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| Message from the Chief | |
The recent events in Boston have once again shown both the worst and best side of humanity. The courage and bravery displayed by so many significantly overshadowed the senseless violence by so few. On a much smaller scale, we see this same type of response to daily public safety incidents where the actions of a few are overshadowed by the positive response of many. Although we have a very safe city, criminal activity occurs on a daily basis, but time and time again, we see how members of the community work with public safety personnel to positively respond and quell this type of behavior. Each time a citizen calls DPS to report suspicious activity or a member of the community comes to the aid of a crime victim, the negative actions of a few are overcome by those who choose to become involved. We not only see the benefit of this during criminal activity, but also on many occasions where someone is in need of medical care or involved with a fire
-related event.
On May 7, members of the Department of Public Safety were recognized at the City Council Meeting for their efforts during the previous year. Awards were given to over 45 members of the department for their actions in saving lives, heroic efforts, distinguished service, volunteerism and community outreach. All of the awards were very well deserved, but it should be noted that each of the incidents at some point involved the assistance of a member of the community. Whether it was making the initial phone call or assisting or staff in some other way, the community played a role in each event. As such, I would like to thank all of you for your continued engagement in safeguarding our community.
In 1962, Congress enacted legislation establishing May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which May 15 occurs as National Police Week. Since our nation was founded, over 19,000 peace officers have been killed in the line of duty. Sadly, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety has five members who are included in these numbers and were killed in the line of duty. Please keep our officers and their families in your thoughts during this week. DPS will honor our officers and all those who have given their lives in the line of duty with blue ribbons attached to each police vehicle and fire apparatus. Have a safe month and thank you for your continued engagement!
Chief Grgurina
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National Police Week May 13-19
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ABOUT NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.
The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others that share a common brotherhood. In that spirit, the Fraternal Order of Police DC Lodge #1 sponsors receptions each afternoon and evening during Police Week. These events are open to all law enforcement personnel and are an experience unlike any other.
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And the Winner is... Sunnyvale Challenge Team!
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 For more than five years the Sunnyvale Challenge Team has been bringing community members together to look for creative and compassionate ways to steer kids and families away from the negative influences of drugs and gangs. Each team member commits to meeting monthly, very early in the morning, and devoting much of their personal time to making a difference in our neighborhoods and schools. The team's efforts have paid off in our community with enhanced services and activities being brought to many kids. These tremendous efforts are now starting to attract a lot of attention.
The Challenge Team was chosen by Project Cornerstone and the YMCA of Silicon Valley to receive the 2013 "Community Values Youth Award." This is a significant regional award that is recognized nationally by the YMCA. The selection process was tough, but according to the folks at Project Cornerstone, the efforts of this "grass roots organization" were very moving and compelling.
The team was recognized at the annual Asset Champion Breakfast on March 28th. The awards ceremony was attended by approximately 1200 people from all over the Bay Area. Everyone in attendance was treated to a heartwarming and inspirational morning. Steve Young, formally of the San Francisco Forty Niners, warmed up the crowd with some hilarious stories, while videos highlighting each award winner made sure there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The videos truly captured the essence of the Challenge Team with testimonials from our partners, and most importantly, from the youth and their families that know firsthand the power of a community coming together to make a difference.
If you'd like to watch the video, follow the play button below.
 | | 2013 Community Values Youth Award - Sunnyvale Challenge Team |
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NEAT Helps the Downtown Streets Team Expand
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 The Neighborhood Enhancement Action Team (NEAT) is made up of key City staff who work with residents, businesses, property owners, and neighborhood groups to identify and resolve quality of life issues in targeted neighborhoods. The Downtown Streets Team (DST) is a non-profit organization that works with the homeless community. They provide them with volunteer opportunities (sweeping streets, picking up litter in parks, performing janitorial work, etc.) in exchange for food, housing vouchers, and other vital services. The goal of DST is to help clients rebuild their lives, gain meaningful employment, and move into permanent housing.
Last summer, NEAT worked with DST to get their first program started in Sunnyvale. Together, they choose the Fair Oaks Park area. This area was selected for several reasons, including the large number of homeless people who congregate in the park, the close proximity of the cold-weather homeless shelter (the former National Guard Armory), and the reoccurring problems associated with trash and debris in, and around, the park.
Since July, 2012, DST volunteers have been working diligently to clean up the Fair Oaks Park area, resulting in a significant reduction of trash and debris. DST extended south of Fair Oaks Park to the area around The Home Depot and Kifer Road. In April, DST expanded again to the north and east to Alvarado Avenue and De Guigne Drive; this area includes San Miguel Elementary School.
NEAT has been working closely with DST to increase the scope of work for their volunteers by providing training on graffiti identification, graffiti removal, and proper graffiti reporting procedures to the Departments of Public Safety and Public Works. The training included distinguishing gang from non-gang graffiti, which is an important distinction for reporting and tracking purposes. NEAT also provided DST volunteers with graffiti removal kits so that smaller graffiti tags, such as on utility boxes or signs, could be removed by volunteers after they have been reported. DST has been eager to take on these new responsibilities as it continues to develop its existing projects in Sunnyvale.
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Fit & Fun Fair
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 Sunnyvale celebrated wellness at the Fit and Fun Fair on May 4. The morning started with 300 individuals participating in the KIDS 5K Fun Run/Walk at The Kings Academy (562 N Britton Avenue, Sunnyvale). From 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 45 vendors offered health screenings, shared wellness, safety and nutrition resources and engaged families in fitness programming at Fair Oaks Park.
