Area Briefing, July 31-Aug. 6

POLICE PLAN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENTS AROUND VALLEY

The Metropolitan Police Department is set to partner with neighbors from around the valley to host National Night Out events Aug. 5.

National Night Out is a community-based program aimed at building neighborhood unity and fostering working relationships between law enforcement personnel and residents.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s National Night Out happenings include:

— The Bolden Area Command plans an event from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clark High School, 4291 Pennwood Ave. School supplies are set to be available for children ages 5 to 16, and low-cost vaccines will be provided, among other activities. Parents must bring shot records.

— The Downtown Area Command plans an event from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fremont Street Between Seventh and Eighth streets. Firefighters plan to perform a demonstration rescue. The Metropolitan Police Department’s mounted patrol will also conduct a demonstration. CPR training, face painting, vaccines for youths and a Mob Museum display also are planned.

— The Northeast Area Command plans events from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Alexander Villas Park, 3620 Lincoln Road, and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Avion at Sunrise Mountain Apartments, 6901 E. Lake Mead Blvd. Food, beverages and more are planned at both events.

— The Northwest Area Command plans events from 6 to 8 p.m. at Knickerbocker Park, 10695 W. Dorrell Lane, and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Liberty Baptist Church & Academy, 6501 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The Knickerbocker Park event will feature exhibits, information and demonstrations from area first responders, including emergency vehicle displays. The Providence Master Homeowners Association will oversee a large-scale version of the classic Red Light Green Light game and share information about the Prevent Any Road Tragedy Campaign. Activities also will include an obstacle course and slide, video games from Game Truck of Las Vegas, volleyball, soccer, and P.D., the Providence dog mascot. Free popsicles and water are slated to be available, and other treats will be for sale from vendors.

— The South Central Area Command plans an event from 5 to 9 p.m. at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Activities are set to include fingerprinting for children, a dunk-a-cop game and a meeting with Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog. Guests are also scheduled to include SWAT personnel, the Clark County Fire Department and the Metropolitan Police Department’s K-9 and mounted patrol units.

— The Southeast Area Command plans an event from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whitney Park, 5712 Missouri Ave. Metropolitan Police Department officers, firefighters, a K-9 unit and SWAT personnel are among scheduled participants. The event is slated to include a barbecue.

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

CITY GOES HALF ON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH GRANT PROGRAM

The Las Vegas City Council recently approved $55,000 in Neighborhood Partners Fund grants for 18 projects aimed at improving the community.

The recipients are neighborhood associations registered with the city. The residents in the neighborhood associations are scheduled to provide more than $163,570 in matching labor and donations to improve their neighborhoods.

The 18 projects are:

— The McNeil Neighborhood Association: neighborhood designation signage.

— Quail Estates West: audio-visual and security equipment.

— The Admiral’s Point II Homeowners Association: an HOA security system.

— The Aventura Homeowners Association: a safety and lighting improvement project.

— Bonner Elementary School PTA: Bonner Safety in Schools.

— The La Mancha Homeowners Association: signage renewal and beautification.

— The Crossroads I Homeowners Association: carport lighting, benches and barbecue/picnic area improvements.

— The Huntridge Neighborhood Association: neighborhood unity and beautification.

— The Stupak Neighborhood Council: funds for the neighborhood council and Police Athletic League Youth Adventure Club.

— The Western-Highland Business Association: a communication project.

— The Quail Ridge Drive Homeowners Association: enhancing community spirit.

— The Cultural Corridor Coalition: a Cultural Corridor awareness campaign.

— The Northwest Area Residents Association: a community garden.

— The Greens Homeowners Association: a security camera upgrade and lighting enhancements.

— The Willowdale Estates Homeowners Association: the Willowdale annual security event.

— Eagle Creek Heights: park equipment renovation.

— The Four Winds Homeowners Association: park security and lighting upgrades.

— The Whisper Creek Owners’ Association: entrance landscaping.

The city’s Neighborhood Partners Fund matches up to $5,000 for projects to improve the quality of life in registered Las Vegas neighborhoods.

Residents can register their neighborhoods by calling 702-229-6681. For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

FREE APP ALLOWS USERS TO REPORT PROBLEMS, FIND PARKING

The city of Las Vegas has launched an app for Android users who want to report a neighborhood problem or find parking.

Users can download the app, called city of Las Vegas mobile, via the Google Play store.

Residents can report or check the status of any problem in the city, such as graffiti, a pothole or a broken streetlight. Any alerts sent by users are received in real time by crews out in the field who could respond to the area.

The app also includes a link showing a map of city-operated public parking areas, rates and hours of operation. The app also provides a map that highlights downtown food trucks and their locations. In addition, the app links to the city’s Facebook page, Twitter feed, YouTube channel and news release archives.

Last year, the city launched a similar app for iPhone users, and it can be downloaded free. The city also has a mobile website, m.lasvegasnevada.gov, that allows residents to report problems within the city via their mobile devices.

CPR CLASS TO FOCUS ON SAVING INFANTS AND CHILDREN

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation class is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 2 at the Family Resource Center, 1120 Shadow Lane.

The session, to be offered by University Medical Center, is set to focus on providing CPR for infants and children.

Those who are interested must register in person with a $10 deposit, to be refunded after the class.

For more information, call 702-383-2229 or email amy.runge@umcsn.com.

DONATION OF CROWBARS TO ASSIST POLICE

Lowe’s and other area businesses recently donated crowbars to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Bolden Area Command for its Safe Village Initiative.

Officers are sometimes the first to arrive at the scene of residential fires or other emergencies that may require immediate access to a building, but they may be unable to enter due to security bars installed on windows or doors. The crowbars will help officers gain access to such structures.

