Area Briefing, Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2014

APP PINPOINTS PARKING SPACES IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

Residents can stay posted on the availability of parking spots in downtown Las Vegas through the free ParkMe app for iPhone and Android devices.

The app shows available metered spaces in downtown using a color code: green when parking is available, orange when it may be available and red when it is unavailable. The app utilizes data from the city’s parking meters and an algorithm to determine where open spaces are most likely to be. It also shows all of the off-street parking lots and garages and lists costs to park in those areas.

The city is implementing a long-term parking plan with the goals of providing excellent customer service; making parking easy to access; supporting businesses by tailoring parking options for customers, employees and residents; supporting new development by examining shared parking options; and creating flexibility for special events.

For more information, call the city’s parking division office at 702-229-4700 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov\parking.

METRO SEEKS TO HIRE CRIME SCENE ANALYST

The Metropolitan Police Department is seeking to hire a crime scene analyst, and applications are slated to be accepted through 3 p.m. Nov. 5 or until 300 are received.

Crime scene analysts respond to crime scenes and perform a variety of investigative tasks to document the crime, including taking photographs, recovering evidence and processing latent fingerprints.

Applicants must:

— Have an equivalent to an Associate of Science degree from an accredited community college, with major course work in biology, chemistry, forensic technology, forensic science, physical science or a related field, including specialized training in crime scene investigation.

— Possess or obtain a forensic science certificate from the American Institute of Applied Science within one year of being hired as a crime scene analyst.

— Have a valid Nevada driver’s license.

— Be at least age 18 by Dec. 9.

— Be a U.S. citizen or have U.S. permanent residency by Dec. 9.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com.

FUNDS BOOST TRAFFIC PATROLS FOR HENDERSON POLICE

The Henderson Police Department recently received $107,500 in federal funding through the Nevada Department of Public Safety — Office of Traffic Safety for Joining Forces, a multijurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes traffic safety by targeting impaired or distracted driving, pedestrian safety, speeding and seat belt use.

The department plans 15 Joining Forces events through Sept. 7, 2015, each lasting about two weeks. One such event is planned through Nov. 3 with officers from neighboring jurisdictions to target impaired drivers.

Anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver should call 911 and provide a vehicle description, a location, a direction of travel and if possible, the license plate number of the vehicle, police said.

Last year, 144 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Clark County, and alcohol was a contributing factor in 55 of those deaths, according to the Nevada Department of Public Safety — Office of Traffic Safety. There have been 117 deaths in Clark County this year due to traffic accidents, eight in Henderson.

WORKSHOP TO OFFER TRAINING FOR USING PESTICIDES

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension plans to offer a free workshop Nov. 13 to teach people throughout the state how to properly handle and use pesticides.

The workshop, being conducted with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is meant for certified applicators and people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers.

The training is planned from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Reno at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension, 4955 Energy Way, and will be available via videoconference at 12 other Cooperative Extension locations throughout Nevada, including Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Gardnerville, Hawthorne, Pahrump, Tonopah, Winnemucca and Yerington.

Limited seating is available, and those interested must register by Nov. 7 by calling 775-336-0247 or emailing hefnerm@unce.unr.edu. The session will help participants prepare for the certified pesticide applicator exam, which costs $25.

Hard copies of the study manual for the exam are available for purchase from the Cooperative Extension for $15 or may be downloaded online free at nevadapesticideeducation.com.

NEW MICROCHIP USES GOOGLE SEARCH TO LOCATE OWNERS OF LOST PETS

The Animal Foundation recently began implanting Save This Life pet microchips, aimed at increasing a lost pet’s chances of returning home by providing the finder with an immediate way to reach out to the pet’s owner using Google.

The microchip is scannable and comes with a replaceable metal ID tag for the pet’s collar, inscribed with the words “Google this number to find my family.” Finders can type the number into a Google search box, and the Save This Life website at savethislife.com pulls up that pet’s page and allows the finder to send a confidential message to the owner. The owner then receives a text message and an email with the finder’s contact information.

