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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-2018 Public Safety Task Force Special Meeting Agenda Packet Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 2 SARATOGA PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE SPECIAL MEETING October 4, 2018 5:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING Joan Pisani Community Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue, Saratoga CA 95070 ROLL CALL REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA The agenda for this meeting was properly posted on September 28, 2018. AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve draft minutes from the August 23, 2018 meeting. 2. Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan Recommended Action: Finalize the transition plan and final recommendations to the City Council, as directed by the City Council at the March 2018 Work Plan Study Session. 3. Public Safety Postcard Recommended Action: Provide feedback on the November public safety postcard. 4. Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering Recommended Action: Conduct a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders and the City of Saratoga Neighborhood Watch program. ADJOURNMENT CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA PACKET, & COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT I, Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Public Safety Task Force was posted and available for review on September 28, 2018 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 2 Signed this 28th day of September 2018 at Saratoga, California. Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Public Safety Task Force by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070. In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 408.868.1269. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 5.102- 35.104 ADA title II] PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE AGENDA PLANNER MEETING DATE AGENDA ITEMS March 27, 2017  Nomination of Chair/Vice Chair  Overview of State/City Laws & Policies  Review Public Safety Task Force Objectives, Development of Work Plan  Meeting Schedule  Future Agenda Items April 27, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Review of Public Safety Statistics  Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan May 25, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Solved Crime/Arrest Data  Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan  Future Agenda Items June 22, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Public Safety Metrics (Arrest Data: on-view vs warrant, Calls for Service)  Work Plan Implementation Council Priorities & Implementation Timeline  City Budget Overview  Work Plan Item: Improved Public Safety Webpage  Work Plan Item: Mobile App that Includes Public Safety Information  Future Agenda Items July 27, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Work Plan Item: Mobile App  Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates  CERT Overview  Future Agenda Items August 24, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Mobile App  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Scheduling the Saratoga Safety Fair & CERT/Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates  Future Agenda Items September 28, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Future Agenda Items October 26, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering – Debrief  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Webpage  Ongoing Success and Sustainability of Neighborhood Watch o Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Process/Guidelines o Work Plan Item: Guidelines for Keeping Neighborhood Watch Groups Active  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Future Agenda Items November 28, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (Fundraising Plan)  Public Safety Task Force Budget Requests  Work Plan Item: Increase Neighborhood Watch Groups  Future Agenda Items January 25, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Task Force Work Plan and Status Update  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (including resource booth outreach)  Preparation for Joint Meeting with Saratoga CERT Leadership  Public Safety Postcard  Neighborhood Watch Brochure  Future Agenda Items February 22, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Joint Meeting with CERT Leadership o Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch/CERT Collaboration o Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Commission Work Plan Study Session & Task Force Work Plan  Neighborhood Watch Brochure  Future Agenda Items March 5, 2018 Commission Work Plan Study Session March 22, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Commission Work Plan Study Session Debrief  Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Registration Process, Neighborhood Watch Guidelines  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (Status Update)  Future Agenda Items April 21, 2018 Neighborhood Watch/CERT Get Together 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saratoga Prospect Center, Friendship Hall April 26, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering Debrief  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Registration Process, Neighborhood Watch Guidelines  Future Agenda Items May 20, 2018 Saratoga Safety Fair 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. West Valley College, Campus Center May 24, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Public Safety Postcard (August 2018)  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair Debrief  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Guide  Future Agenda Items June 28, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Neighborhood Watch Initiation, Protocols, and Privacy Concerns  Future Agenda Items July 26, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Fall Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering  Rescheduling November Meeting Date  Future Agenda Items August 23, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Fall Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering  Future Agenda Items September 27, 2018 MEETING CANCELED October 4, 2018 Special Meeting  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Public Safety Postcard (November 2018)  Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) October 25, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering Debrief  Public Safety Postcard (November 2018)  Future Agenda Items November 22, 2018 MEETING CANCELED RESOLUTION 17-010 - PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE ROLE/DUTY: “The Public Safety Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters related to public safety and is charged with providing recommendations that can be considered and utilized by the City Council to enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga.” PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP FIRST NAME LAST NAME NOMINATED BY CITY EMAIL Ray Cosyn Mayor Bernald rcosyn@saratoga.ca.us John Hirokawa Chair Vice Mayor Cappello jhirokawa@saratoga.ca.us Rebecca Jepsen Council Member Lo rjepsen@saratoga.ca.us Chuck Page Vice Chair Council Member Miller cpage@saratoga.ca.us Arun Venkatachar Council Member Kumar avenkatachar@saratoga.ca.us PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE WORK PLAN Approved June 7, 2017, Revised March 5, 2018 MISSION: Enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga. GOAL: Bring greater awareness to public safety through outreach and education; strengthen partnerships between residents and their neighbors, the City, and public safety agencies; and monitor and track progress of City efforts. PROPOSED ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION 1. Outreach and Education: A. Create an improved public safety website  Review existing content and provide staff with recommended changes before the launch of the new City website, scheduled for late summer/early fall 2017. B. Create a mobile app that includes public safety information  Provide staff with recommendations for desired content and functionality to be implemented in mobile app available through CivicPlus.  Review effectiveness of mobile app after implementation. C. Increase public safety communications on a broad range of public safety topics and provide regular communications on public safety (as needed or on a set schedule)  Create a public safety communications plan that identifies the audience, strategies for communicating (including priority messages/information and communication frequency), format for communications (such as email), and measure for success.  Include schools in communication efforts to target parents. D. Hold a Saratoga Safety Fair that provides residents with a variety of public safety resources, including information on domestic violence reporting/prevention, identity theft prevention, and burglary prevention  Identify event objectives and create an estimated event budget  Request event funding from the City council  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years 2. Strengthen Partnerships: A. Host a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years B. Increase the number of Neighborhood Watch groups  Identify areas without a Neighborhood Watch  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in Neighborhood Watch, including CERT members that may not be part of an existing Neighborhood Watch C. Encourage collaboration between Neighborhood Watch and CERT by working to have 1 CERT member per neighborhood  Identify Neighborhood Watch groups without active CERT Members  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in CERT D. Review process and guidelines for forming Neighborhood Watch groups  Recommend changes to the City’s Neighborhood Watch registration process, if necessary E. Establish guidelines for keeping Neighborhood Watch groups active  Survey or solicit input from Neighborhood Watch groups to better understand what has worked well and should be avoided when forming Neighborhood Watch groups or keeping them active  Draft a guide for keeping a Neighborhood Watch group active 3. Monitor and Track Progress: A. Develop a metric for measuring success of public safety efforts, such as arrest rates  Work with Sheriff’s Office to identify effective measures for tracking progress, including crime rates, calls to 911, and arrest rates or case solved rates  Identify regular review period (such as annual or quarterly) to monitor success B. Measure/monitor engagement of Neighborhood Watch groups  Create Neighborhood Watch survey for leads to inquire about activities and engagement  Regularly review Neighborhood Watch registration and grant applications (such as annual or quarterly) 4. Council Directed Items A. Transition Plan  Create transition plan that provides guidance and recommendation for the City Council to consider following the sunset of the Task Force in November 2018. B. Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Review the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018 and provide the City Council with a recommendation on whether to support the initiative. CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES & DIRECTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION: - Improve Public Safety Website - Communications and Outreach o Include schools in outreach to target parents - Gathering of Neighborhood Watch Leaders - Development of metric(s) - Present any budget requests that may be needed to achieve work plan items to the Council by the December 6, 2017 City Council Meeting Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 3 MINUTES AUGUST 23, 2018 PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING Chair John Hirokawa called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. in the Linda Callon Conference Room at City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chair John Hirokawa, Members Ray Cosyn, Rebecca Jepsen ABSENT: Vice Chair Chuck Page (excused), Member Arun Venkatachar (excused) ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Captain Rich Urena, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 17, 2018. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve draft minutes from the July 26, 2018 meeting. JEPSEN/COSYN MOVED TO APPROVE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE JULY 26, 2018 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, HIROKAWA, JEPSEN. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: PAGE, VENKATACHAR. 2. Public Safety Metrics Recommended Action: Review monthly update to public safety metrics. Metrics will be provided at the meeting. Captain Rich Urena provided an update on the public safety metrics from July, which included 3 residential burglaries and 4 commercial burglaries. 3 Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 3 3. Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan Recommended Action: Continue development of a transition plan and final recommendations to the City Council, as directed by the City Council at the March 2018 Work Plan Study Session. Task Force Member Jepsen recommended that the City create a new, formalized orientation program for new Neighborhood Watch groups that is led by a member of a team of trained individuals, which could include staff, Task Force Members, and/or City volunteers. The orientation could include information on how to form a new group, keep existing groups active, and other best practices. Chair Hirokawa and Task Force Member Cosyn concurred with the recommendation. The Task Force revisited past discussions on the continuation of the Task Force compared to formation of a Commission. Chair Hirokawa, Task Force Member Cosyn, and Task Force Member Jepsen concurred on continuation of the Task Force with new membership. Task Force Member Cosyn recommended sending a message from the Mayor to each Neighborhood Watch lead to express appreciation for their efforts. Task Force Member Jepsen concurred. Chair Hirokawa noted that the data shows the effectiveness of the Task Force and that the Neighborhood Watch gatherings have been well attended. Task Force Member Jepsen commented on the Task Force’s achievements, including pulling CERT and Neighborhood Watch together, the Safety Fair, and the postcards. She recommended continuing all exiting efforts initiated by the Task Force. The Task Force requested that the Transition Plan be presented to the City Council on November 7, 2018. 4. Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering Recommended Action: Discuss and develop plans for the Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering, scheduled for October 4, 2018 in the Joan Pisani Community Center Multipurpose Room. The Task Force requested a summer of crime trends over the last few years. Task Force Member Cosyn recommended a presentation from the County Fire Department. The Task Force concurred and requested that 15 minutes be added to the program for the new Fire Chief by reducing the amount of time for small group discussions. The Task Force discussed the small group discussion topics and agreed on the following topics: 1. How long has your group existed? 2. How many homes are in your group? 4 Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 3 3. What, if any, struggles did you have getting started? 4. What, if any, struggles do you have communicating? 5. What are you doing to keep your group active? 6. What are the biggest challenges you face? 7. How have things changed for your group in the last year? 8. What do you need from the City and how can the Public Safety Task Force help? The Task Force requested that the Mayor provide opening remarks at the beginning of the event. 5. Future Agenda Items Recommended Action: Consider agenda items for upcoming meetings. The next meeting is on September 27, 2018. The Task Force agreed to cancel the September meeting and schedule a special meeting on October 4, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Hirokawa adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager City of Saratoga 5 CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum To: Public Safety Task Force From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Date: October 4, 2018 Subject: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan At the March 2018 Work Plan Study Session, the City Council directed the Task Force to create a transition plan that provides guidance and final recommendations for the City Council to consider following after the scheduled sunset of the Task Force in November 2018. The Task Force discussed the Transition Plan at the June, July, and August meetings. At the August meeting, the Task Force narrowed the recommendations to the list below with the intent to make adjustments as need and vote on the final recommendations during a special meeting on October 4, 2018. During the August meeting, the Task Force requested that the final recommendations be presented to the City Council at the November 7, 2018 City Council Meeting. The Task Force’s work plan (including current progress) is attached. Public Safety Task Force Recommendations 1. Extend the term of the Task Force beyond November 2018 with new members. 