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

POLICE DISTRIBUTE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS

The Metropolitan Police Department recently held a free back-to-school fair at its headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., to help underprivileged kids prepare for the academic year.

Community sponsors donated backpacks and school supplies for the event. Also, vendors provided services such as vision and dental screenings, sports physicals and immunizations. Information also was available for college savings plans, pre-paid tuition plans, a free lunch program and school transportation.

The event was sponsored by the Bolden Area Command, 1851 Stella Lake St., the Light of Hope Worship Center, 6624 Sky Pointe Drive, and the National Black Police Association.

HENDERSON ROAD PROJECTS TO BENEFIT MOTORISTS AND BICYCLISTS

City of Henderson officials recently kicked off three road projects aimed at providing infrastructure and safety enhancements to the Eastern Avenue, Warm Springs Road and Whitney Ranch Drive areas.

The projects, to be funded by fuel tax revenues, are aimed at improving traffic flow to make the areas safer for bicyclists and motorists. The $4.6 million undertaking is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

The three projects are:

— Warm Springs Road from Arroyo Grande Boulevard to Stephanie Street. Work is set to include the removal and replacement of asphalt pavement, sidewalk ramp replacements and restriping bicycle lanes to make them more visible. The project is expected to cost $1.3 million and create 17 jobs.

— Eastern Avenue from Coronado Center Drive to Silverado Ranch Boulevard. Work is scheduled to include the removal and replacement of asphalt pavement, sidewalk ramp replacements and creating bicycle lanes. The project is expected to cost $1.07 million and create 14 jobs.

— Whitney Ranch Drive from Russell Road to Arroyo Grande Boulevard. Work is to include repaving, sidewalk ramp replacements, creating bicycle lanes and installing a traffic signal at Patrick Lane. The project is expected to cost $2.24 million and create 29 jobs.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com or rtcsnv.com/fri.

STUDENTS AT SUMMIT TO DEVISE WAYS TO COMBAT SEXUAL ASSAULT

The Rape Crisis Center, 801 S. Rancho Drive, Suite 2, plans a TeenSPACE Everywhere Youth Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 21.

The free event aims to bring together youths for learning and brainstorming ideas for ending sexual assault and related violence in their communities.

Rape Crisis Center staff members will start the conversation and serve as facilitators as students work with each other to formulate ideas. At the end of the day, students will be asked to choose one project and commit to making it happen during the 2014-15 school year. The center in turn will commit to supporting students with information and resources to help make their project a reality.

Students in grades nine through 12 and recent graduates from the class of 2014 may attend the event. Students can email lisa@rcclv.org to request a registration packet. The registration deadline is Aug. 15.

COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVE PROTECTION FROM FIREARMS

The Clark County Fire Department recently received body armor through a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Urban Areas Security Initiative grant.

The protective equipment is for fire personnel assisting law enforcement in active shooter situations and mass casualty incidents.

The department received 118 sets and is slated to receive an additional 348 by Jan. 1. Plans call for each county fire station to receive at least 15.

The grant program is designed to allow greater safety for firefighters and provide quicker response times for medical assistance and firefighting during a coordinated attack.

POLICE HONOR OFFICERS FOR HEROIC DEEDS

The Metropolitan Police Department recently held its second annual Best of the Badge ceremony to recognize officers who saved lives, risked theirs and withstood some of the most dramatic events.

Twelve groups of officers received medals of commendation, including the Purple Heart, the Medal of Honor and the Medal of Valor.

One of the recipients was officer Frank Harris, who was awarded the Purple Heart. Harris became locked in a struggle with a fleeing burglar when he was shot in the leg. His back-up, officer Matthew Kovacich, ran to his aid and stopped the suspect before he could do any more harm. Harris would later tell investigators that it looked like Superman had arrived.

Officer Brian Jackson, who was shot in the head after an ambush inside a dark house, also was awarded the Purple Heart, as was officer Darren McCray, who was attacked inside the lobby of the Clark County Detention Center by a man wielding a bat.

Resident Michael Elgas was honored after risking his life to save an officer in distress.

For more information, visit lvmpdfoundation.org.

RACEL STREET LANE RESTRICTIONS PLANNED THROUGH DECEMBER

A city of Las Vegas storm drain improvement project is planned through December on Racel Street between El Capitan Way and Finch Feather Street.

The project will require lane restrictions on Racel and occasional street closures, according to the city. Work hours are set for 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

New 42-inch reinforced concrete pipe is slated to be connected to an existing 42-inch storm drain at the intersection of Racel and El Capitan and be continued down Racel to just east of Finch Feather.

Additional improvements along Racel near Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs between Al Carrison Street and North Cimarron Road are scheduled to include inlet modifications and new asphalt with sidewalk ramps, curbs and gutters.

Harber Construction is the contractor, and the city is managing the project. The estimated cost is $498,820, provided by the Clark County Regional Flood Control District.

NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE PARTNER WITH NEXTDOOR SOCIAL NETWORK

The North Las Vegas Police Department recently announced a partnersship with Nextdoor, a free, private social network for neighborhoods to build stronger, safer communities.

North Las Vegas residents can create and join private neighborhood groups to share information regarding safety, community events, local services and lost pets.

Neighborhoods establish and manage their own Nextdoor groups. The North Las Vegas Police Department will have the ability to post information, such as safety tips and crime alerts, within the groups.

Those who are interested can visit nextdoor.com and enter their address.

SAFETY FAIR AND POOL PARTY PLANNED

A Ward 1 Safety Fair & End-of-Summer Pool Party is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane. Admission is free. Music by DJ Brando, community vendors and refreshments are planned.

For more information, call 702-229-6405.