[DPSDist] News From Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

Back in April of this year, I wrote about the department's recruiting efforts and our need to hire for a large amount of both sworn and professional positions throughout the department. I am pleased to report that the department has been successful in hiring a significant number of highly qualified applicants over the last several months. To put this into perspective, we currently have 19 public safety officers, four public safety dispatchers, two community service officers and one animal control officer in various phases of training. A group of seven public safety officers recently completed the Alameda County Sheriff's Police Academy and another group of 12 public safety officers graduated from the Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Joint Fire Academy.

While it is very exciting to have so many new members join our organization, it does require a significant amount of effort to properly train each person. I am thankful that we have so many talented employees that are willing and able to pass along their knowledge and expertise to our newest members. Due to the large number of new employees, it is quite probable that members of the community will come in contact with our new employees. I am confident that you will find them to be very professional and excellent additions to our department.

Even with the large number of hirings, the department will continue to need significant numbers of public safety officers into the near future to replace anticipated future vacancies. If you or someone you know are interested in an exciting, unique and fast-paced career, please consider a career with the Department of Public Safety! For more information about recruitment and to view the department's new recruitment video, click here

Chief Grgurina

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

or email to: pubsfty@sunnyvale.ca.gov

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women's advocates across the nation nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

Domestic violence is a public health and safety issue that can be intertwined with other issues:
* Poverty

* Homelessness
* Unemployment
* Substance abuse
* Crime
* Human rights
* Gender equality
* Child development

This behavior involves physical (sexual), emotional and verbal abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating, or within a family. It can range from subtle forms such as controlling behavior to violent physical abuse that can result in disfigurement or death. Research shows that children, who live with domestic violence, develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, violence, and cognitive problems. They are more likely to attempt suicide, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes. They are also at a greater risk of having serious adult health problems (tobacco use, substance abuse, obesity, cancer, heart disease, a higher risk for unintended pregnancy).

The agencies below offer the following domestic violence services:
* a 24-hour hotline
* walk-in crisis counseling
* social service and systems advocacy
* legal advocacy
* housing solutions
* support groups

Support Network for Battered Women
(408) 541-6100

Crisis Line
1257 Tasman Drive Suite C; Sunnyvale, CA; (800) 572-2782

Next Door, Solutions to Domestic Violence
(408) 279-2962

National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233

Women's Crisis Support
1537 Pacific Avenue; Santa Cruz, CA; 24-hour crisis line, legal and shelter services; (831) 425-4030, (831) 685-3737

Victims of Crime Resource Center
3200 Fifth Avenue; McGeorge School of Law; Sacramento, CA; Tips for stalking victims; (800) 842-8467

Asset of the Month-Positive Family Communication

Young person and her or his parent(s) communicate positively, and young person
is willing to seek advice and counsel from parent(s).
THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE FAMILY COMMUNICATION

For positive family communication to occur, all family members must be comfortable sharing their needs, wishes, and concerns in an honest and trusting environment without fear of rejection. Establishing positive communication when children are young may help keep the channel open in adolescence. No matter how old your children are, it's never too late to start! Encourage your child to answer these questions honestly:

Who do you enjoy talking with, and why?
What makes it easier to talk to family members, and what makes it more difficult?
Which topics are easiest for you to talk about with your parents, and which are more difficult? Why?
The communication skills that young people develop in their families help set the pattern of how they'll communicate for the rest their lives. Teaching your children to communicate effectively with friends, teachers, co-workers, parents, peers, and others is a lasting legacy that parents can give to their children.

ACTIVITIES
The activities below are a starting point to help adults find ways to show youth that they are values and appreciated.

FOR FAMILIES
Create opportunities for unstructured communications. Sometimes the best conversations occur when you're side-by-side instead of face-to-face, such as when you're driving or working together in the kitchen.
At dinnertime, instead of asking "How was your day?" play Worst and Best, where everyone-including parents-takes turns sharing the worst thing and the best things that happened to them during the day.
Hold regular family meetings to check in with each other and discuss family issues like holidays or chores. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate.
Try having each parent set an "individual date" with each child where they spend time together away from home somewhere where they can talk, like a restaurant or coffee shop. This kind of one-to-one conversation makes it possible for a young person to discuss issues privately with their parent's undivided attention.
Listen more than you talk.
Positive family communication isn't just between parents and children-siblings should also be encouraged and supported to communicate with each other openly and effectively.
FOR ALL ADULTS
Model positive, respectful communications at all times.
Talk to young peoples about the importance of family communication.

