Crime and safety news from around the valley, Oct. 15-21, 2015

Rape Crisis Center expansion: The nonprofit expanded its office space at 801 S. Rancho Drive, Suite B-2, to accommodate growing demand for services and to bolster education and prevention initiatives. The center said it saw significant year-over-year increases in hotline calls and the numbers of victims assisted through the first six months of 2015. With the larger office, the center plans to offer more counseling hours, new support groups and more space for youth volunteers involved in education and prevention initiatives. Visit rcclv.org.

New school zone law: A new state law recently went into effect banning drivers from making U-turns in school zones or active school crossing areas for pedestrians, according to UNLV's Vulnerable Road Users Project. The law also forbids drivers from passing other motorists in those areas. The law aims to keep pedestrians safe, particularly children. Visit zerofatalitiesnv.com.

Workshops to help neighbors resolve disputes: Two free workshops offered by the city of Henderson are set to provide neighbors with tools to communicate peacefully and resolve disputes. The sessions are slated from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road, and 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway. Participants can learn tips on how to approach a neighbor about an issue and resolve it without conflict. Information about the city's free mediation program will also be available to help resolve neighborhood disputes, such as those involving barking dogs, overhanging landscaping and noise concerns. Visit cityofhenderson.com. Call 702-267-2000.

Community expo: Health, wellness and public safety products and services are set to be showcased during the city of Henderson's Community Expo, planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1300 W. Sunset Road. Interactive demonstrations and other activities are scheduled for all ages. Visit cityofhenderson.com or call 702-267-2222.

A Night Out: The event benefiting The Rape Crisis Center is planned from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Lavo Restaurant Lounge at the Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Admission is $30 and includes free signature drinks, appetizers and entertainment. Tickets are available at rcclv.org or at the door. Participants must be 21 or older. Visit rcclv.org.

Free legal assistance and education clinics for seniors: Clinics for free legal assistance and free legal education are planned for seniors in the coming months. Legal assistance clinics at the Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 21, focusing on identity theft; and Dec. 16, addressing estate planning basics. A legal education clinic at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., is slated from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 28, dealing with sealing criminal records. Contact Carmela Reed at Nevada Legal Services at 702-386-0404, ext. 140, or creed@nlslaw.net.

Kids cellphone safety: A free course on Kids Cell Phone Safety, sponsored by Thompson Taekwondo, 9030 W. Flamingo Road, is planned Tuesdays and Saturdays in November. Call 702-469-7700.

Breast Cancer Awareness shirts: Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 plans to sell the shirts through October for $20 each at heroic.supply to benefit Susan G. Komen Southern Nevada. The effort raised $8,000 last year. Visit iafflocal1285.com or komensouthernnevada.org.

Free classes to address sealing criminal records: The Clark County Law Library and community partners plan to offer free classes Wednesdays through Nov. 4 on how to seal criminal records in Clark County and restore civil rights in Nevada. The classes are being offered by UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Legal Services and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. Classes will be held at the Clark County Law Library, 309 S. Third St., Suite 400. Topics include requirements for sealing records and how to receive free help. Qualified participants may apply for a pro bono attorney after attending class. Visit clarkcountynv.gov/lawlibrary, call 702-455-4696 or email askinfo@clarkcountynv.gov.