Crime and safety news from around the valley, Aug. 13-19, 2015

Rampart Boulevard sewer installationextended longer than anticipated

The Rampart Boulevard sewer installation project's major sewer construction components have been completed. The contractor has been working on final manhole adjustments and valve adjustments between Canyon Run Drive and Lake Mead Boulevard, where the pavement was overlaid as part of the project. However, the impacts of the project were greater than anticipated on the road surface of Rampart south of Canyon Run. As a result, the contractor now is planning a pavement overlay for Rampart between Canyon Run and Alta Drive.

During the next few weeks, there will be overnight lane restrictions on Rampart within the project limits. These lane restrictions will allow the contractor to prepare the Rampart roadway between Canyon Run and Alta for the pavement overlay that is scheduled to take place Aug. 23-28. After the paving is complete, the contractor will add striping, line manholes and make final manhole and valve adjustments to complete the project. All work will be done during nighttime hours, and the road will be open during the day.

Visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

Metro launches decentralized approach to police work around the valley

The Metropolitan Police Department recently moved its manpower to area commands around the valley as part of its decentralization effort. Investigative functions that were in a central location were dispersed at the department's eight area commands in Clark County, with 175 detectives and 32 sergeants moving to those sites. Investigative functions that have been shifted to the area commands include street robberies, domestic violence and violent crimes.

A centralized model was formerly used at the department because the county had a smaller population. With an increased population, there is a greater need to have specialized resources where the crime occurs, the department said.

Decentralization will allow Metro to: conduct investigations in a more timely manner; conduct better communication between investigators and the patrol officers who know the trouble spots; gain more expertise on the issues affecting a particular area and be more equipped to deal with its problems; create a collaborative approach to strengthen community policing efforts; and empower captains and shift lieutenants to prioritize their unique crime problems and develop the best strategies to combat them.

Visit lvmpd.com.

Eatery seeks new school supplies for children at women's shelter

Residents can donate new school supplies through Aug. 21 at three valley Crazy Pita Rotisserie & Grill locations for children living at the Shade Tree, 1 W. Owens Ave. Donations for children in kindergarten through high school can be dropped off at 10975 Sage Park Drive, Suite 100, in Downtown Summerlin; 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. South at Town Square Las Vegas; and 2225 Village Walk Drive, Suite 175, at The District at Green Valley Ranch.

The Shade Tree is a shelter for women, children and their pets affected by domestic violence.

Visit theshadetree.org or crazypita.com.

Metro welcomes new corrections officers during graduation ceremony

The Metropolitan Police Department welcomed 29 new corrections officers July 23 at a graduation ceremony inside the showroom at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. The program included presentations for the Valedictorian Award, the Leadership Award, the Top Shooter Award, and the Esprit De Corps Award. Visit lvmpd.com.

Area police step up enforcement against motorists who speed

Las Vegas and Henderson police recently announced they are cracking down on speeders following a spike in statewide traffic fatalities.

The Metropolitan Police Department said it will be urging drivers and motorcyclists to slow down and plans to focus enforcement efforts on those exceeding the speed limit.

The Henderson Police Department, meanwhile, began a three-week traffic enforcement effort July 23 in conjunction with officers throughout the valley to target speeders. Henderson officers are targeting areas known for high speeds and ones that have generated the most resident complaints.

Nevada has seen a 10 percent increase in fatalities this year compared to last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's fatalities analysis reporting system. The data indicate that some of the accidents could have been avoided if motorists had been obeying speed limits.

Visit lvmpd.com or cityofhenderson.com/police/home.

First six months of 2015 prove busy for Rape Crisis Center

The Rape Crisis Center, 801 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 2, announced that it has fielded more calls to its hotline and assisted more victims during the first half of 2015 versus the same period in 2014.

From January through June this year, 2,265 calls were made to the center's 24/7 hotline, marking a 12 percent increase over the same period last year.

After holding steady for almost three years, the number of victims seen in person by the center's staff or volunteers at University Medical Center, 1800 W. Charleston Blvd., increased by 23 percent from January through June. Similar to the spike in hotline calls, the largest increases in the number of victims assisted were in April, May and June, up 38 percent over the same three months last year.

Visit rcclv.org or call 702-385-2153.

Fostering Futures to honor advocates of children in foster care

Fostering Futures of Las Vegas, formerly Court Appointed Special Advocates, plans to honor volunteers who speak for children in foster care, as well as other valley child advocates, during a gala scheduled from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 10 inside the Titian and Veronese ballrooms at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Tickets are available for $200 per seat or $1,800 for a table of 10 at fosteringfutureslv.org. Proceeds will benefit Fostering Futures of Las Vegas.

Fostering Futures of Las Vegas is a community-based program that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities.

Henderson police plan Talk Shop with Cops event

The Henderson Police Department plans a Talk Shop with Cops event from 7 to 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at Starbucks, 690 E. Horizon Drive.

Henderson residents can meet the people behind the badge and learn more about what they are doing to help keep their community safe. Attendees also can ask question and voice concerns.

Visit cityofhenderson.com.

Forum on court procedures planned Aug. 15

Free safety forums on various topics are planned monthly at the Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., through a partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department.

Forums are slated from 1-2 p.m. Aug. 15, dealing with district attorney court procedures; Sept. 19, K-9 operations; Oct. 17, missing persons; Nov. 21, Metro Volunteer Program; and Dec. 19, emergency preparedness.

The presentations are also scheduled to be live-streamed at themobmuseum.org.

Call 702-229-2734.

DOT plans upgrades on US Highway 95 in north valley

The Nevada Department of Transportation plans paving upgrades through mid-September along U.S. Highway 95 between Ann Road and Horse Drive.

Detours are scheduled to be in place during the project, part of a $35.7 million, 4-mile widening of U.S. 95 between Ann Road and Durango Drive, expected to be complete in late September. Las Vegas Paving is the general contractor.

Visit nvroads.com.

Exhibitors sought to showcase health and safety products, services

The city of Henderson Fire and Police departments are seeking businesses and nonprofits to exhibit during the Henderson Community Expo 2015 — National Night Out, planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 in the south parking lot at the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road.

Exhibitors must register by Sept. 24. The fee is $95 for businesses and $25 for nonprofits. The fee includes a 10-foot-by-10-foot tent canopy, an 8-foot table and two chairs. Registration forms are available at cityofhenderson.com.

Applicants should offer products and services promoting health and wellness, crime and fire prevention and public safety. Interactive demonstrations and activities that appeal to all age groups are encouraged.

Henderson's Fire and Police departments are partnering with community organizations, civic groups and area businesses to increase public awareness regarding health and safety resources in Southern Nevada.

The free event will be open to the public. Call the Henderson Fire Department at 702-267-2222 or email kathryn.hooper@cityofhenderson.com.

Free legal assistance and education clinics planned for seniors

Clinics for free legal assistance and free legal education are planned for seniors in the coming months.

— Legal assistance clinics at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 19, addressing debt collection; Oct. 21, identity theft; and Dec. 16, estate planning basics.

— Legal education clinics at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., are slated from 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 26, addressing fundamentals of landlord/tenant law, and Oct. 28, dealing with sealing criminal records.

— Legal assistance clinics at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., are set from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 16, covering identity theft, and Nov. 18, focusing on estate planning basics.

Contact Carmela Reed at Nevada Legal Services at 702-386-0404, ext. 140, or creed@nlslaw.net.