The Department of Public Safety held our annual awards ceremony at the May 3rd City Council meeting. The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize outstanding individual and team efforts to safeguard the community. Although the awards are given to members of DPS, it is important to note that all City departments contribute to the success of public safety. Additionally, members of the community play an integral role in aiding and ensuring public safety. This was highlighted in each of the lifesaving awards which all included some level of citizen participation.

Awards were given for the following categories:

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Lifesaving Award
Distinguished Service Award
Employees of the Year

In the first category (Lifesaving Award), there were four separate events where individual members of the community were saved as a result of engaged community members and DPS personnel. Again this year, several of the cases involved a combination of personnel assigned to both the Patrol and Fire Bureaus who responded and worked together in the lifesaving events. This is an absolute benefit of the fully integrated public safety model of service.

Recipients of this award included the following personnel:

Left to right: Chief Grgurina, PSO Marie Plonka, Jesse Ashe, John Crouch, Mayor Hendricks, and PSO Bill Whitaker (not present here)

Chief's message to be continued...

Chief Grgurina

TEL 408-730-7140
TDD 408-730-7501

or email to: pubsfty@sunnyvale.ca.gov

Message from Chief Continues

Lifesaving award recipients included the following personnel:

Left to right: Chief Grgurina, PSO (retired) Jason Holliday, Mary Cayori, Steven Eckford, Sean Soura, Mayor Hendricks

Left to right: Chief Grgurina, PSO Carl Ellla, Paul Kuczma, PSD Teresa Casarez, Mayor Hendricks

In addition to the Public Safety personnel, we were honored to have one survivor and a citizen responder attend to be recognized. The incident occurred on March 25, 2015 at the Challenger School on Hollenbeck when Farid Rashti suffered a heart attack while playing soccer. Community member Walter Huber responded to provide CPR after being notified of the incident via the Pulse Point mobile app, followed shortly by DPS personnel. Both Walter and Farid were recognized at the meeting. Farid spoke briefly during the ceremony expressing his sincere appreciation to all those who helped save his life.

Left to right: Chief Grgurina, PSD Frank Edwards, Lt Mike Mendoza, Lt Chuck O'Leary, PSO Grant Smith (not present here), Citizen and Pulse Point Responder Walter Hubert, Mayor Hendricks, Patient/Survivor Farid Rashti

Senior Office Assistant Melva Anima received the Distinguished Service Award for seven years of dedicated service to the Investigations Unit in the Bureau of Special Operations. Melva was recognized by her co-workers for continually going over and above her duties to assist investigators to ensure that complicated cases are handled in a timely manner. Her strong work ethic and professionalism were highlighted in the submission for the award.

Public Safety Dispatcher Josie Silva received the Distinguished Service Award for her ongoing excellence in her role as a dispatcher. Her positive demeanor, calming presence during stressful calls and active participation in team training were just a few her characteristics identified by her co-workers. Josie's handling of a call from a suspect who had committed a homicide was provided as an example of the skill she displays on a daily basis.

(Photo is not available)

Public Safety Officer Justin Kirk received the Distinguished Service Award for his ongoing skill and dedication in the many roles he holds as a PSO. Justin is currently assigned as a Regional Training Officer (RTO) at the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Regional Police Academy, responsible for the training of recruit officers and direct oversight of the DPS recruits. Justin has worked tirelessly to ensure that all of the recruits have received the highest level of training to prepare them for rigors of the field training program. In addition to his role at the academy, Justin excelled while assigned to the Patrol Bureau conducting extensive crime investigations and receiving his second "10851" pin signifying his efforts in stolen vehicle recoveries and arrests.

Public Safety Officer Steven Gorshe received the Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary work while assigned to the department's Community Crimes Unit. Specifically, Steven spearheaded a large scale narcotics investigation, which resulted in the arrest of six high level international drug traffickers and the seizure of $62k in currency, two vehicles, 800 grams of heroin and 150 grams of methamphetamine. Steven was recognized by Federal Law Enforcement partners for the outstanding work on this investigation.