2. Create a formalized Neighborhood Watch Orientation, which is required as part of the registration process, that is led by a member of trained team of individuals that could include staff, volunteers, or Task Force Members. 3. Conduct the Safety Fair annually. 4. Conduct biannual Neighborhood Watch lead gatherings. 5. Continue mailing quarterly public safety postcards to all households in Saratoga. 6. Send a letter from the Mayor to Neighborhood Watch leads to express appreciation for their service to the community. 7. Use the City seal or clear branding for Neighborhood Watch messages from the City. 8. Establish the City as the only source of Neighborhood Watch messaging. 9. Create guidelines for Neighborhood Watch leads who are sharing and distributing information to their neighbors. 6 PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE WORK PLAN Approved by the City Council June 7, 2017, Revised March 5, 2018 MISSION: Enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga. GOAL: Bring greater awareness to public safety through outreach and education; strengthen partnerships between residents and their neighbors, the City, and public safety agencies; and monitor and track progress of City efforts. ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS 1. Outreach and Education: A. Create an improved public safety website  Review existing content and provide staff with recommended changes before the launch of the new City website, scheduled for late summer/early fall 2017. Completed. The Task Force recommendations included a safety button on the homepage, strong search tool, and additional home protection information on the website. The Task Force also requested that the website include crime data in response to feedback from the Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering in October 2017. B. Create a mobile app that includes public safety information  Provide staff with recommendations for desired content and functionality to be implemented in mobile app available through CivicPlus.  Review effectiveness of mobile app after implementation. Completed. The Task Force made a number of recommendations on the mobile app, such as providing a variety of safety information, including traffic safety information or areas of potential congestion due to construction, and use of mobile notifications to share safety information. Per City Council direction, development of the mobile app was placed on hold. C. Increase public safety communications on a broad range of public safety topics and provide regular communications on public safety (as needed or on a set schedule)  Create a public safety communications plan that identifies the audience, strategies for communicating (including priority messages/information and communication frequency), format for communications (such as email), and measure for success.  Include schools in communication efforts to target parents. Completed. In response to input from the Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering in October 2017, the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter started getting emailed quarterly in January 2018. City Council authorized funding for mailing a quarterly public safety postcard to residents quarterly in December 2017. The first quarterly postcard was sent in February 2018. D. Hold a Saratoga Safety Fair that provides residents with a variety of public safety resources, including information on domestic violence reporting/prevention, identity theft prevention, and burglary prevention  Identify event objectives and create an estimated event budget  Request event funding from the City Council  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy Completed. City Council authorized funding for the Saratoga Safety Fair in December 2017 and the event was held on May 20, 2018 at West Valley College. At the May 2018 meeting, the Task Force recommended holding the event again in 2019 at the Joan Pisani Community Center. 7  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years 2. Strengthen Partnerships: A. Host a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years Completed. Gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders was held in October 2017. A gathering is also planned for fall 2018. B. Increase the number of Neighborhood Watch groups  Identify areas without a Neighborhood Watch  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in Neighborhood Watch, including CERT members that may not be part of an existing Neighborhood Watch Completed. The Task Force identified areas in the City without a Neighborhood Watch group. Additionally, a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leads and CERT members was held on April 21, 2018 to bring greater awareness to both programs. Since the Task Force’s first meeting in March 2017, the number of Neighborhood Watch Groups registered with the City has grown from 41 to 70. C. Encourage collaboration between Neighborhood Watch and CERT by working to have 1 CERT member per neighborhood  Identify Neighborhood Watch groups without active CERT Members  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in CERT Completed. The Task Force and CERT leadership held a joint meeting in February 2018 to discuss strategies for integrating Neighborhood Watch and CERT. Additionally, the Task Force hosted a Neighborhood Watch and CERT gathering in April 2018 to introduce members of both groups and encourage collaboration. D. Review process and guidelines for forming Neighborhood Watch groups  Recommend changes to the City’s Neighborhood Watch registration process, if necessary Completed. The Task Force discussed and reviewed the registration process and registration materials. Recommended changes included communicating the ease to register, providing more support for newly forming groups, such as assistance establishing boundaries. The Task Force also recommended holding quarterly introductory meetings for anyone interested in learning more about Neighborhood Watch, which will begin in July 2018. The Task Force also created a Neighborhood Watch brochure. 