April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

 

"In partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety and the California Highway Patrol, we have joined the statewide enforcement and awareness campaign to discourage Distracted Driving.  The entire month of April has been designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  Our participation includes a commitment to increase enforcement efforts throughout the month. As part of April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the Redwood City Police Department will be actively ticketing those texting or operating hand-held cell phones on April 3rd and April 16th." said Traffic Sergeant Neil Uyeda.

Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited with no warnings.  The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279.

Last April, over 57,000 tickets were written statewide for texting and hand-held cell use. There were nearly 450,000 convictions in 2012. Whether it’s a ticket or a crash, as the campaign theme states, “It’s Not Worth It!"

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk.  In recent years, hundreds have been killed and thousands seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted.  Nationally, an estimated 3,331 died in 2011.

As a result, law enforcement across the state, including the Redwood City Police Department, are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting.  This April will see over 225 local agencies plus the CHP conducting zero tolerance enforcements.

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.   In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

Studies also show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.  When over one third of your brain’s functioning that should be on your driving moves over to cell phone talking, you can become a cell phone “zombie.”

To avoid a distracted driving ticket or crash, the Redwood City Police Department offers drivers the following tips:

• Turn off your phone and/or put it out of reach while driving.
• Include in your outgoing message that you can’t answer while you are driving.
• Don’t call or text anyone at a time when you think they may be driving.

Beware Of Door-To-Door Burglar Alarm Scam

Be cautious of people going door to door asking about resident’s alarm systems, as they do not appear to be working for the city and could be casing homes for burglaries.

Oakland Police warned that a community member reported that a man wearing an orange safety vest and a tag reading “Oakland Public Safety” knocked on her door inquiring about how up to date the resident’s alarm system was.   The man also asked whether or not it was monitored and whether it was tied to a cell phone or landline.

The Redwood City Police are not aware of any city-sponsored program making this sort of inquiry, it is likely that the questions were aimed at gathering information for criminal use.  Criminals usually use these tactics to case the house and attempt to find ways to defeat alarm systems.

Residents should not answer any questions about home alarm systems, and should report anyone asking similar questions to police immediately.

Another consumer rip-off that shows no sign of abating is the invasion of door-to-door salespeople who use dubious and intrusive tactics to sell burglar-alarm systems to unwary homeowners.

Law-enforcement and consumer-protection officials warn you to be wary of an alarm salesperson who:

• Attempts to alarm you by citing rashes of burglaries in their neighborhoods.

• Claims to represent or wear clothing with logos from major alarm manufacturers like GE and Honeywell. These firms don't sell directly to consumers and don't allow their logos to be used by door-to-door salespeople.

• Tries to gain entrance into your home

• Offers a free system. Experts say "free" systems usually come with higher monthly service fees.

• Says the company is ready to install your system right away. Experts say legitimate alarm companies don't mind taking the time to talk to consumers to get a comprehensive view of their security needs.

• Claims your current alarm company is defunct.

Non-emergency calls can be made to (650)780-7100, or dial 911 for emergencies.

Redwood City Police Social Media Connections

The Redwood City Police Department engages with our community on several social media platforms.  We post news releases, crime prevention tips, crime statistics, photos and videos, and human interest stories.  We encourage you to connect with us!

Twitter
	Join the conversation at www.twitter.com/redwoodcitypd
Facebook
www.facebook.com/redwoodcitypd	Give us a “like” at www.facebook.com/redwoodcitypd, and get our most robust social media content delivered straight to your News Feed.
Vimeo
Nixle	Watch all of our videos at http://vimeo.com/user11653973  We post crime prevention videos, wanted subjects, and information on our video chat
	Go to: http://www.nixle.com/ and subscribe to us.  You can elect to receive text message alerts, e-mail alerts, or simply view our content on Nixle’s website.  Check out our Nixle page at http://local.nixle.com/city/ca/redwood-city/ and subscribe to us for free.

            Netop Video Chat

Join our award winning video chat by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/police  Click on the link and be connected to an Officer.

