Newsletter


			*Lone Peak Public Safety*
				*Police*


		Newsletter
	News Line Article For May, 2008 Spring is quickly approaching (hopefully) and many of us are ready for it to get here and move out of winter and the cooler and/or colder temperatures. Spring brings many changes. As summer approaches and school dismisses our workload takes on some different perspectives. The newsline article is always a good method of passing information along to our citizens. In that vein the following items are ones that are currently taking a large number of police resources to address: Vehicle Burglaries - You may have recently seen in the local newspaper an article concerning an increased number of burglaries committed by stealing items from vehicles. This is true. The vast majority of these have been solved in that the responsible person(s) have been charged or are in the process of being charged with the crimes and we have recovered much stolen property. Almost every incident involved removing items from vehicles which were not locked. The offender(s) simply walked along given streets and tried each vehicle parked on the street or in a driveway. Finding vehicles that were unlocked, the offender(s) simply entered and canvassed the interior for items of value. In several vehicles the garage door opener was in the vehicle allowing the garage door to be opened and some items were taken from garages after gaining access. These burglaries normally occurred between approximately midnight and 3am to 4am. Please lock your car no matter how “safe” you consider your neighborhood. ATVs or OHVs (Off Highway Vehicles) become an issue as the weather warms. Unauthorized (any vehicle not a city or Public Safety District vehicle) ATVs and OHVs are not allowed on *any* city trail or on city open space (parks, detention basins, etc.). It is not required that the property be posted any more than a speed limit sign needs to be located in every block of a roadway. One area of constant concern is in the northwest portion of Highland City. This is specifically in the areas around the Beacons Hills development, the Twin Bridges area and, that area in the northern area where Highland City and Alpine City share a common boundary. We understand and know that for many years this is an area where persons rode horses, ATVs, dirt bikes, sighted in rifles, and did much shooting, etc. But those areas are now within a city limit (either Highland, Alpine or Draper) and are being developed and such activity is not allowed anymore in those areas. Please remember that there are leash laws in both our cities which require your dog to be on a leash anytime it is off your personally owned property. Additionally, as a responsible pet owner and per city ordinance, it is your responsibility to clean up any droppings your animal deposits on another’s property (this includes city property, such as the trail system, parks, sidewalks, streets, etc.). We have had concerns raised by others who use those trails, parks, etc. and have to deal with someone else’s pet’s droppings. We are dealing with an increasing problem of illegal dumping, specifically in the area known as “hog hollow”. This is the area in the northwest area of Alpine’s city limits. Much of this area has not been developed yet and contains many hills and depressions. We are seeing an increased number of stripped vehicles, furniture, left over building materials and similar items dumped there instead of disposed of property. Dumping such material in this (or any other area) is illegal. The monies paid to mitigate these issues could much better be used in other areas of the City’s budget. We are asking any of the residents of that area to notify us when observing these activities in progress. There has been an increase in incidences of “tagging” in our communities, as well as other parts of Utah County. This is the practice or process of using spray paint of similar material to deface, destroy or injure property of another. Commonly referred to as “graffiti”, this is also an illegal act for which we arrest and charge the individual(s) responsible whenever possible. This act is charged as criminal mischief, destruction of private or public property, and often includes a charge of trespassing depending on the particular circumstances. Again the resources used to address and correct this illegal act could better be used in other endeavors. We police two great communities. Our goal, as your police department, is to keep our communities as safe and enjoyable as possible. To do so we need your help in being additional eyes and ears for us. If, or when, you see any of these or other illegal activities occurring, please call Central Dispatch at either 343-4100 or 375-3601 and report it in order that we may do all that is possible to maintain the beauty and safety of our towns.

News Line Article
March, 2008

We have experienced an interesting winter concerning the amount of snowfall we have received. Some tell me this is actually a typical winter and since we have been in a drought for past ten (10) years we have simply forgotten the conditions of a normal winter. Others tell me that this past few months is certainly not an example of a normal winter. Whichever viewpoint or analysis is correct, this is an excellent time to suggest some precautionary measures and offer some “food for thought” that will benefit each of us.

