[DPSDist] News From Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

As the summer season begins, it's a good time to focus on safety. Warm weather and extended hours of light allow for a variety of enjoyable outdoor activities. But some activities, such as bicycling and swimming, can result in unanticipated injuries if you aren't cautious. When bicycling, insist that all family members wear helmets and obey traffic signs and signals. Also, dress in bright colors if possible and never wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while riding.

The importance of water safety cannot be stressed enough as each year thousands of Americans are injured or killed in water-related accidents. Sadly, it's young children who are most at risk. Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children one to four years old. Please make sure that your children are properly supervised any time they are near a water source and teach them water safety skills. Additionally, the beginning of the swim season is a good time to brush up on your CPR skills.

Dehydration and overexertion are also common during the summer months. Be sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, especially on hot days, and know your limits. Don't be afraid to slow your pace or take a break if your body needs one.

The summer months also tend to stretch our resources at the Department of Public Safety. Calls for service increase in both the police and fire bureaus. Property crimes across the county are trending upward and we are asking for the public's help in safeguarding our community. Take some time to do a safety inspection of your home and reconnect with your neighbors. Be aware of criminal activity in your area, and report

suspicious activity immediately. Information to assist you in these efforts can be found on our website or through your local neighborhood group.

As reported on the news, conditions are ripe for wildland fires. Please talk with your children about fire safety and the dangers and implications of playing with matches and/or fireworks. Although our community is a relatively urban environment, members of DPS are subject to be called upon in responding to significant wildland firefighting efforts. These large scale fires have impacts throughout the state, and we all play a part in safeguarding against manmade incidents.

I hope this serves as a quick reminder to keep safety a priority for your family. With all the fun, warm weather activities, it's easy to get distracted, but please keep this information in mind and have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Chief Grgurina

TEL (408) 730-7140
TDD (408) 730-7501

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

June is National Internet Safety Month

Know the Rules...Internet Safety Quiz For Adults

1. Where is the best place to allow Internet use in the home?

A. Child's bedroom

B. Family's living room
C. Parent/guardian's office in remote area of the home

Answer B. The safest location for Internet use in the home is in a room where there is sufficient

adult supervision. Remember children are able to access the Internet on a variety of devices including
computers, cell phones, other wireless devices, and gaming consoles. It is also essential to know where else your child may access the Internet including friends' homes, libraries, and schools. Have a plan in place to closely supervise and monitor your children's online activity no matter where or how they are accessing the Internet.

2. Which is the best example of how to protect your children when online?
A. Post clear, simple, easy-to-read rules where you allow Internet use in the home; closely supervise your children's online activity when they are at home; and monitor your children's online activity when they access the Internet from other locations.
B. Allow your children to use the computer only at the library or school
C. Allow your children to access the Internet only when a friend is nearby

Answer A. Posting clear, simple, and easy-to-read rules is an excellent way to set boundaries for your children's Internet use. Consider having your children and you sign the rules, which you should periodically review with them. For examples of rules regarding Internet use visit www.NetSmartz.org. This National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) website provides animated videos,
real-life stories, and safety tips to help you better understand the Internet. If you have questions about the online world, visit NCMEC's www.NetSmartz411.org for guidance customized to your particular situation. Remember nothing beats your supervision of and attention to what your children do while online.

3. Which social-networking websites are completely safe for children?
A. Social-networking websites that are child friendly
B. Social-networking websites with security settings
C. No social-networking websites are completely safe for children

Answer C. Like most new technological developments, social-networking websites have both positive and negative implications.Children are able to connect with friends and meet others with the same interests. Your children, however, may not be aware they are putting themselves at risk by giving out too much personal information and communicating with people they have first met online. Social-networking websites have various components including instant messaging, chatrooms, profiles, photos, e-mail, and blogs. Individuals accessing these websites can easily contact your children. You should explain to your children the potential risks of social-networking websites and set limits on which websites they may access and when they may access them.

4. What should you do if your children tell you someone they have "met" online wants to meet them in person?
A. Take away their Internet-use privileges.
B. Praise them for telling you this, and discuss with them the reasons why it is unsafe to meet in person with someone they have met online without your supervision. Make a CyberTipline® report if you suspect this person is an adult attempting to meet a child.
C. Tell them it's OK to meet their friend as long as you know where they are going.

Answer B. Rewarding your children for being forthcoming with information is an excellent way to keep the lines of communication open between your children and you. Your acceptance and praise may encourage them to report incidents to you in the future. You should remind your children not to give out personal information or meet anyone in person without your prior knowledge and consent. If you want to consider a meeting, talk to the other child's parents/guardians. If you agree to the meeting, accompany your child and meet with the other child and his or her parents/guardians in a public place. If you suspect this person is an adult trying to meet a child report it to NCMEC's CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.

