Neighbors On Watch Information Night Coming Up

Neighbors On Watch is a volunteer watch program and the Clark County Sheriff's Office is hosting an informational meeting.  

"Now volunteers are trained to patrol neighborhoods throughout the county in pairs looking for suspicious activity such as car prowls and graffiti. They attend community events and other assignments as requested by the Sheriff's Office" -The Columbian 11/7/15

If you're interested in the Neighbors On Watch (NOW) info night, it's coming up Wed, Nov 18th, beginning 6:30pm at 505 NW 179th ST Ridgefield (CCSO West Precinct) near Fairgrounds.

Additional information available from Clark County Sheriff's Office Outreach Unit at 360-397-2211 ext 3380 or email sheriffcommunityoutreach@clark.wa.gov. You can also visit www.clark.wa.gov/sheriff/community/NOW.html

Rx Take Back Event Coming Up!

Coming Up!  Rx Take Back Fall Event  - Saturday, September 26, 2015.

For year-round disposal options, see this flyer.  For additional information and resources, we invite you to check out the Prevent! Coalition of Clark County or visit Clark County's medication recycling page.

You can also find this event posted on our neighborhood Facebook page.

Safe Exchange Zones

Vancouver Police and Clark County Sheriff's Office parking lots posted as Safe Exchange Zones (Photo) - 08/17/15 
"Vancouver, Wash.- On August 17, 2015, the Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office will begin offering the parking lots at their facilities as Safe Exchange Zones where individuals conducting online purchase transactions can meet with the potential buyer or seller to complete the transaction. The parking lots at the participating law enforcement buildings provide an alternative to meeting a stranger at a private residence or unfamiliar location. Signage is placed on the buildings that are designated as Safe Exchange Zones. 

"It's important to remember, everyone online is a stranger, so offering our parking lots as a place where legal transactions can occur seemed like a natural extension of our community crime prevention efforts", said Vancouver Police Chief James P. McElvain. 

"Historically, our precinct parking lots have been seen as 'neutral zones' for citizens to meet, be publicly visible, and know that a deputy may be close by if needed", says Clark County Sheriff Chuck E. Atkins. "In an era of increasing risk from online purchases, we see this as a logical component of our commitment to public safety. By providing our parking lots as a known landmark to meet and conduct legal, private transactions it's our desire to lessen the potential dangers for both buyer and seller." 

Vancouver Police or Clark County Sheriff personnel will not assist with any transactions, and gun sales are prohibited. The Safe Exchange Zone is meant for person-to-person transactions. Property may not be dropped off and left unattended; sellers are required to take their property with them if the buyer does not show up. 

The following location parking lots are designated and signed as Safe Exchange Zones: 
* Vancouver Police Administration (605 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, WA) 
* Vancouver Police West Precinct (2800 NE Stapleton Rd., Vancouver, WA) 
* Vancouver Police East Precinct (512 SE 155th Ave., Vancouver, WA) 
* Clark County Sheriff's West Precinct (505 NW 179th St., Ridgefield, WA) 
* Clark County Sheriff's Office Central Precinct (11608 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie, WA) 

Law enforcement agencies across the country are utilizing the safe exchange zone premise and both the Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office are excited to support this enhancement to community safety. "
Source: FlashAlert.net

Sources, Sources, Sources!

With the power of technology, information can travel fast!  As your official Neighborhood Association, we value the information we provide to you because you expect to receive valid news and updates from creditable sources.  Recognized by Clark County, we're proud to be YOUR neighborhood association!

"Neighbors nationwide have come together to shape the areas in which they live. By forming neighborhood associations, citizens work in partnership with their local governments to maintain or enhance the livability of their communities.

Neighborhood associations usually form when a single issue unites people in a geographic area. Concerns range from crime to traffic to development issues. From there, most groups evolve and focus on the long-range overall health of the neighborhood." *Source: Clark County Public Information and Outreach

We are proud to partner with agencies and groups all over Clark County including Clark County, WA, Neighborhood Associations Council of Clark County (NACCC), Clark County Sheriff's Office, Vancouver Fire, CRESA 9-1-1, Evergreen Public Schools, and more.  We're pleased to partner with many others across Washington State, including WSDOT.  Pending approval this fall, we've submitted an application to become an official affiliate the nationwide organization Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA). 

Although utilizing technology is a means for information to reach you quickly, please exercise due diligence, certainly in regards to using social media.  Thank You!

National Night Out 2015

Wanted: Neighborhood Watch Volunteers!

At this time, we have no active neighborhood watch volunteers from the Sifton Neighborhood.  With representation from our neighborhood, we're able to have more patrols in our area!  Please consider taking part in this program.  See below:

"The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Vancouver Police Department are accepting applications for NOW (Neighbors on Watch), a non-confrontational citizen patrol volunteer program. Citizens interested in the safety of their neighborhoods are encouraged to apply!

NOW volunteers receive specialized training and patrol in pairs throughout the city and county looking for suspicious activity such as car prowls and graffiti, attend community events and other assignments as needed. The next training academy begins in September 2015.

Applicants must be at least 21- years old, pass a background check and attend a 28 hour training academy. For the full list of volunteer qualifications visit: http://www. clark.wa.gov/sheriff/community/NOW.html.

If you live in Clark County, to request an application contact Clark County Sheriff’s Office Outreach Unit at (360) 397-2211 ext. 3380 or email:sheriffcommunityoutreach@clark.wa.gov.

Citizens who live in the city limits of Vancouver can contact the Vancouver Police NOW Program Coordinator, Kelly Cheney, at (360) 487-7467 for an application or more information. Applications are due by July 23 to be considered for the next NOW Training Academy." Source: Clark County Sheriff's Office S.A.L.T Times July 2015 edition
 

The most common type of property vandalism- Graffiti

"Graffiti hurts communities.  It's your neighborhood, get involved!"  Click here for more about Graffiti Abatement.

Did you know?  Sifton Neighborhood Association has an Adopt-A-Highway contract with the State of Washington to help with the removal of graffiti along SR-500 (Padden Parkway)? 

We have been provided the training and tools to do so, but it takes the work of volunteers to make it happen.  It takes less time than you think, we try to keep our clean ups (park, road, highway) as close to an hour or less.  As the saying goes, "many hands make light work".

If you'd like to help clean up graffiti on the sound wall along the Padden Parkway Trail and/or remove litter, contact us!

For graffiti on private property, we encourage owners to report it then remove it ASAP.  It helps law enforcement tremendously if pictures of the graffiti are submitted with the report.  You can even file a crime report online.

*Source:  Clark County Sheriff's Office

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT)

Clark County Senior Citizens, this is just for you!  We encourage you to know about SALT! Seniors and Law Enforcement Together is a partnership between our Senior community members and our local Law Enforcement. 

 

Meetings are free and open to senior citizens. 

 

The SALT newsletter is an excellent source of information, including how to better protect yourself from scams and other useful tips.  Here's the latest edition of the SALT newsletter.

 

To receive the free monthly S.A.L.T. Times Newsletter, call 397-2211 ext. 3380 or send an e-mail to: sheriffcommunityoutreach@clark.wa.gov.

For other formats: Clark County ADA Office, Voice (360) 397-2000, Relay (800) 833-6384, E-mail ADA@clark.wa.gov