Area briefing

POLICE EXPLORER APPLICANTS SOUGHT

Residents can apply for the Metropolitan Police Department’s Explorer program through April 24.

The program exposes young adults to the realities of a career in law enforcement. Explorers see what it takes to be an officer, how to process crime scenes and handle 911 calls.

The program is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life program, developed to help build good moral character, promote good citizenship and develop personal and mental fitness.

Participants must be ages 16 to 20, be of good moral character, have no felony convictions or lengthy criminal history, pass a police background investigation and be motivated to volunteer in the community.

Explorer posts are at each of the department’s area commands, the crime scene investigations section, the communications bureau and the Clark County Detention Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

For more information on the program, visit lvmpdexplorers.com or contact officer Michael Rodriguez at m12717r@lvmpd.com. For area command locations, visit lvmpd.com.

TERRORISM TO BE 1ST TUESDAY TOPIC

Residents can learn what law enforcement officers are doing to keep the valley safe from terrorism during the Metropolitan Police Department’s 1st Tuesday program, set for 7 to 8 p.m. today at the department’s valleywide area commands.

The 1st Tuesday program is a free open house-style event that takes place monthly on the first Tuesday. After speakers discuss assigned topics, residents can learn more about their neighborhoods and meet their local police officers.

For a list of area commands, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

RTC ADOPTS GUIDELINES TO SHAPE VALLEY’S FUTURE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada recently adopted guidelines for Southern Nevada government entities as they plan and build streets to better accommodate all modes of transportation, including cars, bicycles, transit vehicles and pedestrians.

The Complete Streets guidelines can increase a road’s capacity, improve safety, stimulate economic growth, lower emissions and promote smarter growth, said Clark County Commissioner Larry Brown, chairman of the RTC board.

The guidelines, based on similar standards developed for Los Angeles County, do not dictate how to design streets but define what Complete Streets are and how transportation planners and engineers can consistently apply the principles.

For more information, visit rtcsouthernnevada.com.

Complete Streets standards have already been used in recent RTC projects.

ADULT CENTER TO OFFER
FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING

The Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, plans to host free document shredding from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday . The limit is five boxes per vehicle. For more information, call 702-229-1702.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING FORUM PLANNED

A Human Trafficking Family Rally and Forum is planned for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road.

Discussions will be led by police and judicial system officials. Topics are to include human trafficking and sexual exploitation; signs and symptoms of human trafficking; social media and recruiting methods; and youth exploitation and legislation.

The Las Vegas Valley is a major hub for human trafficking due to its nightlife and adult entertainment industry, organizers said.

For more information, call 702-658-2722 or visit canyonridge.org.

RADON AWARENESS PRESENTATION
SET AT PASEO VERDE LIBRARY

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension plans a radon awareness presentation at 6 p.m. April 25 at the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson.

Attendees will receive a free radon test kit.

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas in many homes, schools and other buildings, is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, organizers said.

For more information, visit radonnv.com or contact radon program coordinator Laura Au-Yeung at 702-257-5550 or au-yeungl@unce.unr.edu.

FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE
TO INCLUDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins and the Clark County’s fire and parks and recreation departments plan to host an open house and pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Fire Station 20, 5865 Judson St., near Nellis and Lake Mead boulevards.

Participating agencies are set to include Safe Kids Clark County, the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition, the Clark County Water Reclamation District, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada, Nevada Child Seekers, the Trauma Intervention Program of Southern Nevada, Clark County School District police, the Metropolitan Police Department’s McGruff the crime dog and staff members from the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, Recorder Office and Department of Business License. A fire safety house for children also is planned.

The Clark County Fire Department hosts open houses with community partners every other month at stations around the county. The next open house is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 at Fire Station 21, 5015 W. Oquendo Road, near Decatur Boulevard and Russell Road.

Residents with physical disabilities requiring an accommodation should notify the department of specific needs at least five days before the event by contacting Assistant Fire Chief Sandra Baker at 702-250-8404.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
TO WORK WITH VICTIMS, COMMUNITY

The Rape Crisis Center is seeking volunteers 21 or older to assist in responding to sexual assault victims 24/7, among other tasks.

Volunteers assist the center’s staff in answering crisis calls around the clock, making referrals to victims and others who are seeking assistance. They also represent the center at community outreach and educational events and help with fundraising activities.