AT SCHOOL OR IN YOUTH PROGRAMS
Send home a list of "conversation starters" with information about the value of positive family communication.
Assign homework that requires students to talk to parents or other family adults.
Create and deliver a unit on "family" that helps youth understand different kinds of families and appreciate their own.
This article was provided courtesy of Project Cornerstone. For more information, visit
www.projectcornerstone.org.

Young people who experience positive family communication experience higher self-esteem,
decreased substance use, less anxiety and depression, and greater school engagement. To help promote this valuable asset, October is Positive Family Communication month.

Operation Safe Summer

During the summer of 2014, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety partnered with local businesses to implement a city-wide juvenile safety program called Operation Safe Summer. The goal of the operation was to encourage pedestrian and bike safety among Sunnyvale youth by recognizing and rewarding safe behavior.

Children caught in the act of being safe were contacted and issued a congratulatory "citation" by a Sunnyvale officer. With each citation, children were given a kid-friendly reward from a local business. Rewards included free cold treats from Pinkberry, Smoothie King and Cold Stone, free slurpees from 7-Eleven, and free kids' meals from In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A.

The program was successful in encouraging safe practices as well as promoting a positive relationship between the Department of Public Safety, local businesses and the community.

2014-2015 Fire Safety Poster Contest

More than 400 hundred fire safety posters were entered by Sunnyvale public school students in Kindergarten through fifth grade in the 2014-2015 Sunnyvale Fire Safety Poster Contest sponsored by the Department of Public Safety, Kiwanis Club of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce and Kuykendall's Collision Repair. The top three posters for each grade were selected, and on October 14, the winners attended a lunchtime pizza party at the fire station. That same evening, the winners were recognized at a City Council meeting.

Winning posters will be framed and displayed at City Hall.

Kindergarten

1st Toby Liang, Laurelwood

2nd Bhargav Veeraghanta, Laurelwood

3rd Cynthia Wang, Laurelwood

First Grade

1st Justin Stoker, Cherry Chase

2nd Amrutha Sripada, Stocklmeir

Second Grade

1st Sahngwie Yim, Laurelwood

2nd Ranya Prasad, Laurelwood

3rd Shelly Parekh and Fiona Sahoo,
Laurelwood (Tie)

Third Grade

1st Ajsela Sivic, San Miguel

2nd Rachel Kim, Cherry Chase

3rd Clarissa Vasques, Bishop

Fourth Grade

1st Arianna Medina, Bishop

2nd Jessica Alviter, Vargas

3rd Samantha Mediodia, Laurelwood

Fifth Grade

1st Adam Mody, Vargas

2nd Yuzuki Kobayashi, Laurelwood

3rd Abhinav Gupta, Stocklmeir

The Curtis Lee Sanders Foundation Fall Classic Softball Tournament

The Curtis Lee Sanders Foundation (CLS) is a local charity in the Bay Area that provides adequate sports equipment to kids in need.

On September 13, The CLS Foundation held their annual Fall Classic event which jump started the idea for the organization four years ago. This year's event took place at Washington Park in Sunnyvale and drew more than 200 people.

The CLS Fall Classic grows each year and is becoming a community event and appreciation day for the Foundation donors and supporters. It's a time for Sunnyvale residents who knew Curtis (or not, as more and more friends and family attend each year), to reconnect and enjoy a day of softball, BBQ and family. It's also a fundraiser that helps the Foundation to support kids in the community. The event has grown from a casual Homestead vs. Fremont softball game to a structured tournament with certified umpires provided by South Bay MOA.

This year, the CLS Foundation welcomed the Justin Jolley Memorial Foundation

( JJMF) team to the tournament. The JJMF supports special needs efforts in schools and community activities. The two foundations met at the annual Challenger Jamboree event in 2013 and had a blast on the field during the Fall Classic with their aligned Vision.

In addition to the softball tournament, there was a kid's section with a jump house, face painting and arts & crafts. There was a full lunch, information table and logo shirts for donors. A fire truck provided by Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety paid a visit at break time and Chavez Supermarkets provided a catered lunch. During the lunch break, the kids took center stage running the bases and winning prizes from Sports Basement. Everyone found a comfy spot at a picnic table or on a blanket, and enjoyed the weather, company and refreshments.

The Loose Cannons (friends/family team) took the crown and will have their name engraved on the perpetual trophy and receive a gift card provided by Blush Raw Bar & Lounge in San Jose.

