Thanks to all who came out to support the Toys for Tots Fundraiser on 1/20/12.  We raised $6000 and over half a rental truck of toys for the kids for 2012. It was humbling to be part of that event and to view the generosity of people. It was a great celebration of community and justice. God is good!

If you didn't make it out, donations can be dropped off at the St. Bernard Police Department located at 4700 Vine Street or you can visit the Toys for Tots Foundation website to assist in many ways  http://toysfortots.org...ate/default.asp.

We would like to thank the many sponsors who have made generous donations to make this happen.

The BW3 stores in Cincinnati and Northern KY will be having a fundraiser on Friday Jan 27th from 6-9 PM. They are donating a portions of all proceeds from their stores. Please come out to support them and bring a toy they will be having collection boxes at the stores.

I would also like to thank the members of the fundraising committe who did a superb job on such short notice.

St Bernard Police Department Alarm System Direct Monitoring Information Posted 11/22/11

Alarm systems include areas that are monitored, such as doors and windows. All include a centralized panel or device to send a signal, usually via telephone line or cellular, to a monitoring station. The monitoring station is a central place that acts as the link between the alarm system and whoever is designated to respond to the alarms activation. The police department is typically the responders to the alarms.

MONITORING OPTIONS

There are typically two options with regards to monitoring:

1. Direct Monitoring performed by the St Bernard Police Department. The dispatcher can view the alarm and immediately dispatch officers in the field to respond. This enables a quicker response time.

2. Alarm Company Monitoring is another option for your alarm system. The alarm would be monitored by a company outside of the St Bernard Police Department. This would mean the alarm would go from your residence to the alarm monitoring company where it is reviewed by company personnel. The alarm personnel then make a phone call to the St Bernard Police Department, where the dispatcher would then send officers. The drawback to this is the delay which is incurred due to the third party involvement.

HOW TO BECOME A DIRECT MONITORING CUSTOMER? If you are a St. Bernard resident or business and currently have an alarm system monitored by an alarm company and want to be monitored directly by the St Bernard Police Department:

The first step is to contact the St Bernard Police Department and request an appointment for a security survey. The security survey will be conducted by a crime prevention officer and the officer will provide the information needed to make the transition to direct monitoring. The contact person is Officer Derek Setters who is our current crime prevention officer.

WHAT FEES ARE INVOLVED FOR DIRECT MONITORING?

Currently there are no fees for direct monitoring by the St Bernard Police Department.

Get involved - St. Bernard Block Watch Association (Posted 11/11/11)
The Block Watch Association meets the 3rd Tues of each month at 6:30 PM at City Hall. They go out and conduct crime prevention sweeps, conduct informative meetings about crime preventions and many other topic/activities. Come out and join your neighbors in keeping our community safe.

Check out these crime prevention related website resources:

Cell phone driving options: (Posted 12/10/11)

Do you use a cell phone while driving? Do you realize that you are putting yourself and others at risk for an accident? Studies show that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers. The likelihood that they will crash is equal to that of someone with a .08 percent blood alcohol level; the point at which drivers are generally considered intoxicated. It has been found that it is the conversation itself, which is distracting, not the motor skills used to dial or hold the phone.

Juries are awarding large damages to families that have had a family member killed by a driver using a cell phone. A Virginia jury awarded $2 million in damages to a family of a young girl who was killed by a driver using a cell phone at the time of the accident.Because records indicated the driver was using the phone for business, the employer was sued as well.

According to statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, an estimated 800,000 vehicles were driven every day in 2008 by someone using a cell phone. In that year alone, six thousand people died in distracted-driving-related vehicle crashes and 500,000 were injured.

Guidelines for using a cell phone while driving:

· If you receive a call, it is best to allow voicemail to handle the call.

· If there is a passenger in the car, ask the passenger to make any necessary calls.

· Pull over to the side of the road or into a parking lot to use the phone.

· Do not use other phone features such as texting, using the internet, or taking pictures.

The main responsibility of the driver is to operate the vehicle safely. Driving requires full attention and focus. Cell phone use is a distraction from this responsibility which can cause risk to yourself and others.

Source

www.pepohio.org

Winter Driving Tips  (Posted 12/10/11)

1. Make sure your car is in good shape ( good running condition). Any small problems that you had in the summer will become worse in the winter. Make sure that you have a certified or trusted business perform work on your vehicles.

2. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape and the windshield washer reservoir is full. Replace the wipers and add windshield washer fluid and check periodically.

3. Make sure that your tires have good tread and the air in the tires are properly inflated to the correct pressure. If using studs or chains call your local police department on when you can place them on your vehicle. Some cities and states have laws pertaining to the times that you can use them.

4. Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck the engine will be your only source of heat. Crack the window if you will be sitting with the engine running to avoid carbon monoxide asphyxiation.

5. If you have a cellular phone carry it with you to use if you get stuck or need help. A citizens band radio can be used as well to contact your whereabouts.

6. Clear off the entire car, not just a peephole in the windshield which is illegal. All windows should be cleared, along with your headlights, tail lights and outside mirrors.

7. Do everything slowly. Accelerate slowly, turn slowly and brake slowly. Leave plenty of distance between cars. Plan on leaving earlier to work, shopping, business meetings, etc.

8. Have an emergency winter kit in your car if you get stuck. A shovel, sand or ice melt, gloves, heavy winter clothing, food source, water source and a blanket are just some of the items you will want to have with you.

9. Know your areas winter weather road conditions and winter warning advisories for emergency travel information.