Wednesday, June 17 marked the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station #5 and Public Safety Training Center. The new station will be located at 1210 Bordeaux Drive and is scheduled to be completed in March of 2016. The new station is a result of a development agreement with the Jay Paul Company approved by the City Council in December 2013. The agreement included a land exchange with the current location of Fire Station #5 as part of the approval process for the Moffett Place Office Campus. The City received a 2.07 acre parcel on Bordeaux Drive with a new three bay fire station and an attached public safety training facility to be fully funded and constructed by the Jay Paul Company. The agreement also includes a new platform ladder truck. In turn, the Jay Paul Company received a combined 1.75 acres from a City- owned parcel on the former Onizuka Air Force Station site and the existing Fire Station #5 located at Mathilda Avenue and Innovation Way.

The new facility is being designed and built to LEED Silver standards which will save money and resources, while also having a positive impact on the health of city staff occupying the station. The green building construction will consist of only low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and flooring systems. It will have a "cool roof" that is white in color and will reduce heat from adjoining urban areas. Low-flow and efficient plumbing fixtures will achieve over 35% water use reduction. No potable water will be used for irrigation and water demand for irrigation will be reduced by over 50%. Finally, materials used for construction are specified for high recycled content and over 75% of construction waste is anticipated to be diverted from landfills.

In addition to the important environmental aspects of the new building, there are several other benefits to the community and the department. To begin, the new station will house a brand new ladder truck provided by the Jay Paul Company. This new apparatus will be staffed with additional public safety officers recently approved by the City Council. The new equipment and personnel will allow the department to better serve the large number of new multi-story commercial and residential complexes in the northern portion of the city, provide quicker response to serious traffic accidents within the district and enhance our overall public safety response to significant calls throughout the city, and in response to mutual aid calls with our neighboring jurisdictions.

It is important to note that this facility is not just a fire station but it is also a comprehensive public safety training facility which includes an in-door shooting range, a 50 person classroom and outdoor training grounds. The significance of these portions of the facility cannot be overstated. As a fully integrated public safety department, initial and on-going training requirements are a cornerstone of our success. Each of the now 201 sworn public safety officers must receive and maintain statewide and department certification in law enforcement, firefighting and EMT requirements in order to perform the responsibilities of a Sunnyvale Public Safety Officer. Throughout the history of our department, we have relied upon our neighboring agencies for training locations to perform regular mandatory firearms training and qualifications. This will soon change with the construction of the new range. The range will allow our officers to train within our city limits and to train at times that align with shift schedules, thus saving time and money related to training requirements.

The 50 person classroom, outdoor training area and drill grounds will serve all members of the department and will provide an additional venue for community safety programs such as our long standing SNAP Program, meeting space for groups such as our Volunteer Amateur Radio team and community training space for opportunities such as our recent efforts with Hands Only CPR Training. For the City, it will provide an alternate location to coordinate large scale emergency response as a backup Department Operations Center. Finally, the physical location of this new station will give us a more advantageous response location than our current station #5 which on occasion is delayed by VTA trains.

To put it simply, this new station and training center is a game changer for our organization, and we are certain that it will positively impact our community and our organization as we move into the future. For this, we are truly grateful to the Jay Paul Company, the members of our City Council and all who have worked and continue to work on this project. This includes retired City Manager Gary Luebbers, current City Manager Deanna Santana and all of the City departments who have and continue to work on this project, as it has and continues to be a true team effort.

Chief Grgurina

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

or email to: pubsfty@sunnyvale.ca.gov

G.R.E.A.T. Program

Neighborhood Resource Officers Eric Fujii and Amy Pistor participated in an internationally recognized training program called G.R.E.A.T., which is an acronym for Gang Resistance Education And Training. The program is directed at middle school and elementary school aged kids and the officers were taught how to present 13 weeks or six weeks of classroom instruction, respectively, on various life skills to the kids. Despite having the word "gang" in the title, the program doesn't focus on gangs and gang activity much at all. The program is designed to take advantage of the impressionable nature of kids and provide them with a positive relationship with law enforcement officers in the years immediately before they reach the prime ages when they are introduced to gangs and criminal behaviors.

In the classroom, the kids are taught how to avoid delinquency and violence to solve their problems by learning how to effectively communicate, control their emotions, set goals, deal with peer pressure and other conflict resolution techniques. The GREAT class was presented to kids in an after-school program at Lakewood Elementary School and the entire 5th grade class at Bishop Elementary School. The kids and teachers at Bishop Elementary enjoyed the class so much they asked the officers to return in the fall to present the GREAT program to the new 5th grade class and, hopefully, the program will be brought to kids at Cupertino Middle School as well.