Our social media presence is maintained by members of our Social Media Team, but it is not a substitute for 9-1-1.  Please do not use social media to report criminal activity that requires a police response. If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you require non-emergency police assistance or want to report suspicious activity, please call our 24-hour dispatch center at 650-780-7100.

Tattoo Removal Program

Helping Change Futures

The Tattoo Removal Program Has Been in Existence for 16 Years Serving Thousands of Participants and is in desperate need of a new laser machine. The mission of the program is to provide tattoo removal to people who have proven they are transitioning out of the gang life style

The program is also helping the domestic violence victims with healing from the abuse suffered as many perpertrators force their victims to tattoo their names on them to mark the victim as property.

Participants that are trying to change their lives find that the tattoos are stigma that follows them through life.  Tattoo removal is an important part of breaking your identity from the gang life style and creating a person, free of marks or symbols, that stand in the way of establishing employment and building relationships.  This is the final step in rehabilitation.

This much needed program serves San Mateo County residents.  many are on probation, parole, or in treatment.

Besides providing innumerable new-found freedoms, the Tattoo Removal Program was also designed to give each former gang member the opportunity to give back to society.  Each participant completes community service hours to participate in the program and to date they have performed thousands of hours of public work for the community.

Requirements to be eligible for participating in the program include being at least 10 years old, attending school and/or work, performing 20-plus hours of community service, being willing to meet regularly with a program sponsor and commitment to live a gang-free lifestyle.

The program has assisted hundreds of individuals in removing regrettable tattoos that they either acquired as a youth, in prison, or after succumbing to the gang lifestyle.

Who is Involved?

This program is a collaboration between the Redwood City Police Department, San Mateo County Probation Department, San Mateo County Shreiff's Office S.A.L. and the Redwood City P.A.L.

Since the inception of the program;

• 2200 participants with over 44,000 tratments.
• Doctors and nurses have volunteered over 2,000 hours.
• Clients have provided over 20,000 community service hours.
• Clients have participated in hundreds of community outreach programs
• Clients range from 10 years old to 50 years old.

How Can You Help?

We are looking to raise $125,000 to continue this life changing program. 

The current laser machine which wa donated to the program is no longer operational, so the need for a new laser machine is urgent.  The proposed new laser is a Cynosure ConBio C6 with an extended warranty.  This unit has three Q-switched wavelengths that make it possible to treat all types of tattoo colors.

Direct gifts of cash to the Tattoo removal Program are fully tax deductable.

Pledges to the Tattoo Removal Program may be made over a period of three years. A signed pledge card or letter of intent is required.  Tax deductions are earned only on amounts paid on the pledge in the year the payment was made.

Marketable or closely held securities may be given to the Tattoo Removal Program.  As a direct gift, it is always to the donor's advantage to make a gift of appreciated securities in avoidance of capital gains tax. 

For more information on the Program or to make a donation please call;

Manuel Velarde 650-780-7195
John Domeniconi 650-363-4232
Carrie Cross 650-877-7028

Your contribution is fully tax deductable, Tax ID#94-3229506

How To Beef Up Home Security And Stop Garage Door Hacking

If you have an older garage door opener or remote that does not employ the newer rolling code technology, you could be putting the safety of your home and family at risk.

Today more than ever, hackers have expanded their focus to many other electrical devices besides the computer. Hackers have found that older style handheld remote garage door transmitters can be bypassed with a little bit of electrical wiring finesse. Hackers can easily modify a standard door opener to accept a USB port, and software is readily available on the web to modify how it operates.

This deceptive action communicates with your garage door opener and allows hackers to gain entrance to your garage. Homeowners might be surprised that this task is possible and can be an alarming and somewhat unsettling prospect.

Professional Hackers have even gone so far as to demonstrate their prowess by spotlighting their “how to” videos on YouTube and other video sites.

As a homeowner, you can stop this from happening to you by properly protecting your garage door with rolling code technology. Rolling code technology is used in keyless entry systems, garage door openers for example, to prevent someone from stealing the code you use to open your garage door. Rolling code, also called Intellicode or CodeDodger, replaces the old technology of setting dip switches on the garage door opener operator.

