Area Briefing, June 25-July 1

SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS CELEBRATIONS PLANNED JUNE 26 AND AUG. 6

Residents are invited to get to know each other and enjoy music, games, entertainment and more during two upcoming Safe Summer Nights celebrations in the downtown area.

The free events, aimed at promoting peace and safety, are set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 26 at the Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave., and 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Kelly Elementary School, 1900 N. J St.

Free hot dogs, chips and water are scheduled to be served while supplies last. A community resource fair at the event will offer information regarding summer youth activities, health services, community safety, money management programs, adult education opportunities, living assistance and more.

Participants are slated to include area nonprofit organizations and city of Las Vegas officials.

For more information, call 702-229-5406.

RAPE CRISIS CENTER OFFERS RELATIONSHIP SAFETY WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS

The Rape Crisis Center plans to offer free workshops this summer to help teens better understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to protect their personal space.

The initiative is part of the center’s effort to expand its Your Safety Prevention and Awareness Curriculum for Everyone program, which is offered during the school year at Clark County School District middle and high schools.

The Your SPACE program is a workshop that aims to empower teens and guide them on negotiating the confusing and potentially dangerous world of dating, social media and teenage life. Another goal of the program also is to educate teens on how to recognize and prevent sexual assault, dating violence, sexual harassment and domestic violence. Consequences of sexting, social media and cyber bullying also are covered.

Sessions typically last one to four days. The program’s trained facilitators foster open dialogue and conversation with teenagers about several issues, including how to recognize when they are being pressured by peers, partners or bullies.

The Rape Crisis Center aims to expand the program to camps, parks and recreation centers, religious groups and other organizations.

Those who are interested in taking part in the program can call 702-385-2153. For more information, visit therapecrisiscenter.org.

CITY OFFERS YEAR-ROUND AMNESTY
FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

The city of Las Vegas has expanded its amnesty program, waiving penalties year-round on self-disclosed residential construction conducted without permits.

Homeowners will be subject to paying regular fees for permits, inspections and plan reviews but not penalties. Fees for residential-related construction range from $60 to more than $400.

The primary goal of the amnesty is to encourage safety and self-disclosure of nonpermitted work and obtain compliance. The most common residential projects built on residential property without the necessary permits are garage conversions, room additions, patio covers and water heater installations, building officials said.

To apply for the program, a homeowner must contact the building department to obtain the necessary permit forms. The homeowner must also take part in a five-minute training session regarding the permit process.

For more information, visit the city building and safety department at 333 N. Rancho Drive, call 702-229-6251 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

GRANT TO HELP URBAN LEAGUE’S
RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR EX-OFFENDERS

A $1.5 million grant was recently awarded to the Las Vegas Urban League for its ex-offender re-entry program.

The funds will help the Urban League provide pre- and post-release services to 200 ex-offenders over a period of 37 months.

Ex-offenders will receive case management services, mentoring group sessions, life skills and job readiness classes and job and training placement. Participants qualify for services as they exit the correctional system and while on probation or parole.

The program receives the majority of its clients from the Nevada Department of Corrections, Parole and Probation and the Clark County Detention Center.

Program partners include the Metropolitan Police Department; Clark County courts; the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas; Safe Village; the Clark County School District; Discovery Fit & Health; Forklift University; Stovall & Associates; the College of Southern Nevada; the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board; the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation; the Southern Nevada Housing Authority; the Clark County District Attorney’s Office; Alpine Steel; Command Center Inc.; and PR Diamond Products Inc.

For more information, visit lvccul.org or call 702-636-3949.

ROLE OF PATROL OFFICERS
TO BE DISCUSSED AT 1ST TUESDAY

Police plan to discuss the ins and outs of being a patrol officer during the Metropolitan Police Department’s 1st Tuesday program, set for 7 to 8 p.m. July 2 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 or other additional information, visit lvmpd.com or call 702-828-3111.

TALK SHOP WITH THE COPS EVENT
SET FOR JULY 23 AT WHITNEY RANCH

The Henderson Police Department plans a Talk Shop with the Cops event from 6 to 7 p.m. July 23 at the Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive, and from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Heritage Senior Center, 300 S. Racetrack Road.

The events are slated to focus on issues such as traffic, crime trends and neighborhood safety. A question-and-answer period is planned after the presentations.

The gatherings give residents a chance to voice any concerns and are geared to foster cooperation between police and the public.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com/police or call 702-267-5000.

HENDERSON POLICE TO ASK RESIDENTS
TO RATE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH OFFICERS

The Henderson Police Department announced that it has been selected as one of 100 departments nationwide to participate in a Department of Justice-funded research project to improve police services.

Beginning this summer, residents who request police services or who have encounters with Henderson officers may be asked to rate their interaction as part of a long-term survey project known as the National Police Research Platform, developed and overseen by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center for Research in Law and Justice.

In addition to the resident surveys, the study will gather data from police officers and civilian police employees through surveys and agency records. The goal is to collect systematic data about law enforcement agencies to help establish benchmarks for excellence in policing.

The resident surveys are voluntary. As police reports are filed, a letter will be sent to those who have had police contact asking them to rate their experience by telephone or online.

Police encounters through traffic accidents, traffic stops and nonviolent crimes will be part of the survey.

No identifiable data will be collected so the identity of individuals will be protected, Henderson police said.

SHOOTING COMPLEX OFFERS FREE CLASSES ON BASIC FIREARMS SAFETY

Free classes on basic firearms safety are planned at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the rifle-pistol training room at the Clark County Shooting Complex, 11357 N. Decatur Blvd.

The one-hour sessions will cover gun malfunctions, cleaning and storage and firearms etiquette.

For more information, call 702-455-2000.

THE RANGE 702 OFFERS FIREARMS TRAINING COURSE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHERS

The Range 702 is introducing a free firearms familiarization course designed for teachers and other education-certified employees.

The two-hour class is planned for 3 p.m. Sundays and 9 p.m. Mondays at 4699 S. Dean Martin Drive. Eye and ear protection, firearms and ammunition will be provided.

Participating school district employees are required to bring a district or school ID on the day of the class.

To book a course, call 702-485-3232 or visit therange702.com/training.

INDOOR SHOOTING RANGE
OFFERS NEW SAFETY COURSES

Guns and Ammo Garage announced that it expanded its safety classes with the addition of eight courses.

The courses deal with the basics of carrying concealed weapons and obtaining the proper permits and include women’s-only sessions. Private classes are also available.

The courses are to be conducted in a classroom at 3060 W. Ali Baba Lane.

Guns and Ammo Garage is at 5155 S. Dean Martin Drive. For more information, visit gunsandammogarage.com.