Area Briefing, Nov. 19-25

OFFICIALS REMOVE GRAFFITI AT CRAIG RANCH REGIONAL PARK

North Las Vegas park officials closed the skate park at Craig Ranch Regional Park on Nov. 8 for graffiti abatement.

Interim City Manager Jeff Buchanan said city officials may consider keeping the park open for fewer hours if the problem continues.

Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road, spans 170 acres and features community gardens, dog parks, sports fields, adventure playgrounds and other amenities.

To report graffiti, call 702-633-1871.

POLICE WELCOME 15 CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

Fifteen corrections recruits graduated from academy training, the Metropolitan Police Department announced.

A graduation ceremony for the class took place Nov. 7 at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, where the recruits took their oath of office.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS EXPANDS HOURS AT PARKING SERVICES OFFICE

The city of Las Vegas parking services office inside Las Vegas City Hall’s parking garage at 500 S. Main St. has expanded its hours to include Fridays and Saturdays.

The office, which handles parking citations, appeals and permitting, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/parking or call 702-229-4700.

NEVADA PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS YOUTH TO HOST ANNUAL PLASTIC FOOD DRIVE

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance and resources for homeless teenagers in Southern Nevada, is scheduled to host its seventh annual Plastic Food Drive through Nov. 26.

Fast-food and grocery store gift card vouchers may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the William Fry Drop-In Center, 4981 Shirley St.

For more information, visit nphy.org or call 702-383-1332.

SCAMMERS USE PROMISE OF PRIZE TO DEFRAUD VICTIMS

The Metropolitan Police Department recently warned residents that scammers are using promises of a large prize to defraud victims.

Scammers posing as officers call residents to report substantial lottery winnings that require a small sum of money to ensure delivery, police said. After receiving payment, the scammers then request subsequent sums of money, according to police.

Anyone who receives suspicious communications from individuals claiming to represent the Metropolitan Police Department should report the incident to police.

POLICE EARN SAFETY AWARD FOR VEHICULAR PURSUIT PRACTICES

PursuitSAFETY presented its 2013 Safer Way Award to the Metropolitan Police Department on Oct. 22 during the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Philadelphia.

PursuitSAFETY is a nonprofit civilian organization working to reduce deaths of innocent bystanders and police officers resulting from the violent crashes that can occur when drivers flee police. The organization also provides support to bereaved families and injured victims of vehicular police pursuits.

The organization annually honors a law enforcement department that has made significant, well-designed revisions to its vehicular pursuit practice and policy, increasing safety for police and the public.

The Metropolitan Police Department is one of a growing number of law enforcement agencies around the country that have implemented restrictive pursuit policies, according to PursuitSAFETY.

For more information, visit pursuitsafety.org.

NEW CROSSWALK AIMS TO PROTECT STUDENTS, RESIDENTS

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian of Ward 1 demonstrated the newest pedestrian safety improvements in her district Nov. 2 on the south side of the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Redwood Street.

The city of Las Vegas installed a new bi-modal school and pedestrian crosswalk warning system at the location. It warns motorists of students crossing Charleston during school hours, signified by flashers and a message board that reads, “School Crossing 25 MPH.”

During other times of the day, a pedestrian can push a button to turn on the flashers, and a message board will announce to drivers that a pedestrian is crossing.

A traffic study revealed that besides being a busy crosswalk for students, it is also a popular crossing location for people taking the bus and for those who reside in the apartments on the north side while attending classes at the College of Southern Nevada, Tarkanian said.

Because Charleston Boulevard is a state-maintained roadway, the new device required approval from the Nevada Department of Transportation. The cost for installation was about $80,000.

NATIONAL GUARDSMAN HONORED FOR SAVING 2-YEAR-OLD’S LIFE

Nevada National Guard Spc. Steven Thompson received an Army Commendation Medal on Nov. 2 at the Nevada National Guard’s Las Vegas Readiness Center, 4500 W. Silverado Ranch Blvd., for saving the life of his 2-year-old neighbor last summer.

The child fell into a pool and was underwater for about five minutes. He was unresponsive when Thompson came to his aid.

Thompson performed cardiopulmunary resuscitation compression and continued lifesaving procedures for more than 12 minutes until medical personnel arrived. His efforts were credited for helping save the child’s life.

VOLUNTEERS RENOVATE FREEDOM HOUSE SOBER LIVING

A group of Shield of HOPE volunteers recently helped renovate the 56-unit Freedom House Sober Living, 3852 Palos Verdes St.

Shield of HOPE, a faith-based outreach program of the Metropolitan Police Department’s South Central Area Command, is a chapter of the national Shield of HOPE program for law enforcement, and HOPE stands for healing, outreach, prevention and enforcement.

Since 2010, Freedom House has helped its residents stay sober. The recent renovations represented the second phase of the overhaul. Volunteers from Home Depot and Veterans Village Las Vegas pitched in for the first phase. The second phase included painting, cleaning, decorating and landscaping.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS COURT BUSINESS CAN BE CONDUCTED ONLINE

Defendants, attorneys and others can access Las Vegas Municipal Court information and conduct legal business through the city’s website at municourt.lasvegasnevada.gov.

Site users can view cases, enter pleas, post bail for people in custody and take care of other matters.

For more information, call 702-382-6878.

INFANT AND CHILD CPR CLASSES PLANNED AT UMC

University Medical Center plans an infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation class at 9 a.m. Dec. 14 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.