Pet owners with animals that are already microchipped can register existing microchips with Save This Life for $19.99. The fee includes lifetime registration, a custom ID tag with a Google code and more. Visit savethislife.com for registration.

Adoption fees for all pets at The Animal Foundation’s adoption centers include the Save This Life microchip.

For more information, visit animalfoundation.com.

RANCHO DRIVE AND DECATUR BOULEVARD PROJECT TO CAUSE DELAYS

Work on Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard is planned through May to enhance streets, improve medians and sidewalks and install landscaping at the roads’ intersection. Improvements also will include creating extra turn lanes on Decatur Boulevard at the intersection of Rancho Drive.

No major traffic delays are expected during construction, according to the city of Las Vegas, and the majority of work is slated from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Other portions of the project are slated between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. During overnight work hours, roads may be restricted to one lane in each direction until 6 a.m. along Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard, the city said.

Las Vegas Paving is the contractor, with oversight from the city. Funding is provided by the city and Clark County fuel revenue index funds.

GRANT FUNDS TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER YEAR

The Department of Urban Housing and Development recently awarded a grant for the Las Vegas Recovery Center’s Dual Success program, funding it for another fiscal year.

Dual Success is a nonprofit, 38-bed residential transitional living program operated by a partnership with Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services. The program was created to serve clients who are dual-diagnosed with severe mental illness and substance use disorder and are chronically homeless.

The program has served 55 clients since its opening. Of those, five have graduated and moved on to permanent housing, employment and long-term recovery. Nineteen clients have completed Phase 1 and were promoted to Phase 2, where they will pursue employment and increased independence.

Thirty-one clients are now active in the program, and they attend 12-step meetings daily and clinical therapy groups two to four times a week. Three clients are employed part-time, and three are enrolled in a professional school or university.

The Las Vegas Recovery Center is at 3371 N. Buffalo Drive. For more information, call 702-515-1374, ext. 339.

NORTH LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPARTMENT SELLS T-SHIRTS FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

The North Las Vegas Fire Department is selling Pink Heals T-shirts and wristbands in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October.

Merchandise is available on a first-come, first-served basis, as sizes and quantities are limited. T-shirts are scheduled to be for sale at the gift shop inside the Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road. All proceeds will benefit the Pink Heals cancer awareness campaign.

For more information, contact Tammy Bonner at 702-633-1506 at North Las Vegas City Hall or Bev Bolton at 702-633-1066 at the North Las Vegas Fire Department.

OPEN HOUSE SET AT CLARK COUNTY FIRE STATION 34

An open house is planned from noon-3 p.m. Dec. 13 at Clark County Fire Station 34, 8675 W. Oquendo Road.

The event will be held in conjunction with the department’s annual holiday toy drive.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov/depts/fire/pages/default.aspx.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXPO PLANNED IN HENDERSON

The Emergency Preparedness Committee at Sun City MacDonald Ranch, 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, is set to host a free emergency preparedness exposition from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 8.

A variety of presentations and demonstrations are scheduled to be conducted by emergency services experts. Twenty-five vendors will offer informational brochures, and emergency vehicles will be on display. Door prizes also are planned.

For more information, visit scmronline.com or call 702-270-7000.

FREE MONTHLY SAFETY FORUMS LAUNCHED 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 forums are scheduled for 1-2 p.m. Nov. 15, focusing on Internet crimes against children; and 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.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS TEAM UP FOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Five valley governments recently launched an interagency recruitment drive for firefighters, and several informational outreach events are planned for those interested in applying.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the Henderson, North Las Vegas, Clark County and Boulder City fire departments are partnering on the regional effort, pooling resources to save taxpayer money and make recruitment more efficient.

Applications will be accepted only online at snvfirerecruitment.com through Nov. 26.

The outreach events are planned for:

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive.

— 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Robert E. “Bob” Price Recreation Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

Topics at the sessions will include recruitment dates, the application process, employment requirements, the testing process, test-taking tips and available positions.