Committed to the prevention of sexual assault, center volunteers and staff members work with the Clark County School District to conduct educational events to help children identify signs of being molested or inappropriately touched. They also work with nightclubs to educate security personnel on how to identify sexual assault in the club. Volunteers also help organize community service campaigns targeted toward young women, the most vulnerable demographic for sexual assault, to educate them on how to avoid high-risk situations.

The center said that crisis response volunteers are its greatest need.

Volunteers must undergo 50 hours of training over the course of five weeks for three evenings per week. Volunteers must be able to complete a background check and commit to a minimum of six months of volunteer service and at least six hours per week on call.

Those who are interested should complete an application and set up an interview.

For more information, visit therapecrisiscenter.org and click on the volunteer icon or call 702-385-2153.

TERRORISM TO BE TOPIC
OF 1ST TUESDAY EVENT

For a list of area commands or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

FIREFIGHTERS COVERING RURAL AREAS TRAIN TO FIGHT PROPANE FIRES

Volunteer firefighters at Mount Charleston, Sandy Valley and other rural communities in Clark County recently underwent specialized training to fight liquefied petroleum gas tank fires.

Many homes in rural areas use 250- to 500-gallon liquefied petroleum gas tanks for heating and cooking. The tanks are usually in close proximity to homes.

During training in Moapa Valley, simulation equipment was provided by the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division. The session included built-in mechanisms to ensure a safe educational experience for participants, Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington said.

Homeowners are required to obtain a one-time permit to install liquefied petroleum gas tanks larger than 300 gallons. Commercial use of the tanks requires a permit whenever the aggregate quantity of fuel is more than 30 gallons.

Assistance in applying for permits can be obtained at clarkcountynv.gov or by contacting the Clark County Fire Prevention Bureau at 702-455-7316.

COURT PROGRAM TO FOCUS
ON REPEAT TRAFFIC OFFENDERS

A new city of Las Vegas specialty court has been created by Judge Heidi Almase to focus on chronic traffic violators.

The Serious Traffic Offender Program, or STOP Court, is designed to establish connections with multiple agencies to put repeat traffic offenders through a program that will change their behavior and improve public safety.

The court focuses on drivers who receive 10 or more moving violations in a year. It is a partnership with Las Vegas Municipal Court, the Nevada Department of Transportation and its Zero Fatalities campaign, the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Each defendant in the program is required to have one open case with 180 days of jail suspended, obtain no traffic violations, obtain a valid driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance and pay all pre-existing traffic fines.

STOP Court takes place at 9 a.m. Thursdays in Municipal Court Department 3 on the fifth floor of the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Ave.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/government/municipalcourt.htm.

CITY LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE SEARCH
FOR NEW LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE CHIEF

The city of Las Vegas began a nationwide search March 4 for a Las Vegas Fire & Rescue chief following the Feb. 7 retirement of Mike Myers.

A candidate is expected to be appointed to the position no later than July 1, the city said. Deputy Fire Chief Scott Fuller is serving as interim fire chief.

Candidates have until Friday to submit their résumés. They will then be screened, with the most qualified ones selected to take part in an evaluation process being developed by city officials. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for mid-May.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue has 19 fire stations, two support stations, 664 authorized positions and an 2013 operating budget of $111.1 million.

COUNTY SEEKS TO HIRE LIFEGUARDS,
OTHER WATER-SAFETY POSITIONS

The Clark County Parks and Recreation Department is seeking applicants to fill cashier, lifeguard, water-safety instructor and management positions for the 2013 pool season.

Jobs are available for those 15 or older, with hourly pay ranging from $9 to $15, based on experience and certifications.

Those who hold American Red Cross lifeguard certification or are interested in cashier positions can fill out an application at clarkcountynv.gov/parks.

Those who wish to apply for a lifeguard or other water-related position must complete the training course at the Hollywood Aquatics Center, 1550 S. Hollywood Blvd., or the Desert Breeze Aquatic Facility, 8275 Spring Mountain Road.

The training course costs a reduced rate of $70 if participants sign an employment contract with the county. Otherwise, the cost is $140. The course includes lifesaving skills, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillator and emergency first aid. The five-day course is held multiple times until the last one, set to start May 2.

Prerequisite skills include the ability to complete a 300-yard continuous swim and retrieve a weighted object from 7 to 10 feet of water. Applicants with no prerequisite skills can attend a lifeguard preparation course at the Hollywood Aquatics Center for $10. The class is set for 5 to 6 p.m. April 12.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov/parks or call 702-455-8508.