[DPSDist] News From Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

Hello Sunnyvale! I am honored to be your new Director of Public Safety. Although it has only been one week, I have been very impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the members of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Beginning with the first class ceremony, officiated by City Manager Gary Luebbers, the department illustrated its pride in the profession and its sense of tradition. Throughout the remainder of the week, I had the opportunity to meet many members of DPS, the Mayor and City Council Members, other City Staff and numerous members of the community. All have been gracious and welcoming to both my family and me. We are very thankful for all that has been done for us as I made the transition to this new position!

One thing that I have noted after only seven days is the true sense of community that exists in Sunnyvale. Early in the week, I had the opportunity to attend the monthly meeting of the Sunnyvale Challenge Team. I observed how various organizations and individuals of the community come together to address issues and improve quality of life within the community and the region. On Saturday, my family and I were privileged to participate in the annual Lakewood Village Holiday Parade. The attendance and spirit was inspiring! Finally, on Sunday, I was able to see how the community comes together in service of others through the Rides for Toys gift drive. Members of DPS, Community Services and Toys-R-Us teamed up to bring the community together for a great cause.

Since this is the holiday season, I do think it is important to focus on public safety. Unfortunately, crime and criminal behavior does not take a holiday break. Two crimes, which typically increase during the holidays, involve driving under the influence of alcohol and theft. Always use a designated driver if you are celebrating with alcohol and don't allow others to drink and drive. Remember to safeguard your homes, vehicles and personal property by locking doors and not leaving valuable items in plain sight.

Holiday decorations sometimes present additional fire hazards. Dry holiday trees, unsafe lighting fixtures and other decorations should be closely examined and monitored for safety. In addition to the joy and happiness, holidays can also produce stress, so please be sure to consider your health and wellness. If you or someone else is feeling overloaded, take some time to relax or participate in an activity to relieve stress. As always, if you or someone else needs emergency medical assistance, immediately call 911.

My family and I wish all members of the Sunnyvale Community a safe and happy holiday season. We would especially like to thank the members of the Department of Public Safety who will be working throughout the holiday season to ensure the safety of the community. This includes the Public Safety Officers and the many professional members who provide critical assistance each day. If you happen to see one our members in the field or at one of our offices during the holiday season, please take the time to thank them for their service. Happy holidays!

Chief Grgurina
(408) 730-7140
TDD (408) 730-7501

or email to: pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us

National Drugged and Drunk Driving Prevention Month

Education promotes prevention. Take a stand against impaired driving...

According to USA Today, more than 1.5 million people were arrested in the United States last year for driving drunk and at least that many are estimated to have driven under the influence of drugs.

Drunk and drugged drivers continue to haunt our roads and highways causing more than 17,000 Americans to die each year; in 2003, 17,013 people died in an alcohol-related traffic crash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, impaired driving will affect one in three Americans during their lifetimes.

In an effort to increase community awareness, December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month. First started in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan, this national holiday has experienced increased community support and continues to promote safer streets on a daily basis.

National Commission Against Drunk Driving Statistics

41 percent of all traffic crashes are alcohol-related.
Nearly 600,000 Americans are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes each year.
Someone dies in an alcohol-related traffic crash every 30 minutes. Every two minutes someone is hurt (nonfatally injured) in an alcohol-related accident.
Three out of every 10 Americans face the possibility of being directly involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash during their lifetime.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Impaired Driving Facts

Each year, alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion (Blincoe et al. 2002).
Most drinking and driving episodes go undetected. In 2001, more than 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (FBI 2001). That's slightly more than 1 percent of the 120 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year (Dellinger et al.1999).
To further decrease alcohol-related fatal crashes, communities need to implement and enforce strategies that are known to be effective, such as sobriety checkpoints, 0.08% BAC laws, minimum legal drinking age laws, and "zero tolerance" laws for young drivers (Shults et al. 2001, Shults et al. 2002).
Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) have been identified as factors in 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. Other drugs are generally used in combination with alcohol (NHTSA 1993).
Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10% or greater (NHTSA 2003a). A BAC of 0.08% is equal to or greater than the legal limit in most states.
At all levels of blood alcohol concentration, the risk of being involved in a crash is greater for young people than it is for older people (Mayhew 1986). In 2002, 24% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking alcohol (NHTSA 2003b ).
Young men ages 18 to 20 (too young to buy alcohol legally) report driving while impaired almost as frequently as men ages 21 to 34 (Liu 1997).
In 2002, 22% of the 2,197 traffic fatalities among children ages 0 to 14 years involved alcohol (NHTSA 2003c).
Adult drivers ages 35 and older who have been arrested for impaired driving are 11 to 12 times more likely than those who have never been arrested to die eventually in crashes involving alcohol (Brewer 1994).
Nearly three quarters of drivers convicted of driving while impaired are either frequent heavy drinkers (alcohol abusers) or alcoholics (people who are alcohol dependent) (Miller 1986).

