Halloween Safety Tips

 Capt. M. Birkbeck

Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009- On Saturday October 31, 2009 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. the city will hold a community-wide Trick or Treat event. The Orrville Police Department would like to take this opportunity to pass on some Halloween safety tips which have been compiled by the National Crime Prevention Council.

 To ensure that trick-or-treaters, you, and your house stay safe, remember the following tips.

• Clear your yard and sidewalk of any obstacles or decorations that may be hard to see in the dark, lest someone go bump in the night.
• Keep your house well lighted, both inside and out; you wouldn’t want to miss any particularly good costumes, would you?
• Ask your Neighborhood Watch or local citizen’s group to haunt (patrol) your community.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police or sheriff’s department.

To make sure even the scariest costumes are safe, keep the following in mind when buying or designing one.

• Try makeup instead of masks; it’s more comfortable and doesn’t obstruct vision the way masks can.
• Check to ensure that costumes are flame-retardant so that young ones are safe around jack-o’-lanterns, candles, and other flames.
• Keep costumes short to ensure that the only trip taken is the one around the neighborhood.
• Look for brightly colored costumes, attach reflector strips to costumes and bags, and remind trick-or-treaters to carry glow sticks and flashlights.
• If a costume involves any sort of fake weapon, make sure that it is made of a flexible material such as cardboard or foam. Or, avoid the whole problem of weapons by challenging your child to design a costume that is scary without one.

Keep in mind the next few tips to make sure your trick-or-treater’s night in the neighborhood will be safe and fun.

• Older kids should trick-or-treat in groups; kids walking around alone are never as safe as those in groups, and especially not at night. Younger kids should be accompanied by a parent or trusted neighbor.
• Review the route for trick-or-treating beforehand and set a time set when kids should be home. Also, have a plan if your child gets separated from his or her friends or from you.
• Remind your children not to enter strange houses or cars.

After a successful and safe night around the neighborhood, remember that the treats still need scrutiny before anyone eats them.

• Remind your children not to eat treats until they’ve come home. To help ensure this, feed them a meal or a substantial snack before they go out.
• Check all treats at home in a well-lighted place. Be especially wary of anything that is not wrapped by the factory or that is no longer sealed.
• Remind kids not to eat everything at once, lest they be green even without the makeup.

Labor Day OVI Crackdown

 

You Drink, You Drive, You Lose

 

[Orrville, Ohio] – Drunk driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2006, more than 13,000 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. The picture for motorcycle riders is particularly bleak. Forty-one percent of the 2,007 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2006 had BAC levels of .08 or higher. 

 

That is why the Orrville Police Department announced today they will be joining with thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across the nation from August 15 throughout the Labor Day holiday to take part in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.  crackdown on impaired driving.

 

Make no mistake. Our message is simple. No matter what you drive—a passenger car, pickup, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle—if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. No excuses.

 

Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet we continue to see far too many people suffer debilitating injuries and loss of their loved ones as a result of impaired driving. This careless disregard for human life must stop. To help ensure that happens, we are dedicated to arresting impaired drivers wherever and whenever we find them.

 

Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant. Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, and dozens of other expenses. So don’t take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you are under arrest.

 

The national Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. impaired driving crackdown is a prevention program organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that focuses on combining high-visibility enforcement with heightened public awareness through advertising and publicity. 

 

This year’s effort is supported by $11 million in paid-national advertising to help put everyone on notice that if they are caught driving impaired, they will be arrested. 

 

For more information, visit www.Stopimpaireddriving.org.

 

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OPD Hiring Police Officers

The Orrville Police Department seeks applicants to take an exam for the classified position of police officer. Responsibilities are varied and involve the enforcement of state and local laws. Applicants must possess the ability to deal tactfully and firmly with the public, understand and interpret a wide range of local laws, understand and give commands and directions. Pay range: $19.65 to $24.54, after FTO training is completed, plus fringe benefits.

Qualifications: Police Officer Training Requirement: Applicants must possess a HS diploma or equivalent, be certified as a peace officer in Ohio, or certifiable, reside or willing to relocate to a zone of residency within 18 months after hire, be a Citizen of the United States, possess a valid Ohio operator’s license, pass a drug screen, background check, and be able to perform the essential functions of the position. Note: There cannot be more than one year between appointments as a peace officer or since receipt of your initial certification following completion of the academy. Proof of such certification must accompany the application or be submitted by the exam date.

Learn more: http://www.orrville.com/DEPT/PERS/Police%20Officer%20Web%20Page%2003%2008.pdf

 

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St. Patrick’s Day 2008

Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick’s Day

Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck—Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins 

[Orrville, Ohio]— For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family.  Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous. Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half (44%) of the 105 drivers and motorcyclists involved in the fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above.  That’s why the Orrville Police Department announced their joint efforts with federal, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials across the nation to remind all those who plan on celebrating during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to drink responsibly. “Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.”  “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.” said Sgt. Matt Birkbeck.   

Drunk Driving Prevention 

Following these easy steps, a driver can enjoy a safe St. Patrick’s Day without jeopardizing their life and the lives of the others who may be on the road.  

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking,  please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys;
  • If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;

§  Use a designated driver;

• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
• And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes.  Out of that number 13,470 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.    “Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk,” said Birkbeck. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant.” Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.  For more information, please visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

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