"Dip switches were used back in the 1950′s through about the early 1970′s. This technology sent out a single code to open or close the garage. As garage door openers became more common, codes were often duplicated, as a set of dip switches can only have a maximum of 256 possible combinations. This caused quite a problem. Imagine driving down the street and being able to click your remote control and open your neighbors garage! What a security nightmare! Not only were there not enough variation of codes for the dip switches to handle, it was very easy for someone in the know to capture the signal, and use it at a later time to get into your home." This capability means that they can never be repeated or bypassed; thereby making stolen codes useless to pesky burglars looking to rob you blind.

Staying connected and plugged in to new security features for your home is critical these days. The wonderful World Wide Web can provide a wealth of information on how you can upgrade your old garage door remote and opener. Using a rolling code transmitter can make home security systems even more secure and purchasing an updated opener is your first defense against intruders from entering your home.

"What if I don't Have Rolling Code Technology?"

Here are some safety tips if you do not have Rolling Code technology;

•While on vacation or away from home for extended periods of time, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a vacation lock on the wall console switch, which is an optional accessory on some garage door openers.

• Wireless keypads, which activate the garage door opener with a personal identification number (PIN), are available on most garage door systems. This allows family members to open the door without the use of a key or remote. Never disclose the PIN or leave it written down.

• Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. It should be treated like a house key.

•Always lock the door from the garage to the inside of your home for greater safety and security.

•Check to make sure your garage door is closed when you lock your entry doors at night.

excerpts from agaragedooropener.com

Back to School Safety Tips

Here are some simple reminders for drivers


Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones

Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully

Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours

Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving

Reminder for your kids:

They should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old

Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars

Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them

4th of July Safety Tips

The Redwood City Police Department wants your holiday to be safe as well as fun. We would like to provide the following safety information while you plan your holiday celebration.



Fireworks are the cause of thousands of fires and injuries throughout the United States on the 4th of July, as well as during the days before and after this holiday. These fires and injuries are preventable, when people comply with local laws prohibiting the use of fireworks. The International Fire Code adopted by the City of Redwood City prohibits any type of fireworks, including the so-called “safe and sane” variety. The only permitted use of fireworks is for professional fireworks shows.

Celebrating the 4th of July by shooting a gun into the air is not only illegal; it can hurt or kill people. The Redwood City Police Department uses a "Shot Spotter" gunshot locater system, which determines the location of any firearm discharged in the city. The reckless discharge of a firearm is a felony under section 246.3 of the Penal Code and carries up to a three-year prison sentence. A gunshot telephone hotline is available at (650) 780-7639, which the public is urged to call in the event gunfire is heard, particularly during the 4th of July holiday.

Redwood City Police and Fire staff will be making an extraordinary effort this year to be on the lookout for fireworks and gunshots throughout the 4th of July holiday period. Any person caught in possession of fireworks will have them confiscated and will be subject to a citation. Fireworks obtained in other jurisdictions may not be brought into or used within Redwood City. The Police Department will investigate and track down any individuals shooting guns into the air. Arrests will be made when possible and violators will be booked at San Mateo County Jail.

In California possession of illegal fireworks is considered a misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1000 or by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year. If you are found to be in possession of a sufficient amount of illegal fireworks, you may be guilty of a felony and punished by a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment in a state prison or county jail. Parents may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their childrens use of illegal fireworks.

Fireworks are illegal in most parts of San Mateo County, and other jurisdictions share Redwood City’s desire to maintain a safe 4th of July holiday. To fully inform the community of Redwood City’s prohibition on fireworks, all main roadway entrances into the City will be posted with a sign saying “No Fireworks in Redwood City.” The signs feature bright red letters on a white background to make them very visible to passing motorists. The City’s goal in this effort is for the community to have a safe, fun 4th of July holiday, and to prevent fire or injury incidents related to fireworks.

For the most accurate parking, festival, and firework information delivered directly to your cell phone text the keyword: RCJULY4 to 888777 and you will be automatically added to the Redwood City 4th of July information group through Nixle.com.

The Redwood City 4th of July Information group was created to provide specific, festival-related information to our residents, businesses and visitors. you can sign up for all alerts via text or e-mail by signing up at Nixle.com

The Redwood City Police Department wishes you a safe 4th of July!