you want to learn more, or if you want to join our fight against gangs, email me at djohnson@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us or call me at (408) 730-7155. Chief Johnson
(408) 730-7140, TDD (408) 730-7501 or email pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us |
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| National Preparedness Month 2010 |
September is National Preparedness Month (NPM)! NPM is designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. For more information, go to: www.ready.gov/america/npm10/ |
| Whooping Cough Warning |
 The California Department of Public Health has declared an epidemic of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in California. Whooping cough is a bacterial infection that can cause serious coughing fits that make it hard to breathe.
Whooping cough is a serious disease for babies. Babies under one year of age are at most risk for serious illness. Each year, hundreds of babies are hospitalized for whooping cough and some die. But you can help to protect yourself and the babies you love from this disease.
Adults and older children who have not had a booster shot for whooping cough can get the disease and then spread it to babies. Most babies get whooping cough from their parents or other family members and caregivers who aren't vaccinated. That's why it's important for anyone who lives with or cares for a baby to get vaccinated. In adults, whooping cough can cause serious coughing fits that make it hard to breathe, and the cough may last for weeks to months.
Whooping cough is spread easily from person to person. At first it may seem like an ordinary cold but can become more serious. Whooping cough is most infectious before the coughing starts.
For the best protection against whooping cough, children need five shots. Infants can be vaccinated starting at 2 months of age, and again at 4 and 6 months. Until all three shots are completed, infants are at serious risk for severe illness and even death from whooping cough.
A fourth shot is recommended for children between 15 - 18 months, and a fifth shot is given when a child enters school, at 4-6 years of age.
Your protection from whooping cough, either from getting the vaccine or from having the illness, can fade with time. Recently, the California Department of Public Health expanded their recommendations for those who should get the booster shot for whooping cough:
- Anyone 7 years and older who is not fully immunized
- Women of childbearing age, before, during, or immediately after pregnancy
- People who have contact with pregnant women or infants less than one year of age
Also, preteens going to the doctor for their regular checkup at age 11 or 12 years should get a whooping cough booster shot.
There is no lifetime immunity from this disease and nearly half of all infants who get whooping cough get it from their family members.
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| Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation | |
Mission: To enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and promote burn prevention education.
 The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing burns and fires and providing services to those who have been affected by a burn injury. AARBF brings together health care providers, firefighters, emergency workers, burn survivors and others to enhance the quality of life for burn survivors and to make burn injuries a thing of the past.
Who was Alisa Ann Ruch?
At age eight, Alisa Ann Ruch was fatally injured in a backyard barbecue accident in Southern California. Bravely using their tragedy as a catalyst for change, Alisa Ann's parents, local firefighters and medical professionals joined together and created AARBFin 1971 with the goal of preventing burn injuries by teaching Stop Drop and Roll.
 AARBF supports the fire service and medical community to prevent burns and strives to address the needs of burn survivors throughout all the stages of recovery. AARBF's staff and volunteers work closely with the community to host prevention programs, raise funds and provide services to burn survivors. For more information about AARBF, please visit their website at www.aarbf.org
Please join Department of Public Safety for our annual Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast to benefit AARBF on Saturday, October 9 from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. at Fire Station #2 on the corner of Wolfe Road and Arques Avenue.
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| Road Turtle Enterprises Joins DPS to Provide Traffic Safety Education to Youth | |
 "THE ROAD TURTLE IS THE SMOKEY THE BEAR OF ROAD SAFETY"
Road Turtle Enterprise (RTE) in cooperation with parents, police, firefighters, teachers, associations and unions are the driving force behind helping our youth develop good habits on the road. The Road Turtle's family goals are to reach kids at an early age about road safety on their bicycles and skateboards. These habits translate into safe driving habits as teenagers and into adulthood, setting the foundation for future generations.
Look for The Road Turtle children's book series at major bookstores and on the web this Fall. The debut book of the Road Turtle Adventure series introduces Charlie the Road Turtle and his family to society through a wonderful father and son story. Chock full of fantastic illustrations, the book shows and tells the story of a father and son going on an amazing adventure together, while being safe on the road in their travels.
Learn more about RTE, meet President Stu Cornick and see his winged 360 Sprint Car at this year's Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast. Race fans can join the fun at Santa Cruz County/Ocean Speedway on September 24th, see www.OceanSpeedway.com for details. |
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Crossing Guard Highlight |
 Name: Pamela (Pam) Greeny Location: Gail Ave. at Gladiola Dr. (Braly Elementary School) Years of Service: 2 Years Safety Tip: "Pay attention to posted signs and always be aware of your surroundings." |
| Neighborhood Clean-up Events | |
Neighborhood Clean-up Events Generate 314 Tons of Debris!
 Neighborhood clean-up events are a partnership between the City (the Departments of Public Safety and Public Works) and neighborhood associations in an effort to clean -up properties by getting rid of unused items and junk. These events are very popular with the community not only because residents get to dispose of unwanted items without cost, they also improve the neighborhood's appearance and often become social events where neighbors get to know each other. Some neighborhoods even coordinate garage sales or donation collection campaigns in conjunction with the clean-up events.
This year, 11 clean-up events took place on Saturdays between April 17 and July 17. In preparation for the events, Neighborhood Preservation staff worked with neighborhood associations to organize volunteer debris bin monitors and get the word out to the area residents. A total of 314 tons of debris was removed! The debris consisted of old furniture, appliances, boxes, doors, wood scraps, toys, clothes, etc.
 Clean-up event participants included the Neighborhood Enhancement Action Team areas (around Columbia Middle School and on Helen Ave. and Tamarack Ln.), Raynor Park, Gavello Glen, Charles Street 100, Heritage District, S.N.A.I.L., Lowlanders, San Miguel, Victory Village, and Lakewood Village. For more information visit NeighborhoodPreservation.inSunnyvale.com |
| Thank You Card From Sunnyvale 12U Softball Team | |
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| Dave's Faves | |
Officer Dave Falco has been with DPS since 2002 with a balanced career in both police and fire services. He is currently assigned to patrol services and has held specialty assignments, such as Neighborhood Resource Officer, Bike Patrol, Mobile Field Force, Gang Enforcecment Team member, Background Investigator and Sunnyvale Color Guard member. Officer Dave's interest in media and entertainment lead to the creation of Dave's Faves. Welcome to the debut column! In the coming months, Officer Dave will highlight great places to eat, visit and play in our beautiful city of Sunnyvale.
Filling the Cops Up.....but not too much
Tasty, light and fast! This is how I'd sum up a meal at Ariake restaurant, located at 759 E. El Camino Real in Sunnyvale. All of these are important for the lunch-going public, especially those of us in the public safety profession. Although it is true that we enjoy our meals, police officers need to dine on the lighter side when on-duty. This is just in case we go from a casual sit-down meal to a full-speed foot pursuit. Officers always need to be prepared for action. I found Ariake to accommodate this need quite well.  For about $10, I enjoyed some tasty edamame (soybean pods) with soy sauce, teriyaki chicken, gyoza (steamed dumplings) and rice. For more adventurous diners, the sushi is also delicious here. At Ariake, the wait is not long. In fact, you can usually get served and be out the door within 30 minutes. When looking for a great place to eat in Sunnyvale, check out Ariake. Your appetite will be satisfied and you will still be able to chase down a bad guy if necessary! For my faves, this is Officer Dave |
|  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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