Avoid being a crime victim this holiday season
Dec 19, 2007 - Newsletter
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips
As the holiday season approaches, the rush and good will that surrounds this time can increase the opportunities for criminal activity. The West Palm Beach Police Department suggests these simple tips to assist you in having a safe and happy holiday season.
When Shopping:
Be ALERT and AWARE of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you and what activities are happening. Don’t leave the safety of a building oryour vehicle until you have ensured all is secure & safe. Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable with a place or person(s), get away.
Park in a well-lit area.
Remember to lock your vehicle!! Keep vehicle doors & windows locked while you are in it and especially when you are not!
Use anti-theft steering wheel clubs or locks as well. A thief is looking for easy targets & anything you can do to deter them from choosing your car, the better.
Minimize the number of valuables left in your vehicle and keep valuables, electronics (including cell phones and DVDs), gifts and other “theft attractors” out of sight.
Protect your purse or wallet and clean out any unnecessary items before leaving home.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash or extra credit cards.
Carry only thosecards that you will need to use that day.
Keep a master list of all cards so if your wallet is stolen, they can be reported promptly to the appropriate banking facility.
Never leave your purse, wallet or cell phone unattended in a public place.
Don’t overburden yourself with packages while shopping.
Shop with a buddy – there is safety in numbers.
Role-play with children about what should happen in the event you are separated.
Have your keys out and ready when you return to your vehicle.
Do not leave your car unattended with the motor running or with the keys in the ignition – even for the short time for paying for your gas, purchasing a soda or putting gas in your car.
Only make online purchases from trusted, secure websites. Look for
https” in the web address to verify security.
At Home:
Make sure all doors & windows have secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts, dowels, etc.) and use them!
Ensure that dark areas and entrances have outdoor lights that are turned on after dark or that are activated by sensors.
Place gifts where they can’t be seen from the outside.
Avoid opening the door to strangers. Legitimate delivery people will be able to show identification.
Investigate charities before donating by calling the charity’s main office.
Be sure to mail cards with money, checks or gift certificates from the Post Office or a blue US Postal Service collection box.
If traveling, use timers for lights and radios while you’re away. Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or Block Watch member to watch your home, and/or sign up for the West Palm Beach Police Departments’ “House Watch” program. (822-1634)
Call and have the delivery of your mail and newspapers stopped.
When Driving:
Recognize that the holidays can cause stress – keep emotions under control while driving. Give other drivers plenty of space and always leave yourself a route to avoid an accident.
If you attend parties where alcohol is served, remember to use a designated driver.
Avoid distractions like talking on a cell phone.
Take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue, especially when driving long distances. If you get tired, stop and rest until you’re able to drive with full attention.
Buckle up! That means everyone!
Be patient! Give yourself extra time for travel, especially in rain. Even in dry conditions, traffic during the holidays is heavier than normal, and it will takelonger than you expect to get around.
After The Holidays:
Pay close attention to you bills and report any unauthorized charges.
Photograph, engrave and record the serial numbers of new items and add them to your household inventory.
Hopefully by following these tips your Holidays will be safe, happy, and crime free!!
From all of us at the West Palm Beach Police Department’s Community Response Division, we want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
WPB Choral Group Delights Audience at Holiday Gathering…
Dec 19, 2007 - Newsletter
The City of West Palm Beach’s Employee Choral Group delighted a group of colleagues, family members and children at their 21st annual holiday presentation.
Director Carolyn Wilkins led the group through loads of holiday favorites, from “Let there be Peace on Earth” to “Silent Night.” The singers give their time each and every year, entertaining audiences at local nursing homes, City Hall, and other locations.
As the “opening act” for the choral group, a gathering of “Pixies” performed their own holiday magic. The group of kids from South Olive, Howard Park and Vedado Park sang their own set of holiday classics.
Look for replays of the Choral Group’s work on West Palm TV (Comcast Channel 18). Congrats to everyone who helped make the day a success and brightened the holidays for others!
Hoop it up in WPB!
Dec 05, 2007 - Newsletter
The City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation invites girls and boys between the ages of 5 (as of 9/1/07) and 14 to sign up to play basketball. The league runs from January 22 through March 8, 2008. Both new and experienced players are welcome. Registration fee is $50 resident/$65 non-resident per player which includes a basic uniform and trophy at end of season. The league is coed by division which is broken into two year age increments. Practices are held twice a week and games are on either Friday or Saturday.
Registration deadline is December 20 and can be taken at any City of West Palm Beach Community Center. The league is also looking for adult volunteer coaches. Volunteer applications can be picked up at the Administrative Offices of the Department of Parks and Recreation located at 1100 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. All coaches will have a background check preformed.
For additional program information contact (561)804-4909 or email kkollar@wpb.org.
The “Big Bang” Comes to WPB
Dec 05, 2007 - Newsletter
The homegrown rock/pop band “Big Bang Radio” is coming to Clematis by Night this Thursday, December 6th! Big Bang Radio is quickly paving their road to stardom having recently opened for the All American Rejects, The Strokes and Mat Kearney. Big Bang Radio consists of five guys representing South Florida with booming hard funk and power rock. Clematis by Night is sure to get a big bang for its buck this evening with this rockin’ local band. Join us Thursday, December 6, 2007 from 5:30 to 9:00 at Centennial Square on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach for this FREE concert!
City of WPB Among Top Digital Cities
Dec 05, 2007 - Newsletter
For the third consecutive year, the City of West Palm Beach has been honored as one of the top ten digital cities in the nation by the Center for Digital Government and Education. The City ranked seventh in the country for cities with a population between 75,000 and 124,999. The award recognizes the City for using technology to create a seamless environment between local government and constituents.
“From broadcasting the State of the City address live on-line to building a City-wide wireless internet system, West Palm Beach continues to be at the forefront of using technology to make our City a better place,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.
“This year’s winners have really raised the bar for cities,” said Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center for Digital Government. “Digital technology connects citizens with their government on a level never before achieved.” Criteria examined for the study included the ability to pay utility bills, park fees and traffic citations online; the online availability of meeting minutes from city governing bodies; and the adoption or pursuit of wireless infrastructure in public spaces.
City of West Palm Beach efforts to use technology to improve service delivery to residents include: “E-Gov Plus,” a one-stop-shop for construction, code and property information; the live streaming of the City government access station, West Palm TV, on wpb.org; and, the launching of CityConnect, an electronic newsletter to keep residents informed of City programs, events and issues via email.