8 E. Establish guidelines for keeping Neighborhood Watch groups active  Survey or solicit input from Neighborhood Watch groups to better understand what has worked well and should be avoided when forming Neighborhood Watch groups or keeping them active  Draft a guide for keeping a Neighborhood Watch group active Completed. The Task Force recommended that the City Council require Neighborhood Watch groups show proof of holding a social gathering at least once a year to remain registered. In May 2018, the Task Force finalized a Neighborhood Watch guide. 3. Monitor and Track Progress: A. Develop a metric for measuring success of public safety efforts, such as arrest rates  Work with Sheriff’s Office to identify effective measures for tracking progress, including crime rates, calls to 911, and arrest rates or case solved rates  Identify regular review period (such as annual or quarterly) to monitor success Completed. The Task Force reviewed various public safety metrics and receives monthly updates. B. Measure/monitor engagement of Neighborhood Watch groups  Create Neighborhood Watch survey for leads to inquire about activities and engagement  Regularly review Neighborhood Watch registration and grant applications (such as annual or quarterly) Completed. The Task Force completed the Neighborhood Watch survey in June 2018 and reviewed the application and registration process. 4. Council Directed Items A. Transition Plan  Create transition plan that provides guidance and recommendation for the City Council to consider following the sunset of the Task Force in November 2018. In progress. The Task Force started drafting the transition plan at the June 2018 meeting. The Task Force is scheduled to finalize its transition plan at the October 4, 2018 meeting. B. Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Review the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018 and provide the City Council with a recommendation on whether to support the initiative. Completed. The Task Force recommended that the City Council take no position on the measure at the July 2018 meeting. 9 CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum To: Public Safety Task Force From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Date: October 4, 2018 Subject: Public Safety Postcard At the recommendation of the Public Safety Task Force, the City Council allocated funds in the Fiscal Year 2018/19 budget to send a postcard with public safety messaging to Saratoga residents on a quarterly basis. Postcards are 6.25 inches by 9 inches and are mailed to all residences in the 95070 zip code. In previous discussions on the postcard, the Task Force has requested that postcard include: - A seasonal message - 6 bullet pointed safety tips - Summary statement - Call to action - Bulleted tips from Captain Urena on the front The next postcard is scheduled to be mailed in November. A draft of the postcard is attached and below is the postcard mailing schedule. Mailing Schedule: - August 2018 - November 2018 - February 2019 - May 2019 10 See Something Say Something CITY OF SARATOGA PUBLIC SAFETY TIPS ** There's Snow Better Time for Safety! ** Check out these tips from the City of Saratoga to keep you and your family safe this winter. 1. Help holiday gifts arrive on time. Immediately report package thefts to 911, including anyone not in a delivery company uniform removing packages from doorsteps. 2. Keep out cold weather and crooks. Always lock windows and doors, including your home, garage, side gates, and car. 3. Never leave valuable items in your vehicle or trunk, even if your vehicle is locked or you are away from your car for a short period. Thieves move as quickly as Rudolph! 4. If you plan to leave town for winter break, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up mail and newspapers or request a temporary stop on deliveries. 5. Online shopping is a great way to beat mall crowds, but watch out for cyber criminals. Use secure payment methods and do not transfer money directly to sellers for online purchases. 6. Prepare for winter storms and any surprise Mother Nature may throw at you. Sign up for a Personal Emergency Preparedness Class or join the City of Saratoga Community Emergency Response Team at www.saratoga.ca.us/CERT. Make the most of this winter by following these tips! ** New Neighborhood Watch Requirement ** Neighborhood Watch groups are now required to hold 1 neighborhood gathering per calendar year to stay registered. Make sure your group is eligible for the Neighborhood Watch grant and stays on the Neighborhood Watch map by holding your neighborhood activity/gathering/get together by December 2018. For ideas and more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/neighborhoodwatch. 11 CITY OF SARATOGA13777 FRUITVALE AVESARATOGA, CA 95070CITY o f S ARATO G A CALIFO R N IA1956 ** Get On the Map ** NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MAP Is your home part of a Neighborhood Watch group? Connect with your group or learn about starting one. www.saratoga.ca.us/neighborhoodwatch ** Tip from Captain rich ** Winter can make driving a challenge. Here are some tips to keep you safe: * Slow down for wet roads to avoid hydroplaning * Leave plenty of room behind the driver in front of you to maintain safe braking distance * If you feel your car starting to skid, look and steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on the brakes ** More Information ** www.saratoga.ca.us/stayingsafe 12