5. Which is an example of an appropriate screenname for a child?
A. katie_ny13
B. CuteLitlAngel
C. Pkdg_329

Answer C. Those who wish to harm children online often use screennames to select their potential victims. A screenname should never reveal any identifying information about a child especially things such as name, age, location, year of birth, school.

DPS Deputy Chief Drewniany Appointed to EMS Commission

Deputy Chief Steve Drewniany has been appointed to the Commission on Emergency Medical Services by Governor Edmund G. Brown. He was nominated by the California Peace Officers Association and will serve a three-year term.

He has been deputy chief of special operations for the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety since 2011, where he has served in various positions since 1989. He was a paramedic for American Medical Response West from 1986 to 1989 and a paramedic for North Country Emergency Medical Services and the Yacolt Washington Fire Department in 1985. From 2009 to 2011, he was an instructor at the International School of Tactical Medicine in Palm Springs.

He is a member of the California Peace Officers Association and the California Police Chiefs Association and was previously a member of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Tactical Medicine Guidelines Committee.

The Commission on Emergency Medical Services supports the role of EMS agencies to ensure that patients have adequate access to quality emergency medical services, and to ensure the long term stability of these services. The Commission meets quarterly at locations around the state to provide advice to the Director of the California Emergency Medical Services Authority and to approve regulations, standards and guidelines developed by the EMS Authority. For more information about the EMS Commission, please visit http://www.emsa.ca.gov.

Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

On June 2, more than 30 officers, civilian staff, family and friends turned out to support the Public Safety Officers Association (PSOA) Fill the Boot campaign for MDA http://www.mda.org/

Officers raised their fire boots at various intersections throughout the city and raised $32,307.06. PSOA will present the funds to MDA at the City Council meeting on June 19.

Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics and Faultline Brewing Company Present
Tip-A-Cop

A fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Northern California co-sponsored by Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety.

Thursday, July 12

Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dinner: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Join us at: Faultline Brewing Company | 1235 Oakmead Parkway

Be seated and served by Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers

Tip-a-Cop brings together local law enforcement personnel and Special Olympics athletes for a day of food, fun and awareness. Every year, law enforcement officers volunteer as celebrity wait staff, helping to deliver food and refill drinks, all for "tips" for Special Olympics! This fun event raises money to help provide local athletes with FREE year-round training and competition in 19 sports.

Your tax deductible donation supports Special Olympics Northern California

Be a Hero!

Together We Can Make a Difference

For more information, please call

Sunnyvale Public Safety (408) 730-7140

2012 Power Pull at California's Great America

Saturday, July 28

9:00 a.m.
4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara
A competitive event, rivaling teams of 15 members plus a Special Olympics Athlete, will pull a Central Concrete Truck weighing approximately 38,000 pounds and a Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Fire Truck weighing approximately 66,000 pounds. Teams will be tugging to raise money and bring awareness to:

Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting

Special Olympics Northern California

Go to www.PowerPullSO.com to register a team or to sponsor the DPS Team. For more information phone Ruth Sanchez (925) 944-8801 x 211.

2012 Youth and Horses

Youth and Horses is a partnership between Sunnyvale Public Safety, Reach Potential Movement, Fremont High School and Dream Power Horsemanship. The program teaches cowboy ethics (values) through working with horses. Each of the students is partnered with an adult mentor and a horse to work with over the seven week course at Dream Power Horsemanship. This year's group was made up of Fremont High School freshmen. The students learned to work with both miniature and full-sized horses each week spending 45 minutes on handling from the ground and 45 minutes learning to ride. The curriculum covered Courage, Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Overcoming Obstacles, Attitude and Quality Work.

The seven week program culminated with a graduation celebration on June 5 at Dream Power Horsemanship in Gilroy and a three-day camping trip to Coffey Ranch in Hollister on June 8-10. Parents, Public Safety personnel and Fremont High School staff were invited to the ranch to watch the final lessons and enjoy a barbecue lunch sponsored by Sports Basement and prepared by members of the Sunnyvale Moose Lodge. Students received achievement awards such as All Around Cowboy, All Around Cowgirl, Trail Guide (Leadership), Courage, Horse Whisperer, Integrity and Cowboy Spirit.

The following Friday, the students met their mentors and were transported to Coffey Ranch where they got to pitch a tent, ride their horses, hike, fish, work on team building skills and dine cowboy style. The time away provided opportunities for the students to connect with their peers, their mentors and with nature.

Please visit www.dreampowerhorsemanship.com on Facebook for more photos and information.

Students who participate in Youth and Horses are encouraged to continue with their mentors through high school and beyond. Sunnyvale Youth Mentoring and Sunnyvale PAL provide group activities throughout the year to support continuing these relationships.

Link to Previous Issues

Join Our Mailing List