Public Safety Lieutenant Vinicio Mata received the Distinguished Service Award for his ongoing efforts in leading the department's Office of Emergency Services. During his tenure, Vinny has organized citywide training efforts related to the Emergency Operations Center, oversaw technology upgrades implemented to better communicate with the community and other public safety partners and enhanced overall communications with the public related to special and significant events. Examples include his work on Super Bowl 50, ongoing Levi's Stadium events and the recent fire at the Twin Pine Apartments.

Public Safety Captain Carl Rushmeyer received the Distinguished Service Award for his tireless work with the new Fire Station #5 construction project in addition to his regular duties as a Fire Battalion Chief. Carl was sent to a "fire station construction symposium" prior to the kick-off of the project and was assigned as the day-to-day contact from the department during construction. Carl played a significant role as the main point of contact for the City and department with the construction team, requiring him to be involved with all aspects of the construction on a daily basis. He accomplished this in addition to the multitude of duties and responsibilities required by his primary assignment.

Public Safety Lieutenant Gary Vierra received the Gold Medal of Valor for his courageous efforts in saving the life of a despondent 24 year old female who was attempting to commit suicide. Gary was off duty with his two daughters in another city when he observed the female standing in the center of railroad tracks with a train traveling in her direction. Gary quickly approached the female and tried to gain her cooperation in getting off the tracks. The female refused to cooperate, requiring Gary to physically remove her just one minute before the train continued past their location. Gary's daughters contacted 911 and watched as their father rescued the female. Local first responders arrived shortly thereafter and took the female to a crisis center.

Public Safety Volunteer May Sosnowski was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for the work she has done on various department projects since first volunteering with DPS in February 2010. May's expertise with graphic design has been utilized on a variety of projects, such as the "Beyond the Badge" community newsletter, the internal employee video messaging boards and on an assortment of other community and department informational flyers. In addition to her technical expertise, May has volunteered over 1500 hours of service to the department helping out at the various community events.

Senior Public Safety Dispatcher Jenny Wood was recognized as the Dispatcher of the Year for her ongoing dedication, professionalism and leadership in her role as a supervising dispatcher. Jenny was specifically recognized for her work with the Critical Incident Dispatch Team and their response to local and regional events. She has been recognized for these efforts from several outside agencies including the San Jose Fire Department's Communication Center and the Santa Clara Communications Center.

Public Safety Officer Derek Swanger was recognized as the Officer of the Year for the continuous excellence and professionalism he has displayed throughout his 25 year career. His co-workers noted that Derek is an example of what a true "Public Safety Officer" is about. Derek is a well-rounded PSO who has developed skill and expertise in most every facet of the position and freely shares his knowledge with others. Most notably is Derek's true care and concern for the members of the public and the professionalism he displays with each contact. Co-workers provided several examples of where Derek took additional steps over and above what was expected to ensure that members of the public received the highest level of service.

We are very proud of all department employees and are pleased to share information about those receiving awards this year. For those interested in viewing the DPS Award Ceremony, please visit the following URL:

http://sunnyvaleca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=1916

National Police Week 2016

In 1962, Congress enacted legislation establishing May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as National Police Week. In 1994, Congress and President Bill Clinton provided for the flag of the United States to fly at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15.

Annual Remembrance for Sunnyvale DPS Officers Killed in the Line of Duty

Since our nation was founded, over 20,000 peace officers have been killed in the line of duty. In 1991, President George Bush dedicated the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. It honors all of America's federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty since the first known officer's death in 1792. Five Sunnyvale officers have died in the line of duty since 1950, when the Public Safety Department was created. They are:

PSO Gary Larson, 23 years old and a two-year veteran, was shot and killed on January 28, 1962.

PSO Charles Morris, 34 years old and a three-year veteran, was shot and killed on September 23, 1972.

