La Quinta Cove

Old Town was the site for La Quinta’s first “Preparedness Party” to make citizens more aware of resources and preparations needed in case of a major disaster.  Floods, power outage, earthquake, chemical spill….it COULD happen.   In addition to incident vehicles from IID, fire department, and police, our local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) demonstrated techniques to assist in the neighborhoods should the need arise.  Here’s a look:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3579TA8Gk

On October 20, as a part of the California state-wide “Shake Out”, city staff reacted to a simulated earthquake and the resulting damages across the community.  In addition to city staff, radio operaters, representatives from the school district, Red Cross, police, fire, CVWD and IID were present to work through the scenario.  This was probably the most full-blown drill of any city in the Valley.  We residents can be proud (and feel safer). 

The scenario included bridges damaged plus loss of electricity, gas, water, and phone communications.   Agencies were activated, staff dispatched to survey and set up roadblocks, etc. and press releases were issued once some communication across the valley was established.  In this clip, Paul Hess, La Quinta Emergency services Coordinator, introduces the drill to the first shift assembled in the Emergency Operations Center, in the basement of City Hall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxZRB_vjl_s

 Community Services Officer Tom Fowler gives us some safely tips and  shows young residents the inside of a police car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHEmonuukiA

All residents be on alert, as the person lighting fires in the palm “skirts” is still  on the loose.  Both the police and fire departments need your help.  If you or your neighbors have palms with dried leaves, keep your property well lit, listen and watch for suspicious noises,call 911 to report a suspicion or an incident, and be ready to use a garden hose until the fire department arrives.

If you are driving around town and see anything suspicious or a person in your neighborhood who doesn’t belong there, call the police non-emergency number 760-836-3215 or 911 if the arson seems to be in progress.  WE ALL NEED TO BE WATCHFUL TO CATCH THIS FELLOW!

LQ Council woman, Linda Evans, welcomes local police, fire and CERT members at a BBQ during National EMS Week. Evans is an administrator at JFK Hospital, who sponsored the event to bring together ER staff and EMS workers across the Coachella Valley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfbnRRtxN7I

Last Saturday’s Pet Play Day featured a demonstration by the canine corps.  These services are available to our own police department when needed.  Here are some clips:

Inge the Bloodhound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTCl5HrgtEw

Attack dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qks1JsF4Fs

Attack dog in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnFbsJoS7As&feature=related

The City of La Quinta’s Police Department is offering an anonymous way to get involved and stop crime in the City with an extra added bonus of up to a $1,000 cash reward.  If you witness a crime or have any information regarding a crime that has been committed, call 341-STOP (7867). You don’t have to give your name! An operator will take your information and assign you a code number.  If an arrest is made, you call Crime Stoppers again, provide your code number, and a reward will be paid – no questions asked!  The operator will give instructions about how to collect the cash reward and you’ll never have to reveal your identity or sign any receipts.

This program is designed to give everyone the opportunity to be a good citizen and keep their City safe.  By keeping the Crime Stoppers number handy, you can help stop graffiti, home invasions, vandalism and acts of violence by assisting the police in finding those who are responsible for the crimes. 

REMEMBER, IF THE CRIME IS IN PROGRESS, CALL 911!

The Cove Neighborhood Association steering committee recently hosted two officers from the LQ police department. Sergeant Rick Waltch and Community Services Officer, Tom Fowler, reviewed recent crime statistics and emphasized that we all need to limit the opportunities for crimes to be committed. 

They also pointed out that LQ has been able to maintain a high level of staffing for public safety at a time when many cities are having to cut back.  Thanks to our City Council for making fire and police protection a high priority.  While officers are assigned to specific duties (traffic, patrol, etc.) each can be called from that duty when the need arises, to assist in a specific incident.  Both officers exclaimed at what a safe city La Quinta is, even in densely populated areas like LQ Cove.  We rank high in the Valley for safety….

While the overall crime rate in the Cove has been about the same over the past few years, burglary, vehicle burglary and theft are slightly up.  This means we need to be more careful with the security of our property, including cars not parked in garages. 

We were also cautioned that vacant homes can attract squatters and other vandalism, especially if the property LOOKS vacant or is in disrepair (broken windows, dead landscape, etc.).  We need to report such instances to Code Compliance and to do what we can to keep neighbors’ property looking as good as possible. 

Here’s an old video (Community Picnic Day a year or so ago) that summarizes crime prevention for residents. The information is still valid.

watch?v=uKY4W_plN2Y