Area Briefing, April 10-16

RAPE CRISIS CENTER RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS

The Rape Crisis Center is recruiting volunteers 21 or older to assist in responding to sexual assault victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Thirty volunteers assist the center’s staff in answering crisis calls, making referrals for victims and others who are seeking assistance, representing the center at community outreach and education events and planning and assisting with fundraising activities. Crisis response volunteers can offer assistance on the center’s hotline at 702-366-1640 from their homes but must be prepared to respond to victims at the hospital during their shift.

Training totals 50 hours and runs three evenings per week for five weeks. Those who are interested must complete an application and set up an interview before training. Applicants also must pass a background check, a drug screening and commit to a minimum of six months of volunteer service of at least six hours per week.

For more information, visit rcclv.org or call 702-385-2153.

CONTRACTORS BOARD PLANS WORKSHOP, HEARING ON PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES

The Nevada State Contractors Board plans a public workshop at 9 a.m. April 30 and a public hearing at 9 a.m. May 15 at 2310 Corporate Circle, Suite 200, Henderson, regarding proposed board regulation changes.

For more information, visit nvcontractorsboard.com or read the workshop and hearing notice of intent via PDF at tinyurl.com/nscbregulations.

POOL SAFETY CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF

Area public safety officials kicked off the annual April Pools Day campaign April 1 to raise awareness about drowning.

Clark County officials and valley police joined members of the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition at Wet ’n’ Wild water park, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, to launch the spring and summer initiative, which stresses that children should not be left unattended by adults near pools. Most drowning victims are 4 or younger, and the majority of drowning deaths occur in the family pool, safety officials said.

Clark County Fire Station 34 firefighters conducted a simulated near-drowning and rescue demonstration at the event. Firefighters then fanned out into nearby neighborhoods to distribute drowning prevention materials.

Child Drowning Prevention Coalition partners include the county, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City fire departments, the county Building and Parks and Recreation departments, area pool builders and supply companies, the Safe Kids Coalition, the Southern Nevada Health District, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada and other agencies and organizations.

POLICE DEPARTMENT WINS BEST DRESSED AWARD

The North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors recently named the Metropolitan Police Department the Best Dressed.

The award recognizes professional, neat, well-fitted and immediately identifiable uniforms in police, fire and other first-responder public safety programs.

For more information, visit naumd.com.

INAUGURAL MARCH AIMS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE

The Metropolitan Police Department took part in the inaugural March to Save Our Children on March 29 to recruit volunteers for Clark County School District-supported outreach programs.

The march from Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, to the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, was aimed at helping address violence in Clark County.

The event was sponsored by Trinity Security Services, 1135 E. Desert Inn Road. For more information, visit saveourchildrenlv.com.

HENDERSON POLICE EARN GOLD STANDARD ACCREDITATION

The Henderson Police Department recently announced it earned Gold Standard Accreditation with Excellence from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The standard is for agencies seeking a higher level of evaluation during the reaccreditation process. The assessment, conducted in December, focused on operational processes and outcomes associated with standards specific to agency policies and a file-by-file review, which is standard for traditional reaccreditation.

For more information, visit calea.org.

HENDERSON POLICE PLAN CITIZENS’ ACADEMY

Applications are due April 10 for Henderson residents interested in applying for the Henderson Police Department’s Citizens’ Academy, slated to start May 6.

The program, scheduled to meet from 6 to 9 p.m. for 13 Tuesdays, covers topics such as radio and communication training, community policing, use of force, gang enforcement, crime scene investigation, detention center procedures, criminal justice, domestic violence and criminalistics.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com.

LAKE MEAD BOULEVARD ROAD CONSTRUCTION SET IN SUMMERLIN AREA

Eighteen weeks of road improvements began March 25 on Lake Mead Boulevard between Hills Center and Rancho drives, according to the city of Las Vegas.

Work is planned for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. A minimum of two lanes in each direction are set to remain open during peak morning and afternoon hours, the city said.

Traffic may be restricted to one lane in each direction between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Work is scheduled to shift to overnight hours in areas with no adjacent residential communities, the city said. Motorists are advised to use Cheyenne Avenue or Summerlin Parkway as alternate routes.

The project includes the installation of a traffic signal interconnect conduit, the removal and reconstruction of deteriorated areas of pavement, median island modifications for improved traffic flow and safety, paving and roadway striping.

Preliminary work was completed last year and consisted of improvements to sidewalk areas to meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Las Vegas Paving Corp. is the contractor, and the city Department of Operations and Maintenance is managing the $4 million project.

