Sacramento County Sheriff s Department The Central Division Link A Crime Prevention Monthly Publication Serving The Unincorporated areas of South Sacramento www.sacsheriff.com Sheriff Scott Jones December 2011 Division Staff Captain Tracy Petrie- Commander 876-8302 Lieutenant Chet Madison Assistant Commander 876-8302 Sergeant Luis Aguilar- Problem Oriented Policing Supervisor 876-8353 Laura Grossman- Crime Prevention Specialist/ Newsletter Editor 876-8322 Service Center- 7000 B 65th Street Sacramento, CA 95823 Monday-Friday (Excluding holidays) 9AM-5PM 876-8300 Terri Kral- Office Mgr 876-8309 toys needed for Christmas program Can you believe its that time again? We re gearing up for our annual Christmas toy/food giveaway. the economy hasn t improved so families are still needing a little extra help this year. Each year we give what we can to help make a difference in a child s life, but we can t do it without your help. Please drop off a new unwrapped toy to give to a child. We will do our best to match the toys with the appropriate aged child. The Sheriff s Department toy Project partners with the Salvation Army who donates frozen chickens and canned goods to the families. this year we will provide toys/food for 210 families of South Sacramento. Please drop off a donated toy to the Sheriff s Service Center by Friday, December 9th. Staff is standing by to accept your donated toy
Home (and away) for the Holidays The holiday season can bring out the best in people, but it can also bring out the worst in burglars. The idea of many homes with packages and presents available for the taking can be very tempting for burglars. While it is impossible to completely prevent a break-in, here are some ideas for keeping your December one to remember fondly and not one to regret. A Valuable View-Gifts that are visible from the front window or from windows near the front door can be very tempting and may even encourage a would-be burglar to make his move. Sliding down Chimneys-Burglars probably won t be coming down chimneys but they are looking for unlocked doors and windows. Breaking glass or smashing a door isn t a burglar s preferred method for entering a home because of the noise that it creates. Instead, burglars are looking for a bathroom window that has been left open for ventilation or a rear door that has been left open for ventilation or a rear door that has been left unlocked for the kids. Protect your home and its contents by making sure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when you are away. Looking lived in-burglars are looking for that unoccupied (but well-stocked) home to invade. Even if you re 2000 miles away visiting family, some simple steps on your part will help make your home look lived in, active and a poor target for unwanted visitors. Keep it lit! Using timers to turn on lights (set to your normal hours of lighting usage) is the first and most important step in discouraging a would-be burglar. Noise is good! A radio or television set on a timer in the background can be an excellent deterrent and a sign that someone is home. Pick up your mail and newspapers! A house littered with newspapers on the driveway and mail spilling out of the mailbox is a sure sign that no one is home. Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers daily. Take in the garbage! Garbage can, that is. When leaving for a trip, make arrangements with your neighbor to put away your garbage can. An abandoned can on the curb says to a would-be burglar that you aren t home. Don t forget to have our Volunteers Check your home while you are away. The more eyes on your home, the better. Call our Service Center at least a week in advance for this free service
Pet Safety Tips For The Holiday With all the chaos that comes with the holiday season, don t forget about Fido s safety. Follow our easy tips to pooch proof your home for the holiday season. Holiday Plants- Holiday plants are a festive and great way to decorate your home; however, some holiday plants are known to be toxic for dogs and are not easily digestible. Reconsider buying the following plants or make sure they are kept out of paws reach. Poinsettias Christmas Cacti Mistletoe Holly Holiday Decorations- Dogs are curious and playful creatures. Be cautious of where you place wires, lights, and other decorations. Be careful when using the following decorations as they are not edible for dogs and can cause serious health issues. Glass ornaments Tinsel or garland Christmas tree lights Candy in jars or stockings Wrapping paper and bows Holiday Foods- The holiday kitchen is filled with tasty eats and treats; however, not all are suitable for dogs and should be kept out of reach. Candy with artificial sweeteners Chocolate of any kind Raisins Grapes Mushrooms Cooking Grease Leftover bones from poultry How often have you seen someone driving down the road that you were pretty sure was drunk, or at least driving dangerously? Haven't you said to yourself, "I wish a police offi cer was here to see this and pull this guy over!" Now, you can be the one on the spot. Now, as you travel California's streets and highways, you can do something to help get drunk drivers off the road. The Office of Traffic Safety, California Highway Patrol, Department of Motor Vehicles, Caltrans, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and local law enforcement want everyone to drive safely and responsibly. Always designate a sober driver, and if you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. The public can use the emergency number to report and help the CHP identify drunk drivers before it is too late.
In memory of Detective Vu Nguyen 12/9/70-12/19/07 Killed in the line of duty Take Me Home Safely Program The Take Me Home Safely Program is a countywide initiative to allow caregivers to register individuals with developmental disabilities with the Sheriff s Department. Should the individual become lost, law enforcement will use the registry to reunite the individual with their family or caregiver. For more information go to www.sacsheriff.com