Can I do Fireworks on New Year's Eve?

Legal use of fireworks is ok for our neighborhood on the 31st of December from 6pm-1am (since we are located within unincorporated Clark County).  Please refer to the Fireworks Use Map when making your plans for the holiday.  Always be safe and responsible!

Fireworks Use Map

Legal use of fireworks is ok for our neighborhood on the 4th of July from 9am-midnight (since we are located within unincorporated Clark County).  Please refer to the Fireworks Use Map when making your plans for the holiday.  Always be safe and responsible!

To The City of Vancouver,

Although we are a neighborhood not in the city's limits, we've worked with the City of Vancouver for many years and also have an interest in the corridor as it is the southern boundary of our Association.

In email to the City of Vancouver, we stated our concerns with this intersection. "Although there is no left turns from Fourth Plain Blvd westbound at NE 143rd AVE, the one sign in place (at the the street median) has faded throughout the years and doesn't have enough visual and reflective quality to be effective."  As a remedy for this issue, we asked "to get that sign replaced, perhaps with a larger size and/or adding an additional no left turn sign to the overhead signal as well".  ~Christie BrownSilva, President

On behalf the Sifton Neighborhood Association, we'd like to extend a big Thank You to Mayor Leavitt, Vancouver City Council and Staff!

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

"Hot Days + Cold Water = Potentially Dangerous Combination" by CRESA 9-1-1

With temperatures predicted in the 90s this weekend, here's some important information from CRESA 9-1-1 for keeping cool and safe!

Safe & Secure Rx Disposal

Coming Up!  Rx Take Back Spring Event  - Saturday, April 25, 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.

Serving Safe and Healthy Foods

Those summer get-togethers, bbq's and block parties will have to wait for next year because fall is here.  You know what that means...food!  Get ready for those church potlucks, family gatherings and office holiday parties with these tips for serving safe and healthy foods at private community events. 

It's recommended that all food handlers get a food worker card to increase food safety at events.  Some events do require a license or permit.  For more information about food safety, including a link for food safety recalls, please visit the food page for Clark County Public Health. 

Rx Drug Take Back

Don't flush your medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash.  Dispose of unused or out-of-date prescription drugs safely!  Two drop-off locations will be open Saturday, October 26th from 10am-2pm to take back controlled and non-controlled substances.  How much was collected earlier this year?  Find out how much was collected right here in Clark County in April.

Here is a quick link to overall safe disposal of medications.  The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington accepts specific medication donations and participating pharmacies take back non-controlled substances.  Sheriff and Police Departments take back controlled substances. 

We encourage you to learn more about the Prevent! Coalition of Clark County and their extensive list of resources.   Even more information is just another click away, including more about the national initiative.

Annual Burn Ban

Reminder! No outdoor burning from July 15th through September 30th when fire danger levels are high. For burning after Sept. 30th, please check with the Fire Marshal's Office to see if the ban has been lifted.  For more information about the current ban, click here.  Information on outdoor burning including burning of yard debris and recreational fires, click here. 

Note:  Sifton is not within the Vancouver city limits but is in the Urban Growth Area of Clark County.

Boater Education

"State law requires boat operators to carry a Washington State Boater Education card when operating motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater (including personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft)." Source: WA State Parks webpage

How to get your card:

• Clark County Sheriff's Office-Marine Patrol, in conjunction with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons offer a boater education class every month on the fourth Saturday (except Nov & Dec).  The class is from 8:30am-5pm.  Cost is $10, materials provided.  To register or get more information: call Deputy Todd Baker at 360-397-2106 or e-mail todd.baker@clark.wa.gov or call Gay Sipes at 360-256-2991. Mention you're in the Sifton Neighborhood. Why? It shows that we're helping our neighbors be safe on the water!   During the summer months (June, July and August), we're offering cold beverages in the afternoon for those in class.  It's just our way of saying thank you!
• To learn more about the requirement or how to get the card with an online course, visit www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered .

For more information about your local US Coast Guard Auxiliary, visit www.flotilla78.org .

Visit www.usps.org for the United States Power Squadrons.

Know Your Location

In case of emergency, please be aware of your address no matter where you are.  When using a cell phone to call for help, having the right information and location is important.  "Residents of Clark County will begin seeing a short video Public Service Announcement "popping" up throughout our area which will ask the community if they "know their location" which is available at: http://youtu.be/4h05FrJmbwk"  Source: CRESA blog post July 10, 2013.  For more information, please visit CRESA's blog at http://cresa911.blogspot.com/.