Explorer Academy

On July 1, 39 Explorers from the Bay Area including three members of Sunnyvale Explorer Post 417, graduated from the three week long Santa Clara County Law Enforcement Academy held at Evergreen Community College. Instructors from eleven different agencies taught the 14-20 year old Explorers about law enforcement, moral character and life skills. The Explorers learned discipline, integrity and most of all a team concept.

Congratulations to Sunnyvale Explorers, Stephanie Chacon, Priscilla Meza and Daniel Alcazar.

Torch Run 2015

Every year since 1981, law enforcement officers from across the United States have participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for the Special Olympics. As a result, this event has turned into the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for the Special Olympics.

Now a global event, all 50 states and more than 35 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run�, generating more than $34 million a year for Special Olympics Programs around the world. Since its inception in 1981, the Law Enforcement Torch Run� has raised more than $100,000,000 worldwide. It is the largest grass roots fundraising program and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. In addition to the fundraising and awareness benefits, officers are able to meet, support and encourage the athletes.

On June 18, several Sunnyvale DPS personnel, along with Special Olympics athletes participated in the 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run. Sunnyvale DPS runners received the the Flame of Hope from members of the Santa Clara Police Department in front of the Fish Market Restaurant. They ran westbound along El Camino Real and passed the torch to members of the Mountain View Police and Los Altos Department runners at Knickerbocker. The Torch continued its journey from police department to police department until it reached its final destination - the 2015 Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games at UC Davis, June 26-28.

If you are interested in learning more about the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, please visit www.sonc.org

Special Olympics Summer Games

More than 700 Special Olympics athletes descended upon the UC Davis Campus to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games. More than 200 volunteer coaches accompanied the athletes to cheer them on. After weeks of training and participating at qualifying competitions, the athletes competed in Aquatics, Bocce, Tennis or Track and Field in state-of-the-art collegiate athletic facilities on the UC Davis campus.

Summer Games is the culminating competition for the spring sports season and is one of the largest Special Olympics sporting competitions in Northern California. The minimum age of the competitors is eight years of age and there is no age limit cap. Athletes have varying ability levels and are placed in divisions to compete against athletes of the approximate same ability level. Over 1,200 volunteers filled a variety of volunteer positions over the course of the weekend.

An important part of Summer Games is the running of the Special Olympics Torch, the "Flame of Hope," prior to the start of the Games. The Flame of Hope was relayed through Northern California escorted by various law enforcement agency personnel, ending at the UC Davis campus, lighting the caldron during opening ceremonies. Lt. Ava Phillips, PSO Brian Gantt and PSO Eric Fujii represented Sunnyvale in the Wall of Honor.

Sunnyvale Public Safety's support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run continues through summer with Tip a Cop at Faultline Brewing Company on August 20 and Power Pull at Great America on September 12. For more information about these events, please visit TorchRunEvents.inSunnyvale.com

Kick, Lead, Dream Soccer Camp

Since 2009, Public Safety has had the pleasure to partner with the Sunnyvale DPS Police Activities League and several committed community members to bring the Kick, Lead and Dream Soccer Camp to the kids of Sunnyvale and Mountain View. As many of you know, this is no ordinary summer camp. The camp is designed to bring at-risk youth from the communities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View together for two weeks of soccer. Coached by local high school student volunteers, these elementary and middle school kids are shown positive role models and given the chance to learn soccer skills, leadership skills and the ability to dream BIG!

The camp did not disappoint this year! The nearly 400 kids were treated to great fun, great food and even visits from the San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team. At the conclusion of the camp, the kids received awards from the camp organizers and some positive thoughts from Sunnyvale DPS Captain Doug Moretto.

The kids are already talking about next year...and so are we!

SV PAL Junior Giants

Children have the most amazing insights into life, and SV PAL's Junior Giants are no different. Ninety of them attended a free glove giveaway at AT&T Park on June 24, provided by the Giants and Buster Posey. In a thank you note to Buster, one of them said, "Is it a little scary when you play catcher? I know that you're an adult but some adults can be scared of something."

Being scared is something that the Junior Giants hope isn't an issue. The program, provided by the Giants Community Fund, teaches character development through the sport of baseball. Confidence, one of the four bases of character development, is acquired through great coaching, practices and games, which ensure that players aren't scared when they play on the field. As the season progresses, they start to gain increased confidence in their other activities too.

The 240 Sunnyvale players on 16 teams are also learning about teamwork, one of the other bases of character development. Each team member is required to read for a certain amount of time each day, and times are recorded by their Team Parent. Once the entire team has read the required amount by the deadline, they are eligible to attend a Junior Giants Festival at AT&T Park (8 - 13 year olds) or they receive a Giants backpack (5 - 7 year olds).