The statistics, though horrifying, help us to realize how imperative educating our community is. It could help save a life...

DPS Swears in New Chief

On Monday November 28, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety welcomed its newest member Frank Grgurina who was sworn in as the new Public Safety Chief.

Chief Grgurina is in his 25th year of law enforcement and comes to the City of Sunnyvale from Fremont Police Department. Within the Fremont Police Department, Chief Grgurina served in a variety of assignments as an officer; including the Street Crimes Unit, Narcotics Task Force, SWAT Team and Field Training Officer as well as the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain (Fremont's Second in Command)

Chief Grgurina holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from St. Mary's College of California.

Chief Grgurina's swearing-in was attended by members of DPS as well as command and executive staff of police and fire departments in Santa Clara and Alameda Counties. Special guests from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office also were in attendance.

Rides for Toys

On Sunday, December 4, DPS hosted its 4th Annual Rides for Toys event at the Toys R Us parking lot in Sunnyvale. Nearly 500 people attended the toy drive benefitting Sunnyvale Community Services. Four Sunnyvale fire engines ran non-stop from 10:00 - 1:30 p.m. giving "Rides for Toys."

Fire Associates' Len Williams donated the use of his 1929 antique fire engine for display and Chief Grgurina was on hand to greet and assist passengers into the fire engines. At the end of the event, Sunnyvale Community Services loaded their 15 passenger van from top to bottom and front to back full of new toys for their clients. Event coordinator Lt. Joel Witmer said, "this was our biggest year to date!"

For more information about Sunnyvale Community Services please visit their website http://www.svcommunityservices.org/

Cycles of Hope

Hope Services mission is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to live and participate in their communities. One of their very successful programs is Cycles of Hope. Cycles of Hope accepts donated bicycles in any condition and trains clients to refurbish them for resale.

Every Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., they host a bike sale at the Hope Services office, 3080 Alfred St. in Santa Clara. They offer a large variety of recycled bikes for children and adults ranging in price from $5 to $200. The proceeds of the bike sales furthers Hope Services mission. To donate a bike or for more information about the bike sale, please phone (408)562-1836. For information about Hope Services, please visit www.hopeservices.org

Witmer Tyson K9 Competition

On Oct.19 and 20, the DPS canine unit participated in the 27th Annual Witmer-Tyson Canine Trial that took place in La Honda CA. This year, 27 canine teams participated and were judged on obedience, obstacles, protection and search. PSO Robin Smith and K9 Colt took 2nd place obedience, 4th place obstacles and 4th place search with an outstanding 3rd place overall.

PSO Dan Pistor and K9 Koa took 1st place obedience, 5th place obstacles, 2nd place protection and 1st place search with the top award 1st place overall.

Their success is due to their commitment and training, so please congratulate Robin and Dan the next time you see them for their hard work. Thanks to all those who came out to the trial to show support for Robin and Dan.

MVPAL 5K Fun Run

On Saturday, November 5, Captain Doug Moretto represented the Department of Public Safety in the first Mountain View Police Activities League (MVPAL) RUN for PAL 5K Run/Walk event.

The event has successfully raised $33,000 towards a bus to transport PAL kids to the many programs and events that MVPAL provides.

Reason for the Season

Please join us for the Sunnyvale Challenge Team's 2nd Annual Reason for the Season Food, Clothing and Toy/Book Drive benefitting Sunnyvale FISH and Reading Partners.

Our team invites you, your family and your co-workers to be part of a community effort to help those in need. One small can of food, one toy or book, or one coat or blanket can help warm the hearts of an entire family during this holiday season.

WHEN: December 14, 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (parking lot), 700 All America Way, Sunnyvale CA 94086
WHAT: Food Items (non-perishable), new unwrapped toy(s) or books, warm coats and/or blankets

The Sunnyvale Challenge Team is a community based effort, coordinated through the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, that brings members of the region together to steer kids and families away from the negative influences of drugs and gangs. The group supports the efforts of our schools and non-profits to engage our youth in positive activities designed to build respect for themselves and their community.

Please contact the Public Safety Crime Prevention Unit for more info; (408)730-7140/ TDD (408)730-7501

Thank You Letter

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