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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- County Fire Marshal’s Office Urges Safety During the Fourth

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office has urged the public to use fireworks with safety measures during the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.

In a recent press release (http://www.co.snohomish.wa.us/documents/Departments/PDS/Fire_Marshall/execsversionof4thofJulyfireworkssafetyPressRelease.pdf) it points out that nationwide, twice as many fires are reported on July 4 than on any other day of the year. And, fireworks account for two out of five fires on July 4, more than any other cause of fires.

Knowing when you can shoot fireworks is an important element to fireworks safety. In unincorporated Snohomish County, you can only shoot fireworks between 9am and 11:59pm on July 4. Cities within Snohomish County set their own regulations regarding fireworks. The following handout lists the rules for most cities in the county:


The Fire Marshal’s Office recommends that you take the following measures to use fireworks safely:

  • 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.
  • 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 while handling fireworks.
  • never try to re-ignite fireworks that have malfunctioned; soak them in water, then throw them away.
  • never ignite fireworks while you are under the influence of alcohol and/or mind-altering drugs.
  • never aim fireworks at vehicles, homes, or people.


For more information on the safe use of fireworks, contact the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office at 425-388-3557.

For more information about fireworks go to:


One city that bans fireworks is Everett. Look at the following link to My Everett News for more information about Everett’s ban:


 

Friday, June 21, 2013

LAKE STEVENS- Sheriff’s Office Still Needs Help in Slaying of Teen

In an innovative move, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office used the reverse 911 capability, normally used for emergencies, to contact almost 4,000 phone numbers in the Lake Stevens area to ask for help in the solving the death of Molly Conley on June 2nd in an apparent random shooting.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for information about any dark colored vehicles with front end damage on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Office also continues its investigation of several reports of shots fired in the Lake Stevens and Marysville area that may be connected with Molly Conley’s death.

If you know of any information about a dark colored vehicle that recently sustained damage to the right front side, including pictures or video, please call the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (425) 388-3845.

This case has spawned $35,000 in reward offers in two reward funds, one of $10,000 another of $25,000.

This link from The Herald has more details and a link to audio of the phone call:


Also, more information from KING TV 5 news:


 

 

 

Friday, June 14, 2013

THE INTERNET- Apartment Rental Scams

Trying to find an apartment to live in can be hard work. But as a friend found out, there can be traps to online listings that seem too good to be true or too easy to rent.

He found a listing on craigslist for a furnished house in the Seattle area. The deal was that the owner lived in Florida and would send the key when they received the deposit. Once receiving the deposit, the supposed owner said that they had forgotten to charge another fee, and would my friend please forward that to them. Then my friend would receive the key. No key was sent and my friend was out a chunk of money.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers will hijack real estate listings changing the contact information so they, the scammers, receive any phone calls or emails and hook their prospective victims. Other scammers will make up listings will make up listings with homes or apartments that do not exist or are not for rent. The goal is to entice you with the promise of a great place to live for cheap. They take your money and do not deliver.

Often the scammers will say that they are in another country or another state. And, they will want money up front before you sign a lease or even have seen the rental. And they want you to “wire” the money to them.

 Craigslist has the following recommendations for avoiding scams in general:

DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts.

NEVER WIRE FUNDS VIA WESTERN UNION, MONEYGRAM or any other wire service - anyone who asks you to do so is likely a scammer.

FAKE CASHIER CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS ARE COMMON, and BANKS WILL CASH THEM AND THEN HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE when the fake is discovered weeks later.

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification"

• NEVER GIVE OUT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal info, etc.)

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING OR ESCROW SERVICES and know that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL "GUARANTEE" YOUR TRANSACTION.

DO NOT RENT HOUSING WITHOUT SEEING THE INTERIOR, OR PURCHASE EXPENSIVE ITEMS SIGHT-UNSEEN - in all likelihood that housing unit is not actually for rent and that cheap item does not exist.

DO NOT SUBMIT TO CREDIT CHECKS OR BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR A JOB OR FOR HOUSING UNTIL YOU HAVE MET THE INTERVIEWER OR LANDLORD/AGENT IN PERSON.

Craigslist web site:


 

If you are a victim of a rental scam, report it to your local police agency/sheriff’s office and to the FTC. To report to the FTC go to:



 
For more information about rental scams, go to the following web sites: