Area Briefing, Nov. 13-19, 2014

RESIDENTS CAN TIP OFF POLICE VIA TEXT MESSAGES

Residents can now report suspicious activity to the Metropolitan Police Department by texting a message to lvmpd80477.

The new text number marks a first step in Metro’s development of a crime-fighting app, which would allow police to receive photos and video footage from community members.

The number also supports the department’s See Something, Say Something program, which relies on residents to be the eyes and ears of the community.

Residents must still dial 911 for an emergency, the department said.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST TO PRESENT LECTURE NOV. 15

A lecture titled Plant Toxicology and Forensic Science Implications is planned from 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 inside the Big Springs Theater at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

The talk is set to be presented by Metropolitan Police Department forensic scientist Michael Stypia. It will cover how plants with naturally produced chemicals play a role in people’s lives. The history of plant-based drugs and toxins also is scheduled to be discussed.

The event is free for members or with paid general admission.

For more information, call 702-822-7700 or visit springspreserve.org.

CLASSES TO OFFER TRAINING FOR ADULT CPR/AED CERTIFICATION

A class on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 17 at 1771 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 206B.

A similar session is set for 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at the same location. A portion of the course is scheduled to be conducted online.

The classes teach students how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies experienced by victims 12 or older. The sessions are offered by the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada and cost $70 each.

Students who successfully complete the class will receive a certificate for adult CPR/AED, valid for two years.

For more information or to register, visit redcross.org/nv/las-vegas.

HENDERSON COMPLETES EVALUATION OF DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

The city of Henderson recently completed an annual evaluation of its Mitigation Action Plan as part of the Clark County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was adopted in December 2012.

The Henderson plan establishes a strategy to implement improvements and projects aimed at reducing the impacts of natural or human-caused disasters. It also seeks to protect residents and property from loss associated with such hazards.

The city said it has made significant progress toward meeting the recommended actions. It has completed several flood control projects, including the construction of the Pittman Park detention basin weir, Mission Calvert drainage improvements and Hull Street flood control improvements.

The city said it continues to work with developers to preserve open space for flood control and recreational purposes as part of the Mitigation Action Plan.

The plan and the evaluation are posted on the city’s emergency management webpage at cityofhenderson.com/fire/hazard_mitigation.php.

DRIVER’S EDGE PROGRAM GETS $30,000 BOOST

The Driver’s Edge program recently received a $30,000 grant from State Farm Insurance.

State Farm presented the check Oct. 26 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

The nonprofit program teaches people 21 or younger about driver safety through behind-the-wheel and classroom instruction led by driving professionals.

The program covers topics such as essential car care, the effects of impaired or distracted driving and seat belt usage. It also includes a mock field sobriety test.

For more information, visit driversedge.org.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REMOVES HIGHWAY DEBRIS

The Nevada Department of Transportation reported that its maintenance workers collect 100 cubic yards of highway and roadside debris per month — enough to fill a dozen swimming pools annually.

The department’s 12-truck fleet sweeps a 10-foot path weekly along U.S. Interstate 15 gutters and medians and other state-maintained valley roadways.

Residents can report roadside debris and other hazards to Nevada Department of Transportation staff members at 702-385-6500.

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY ALLIANCE OPENS NEW OFFICE

The Children’s Advocacy Alliance recently opened new office space at 5258 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 151.

The community-based nonprofit advocates for policy changes that benefit Nevada children and families by researching and using data and promoting policies to ensure children have a chance to thrive.

For more information, visit caanv.org.

IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED ON 215 BELTWAY IN NORTH VALLEY

Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins and other elected leaders broke ground recently on the latest project to help the 215 Beltway meet freeway standards.

The project aims to improve the highway and flood control infrastructure along the 215 Beltway from Decatur Boulevard to North 5th Street. When finished in February 2016, the Beltway is scheduled to be fully freeway-standardized from U.S. Highway 95 to North 5th Street, county officials said.

The improvements will make roads more efficient for residents and commerce and create more than 500 jobs in the county, Collins said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor for the project, which is being funded through fuel tax revenues.

UNLV, HENDERSON PARTNER TO RID HOMES OF LEAD-BASED PAINT

UNLV and the city of Henderson are partnering to combat lead-based paint hazards in local homes.

The program focuses on original Henderson town site homes and others built before 1978, when lead-based paint was banned. Lead-based paint becomes a health hazard as it ages and begins to crack and peel, creating a dust that settles in and around the home.

The program is free for qualified Henderson homeowners and renters. Services include repainting and/or lead paint abatement, basic maintenance and repairs and installation of air filters, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other devices aimed at creating a healthy environment.

Those who wish to participate must: be a Henderson resident living in a home built before 1978; have at least one child 5 or younger who lives in or visits the home or an expectant mother who lives in the home; and meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income guidelines.

UNLV’s School of Community Health Sciences and the city received a grant last year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a lead-safe and healthy housing program in Henderson.

Residents can find out if they qualify for the program by calling 702-895-5422.

For more information, visit leadfreekids.org.

NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE RECEIVE GRANT FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY EFFORTS

The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety recently awarded the North Las Vegas Police Department $78,860 in federal funds for pedestrian safety.

A portion of the money will be used to pay for street patrols to enforce pedestrian safety through September 2015.

The grant is also slated to fund the police department’s Stop, Look and Listen educational assemblies at local elementary schools. During the assemblies, officers teach children how to cross the street safely and avoid moving vehicles.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/nlvpd.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS PLANNED AT MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, 300 E. Stewart Ave., plans free community safety forums monthly from 1-2 p.m. Saturdays.

The museum is partnering with the Metropolitan Police Department for the series. This year’s remaining forums are scheduled for 1-2 p.m. Nov. 15, focusing on Internet crimes against children; and Dec. 20, covering auto theft.

Forums planned in 2015 are: Jan. 17, vice/human trafficking; Feb. 21, elder exploitation; March 21, homeless liaison presentation; April 18, narcotics; May 16, robbery; June 20, traffic awareness; July 18, gang awareness; Aug. 15, district attorney court procedures; Sept. 19, K-9 operations; Oct. 17, missing persons; Nov. 21, Metro volunteer program; and Dec. 19, emergency preparedness.

For more information, call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.