Area Briefing
BUILDING PERMITS PACKAGED WITH WATER HEATERS, SOFTENERS
The city of Las Vegas and several Home Depot locations have launched a pilot program in which those who purchase a water heater or softener can obtain building permits with less hassle.
Twelve Home Depot locations around the valley are participating in the pilot program. Customers will be able to obtain the proper permits at the stores, saving them time and an extra trip, city officials said.
Payment will be transferred to the city with the permit information, and the permit will be processed and issued to the customer. Customers will then be directed to the city's website to schedule their inspections, which can now be done seven days a week.
The purpose of the pilot program is to help contractors and homeowners obtain proper building permits. Permits are required to keep the public safe by making sure certain appliances are installed properly and that construction meets safety codes.
The agreement is for 90 days, with six-month renewal options. The pilot program will determine the feasibility of allowing a private company to interface with the city's permitting software to assist with issuing permits.
Similar agreements are to be considered by Clark County and the cities of North Las Vegas and Henderson, according to the city of Las Vegas.
For more information, call 641-9600 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov.
NEW POLICE VIDEO SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recently introduced an informational video dealing with synthetic drugs.
The video, online at youtube.com/watch?v=OwxfR-3jXwc, includes information about how the drugs can be fatal and how users can exhibit bizarre and violent behavior.
The video provides a brief overview of the issue, with images of what the drug packets look like. The packets often have colorful labels with bogus disclaimers, such as "not for human consumption," or harmless-sounding names, such as bath salts, potpourri and plant feeder, police said.
As more synthetic compounds are being outlawed, chemists and drug dealers are continuously updating and re-engineering their products, according to police. Narcotics detectives are stepping up their efforts to stay ahead of the threat, police said.
POLICE DEPARTMENT EARNS ACCREDITATION AWARD
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced that it recently became the eighth agency in the country to receive the Tri-Arc Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc.
The award is given to recipients that have a concurrent commission-issued accreditation for their law enforcement agency, public safety communications center and public safety training academy.
The commission approved the award after reviewing the reports of inspections by its assessors for the re-accreditation of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's communications center and the initial accreditation of the training academy.
The department was first accredited in 1989, and the communications center was first accredited in 2009.
CITY EXPANDS HOURS FOR INSPECTIONS
The city of Las Vegas building and safety department has expanded its inspections to seven days per week. City employees are available for inspections with water, patios and other services on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
To schedule an inspection Monday to Thursday, call 229-4677. To schedule an inspection Friday to Sunday, call 229-4076.
HENDERSON CITIZENS' ACADEMY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Henderson Police Department is accepting applications for its upcoming Citizens' Academy, planned for 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 28-Nov. 20.
The 13-week academy aims to provide insight into the life and training of a Henderson police officer and to build a bridge between residents and the police department. Participants will experience a condensed version of the actual police academy.
Topics to be covered include radio and communication training, community policing, use of force, gang enforcement, crime scene investigation, detention center procedures, criminal justice, domestic violence and criminalistics.
Applicants must live or work in the city of Henderson, be at least 18 years old and have no felony, gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor convictions.
The department holds two Citizens' Academies each year.
Applications can be picked up at the main station at 223 Lead St., the Green Valley Substation at 300 S. Green Valley Parkway, the North Community Police Station at 225 E. Sunset Road or the Community Relations Unit inside the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road. Applications also can be obtained at cityofhenderson.com/police.
For more information, contact the Henderson police training unit at 267-4850.
CLASSES TO TEACH KIDS TO AVOID DANGER
Nevada Child Seekers plans free radKIDS classes at the Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway, Henderson, to teach children how to avoid and escape dangerous situations.
Classes for 6- to 8-year-olds are set for 9-10:30 a.m. Saturdays from Sept. 15-Oct. 20. Classes for 9- to 12-year-olds are set for Saturdays from Nov. 3-Dec. 8.
Parents will receive a family manual to help reinforce the safety skills learned.
Registration can be conducted at cityofhenderson.com under the parks and recreation section or in person at the recreation center.
For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.
OPEN HOUSE PLANNED SATURDAY AT CLARK COUNTY FIRE STATION 14
An open house is planned from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Clark County Fire Station 14, 3260 Topaz St.
The Southern Nevada Immunization & Health Coalition is set to offer free immunizations, vision and dental screenings, and multiple organizations plan to be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Attendees will receive information about injury prevention, fire safety and drowning prevention.
The Clark County Fire Department hosts open houses with community partners every other month on Saturdays at different neighborhood fire stations so the public can obtain fire, drowning prevention and other life-safety information.
The next open house is scheduled for noon-3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Mount Charleston Fire Station 81, 25 Ski Chalet Place.
Participants at this weekend's open house are set to include the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition, the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross, Nevada Child Seekers, McGruff the crime dog, Nevada Healthy Homes and staff members from the Clark County business license and district attorney's offices. The Clark County Fire Department's fire safety house, which teaches children how to get out of their homes safely in case of fire, also is to be included at the event.
For information visit clarkcountynv.gov.
COUNTY GRANTS THREE-MONTH PERMIT AMNESTY FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
The Clark County Building Department announced a 90-day amnesty program, waiving penalties on self-disclosed residential construction conducted without permits.
The amnesty began July 1 and is set to run through Sept. 30. Homeowners in unincorporated Clark County can pay regular fees for permits, inspections and plan reviews, with no penalty costs.
Fees for residential construction range from $150 to $400, depending on the project.
The county building department's permit application center is at 4701 W. Russell Road.
The initiative is aimed at giving homeowners the chance to address any home repairs that require permits and inspections so that the residence is safe and abides by code.
The most common residential projects built without the necessary permits include garage conversions, room additions, patio covers and water heater installations, county officials said.
Work conducted without permits may not be covered by insurance, and residents could face costly repairs when they try to sell their homes, according to the county. In addition, faulty installations can cause fires, flood damage and other hazards, county officials said.