COUNSELING OFFERED IN SPANISH AT RAPE CRISIS CENTER

The Rape Crisis Center recently added a Spanish-speaking team member to the Nevada Women’s Philanthropy Signs of Hope Counseling Center, 801 S. Rancho Drive, Suite B-2.

Sandra Morel, a licensed marriage and family therapist, leads counseling sessions in Spanish each Thursday afternoon.

The Signs of Hope Counseling Center provides therapy for survivors of sexual abuse and assault and members of their support system, including spouses, parents and siblings. The center serves survivors 12 or older.

Appointments with Morel can be scheduled by calling 702-385-2153.

DOMESTIC ABUSE SURVIVORS PREPARE FOR WORKFORCE

Four women recently graduated from the Survivors Helping Survivors program at Safe Faith United, 1850 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 102.

Participants trained in the cleaning industry for four weeks during the program, which provides domestic abuse survivors with job training and helps them enter the labor force.

For more information, visit sfuvictims.org or call 702-685-1500.

RECRUITS GRADUATE FROM POLICE ACADEMY

Twelve recruits recently graduated from the Southern Desert Regional Police Academy during a ceremony at the College of Southern Nevada’s Henderson campus, 700 College Drive.

The recruits are scheduled to work with the Henderson Police Department, the city of Las Vegas Detention and Enforcement Department and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The Southern Desert Regional Police Academy is a partnership among the city of Las Vegas, the Henderson and North Las Vegas police departments and the College of Southern Nevada.

For more information, visit csn.edu/academy.asp.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OFFER FOOTBALL CLINIC TO STUDENTS

The Metropolitan Police Department, the Southern Nevada Gang Investigators Association and the Police Led Outreach With Experienced Rewards program recently teamed up to host a professional football clinic at the Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave.

The free event for middle and high school students featured instruction from a strength and conditioning coach and technical coaching by current and former professional and college football players. Police officers and civilian employees assisted with training participants.

For more information, visit sngia.org.

HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT HONORS OFFICERS, CIVILIANS

The Henderson Police Department recently held a commendation ceremony to honor officers, civilian employees and community members.

Awards were distributed for acts of bravery and service to the community that went above and beyond the call of duty.

Recipients included administrative analyst Tina Emrich, Civilian Employee of the Year; communications operations manager Miranda Ramos, Civilian Supervisor of the Year; Michael Renteria, Corrections Officer of the Year; Sgt. Isaac Henn, Sworn Supervisor of the Year; Detective Mark Amundson, Investigator of the Year; Raymond Wilkins, Specialized Unit Officer of the Year; and Edgar Palomeque, Officer of the Year.

The annual ceremony took place at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St.

INFANT AND CHILD CPR CLASS PLANNED AT UMC

University Medical Center is set to offer an infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation class at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Family Resource Center, 1120 Shadow Lane.

The class requires a refundable $10 deposit. For more information or to register, call 702-383-2229.

EVENT RAISES AWARENESS OF WALKING AND BICYCLING TO SCHOOL SAFELY

Children at Clark County schools were scheduled to take part in March 19 events promoting walking or bicycling to school safely in honor of Nevada Moves Day.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School offered several tips for children in conjunction with the event:

— Walk with a friend when possible.

— Plan a safe route to school.

— When walking near the street, refrain from pushing or running.

— Report any bullying that may occur while walking.

— Wear bright-colored clothing, and use a flashlight or reflective gear at night.

— Obey traffic signs, signals and school crossing guards.

For more information, visit walknevada.com or saferoutesinfo.org.

FUNDRAISER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEVADA TO INCLUDE SAFETY FAIR, SHOOTING COMPETITION

The Gun Garage, 5155 Dean Martin Drive, plans a Shoot for Our Stars competition and safety fair from 5 to 8 p.m. April 16.

Gun enthusiasts are invited to demonstrate their skills by shooting at a target, going up against local law enforcement officers. Participants must be at least age 16, and youths must be accompanied by an adult at the event, dubbed as family-friendly.

Registration is $100, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Nevada. The fee includes a three-station shooting package, a souvenir photo with participants’ competitors, food, beverages and a raffle ticket. An outdoor safety fair also is planned.

Registration can be conducted at shootingforourstars.com.

WORKSHOP TO OFFER INFORMATION ON SAFETY FOR WARD 2 SENIORS

A free Ward 2 informational workshop for residents 50 or older is set for 9 to 11 a.m. April 24 at the Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive.

Presentations are planned from the Social Security Administration and Nathan Adelson Hospice. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is slated to discuss senior safety, and information on Medicare is set to be available.

Also, the Metropolitan Police Department will accept unwanted pills and prescription drugs for safe disposal.

Reservations are requested by calling 702-229-1100.