Because the reading program is a team effort, players are encouraged to help their teammates, sometimes spending reading time before and after practices. Each team also receives a box of used children's books at the start of the season, and using a 'take one, leave one' system, they have plenty of reading choices during the 8 weeks of the program. Books have been donated by a number of organizations, including the SNAIL neighborhood association and the Hoopoe Books Share Literacy program in Los Altos. At the end of the season, players will be given books to keep and the remainder will be donated to Reading Partners in Sunnyvale schools.

The Buster Posey Glove Giveaway was the first major highlight of the 2015 Sunnyvale Jr. Giants season, with more to come. There are 49 dedicated volunteer Coaches and Team Parents, a League Commissioner, League Coordinator, and a Junior Giants Ambassador who are ensuring that this season is a great one for the players. It seems to be working. As Bella, one of the youngest Junior Giants said in her thank you to Buster, "Thank you for my glove and this fun event and my team."

Crossing Guard Recruitment

The City of Sunnyvale; Department of Public Safety is looking for people who care about the safety of the children in our community. This job is a temporary, part-time, non-benefited position working 10-12 hours per week during the school year. It is an outdoor job, rain or shine. All intersection posts are within the City of Sunnyvale. The hours are based on intersection location and school times. This position is a split shift, once in the morning and once in the afternoon during the five day work week. Casual Crossing Guard is a rewarding job in which you will gain valuable relationships with school children, parents, academic staff and Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers.

Qualified applicants must be 18 years of age and are required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which includes a background check, pre-employment drug and TB test. For more information, please contact the Crossing Guard Unit at (408)730-7192 or email ebrewer@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

City application forms, completed in full, are required, as well as responses to the required supplemental questions. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at www.jobs.inSunnyvale.com or application materials may be submitted to: Department of Human Resources, 505 West Olive Avenue, Suite 200, Sunnyvale, CA 94086.

Click here to view recruitment flyer.

ASSET OF THE MONTH --- Community Values Youth

Asset #7: Youth perceive that adults in the community value children and youth.

COMMUNITY VALUES YOUTH

Research shows that youth who feel valued in their community enjoy better mental health; a greater sense of personal control and optimism; reduced delinquency, violence, and fighting; less substance abuse; and higher academic performance.

All adults in the community have a role to play in showing their support for youth. If young people
perceive that they are valued only by the adults that they know, they are not fully connected to their community and miss the benefits that such a connection can provide. But, it can be difficult for even the best-intentioned adults to explicitly communicate that they value youth: frequently, adults feel that youth already know that they're valued and appreciated.

The following discussions topics can help you work with young people to identify the ways that the
community does, and does not; provide them with the empowerment associated with this asset:

Do you ever encounter adults who have negative perceptions about people your age? Do you know how to respond politely but effectively to their criticism or comments?
Are there good places for kids your age to hang out after school and on the weekends? If there aren't, what kind of place would you like to see?
Do you feel that adults at school and other organizations give you an opportunity to voice your opinion? Can you suggest some ways that adults could provide opportunities for youth to provide feedback and suggestions about programs?

Community Values Youth is intrinsically linked with other external assets-the more that adults provide children with support, empowerment, boundaries, and positive expectations, the more children and youth will feel that they are welcomed and valued by the community at large. In other words, the more effective that we are as a community at building assets in general, the more effective we will be at raising the levels of this woefully lacking asset.

ACTIVITIES

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

FOR FAMILIES

One way to help young people understand that they are valued is as simple as pointing out that many of the programs, activities, and facilities they enjoy-e.g., libraries, parks, and playgrounds-are created and maintained by the community.
Your children can participate in civic life regarding issues that concern them. Help them identify issues that affect young people and write letters to newspapers or government officials about ways to address their concerns.
Encourage your children to write letters of appreciation to the organizations and businesses that treat young people well. Doing so will encourage them to continue their efforts, and your child's letter may be publicly displayed.

FOR ALL ADULTS

Remember to treat all young people-regardless of their age or appearance-with respect, and take their ideas and suggestions seriously.
If you work in a business where youth may be customers or clients, train your staff to treat young people respectfully make sure that your policies are youth-friendly. If your business serves adults who may have children with them, make sure the space is inviting and provides age-appropriate diversions.
Publicly celebrate youth contributions to your organization, and recognize individual contributions daily.
Attend and contribute to local government meetings to make sure that the needs of young people are being addressed.

AT SCHOOL OR IN YOUTH PROGRAMS

Ask businesses in the community to show support for your program. In addition to financial donations and sponsorships, they can display artwork, host tours of their facility, or find other ways to demonstrate that they care about the youth in the community. (Doing so makes good business sense-today's youth are Tomorrow's customers!)
With older children and teens, discuss whether the community has good places for kids and teens to hang out, and whether there are more positive opportunities for younger kids than for older ones. Use the results to create an action plan to make adults in the community more aware of the issue.
Invite distinguished members of the community to attend performances and events.

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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