The event concluded with a HUGE thank you to all the volunteers, board members and vendors. The CLS Foundation announced plans for next year and shared some powerful words about how having known Curtis has been a huge blessing in all of our lives. For more information about future events or how others can benefit from the Curtis Lee Sanders Foundation, please visit www.clsfoundation.org

Photos courtesy of James Elledge Photography

2014 Sunnyvale Firefighters Pancake Breakfast

The 2014 Sunnyvale Firefighters Pancake Breakfast for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation www.aarbf.org hosted a record-breaking crowd and raised $6,229! Nearly 30 volunteers from the community including more than 20 Key Club members from Homestead and Fremont High schools arrived at 6:30 a.m. and helped make the event a huge success.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast with sausage, juice, milk and/or coffee. There were static displays of Len Williams' antique fire engine, the Public Safety Department's (DPS) Mobile Emergency Command Center (MEOC) and the Fire Associates of Santa Clara Valley's Response Vehicle http://fascv.blogspot.com/ Guests who dared, got to ride around the block in a real Sunnyvale fire engine! Fire training tower tours were another popular activity at the event.

There were informational booths from the Department of Public Safety's Crime Prevention Unit and Fire Prevention Unit as well as booths hosted by Sunnyvale Neighbors Actively Prepare (SNAP), Sunnyvale Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Sunnyvale Environmental Services Department (ESD), the Sunnyvale Elks Lodge and the Alisa Ann Burn Foundation.

The ESD and DPS collaborated to "green" the event by encouraging people to bring their own plates, utensils and cups for a chance to win a prize. The response was notable with 79 people participating. The ESD provided a dish wash station to clean up the sticky plates after breakfast. Other changes included purchasing bulk sugar, creamers and margarine instead of individually packaged items and switching to paper table coverings instead of plastic.

Peninsula Burn Relay

The Burn Relay is a parade of public safety vehicles - police, fire, paramedic, both antique and from SDPS to San Francisco stopping at fire departments in cities along the way to receive ceremonial checks for funds raised during the past year for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation www.aarbf.org

Great photo opportunities and fun to see! Please be advised that the Relay will completely block Olive Ave between Pastoria and Mathilda and All America Way will be blocked at Olive Ave. from 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28. The Sunnyvale DPS ceremonial check will represent funds raised at this year/s and last year's Pancake Breakfasts for a total of $11,215!

Sunnyvale PAL Knocks Out Litter in Sunnyvale

On Saturday, October 4, members of Sunnyvale PAL joined forces with Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Preservation Units, the Sunnyvale Environmental Services Department, Trinity Church, Reach Potential Movement and the Downtown Streets Team to Knock Out Litter in Sunnyvale in neighborhoods surrounding Gateway and Columbia Neighborhood Centers and Bishop Elementary School.

Twenty-seven (27) volunteers picked up nearly 700 pounds of litter and debris and more than 2,000 cigarette butts in just two hours! It was a very hot morning and after the work was done, the Sunnyvale Elks Lodge hosted an ice cream social for all the volunteers at the Gateway Neighborhood Center. Thank you to all our amazing volunteers!

Ebola Information

There is no Ebola in Santa Clara County and the risk to the Santa Clara County residents is low. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCPHD) has been preparing and will continue to prepare for the chance that a person sick with Ebola comes to a Santa Clara County hospital.

PHD has been in repeated, regular communication with local hospitals to share information about Ebola. Health Advisories and Updates were made available on 07/28/14, 08/04/14 and 08/21/14 to the Santa Clara County medical community. These communications provided guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) about how to identify possible cases and recommendations to prevent the spread of Ebola.

Hospital staff throughout Santa Clara County, and the United States, are routinely trained to put protections in place when dealing with contagious patients. Protections include gloves, waterproof gowns, face masks and eye protection. These measures are very effective in preventing the spread of infection.

Hospitals have also have been given guidelines about isolating any individual with suspected Ebola virus to prevent the spread of the virus to health care workers, patients and the public.

If a person in our county is suspected to have Ebola, the Public Health Department, local hospitals and the local medical community, with other partners, will work together to keep patients, visitors, employees and the public safe.

Ebola Facts

There is no Ebola in Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County has been preparing and continues to prepare for the unlikely chance that a person in Santa Clara County becomes sick with Ebola.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department has shared information to help medical providers and hospitals in our community to be informed and prepared.
Ebola can only be spread by a person who is sick and has symptoms of the disease. The disease is spread by contact with a sick person's body fluids.

Nixle

What is Nixle?

Nixle is a free community messaging system which utilizes a secure network to ensure creditability and reliability of information. DPS will use the NIXLE system to notify residents about important events happening within, or affecting the city. Residents receive updates via text, web, and email to stay informed of important notifications.

How can I sign-up for Nixle notifications?

Go to www.nixle.com
Click on "Sign Up Free!"
Enter information on this screen (There is no need to enter home phone since the cell will be used for text alerts)
Your account is started. Go to "Settings" and sign up for "Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety." Just be sure to click "Save" when completed. (You can sign up for other agencies by using either their name or a zip code to receive alerts.)

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