Area Briefing, Dec. 4-10, 2014

NEW PROGRAM IS ALTERNATIVE TO REMAINING BEHIND BARS

Twenty people graduated Nov. 21 from the Clark County Detention Center’s newly launched Stability Through Assistance, Resources and Support program, or STARS, aimed at decreasing the inmate population and reducing recidivism.

Inmates who meet certain criteria can take part in the three-week program while in custody. Various community partners, court resources and social service groups support participants to ensure their successful re-entry into the community. Upon graduation, participants are placed on house arrest until the completion of their sentences.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com.

HOLIDAYS WARRANT EXTRA VIGILANCE AT THE MALL

To ensure that family members don’t get lost in the shuffle at the mall and become vulnerable to danger, the National Crime Prevention Council suggests various precautions during the holiday shopping season.

— Use AlertID’s free McGruff mobile app to receive notifications about registered sex offenders living and working in the vicinity of shopping venues.

— Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front pocket.

— Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package.

— Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.

— Do not leave packages visible in your car. Lock them in the trunk or take them directly home.

— If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you are separated from one another, and select a central meeting place.

— Let children know they can seek help from mall personnel or store security employees.

— Have children keep your cellphone number handy.

— Keep up-to-date photos and accurate descriptions of each child electronically with AlertID’s My Family Wallet, available via the AlertID mobile app.

For more information, visit ncpc.org or alertid.com.

POLICE CAREER FAIR AIMS TO FOSTER DIVERSE STAFF

The Metropolitan Police Department’s Sheriff’s Multi-Cultural Recruitment Council hosted a career fair Nov. 22, aimed at building a more diverse staff and exposing the public to law enforcement careers.

The event took place at Metro’s headquarters, 400 S. Martin Luther King Blvd. Sheriff Doug Gillespie, Sheriff-elect Joe Lombardo and administrative assistant Gloria Major of the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center were speakers at the event. Metro vehicles also were on display.

Booths offered information about various job positions, such as police officer, corrections officer, crime scene investigator and law enforcement support technician. Other career areas dealt with the forensics lab, the evidence vault, information technology, human resources and vehicle services.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com.

POLITICAL SIGNS SET TO BE REMOVED

The Nevada Department of Transportation reminds political candidates and property owners that all political signs near state roads must be removed by Dec. 4 under state law.

State road right-of-way often extends beyond the roadside, fence line or sidewalk of highways and urban state roads or streets, the department said.

For more information, click the public involvement/meetings tab at nevadadot.com or call 775-888-7000.

CAR DEALERSHIP PLANS HYUNDAI PARADE TO BREAK WORD RECORD, FIGHT DUI

The Henderson Hyundai Superstore, 460 N. Boulder Highway, hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of Hyundai cars to spread awareness of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in December and raise funds to reduce impaired driving.

The event is planned on Dec. 7, with check-in set for 9 a.m. and the parade slated for 10:30 a.m. The goal is to have more than 157 Hyundai participants.

The Henderson Hyundai Superstore plans to donate $20 for each participating vehicle to benefit STOP DUI, a Nevada nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the consequences of driving under the influence.

Those interested can register at the dealership from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday or at hyundaiparade.com.

FREE RADON TEST KITS TO BE AVAILABLE

Free radon test kits are set to be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 28 at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 8050 Paradise Road, in honor of National Radon Action Month in January.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and cause lung cancer.

When a home is closed up during colder months, radon concentrations typically increase, making winter an ideal time to test a home for radon, according to the Cooperative Extension.

Radon education programs are planned statewide in January and are set to be announced later. The Cooperative Extension offers radon presentations for schools, civic and community groups, homeowners associations, Realtors, builders and the general public.

To schedule a presentation, contact education coordinator Jamie Roice-Gomes at 775-336-0252 or roicej@unce.unr.edu.

For more information, visit radonnv.com or call the radon hotline at 888-723-6610.

STATE NETWORK AIMS TO REDUCE THREAT OF WILDFIRES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Living With Fire Program recently introduced the Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities.

The network is aimed at helping Nevada’s fire-prone communities become fire adapted. A fire-adapted community is one that has a good chance of surviving a wildfire with little assistance from firefighters, with residents taking the necessary steps to make their homes and the surrounding vegetation more resistant to fire.

The network plans to:

— Support communities and connect them with stakeholders concerned about wildfire in Nevada.

— Help communities develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

— Assist communities in obtaining grants.

— Provide educational and promotional opportunities and facilitate collaboration.

Those interested in joining the network can visit livingwithfire.info, email millere@unce.unr.edu or call 775-336-0266.

VETERANS COMPLETE ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING PROGRAM

Six military veterans recently completed Henderson Municipal Court’s Veterans Court program to help them transition back into civilian life.

Veterans Court is an alternative sentencing program for military veterans charged with misdemeanors while struggling to readjust to civilian life.

The program focuses on participants’ underlying issues and provides access to resources that enable successful compliance with the court’s orders, such as for mental health or drug and alcohol addiction counseling.

For more information, call 702-267-3350 or visit cityofhenderson.com.

TOY DRIVE TO BENEFIT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE SYSTEM

The CASA Foundation of Las Vegas’ annual Angel Tree Toy Drive is planned through Dec. 12, with drop-off locations available across the valley, including Rachel’s Kitchen, Credit Union 1, Distill – A Local Bar and Remedy’s Tavern.

With more than 3,000 foster children in Clark County, CASA’s goal is to make Christmas memorable for each child, with help and support from the Las Vegas community.

CASA, in partnership with Wirtz Beverage of Nevada, is set to host an Angel Tree Party on Dec. 13, when volunteers will wrap toys, pass out gifts and entertain children and their families with Disney princesses, face painting, food, games and a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

A list of toy donation locations is available at casafoundationlv.org.

For more information, call 702-361-4216.

HOLIDAY OIL RECYCLING PROGRAM TO START

Residents can recycle their holiday cooking oil by dropping it off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 and Dec. 26 through Jan. 15 in the south parking lot at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.

Oil can be funnelled into its original container, sealed and placed in a collection receptacle at the site.

The holiday cooking oil recycling program is a component of the Clark County Water Reclamation District’s Pain in the Drain campaign, which aims to keep sewers free of blockages and overflows caused by oil, fat and grit.

For more information, visit paininthedrain.com.

TRAFFIC REDIRECTED ON MAIN STREET DURING PROJECT

Traffic was switched Nov. 10 from the west side of Main Street to the east side, between the Interstate 515 overpass and Bridger Avenue, as the Main Street Improvement Project progresses, the city of Las Vegas announced.

Traffic disruptions are expected during the project, the city said. Meanwhile, restrictions have been lifted south of Bridger Avenue, with traffic returning to both sides of the roadway.

The $13.9 million Main Street Improvement Project stretches along Main between Bonneville Avenue and north of the I-515 overpass. It aims to improve traffic flow within the corridor and make the area safer for bicyclists and pedestrians by adding bicycle lanes and widening sidewalks.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to convert Main and Commerce streets to a one-way couplet. It also is set to include roadway improvements, such as asphalt paving, street lighting and landscaping.

Phase 1 began in August and is set to be completed by fall 2015.

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 forum is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. 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.