This fun-filled family gathering featured carnival games, a rock wall, an obstacle course, splash play at the park's water feature, open playground, a gourmet food truck and prizes. Residents had the opportunity to meet several Department of Public Safety Officers and staff and to learn about exciting programming and services available from Neighborhood Preservation, Fire Prevention, Crime Prevention, SARES, SNAP and OES. 
Sunnyvale's new Junior Giants program was showcased by The Sunnyvale Police Activities League and the U.S. Tennis Association got kids moving at a free skills clinic. The event was well attended and received great public reviews.
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3rd Annual 5K KIDS Fun Run & Walk
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On Saturday, May 4, more than 300 runners, including Sunnyvale Mayor Spitaleri, Public Safety Chief Grgurina and Sunnyvale Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Picard, gathered at The King's Academy campus in Sunnyvale for the 3rd Annual 5K KIDS Fun Run & Walk.
Mayor Spitaleri welcomed all the runners and spectators to the event. Chief Grgurina, who ran with his kids, thanked the many donors and sponsors and The King's Academy staff for their generosity in supporting this event, that for m  any Sunnyvale students, is the culmination of a school-based Marathon Club started by resident and Director of K.I.D.S. Maria Dulay and PSO Bradley Militano. Superintendent Dr. Picard introduced the Vargas Elementary School Chorus, who with their beautiful voices, led the runners and spectators in our National Anthem.
PSO Militano readied the runners and gave the countdown to start. And, off they went with Vincent Gomez, a Fremont High School student, at the lead. Vincent led the runners around the course that ran through The King's Academy campus. Some were there running for the very first time. For others, this was their third year participating in the 5K. Everyone had a fun time.
The Marathon Club and the 5K bring awareness to childhood obesity by promoting a fun physical activity like running to kids in Sunnyvale, where the childhood obesity rate is 31% - just below the obesity rate of 38% in Santa Clara County.
The support that local organizations, businesses, and individuals give to the 5K is very much a factor in its success. A big thanks goes out to: El Camino Hospital, The King's Academy, Sports Basement, Moose Lodge Sunnyvale, Hopkins Honda, Spitfire Advertising, PostNet Sunnyvale, Jamba Juice, the Mody & Dulay Trust, and Bullene Landscaping. An event like this cannot run smoothly without the many volunteers that offer their time and commitment; they are very much appreciated.
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Tip a Cop
|  On April 16, Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers traded their citation books for serving trays at Country Gourmet Restaurant for a Special Olympics Tip a Cop. Public Safety Officers assisted waitstaff with food service, drink
refills and clean up for tips to donate to Special Olympics.
Nearly $5,000 was raised during the event which lasted from breakfast through lunch. All proceeds directly benefit athletes who participate in Special Olympics.
The next Sunnyvale Tip a Cop is at Coco's Bakery Restaurant on June 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tip a Cop is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Campaign which supports Special Olympics. Law Enforcement agencies throughout the world participate in similar events to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. More information about LETR please click http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Donate/Special_Olympics_Torch_Run.aspx
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Sunnyvale PAL Update
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Sunnyvale PAL proudly supports the Department of Public Safety's Youth & Horses program. Youth & Horse teaches character development through working with horses. Public Safety partners with Fremont High School, Reach Potential Movement and Dream Power Horsemanship to operate the program. This year, eight freshmen students are participating in the eight week program which culminates with a three day camping trip.
 Students learn values such as courage, integrity and attitude through interacting with the horses and program staff. They spend half of their time doing unmounted work and the other half learning to ride. The program is unique in many ways such as giving the students the opportunity to step away from their usual day to day activities, friends and environment. One parent commented that the program gives her and her child something new to talk about and it has already improved their relationship.
Numerous community partners contribute support to Youth and Horses including Century Graphics, Sunnyvale Moose Lodge, Sunnyvale Women of the Moose, Royal Coach Tours, Sports Basement, Hopkins Honda, Sprouts Neighborhood Market, Wild Tastes Catering, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Cathedral of Faith and individuals from the community.
At the time of this writing, Youth and Horses has completed five weeks of training. The students are riding independently and are able to perform walk/halt/walk transitions and turn their horses by using verbal cues and natural aides such as their hands, body weight, legs and seat. They have learned how to groom horses, how to read horse body language and how to set up and break down a tent. On May 28, students will showcase their skills at the Family Day and BBQ. The Sunnyvale Moose Lodge is running the BBQ and Wild Taste Catering is baking cupcakes for dessert.
Junior Giants Sunnyvale Junior Giants registration is open! Division I: T-ball 5-7 year old and Division II: 8-10 year old Participants can register online at www.sunnyvalepal.com click on programs, Junior Giants. Junior Giants also is recruiting coaches, please click here for information about volunteering.
Building Life Champions Golf Tournament PAL is hosting its first annual Golf Tournament on June 8 at Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course. Click to view flyer.
Discover Angling Fishing Trip Our next Half Moon Bay Fishing Trip for Youth is on June 19. Contact info@sunnyvalepal.com for more information.
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| |  For questions and comments about the Sunnyvale DPS newsletter Beyond the Badge, you can e-mail us at: pubsfty@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us
© 2010-2013 City of Sunnyvale, CA |
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