PSO Charles Fraker, 25 years old and a two-year veteran, died from injuries suffered while fighting a fire on August 1, 1976.

PSO Edward Roth, 44 years old and a sixteen-year veteran, died from injuries suffered while fighting a fire on November 29, 1980.

PSO Manuel Lopez, 29 years old and an eight-year veteran, was killed in a traffic accident on March 3, 1987.

We All Play a Role in Keeping Our Community Safe

Informed, alert citizens play a critical role in keeping our community safe. The Sunnyvale Public Safety Department reminds you to pay attention to your surroundings and report suspicious activity. Suspicious activity may include, but is not limited to:

Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package/luggage is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations occur.
Eliciting information: A person questions individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a building's purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc.
Observation/surveillance: Someone pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (particularly in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements; counting paces; sketching floor plans, etc.

Some of these activities could be innocent - it's up to law enforcement to determine whether the behavior warrants investigation. Public safety is everyone's responsibility. If you see suspicious activity, report it to local law enforcement or a person of authority.

To report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 and describe what you observed, including:

Who or what you saw
When you saw it
Where it occurred
Why it's suspicious

Non-emergency situations can be communicated by calling Sunnyvale Public Safety Department Non-Emergency Dispatch Line: 408-730-7180

Knock, Knock. Who's There?

Every Spring, residents inquire about solicitors knocking on doors and trying to sell products in their neighborhood.

It is unlawful for any person to engage in solicitation or peddling activities within the City without first obtaining a permit issued by the City of Sunnyvale. Follow the crime prevention tips below to protect yourself from fraudulent or unlawful solicitation or peddling:

If a solicitor attempts to sell you something, requests a donation, or offers services for hire ask to see their permit. If a solicitor does not have a permit, immediately call DPS Non-Emergency Dispatch Line: 408-730-7180
Do not allow anyone into your home that you do not know.
Be a wise consumer! Don't let an aggressive solicitor pressure you into making a decision.
Beware of solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards designed solely to obtain your personal information or credit card numbers.
Beware of scams and offers for home repair from drive-up workers who "just happen" to be in the neighborhood.

The Sunnyvale Public Safety Department encourages residents to contact the non-emergency phone line when a suspicious person or activity is observed in your neighborhood. An officer will respond to investigate the situation.

National Night Out - It's Time to Plan Ahead

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community

partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. Sunnyvale neighborhoods celebrate by hosting block parties, barbecues, potlucks and more on the first Tuesday of August.

This year, National Night Out is on August 2 - it is not too soon to start planning your event! For more information on event planning and available resources, visit www.natw.org and contact the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Crime Prevention Unit at 408-730-7140.

BE A JUNIOR GIANTS COACH

Confidence. Integrity. Leadership. Teamwork. A focus on healthy habits, education, and anti-bullying behavior. These are the qualities that Coaches and Assistant Coaches for Sunnyvale PAL's Junior Giants pass on to their players during the 8-week season.

And don't forget, there's also baseball. Kids learn to be good people while acquiring skills of the game. They become part of a fun team and a larger community of parents, coaches, Sunnyvale PAL staff, and other volunteers who help make this program a success.

Coaches don't have to know a lot about baseball. A desire to work with kids as they grow into adults is the main requirement. The Giants staff and Junior Giants volunteers provide training, coaching clinics, manuals and online resources. It's a very rewarding way to spend your summer, and can leave a lasting impact on the players.

The program is free for boys and girls from 5 to 13. Giants provide uniforms, hats, equipment, prizes for completing components of the program every week, and often special opportunities like tickets to Giants games and fun events.

This year, the Sunnyvale League is the face of Junior Giants for the 93 leagues and 25,000 players throughout California, Western Nevada, and Southern Oregon. Players, Coaches and Team Parents are on posters and flyers, and grace the pages of Coach and Parent handbooks.

