GMCA

Notes from Neighborhood Watch meeting, October 26, 2009 

Topic:  Victim Assistance

Phone:  303-987-7287 

The state of Colorado has a Victim Assistance fund to assist victims of crimes.  And, interestingly, Lakewood is the only municipality within the state to also have a victim assistance fund to assist with such areas as counseling; repairs to homes, vehicles, medical bills, etc.  To be eligible for monies

from this fund, the victim must: 

• Report the crime within 24 hours
• Not be guilty of participating in the crime
• Has to be cooperative with the police
• File a police report
• Apply for the assistance.

Any victim of a crime may apply for financial assistance, irrespective of the level of their income. Any time there is a crime, call 911.  But NEVER HANG UP until the operator tells you it is OK.  Anytime a call is placed to 911, the phone from which the call originates is shown to the emergency operator.  If a caller hangs up prematurely, another emergency operator will call back to find out why the caller hung up.  The operator has to call back and if there is no response, a police car may be dispatched (if an address is known) to find out why the caller hung up. For the best protection for an individual or property,

• Keep doors locked at all times, even when you are home.
• Keep garage doors closed except when you are actively working in the front of your house
• Keep lights on around the outside of the property
• Don’t open a door to anyone you do not know and are not expecting
• Have a barking dog
• Anything unusual at your home or neighborhood should be reported to 911.  The response time by Lakewood Police is usually 3-4 minutes.

 For information about registered sex offenders, ask at Records at the Lakewood Police Department during regular work hours. Personal Safety Tips:

• In case of a crime, report to the police first by calling 911, then contact a relative or friend if you need emotional support.  The sooner you call, the more likely the police will be able to apprehend the criminal.
• Be systematic in loading your car when shopping.  Women should put their purse inside the car, out of site if possible, before unloading groceries, etc.
• Look all around you at all times – be aware of your surroundings and those around you.
• If someone approaches and comes too close to your car, it’s recommended for you to say loudly and firmly, “Step back from my car right now!”
• While shopping, women should carry their purses with a long strap.  Place the strap around one side of  their neck and carry the purse under the opposite arm, with the flap or opening closest to the body.

 Topic:  2010 CensusApparently the census count has started now in some areas.  Be alert to fraudulent use of this process.  While the actual census will not begin until 2010, some census workers are currently walking through communities to verify addresses. 

• Mail the form back to the government.
• The official census form does not ask for personal information like social security number, bank account number or a pay stub. 
• Individuals conducting the personal data collecting portion of the census will have:

·       A badge·       A census bureau bag·       A hand-held device for collecting information. You do not have to invite these people into your home.  Census takers will never use email to contact citizens. Topic:  Work of the Police DispatchersPresenter:  Heather Righter, dispatcher

• There are two sections to the 911 call center:  The call-takers and the dispatchers. 
• The call-taker does not dispatch the emergency vehicle (police car, fire truck or ambulance).  A separate dispatcher knows what equipment is available and knows the closest responder to send to the emergency. 
• 911 calls can be initiated from either a land line or a cell phone.

• For every call, the call-center operator needs to be told the address or the location where the emergency exists.  The operator also needs to be told the name of the individual phoning, verification of phone number, and description of the emergency.

  • If the call is initiated from a land-line, the address is displayed on a screen to the call-taker as well as the initiating phone number.  In the case of a hang-up, a police car will be dispatched to the home or business.
  • If the call is initiated from a cell phone, the address of the cell tower is displayed on the screen of the call-taker, not the address of the emergency.  The cell phone number is also displayed for call-back purposes. 
• IF A 911 CALL IS MADE BY MISTAKE, DO NOT HANG UP!!  Every call comes up on a screen and must be responded to.  If the caller hangs up, another phone line must be used to verify the call, tying up two lines and one or two dispatchers.  Stay on the line and explain the mistake calmly. 

• Sgt. Steve Rickles advised that if you see anything suspicious around your home or neighborhood, call 911 immediately.  Let the police handle the situation.  Don’t attempt to resolve an emergency situation yourself.

• Non-Emergency Lakewood Police Number is:  303-987-7111
• Non-Emergency West Metro Fire Number is:  303-969-0245
• Web address:  www.your911.net