At the beginning of each New Year, the Department of Public Safety conducts "annual inspections" to ensure that we are prepared for duty. The 2015 inspections were completed last Friday after a weeklong inspection process. The inspections include a complete review of personal equipment, team equipment, workspaces, vehicles and each of the public safety buildings. Department members spend many hours preparing for the inspections, which was evident in the final results. I am proud to tell you that your department is well prepared for the upcoming year!

In addition to the preparation, annual inspections offer us an opportunity to meet with all members of the department to discuss contemporary issues and share information about department initiatives. Based upon recent events involving the law enforcement profession across the nation, we believed it was especially important to discuss the importance of public trust and officer safety. The takeaway message for each of us was to continue to focus on our department mission of providing fully integrated public safety services by adhering to our department values: Excellence, Professionalism, Accountability and Community Engagement.

During the holiday break, we have had many members of our community reach out to members of our department and express their support. Please know that your expressions of support are very much appreciated. While we believe that we have a solid relationship with our community, we know that we must continue to work hard to maintain and enhance public trust.

As we move into the New Year, please consider conducting your own "annual inspection" to ensure that your family, friends and neighbors are prepared for emergencies and personal safety. Wishing all a safe and Happy New Year!

Chief Grgurina

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

or email to: pubsfty@sunnyvale.ca.gov

January is National Mentoring Month

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In a Nation of limitless possibility, every child deserves the chance to unlock his or her potential. When young Americans have the support they need to make the most of themselves, they can achieve their dreams and strengthen our country, which has always moved forward by extending ladders of opportunity to the next generation. Every day, mentors play a vital role in this national mission by helping to broaden the horizons for our daughters and sons. This month, we celebrate these individuals who make it their cause to bring out the best in our young people, and we salute their spirit of service.

Mentors and caring adults serve as essential sources of inspiration, lifting up young people and positioning them to build the America of tomorrow. That is why my Administration continues to expand opportunities for mentoring and support the individuals who enable our future leaders. We are working with businesses to increase apprenticeship programs and connect groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math fields with role models in STEM careers. First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative is encouraging campus groups and college students to connect with high schoolers and other near-peers who do not always see themselves completing higher education. Earlier this year, I also launched My Brother's Keeper, an initiative that recognizes our responsibility to reach every young person regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Every American shares in the obligation to widen the circle of opportunity for our young people. Our neighbors' children are our children -- and our country must show them we care about and value their boundless potential. At the White House, the First Lady and I started mentoring initiatives, pairing local students with accomplished and caring professionals, and I am proud that members of my Administration are leading by example. To find ways to give back in your local community and participate in these critical, life-changing moments, I encourage all Americans to visit www.Serve.gov/Mentor.

The sense of dedication displayed by all those who invest their time and energy in mentoring reminds us that if we work together, we can ensure there are no limits to what young Americans can achieve. During National Mentoring Month, we honor all those who give of themselves to guide our young people, and we renew our commitment to realizing a future of opportunity for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2015 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA

DPS Participation in Local Holiday Events

Sunnyvale Public Safety has been busy in the community this past holiday season. On Saturday, December 6, the department participated in four separate events: the Murphy Street Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Breakfast with Santa at the Senior Center, the annual Rides for Toys event at Toys R Us, and the Lakewood Village Holiday Parade.

The annual Rides for Toys event is a combined effort involving the Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers Association, the Department of Public Safety, Sunnyvale Community Services and Toys R Us. Through this event, community members provided hundreds of toys which were donated to Sunnyvale Community Services and given to Sunnyvale families in need.

On Saturday December 13, the department participated in the Fantasy Flight (Cops for Cancer event) hosted by Juniper Networks and Mineta San Jose International Airport. This event provides holiday cheer and toys to children and their families who are fighting cancer.

