ScottsdaleAZ.Gov

 September 11^th and
Emergency Preparedness

As the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 approaches, remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity is a top priority for our community. This article highlights potential terrorist activity related to the Sept. 11, 2001 anniversary.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security jointly issued an intelligence bulletin last month outlining the continuing threat from al-Qa’ida, its affiliates, and Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVE). It is well known that al-Qa’ida’s preference is to conduct acts of violence centered around important and/or symbolic dates. The 10-year anniversary of 9/11 would fit into this category.

We are asking all citizens to refresh your knowledge of the 8 Signs of Terrorism:

• Surveillance – May include drawing diagrams, note taking, or vision-enhancing devices to monitor or record facilities and activities.
• Elicitation – Attempts to obtain information on the people, procedures, or security of a facility.
• Tests of Security – Attempts to breach security measures or assess response times. 
• Fundraising – Attempts to raise funds via legitimate or criminal activities.
• Acquiring supplies – Gathering harmful chemicals, infected materials, or other supplies for attacks
• Suspicious persons – Person(s) who do not appear to belong in a given setting due to unusual behavior. 
• Dry/trial runs – Preparatory behaviors such as practice runs or route planning
• Deploying assets – Placing people and supplies into place to commit the attack.

NOTE: A comprehensive video on the 8 Signs of Terrorism is available at: http://www.azactic.gov/Video/

The Scottsdale Police Department Criminal Intelligence Unit requests that any information involving suspicious activity be reported as soon as possible to the Police Department at 312-5000 or to TLO@scottsdaleaz.gov

September is National Preparedness Month

Developing an emergency preparedness plan for your family is a key part to consider in the event of an emergency situation(s). Often times your family is spread out at different locations: work, school, friend’s home, or your home. Developing a plan and making every family member involved prepares you for what emergencies may arise in the future. Different emergency situations call for planning. Having an out-of state contact, knowing your local emergency information, and developing training exercises for your family will reinforce the importance of a plan. Crucial decisions such as should you “stay in shelter” or go can be decided by following the plan and following instructions from your emergency officials. Making a Go Kit is necessary for your family. A checklist can be made to determine what is needed in your Go Kit for your specific family needs: food and water, medication, money, contact information, and locations to meet are some ideas. Discussing this information with your family will place them a step ahead if any disaster was to strike Arizona. Brain storming and allowing your children to be a part of this process can allow unity and communication for your family’s plan. For more information about building your family emergency plan and a Go Kit please visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/emergencies

Packages From HOME Donation Site – SPD McKellips District; 7601 E. McKellips RD – Buildings A & B and Via Linda District; 9065 E. Via Linda.

A simple yet effective way to directly help our military men and women currently deployed is to donate items or money to the non-profit organization, "Packages from Home". Since 2004 Packages From Home has sent thousands of useful, day-to-day items to our troops to ease their long deployments away from home.

The Scottsdale Police Department has partnered with the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors (SAAR) in this effort for the last 2 years, and is joining forces once again in 2011. This year’s donation drive is up and running and will go through September 2011. Collection bins are currently at the District 1 Facility; 7601 E. McKellips. Donations can be brought to the lobby of the Crime Lab/Property and Evidence Building, or can be given to the Station Officer at the Police Building. Please contact Officer Jen Wattier at (480) 312-0275 for more information.  Flyer.  

Public Safety Community Contact Numbers
and E-mail Links

• Scottsdale Police Non-Emergency (480) 312-5000
• Scottsdale Fire Department  (480) 312-8000 
• SPD Drug Enforcement Hotline - Suspected illegal activity, (480) 312-TIPS (Hot lines are not monitored)
• SPD Traffic Enforcement Hotline - chronic traffic problems, (480) 312-CARS
• Code Enforcement (480) 312-2546
• Child Safety Seat Installation (480) 312-BABY
• CPR/First Aid Classes (480) 312-1817

From the Desk of Commander Bill Wilton

The FBI just announced their Free Child I.D. App. It is currently only available for the iPhone but they are hoping to have the application available for other mobile devices in the near future:

Taken from The FBI’s website:
You're shopping at the mall with your children when one of them suddenly disappears. A quick search of the nearby area is unsuccessful. What do you do?

Now there's a free new tool from the FBI that can help. The recently launched Child ID app—the first mobile application created by the FBI—provides a convenient place to electronically store photos and vital information about your children so that it’s literally right at hand if you need it. You can show the pictures and provide physical identifiers such as height and weight to security or police officers on the spot. Using a special tab on the app, you can also quickly and easily e-mail the information to authorities with a few clicks.

The app also includes tips on keeping children safe as well as specific guidance on what to do in those first few crucial hours after a child goes missing.

We encourage you to share the word about this app with family and friends, especially during upcoming activities in your communities to raise awareness on crime and drug prevention. For its part, the FBI is working to publicize the app with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)—its long-time partner in the National Child Identification Program, which provides a physical kit to gather your child’s pictures, fingerprints, personal characteristics, and even DNA to keep with you in case of emergency. The AFCA is producing a public service announcement about the app and will spread the word at various football games during the upcoming season.

To download the app, follow this link:

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/
august/child_080511/child_080511 

Commander Bill Wilton
(480) 312-8803
wwilton@scottsdaleaz.gov 

Upcoming Events

September 11^th Day of Remembrance 9/11 Day of Remembrance: Activities begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, with the reading of victims' names in the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Atrium, 7380 E. Second St. The program continues at 6 p.m. in the Virginia G. Piper Theater with keynote speakers, a candlelight vigil and patriotic music.

A variety of exhibits will be on display Sept. 9-13 in the Atrium. They include a 9/11 Memorial Wall with 2,996 full-color memorial cards with biographical information and a photograph of each of the fallen victims. A National Unity Flag, standing nearly three-stories high and signed by the entire U.S. Senate in 2002, also will be on display.

This event also recognizes Sept. 11 as National Day of Service and Remembrance. Service agencies, city departments and non-profit groups will provide information on volunteerism. Those interested in participating may contact Capt. John Ferry at (480) 268-4315 or jferry@ScottsdaleAZ.gov. More information about the service initiative is available at www.911dayofservice.org.

El Zaribah Shrine Circus 2011
Come one, come all to the “Sparkling Jewel Among Circuses of the World!” Ride the elephants, have your face painted, and play on bounce-a-lots!

• Where: Westworld, 16601 N. Pima Road
• When: September 16-18, Friday: 6:30pm; Saturday and Sunday: 11:00a.m., 3:00p.m., 6:30p.m.
• Tickets: $15.00 each
• Military and Seniors: $12.00 each
• Children under 12 admitted free with paying adult

For additional information contact: El Zaribah Shriners (480) 946-3696

FREE Shredding – Saturday October 8^th 2011 from 8:00 – 11:00 am at the McKellips District Police Station; 7601 E. McKellips. Please contact Officer Jen Wattier at (480) 312-0275 for more information. Flyer. 

For more information on crime prevention or additional opportunities to get involved in YOUR community contact Crime Prevention Officer Jason Glenn  at 480-312-8802, email: jglenn@scottsdaleaz.gov, or District 4 Police Aide Shannon Ziemba at 480-312-8801, email: sziemba@scottsdaleaz.gov.