On Mothers Day, nine lucky players and two coaches were selected to represent the Sunnyvale League before the game. In a unique feature of Sunday games called Kids Take the Field, Junior Giants ran to positions on the field and wait for a Giants player to come out, have a few words with them, and autograph a ball. Families, players and coaches were able to get free tickets to the game to share in this special Mothers Day treat.

To find out more about Junior Giants and coaching go to https://sfrg-sunnyvalepal.siplay.com/site/ and create an account. All coaches must complete a background check (fingerprinting) prior to starting their volunteer duties. There is no charge for this.

Your commitment: A couple of pre-season meetings before games start on June 18. A weekly practice (TBD) and games on Saturday. There are no games the week of July 4th.

For more information, see SunnyvalePAL.com or email jrgiants@sunnyvalepal.com

ASSET OF THE MONTH - Youth as Resources

Asset #18: Young people spend three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in community organizations.

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH PROGRAMS

Youth programs-which include sports, scouting, recreation, camps, after-school programs, and religious programs-can provide fulfilling experiences that help young people develop new skills and master challenges. They also provide a safe place for youth outside of school where they can be in contact with caring non-parent adults. Research shows that the developmental asset of participation in youth programs results in increased self-esteem; better development of life skills, leadership skills, and public speaking abilities; fewer psycho-social problems such as loneliness, shyness, and hopelessness; decreased risk behaviors; and more thriving indicators.

The following discussion topics, adapted from the book What Teens Need to Succeed*, can help young people of all ages recognize the value of youth programs, and better understand the benefits of the programs in which they participate:

Overall, are you happy with how many different things you do with your time?
Are your activities stimulating and challenging?
Do these activities bring out your best?
Are you making friends with caring, responsible adults in your activities?
Are you learning new skills and talents, and acquiring new knowledge?

If the young person can't answer "yes" to most of these questions, then it may be time to discuss the program's activities with the adults in charge or to help the youth find new, meaningful activities that better meet his or her interests.

ACTIVITIES

FOR FAMILIES

Make sure that your children are participating in positive, asset-building youth programs that they enjoy. If they're not, help them find new programs that meet their interests. Help them understand that they might not fully enjoy or benefit from the program immediately, and encourage them to make a time commitment of a certain number of weeks or months to give the program an adequate chance.
When your younger children join a new program, help them with introductions to their peers. They'll feel more comfortable and confident when they know the other participants.
At mealtime, ask your children specific questions about the activities, leaders, and other participants in their youth programs. It's a good way to spark conversation and to make sure that their programs are meeting their needs and interests.
While participating in sports can be positive for young people, the intense competition that can occur in sports programs typically is not. Make sure that coaches balance the competitive aspect of sports with the development of positive skills like leadership, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.
Role-model positive behavior when attending sporting events. Good sportsmanship in the bleachers helps youth practice managing their own responses to challenges and successes.

FOR ALL ADULTS

Youth programs can provide excellent volunteer opportunities! If you have a skill or talent to share, offering it in a youth program is a great way to make a difference.
Looking for ongoing or one-time youth volunteers? Check with the leaders of youth programs near you. Your needs might dovetail with one of their service or skills development projects, making it possible for youth to serve as resources and gain valuable experience.

AT SCHOOL OR IN YOUTH PROGRAMS

Youth program staff has exceptional opportunities to serve as asset builders for the youth they serve, acting as role models, mentors, and caring, non-family adults. Make sure that all program staff has been trained in the developmental assets framework, with additional guidance to identify and take advantage of asset building opportunities that arise.
Regularly review activity plans with an eye toward providing opportunities for youth members to help decide and plan activities, and finding ways to incorporate service opportunities into the program's primary mission. Intentionally make it a top priority for program staff to be a positive influence on the youth in your program.

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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For questions and comments about the Sunnyvale DPS newsletter Beyond the Badge, you can e-mail us at: DFontaine@sunnyvale.ca.gov
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