On behalf of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Family, we would like to wish all a very happy and safe year 2015. For more information contact Captain Carl Rushmeyer at (408) 730-7151 or crushmeyer@sunnyvale.ca.gov

Residential Burglar Apprehended

On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., a Sunnyvale resident called 911 to report suspicious activity occurring in the 200 block of South Bayview Avenue. According to the resident, a suspicious person was attempting to open her neighbor's window. The resident told the dispatchers she knew her neighbors were currently out of town and did not recognize the suspicious person. Officers were immediately dispatched to the area in order to investigate the complaint. Upon arrival, the officers were able to locate the suspicious person, who was now hiding a short distance away, and determined he had burglarized at least one home. In addition to the reporting resident identifying the subject as the person responsible for the burglary, physical evidence was collected at the scene as well. The suspect was arrested for burglary and booked into County Jail.

This is yet another example of the importance of residents reporting suspicious people and behavior to DPS.

Child Car Seat Safety Class

Buckle Up For Life Class, Car Seat Safety Inspections and Free Car Seats.

Sunnyvale families are invited to attend a free Buckle Up For Life class at Gateway Neighborhood Center, 477 N. Mathilda Ave., Sunnyvale, on Friday, January 22 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Activities, giveaways and prizes will be available for the whole family! No pre-registration is necessary.

Free car seats will be provided to attendees who cannot afford one for their child. Car seat fittings will take place by appointment on Sunday, January 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants must attend the January 22 event in order to receive a seat and an appointment for the January 24 event. For more information about the class and car seat safety inspections, please phone (650) 724-1788.

Sponsored by Buckle Up For Life, Stanford Children's Health, Gateway Neighborhood Center and Trinity Church of Sunnyvale.

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian fatalities are rising in California as more people use non-motorized means of transportation. In 2012, California witnessed 612 pedestrian deaths that year while nationally 4,743 pedestrians were killed.

A national study reveals that pedestrians and drivers do not obey laws and signals consistently and many often use cell phones, text and listen to music while walking or driving. Only 60 percent of pedestrians said they expected drivers to stop when they were in crosswalks, even though they have the right-of-way. The following safety tips can save lives and stop this tragedy witnessed far too often:

Drivers can:

- Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
- Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to the pedestrians too.
- Be cautious when backing up - pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path. See www.safercar.gov/parents/backover.htm

Pedestrians can:
- Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections, and obey signs and signals.
- Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
- Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
- Make eye contact with drivers as they approach. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
- Look left-right-left before crossing a street.

For more information and questions, please contact DPS Traffic Unit (408) 730-7109.

Sunnyvale Residents Featured on Junior Giants Baseball

Cassandra & Chris Ochoa, Sunnyvale

Chris Ochoa and his ten-year-old daughter, Cassandra, have been proud members of the Sunnyvale Junior Giants league since its inception in 2012, but by no means were they strangers to the game of baseball before joining the program. Chris was born and raised a Giants fan and understands the positive impact that participating in recreational sports has had on his life. Therefore, once Cassie was old enough he quickly signed her up for the Sunnyvale Little League baseball program, and jumped into the role of assistant coach. After learning more about the Junior Giants program, Chris decided to enroll in the local league, signing up as head coach for Cassie's team. They have spent two memory filled years with the Junior Giants program and both were selected as a Junior Giants Willie Mac Award winner for their league.

As a Junior Giants coach, Chris' proudest achievement has been establishing strong relationships with his players, many of whom had never played baseball or received a glove prior to joining his team. One of Chris' favorite parts of the Junior Giants program is the emphasis placed on learning, with baseball as the anchor, as well as the opportunity to give his players purpose, direction and something to look forward to every season.

A great example of this involves one of his players who, at the start of the season, was soft spoken, quiet and kept to himself. "I took him under my wing," Chris said. "He had never played baseball before either. Through the season, our relationship developed and he started becoming more and more excited to come to practice. By the end he became a really good player and now whenever I see him at school, he runs up to me and yells, 'Hi, Coach!'. At the team picnic his grandmother thanked me for taking time with her grandson, and the experience really opened up my eyes to what this program means for other families in the community."

Chris plans on being involved in the program for an extended period of time, hoping to keep it a tradition in his family. Laughing, Chris says, "My 17-year-old son was the assistant coach for my youngest daughter's team. Even after my kids grow up and grow out of playing, I would like to continue this legacy."

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Registration for Jr Giants baseball leagues will be at the Fit & Fun Earth Day Fair on April 25 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Online registration will be available from April 22 to May 20. Junior Giants, sponsored by the World Champion San Francisco Giants, is a free, non-competitive program that teaches character development through the game of baseball. It is open to girls and boys between the ages of 5 and 13. The fair will be held at Columbia Neighborhood Center, 785 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale.

JANUARY ASSET OF THE MONTH --- Adult Role Models

Parents and other adults model positive, responsible behavior.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROLE MODELS

People of all ages need to feel that that they can make a contribution and play a meaningful role in their community, whether it's at home, at school, or in the neighborhood. Research shows that youth who feel valued and useful have higher self- esteem, a greater sense of personal control, reduced delinquency, greater social and personal responsibility, reduced substance abuse, and better social skills.

Higher levels of self esteem
Reduced use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs
Improved high school graduation rates
Greater aspirations and expectations for their careers

A positive role model doesn't have to have any unusual characteristics or skills-you don't have to be a sports hero or a billionaire for youth to look up to you. In fact, most youth who have role models identified caring friends and relatives from their direct social environment as role models. Every single one of us has the potential to make a difference in the lives of young people-all that matters is your willingness to take the time to get to know a young person and let them get to know you, and to share your experience and knowledge.

The following discussion topics can help young people recognize the role models that influence their
lives:

What's the difference between a hero and a role model?
Are celebrities like sports stars, actors, and musicians good role models? Why or why not?
Which adults whom you know do you admire? Why?
What have you learned from adults that has helped or inspired you?
What would you like to be able to talk about more with adults?

ACTIVITIES
The activities below are a starting point to help build and strengthen the asset of family support.

FOR ALL ADULTS

Make a point of talking about people you admire or who had a positive influence on you, and why. Ask a young person to do the same.
Share stories and experiences that reflect positive values, such as when a friend treated you with honesty or a coworker behaved responsibly. This can help young people develop a better understanding of their own values and how to act in different situations.
Take the time to pass on your special skills. Youth often appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills, even if they've never been exposed to them before.
In conversation, provide opportunities for youth to discuss their view of the world.
Model integrity by following through on any commitments that you make, especially with young people.
Demonstrate positive responses to difficult situations, such as offering a sincere apology when appropriate, or trying again when you fail to achieve a goal.

FOR ADULTS WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH YOUTH

Adults who work with young people are potential role models; it's up to you to demonstrate the
positive behaviors that will be expected of adults:

Model hard work, a positive attitude, and respect for others. Avoid making negative comments about coworkers, sports teams and players, and others with whom you compare yourself or compete.
Be sure that you and your staff "walk your talk" by modeling respect and trust among coworkers.

AT SCHOOL OR IN YOUTH PROGRAMS

Throughout the month, discuss the importance of role models and what qualities are important.
Have youth make a role model collage: First, have participants collect or create pictures and drawings of their role models. Then, have them cut out words or phrases that describe these role models from magazines and newspapers, or write the words or phrases themselves. Finally, glue the images and words onto construction paper or poster board, and hang the collage where the youth can be inspired by their creation each day.
Help youth identify the difference between positive and negative role models in the media: First, hang two pieces of newsprint or poster board on the wall. Label one "Positive Role Models" and the other "Negative Role Models." Hand out different kinds of recent magazines and newspapers, including teen, news, sports, and entertainment magazines. Ask youth to cut out pictures of newsmakers and celebrities, and tape or glue the pictures under the appropriate category. Discuss who they chose and why; whether some of the people could appear in both categories; and how to judge whether a celebrity or newsmaker is a good role model.
Discuss ways that the youth can be role models for younger children at school or in the program, and create opportunities for the older youth to spend positive time with the younger children, such as reading together or working together on projects.
This article was provided courtesy of Project Cornerstone. For more information, visit www.projectcornerstone.org.

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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