FIREWORKS- Additional Information

Here is an article that was published recently in The Daily Herald about some of the problems that fireworks season can cause to individuals and local emergency services:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110626/NEWS01/706269905/1131/NEWS08

Also, here is a press release from the State Fire Marshal's Office warning of illegal fireworks:

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/information/releases/2011_archive/mr062811.htm

FIREWORKS- County Fire Marshal Urges Caution and Courtesy on July 4

As we soon celebrate the 4th of July, people often are confused about when they can legally discharge fireworks. In unincorporated Snohomish County, fireworks can only be discharged between 9am and 11:59pm on July 4. Many cities within Snohomish County set their own time regulations while others ban the use of fireworks. For a comprehensive list of the rules for each city, go to:

http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/documents/Departments/PDS/Fire_Marshall/StaySafeandLegalthis4thofJulyflyer.pdf

The Fire Marshal's Office urges you to use fireworks with care. According to the following report from The Daily Herald (http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110623/blog48/706269991/-1/rss35), in Snohomish County in 2009 and 2010 there were 196 fires started by fireworks and 77 injuries caused by fireworks. Also, during the week before the 4th and on the 4th, 911 is swamped will calls concerning fireworks hazards and injuries.

The Fire Marshal's Office recommends that you take the following measures to ensure that you have a safe time if you use fireworks:

• In case of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
• Have a bucket of water for emergencies and to douse used fireworks.
• Never build or experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers can be dangerous if unsupervised.
• Never ignite fireworks while holding them. Light one at a time, and move away quickly.
• Make sure you give yourself enough room in a safe location – away from buildings, vehicles and flammable materials.
• Never light fireworks inside a structure.
• Watch what you wear. Loose clothing can catch fire and should not be worn while handling fireworks.
• Never try to re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned. Soak them in water, then throw them away.
• Never ignite fireworks when you are under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or mind-altering narcotics.
• Never aim fireworks at vehicles.

For more information on the safe use of fireworks go to:

http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/PDS/Divisions/Fire_Marshal/FireworksPermits.htm

or call the Fire Marshal's Office at (425) 388-3557.

SCAM ALERT- Fake FBI Emails

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has passed on an alert from the Oregon State Attorney General’s Office regarding fake FBI emails that have been going around in Oregon.

The email asks the recipient for $350. In return the recipient would receive a “Clearance Certificate.” It threatens to send an agent to the recipient’s address for questioning and other legal sanctions if they fail to contact the Department of Homeland Security within 24 hours. The email also lists contact information for the FBI in Washington D.C. and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos, Nigeria.

This obviously is a new form of Nigerian scam that tries to get money from email addresses as well as personal information. DO NOT respond to these emails.

The Oregon Attorney General’s Office offers the following advice:

• Be wary of unsolicited emails.

• A government agency will never request your contact information, Social Security Number, banking information, or credit card number in an email.

• A government agency will not threaten people with legal action, such as an investigation, prosecution or jail for failure to respond to an email solicitation.

• Consider any email solicitation that lists multiple offices to be a red flag. 

 Oregon Attorney General Scam Alert:

 http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Scam-Alert--Fake-FBI-Emails.html?soid=1102899986607&aid=jFZot-sSCeA

WILLIS TUCKER PARK- Incident with BB’s

According to one of the board members of the homeowner’s association for The Falls, there was an incident last Thursday, June 9, at Willis Tucker Park. During the evening, a silver Scion with tinted windows drove by and sprayed the crowd with bb’s.  Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies responded and took a report.  Adults and children were hit but apparently no one was seriously injured.

BBB Warns of the Top Ten Consumer Scams

Earlier this year the Better Business Bureau publicized 10 common scams. Most have been around for many years but they are used persistenly:

http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/beware-scammers-and-what-look

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Felony Charges and Convictions

The Herald recently published some interesting statistics about felony charges and convictions in Snohomish County:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110609/BLOG48/706129999/-1/blog48

911- Communications Problems Final Update

On Thursday June 9, some callers had trouble contacting the SNOPAC 911 service. Frontier Communications was able to fix the problem after a few hours.

While Fox Communications was fixing the problem an alternate phone number for SNOPAC, which services the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, was distributed via Twitter by Everett PD and various local press agencies. The number was (425) 407-3970.

Note: Communications problems with 911 are a rarity in our county. For most of us, for most of the time, remembering 911 when we need it is sufficient. However, it might be a good idea to save the alternate number in your address book just in case you have trouble getting through to the local SNOPAC 911 in an emergency.

The Herald, June 10, 2011:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110609/NEWS01/706099865

SNOHOMISH- Car Prowls are on the Rise

According to this morning’s The Herald (http://heraldnet.com/article/20110613/NEWS01/706139915), the city of Snohomish has seen an increase in car prowls over the last two weeks. Snohomish police say that car prowlers are targeting mostly residential areas mostly at night although some have been during daylight hours.

The police department also reported that many victims did not lock their doors or remove valuables from sight.

Here are some reminders on how to prevent your car from being prowled:

• Roll up the windows and lock all doors.
• Use a garage or secure location whenever possible.
• Remove all items from sight. Anything, whether it is your laptop, GPS, wallet/purse, or a bag with a bottle of TUMs will attract a car prowler.
• Use an anti-theft device.

For more information go to:

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Vehicle%20Prowl.pdf

BOTHELL- Pair Arrested in Burglary Spree

Below is an article from March of this year about a pair of people, a man and a woman in their mid-20's, who had been arrested for a wide ranging burglary spree.

It highlights a common tactic by burglars. The male would knock on the front door. If someone answered he would claim that he was collecting donations for a charity. If no one answered, he would go to the back of the house to find a way inside.

The other impressive fact about this case was that the crime spree included Medina and other parts of King County, Snohomish County, and even Grays Harbor County.


The Herald:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110307/NEWS01/703079910

NORTH SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Spike in Burglaries

According to Stanwood PD, there has been a spike in residential burglaries in north Snohomish County in the last month. While there has not been any announcement of recent burglary trends in south Snohomish County, burglaries were dramatically reduced last summer. With the warmer weather and longer days burglaries become more likely occurences in our neighborhoods.

Stanwood PD recommends the following 5 actions to prevent yourself from becoming a burglary victim:

1. Lock your windows and doors.

2. Be a good neighbor and report suspicious vehicles and/or people.

3. Know what valuables are in your home. Keep (or store) a list of items and their serial numbers as well as photographs of jewelry. (Operation ID: http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Operation%20ID.pdf )


4. If you do choose to store high value items, cash, jewelry inside of your home, keep them secured in a hidden safe. If you do not have access to a safe, at least store these items in a place not likely searched by the burglar. These places might include: Under the kitchen sink with cleaning supplies, rear lower shelf of pantry, bathroom, etc. Jewelry boxes, sock and desk drawers are poor places to hide valuables.

5. Invest in a reliable, audible home alarm system.

Source: The Herald http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110603/blog41/110609933/1131/news08

Things seem to have been pretty quiet over the last few months as far as burglaries and car prowls/car thefts. Have you heard any reports of burglaries, car prowls/car thefts or suspicious activity in your neighborhood?