The evening of Wednesday, February 13^th is certainly a night many of us will not soon forget. The blowing snow and “white out” conditions caused the closure of many roads. Several vehicles became “drifted in” by blowing snow and could not move. Several vehicles actually ran out of gas and were left in the travel portions of several roads. Once many vehicles became stuck the drivers/occupants were removed from the vehicle and taken to their home or other shelter. Many persons were preparing to spend the night in their vehicle. I know I had family members that spent between 5 and 8 hours getting home from the Salt Lake Valley. I know this time frame was very typical of many of our residents. This situation gives an excellent opportunity to consider certain aspects of your vehicle and the opportunity to list some items you may want to include in your vehicle. This list is by no means all inclusive, but I would consider:

Always keeping my gas/fuel tank at least ½ full;
Being fully aware of the condition and tread type of my vehicle’s tires;
Having a realistic knowledge of my vehicle’s capability in snowy conditions;
Keeping one or more well insulating blanket(s) in the vehicle;
Keeping drinking water in the vehicle (I know it may freeze but your heater can be used to thaw it out. I would keep several smaller bottles of water as opposed to one large container).
Food snacks and food items that do not have to be cooked or heated to consume (jerky, granola bars, power bars, nuts, etc.);
Insulated gloves and a warm hat that can cover your ears;
A small collapsible shovel (in this situation one with a square nosed head with an aluminum collapsible handle is excellent. These are frequently carried by snow mobilers and can be purchased at a variety of places. They are designed specifically to clear and move snow which is what you may need to do to regain traction for your vehicle.);
Some interesting reading material (you may be stranded for a period of time during daylight hours and boredom frequently makes us unpleasantly impatient);
Most of us carry a cell phone and have a radio in our vehicle. The cell phone should be used to call for help, notify loved ones or emergency services personnel of your status, and for necessary communications. The radio is a means of receiving news and weather updates and information.

This list certainly could go on and on. Each of us has specific items we would like to have in our vehicle under certain conditions. The important message is to realize that these situations are a possibility and we should prepare accordingly. When my family was younger we routinely made winter trips between Southern Nevada and Wyoming. My wife and I knew that in the Mountain West it is not uncommon for the snow plows to not operate between 9;00pm and 5:00am the following morning (in our urban area the times can be much different). But we always recognized that the possibility existed that we may “slide off the road”, become stuck and have to wait until the following morning for help to arrive, especially in some remote areas we traversed. Accordingly, we carried specific items in our vehicle for ourselves (both adult and children) during these winter trips. Our circumstances today are actually no different. A small amount of preparation certainly goes a long way when we find ourselves in these circumstances.

And please remember that a large amount of patience is requested and needed on your part. Mostly, you are in a warm vehicle, with the heater going, out of the weather. Our emergency response personnel, city workers (many working extra hours), volunteers, many Good Sams, and others are literally out in the weather trying to make the situation better for you and all of us. None of us wished for the specific challenge we are dealing with at the moment, but the best solution of for all of us involved is to be patient, understanding, helpful and remember that truly it is simply a matter of time until things return to “normal”. To my knowledge, even though approximately 30 vehicles were towed from our section of State Road 92 (Highland Highway going to I-15) and from Highland Boulevard the following morning, no one froze to death nor was anyone severely injured in a traffic collision in our jurisdiction. All of the children who were in school buses that were stuck and all of the children that spent the night at Ridgeline Elementary (and the teachers and parents) all eventually got home and were physically safe during the ordeal. Important keys in these situations are preparation, patience, prioritization and understanding. Thanks to all of you who demonstrated these traits on Wednesday night and Thursday, February 13 and 14, 2008.

Kip Botkin, Chief of Police

News Line Article

February 2008

We have completed the Holiday Season and we certainly had a “white Christmas”. We continue to have “white weather”. One may easily begin to ask, “When is this cold and snow going to end?” I would believe that our snow plow drivers are ready for the “white stuff” to stop falling. Last night on the news I heard that we can expect 3 more storms in the next 7 days. Hopefully by the time this article is published we will be experiencing some sunny days. With the winter we have had thus far the spring run off may be interesting.

While we are experiencing so much snow is it prudent that some winter driving reminders are mentioned:

Realize that with winter road conditions it will take you longer to get to your destination. Plan accordingly;
Due to the road conditions, you should reduce your speed (it will take longer to stop on snow pack or ice than on dry asphalt, now matter the braking system in your vehicle):
You must clear your windshield off completely (We do issue traffic citations for “obstructed view”). Clearing off a small square directly in front of the driver is NOT sufficient (you have no “side” or peripheral vision through the windshield. You do not see totally what is in front of you or coming at you. Your forward vision is extremely limited. Your view is similar to a horse wearing “blinders”, except in this situation you cannot increase your field of view by turning your head because you cannot see out your total windshield);
Speed too fast for the road conditions routinely causes “slid offs” and traffic collisions ;
Remember that the posted speed limit is for optimum conditions (road conditions, weather conditions, visibility, etc.). As these and other factors change from optimum (perfect) conditions, our speed should reduce correspondingly.
Please be patient drivers and help us keep our communities safe.

_________________________,

Kip Botkin, Chief of Police


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