MARYLOU YUSKIEWICZ TRI-TOWN EDITOR TRI-TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER *GATES - GREECE - OGDEN* JANUARY CALENDAR

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1 MARYLOU YUSKIEWICZ TRI-TOWN EDITOR TRI-TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER *GATES - GREECE - OGDEN* JANUARY 2015 JANUARY CALENDAR JANUARY JANUARY 1 JANUARY 9 JANUARY 19 BLOOD DONOR, MENTAL WELLNESS, GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH NEW YEAR S DAY NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY (SEE BELOW) MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

2 JANUARY 10AM ELLEN GUERDAT As we are all aware, Law Enforcement is under attack both by words and by people who want to harm them. Concerns of Police Survivors both the National Chapter and the local Chapters have said enough is enough. It is time to let our Law Enforcement Officers know that they are appreciated for what they do. Friday, January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) developed by the National chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. Genesee Valley C.O.P.S. and the Town of Gates are having a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Pro Police Rally held on Friday, January 9th, 2015 at 10 AM at the Gates Recreation Center at Gates Town Hall 1605 Buffalo Road Rochester, NY There will be some speakers but the biggest guest will be Law Enforcement Officers. Please come and show support for our Law Enforcement and show your appreciation. Anyone can attend refreshments are available. GATES POLICE LT. JON BALLARD

3 New Year s Eve will be here in another day or two. This is traditionally one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. According to MADD (mothers against drunk driving) New Year s Day is the most dangerous day of the year for drunk driving on our nation s roadways. On New Year s Day in 2012 after the midnight toasts 70 people were killed in drunk driving crashes nationwide, representing over half of all traffic fatalities. Here in Gates we have seen numerous motor vehicle accidents over the last couple of months that were caused by drivers who were intoxicated. Some of these MVA s caused serious injuries to several different people. Other DWI MVA s in the county have resulted in several deaths. One DWI we had in December of this year tried to flee from a Police Officer and in doing so she turned onto the canal path instead of RT 390. Due to a flat tire her car came to stop only about 15 feet from going over the cliff into the canal. Here are some tips from MADD on how to celebrate the new year safely: Designate a non-drinking driver to make sure you and everyone with you arrive home safely. Save the number of a local cab service in your phone prior to heading out, consider hiring a shuttle or limousine service to transport you and your friends to and from your event, or arrange a hotel stay for you and your friends on the evening of the event so no one drives home impaired. Don t get in a car with someone who has been drinking. Planning a party? Plan activities like party games or door prizes. Planned activities engage people, make for less active consumption of alcohol, and ensure that your friends remember the great event long after the last piece of confetti has settled. As guests RSVP, confirm that at least one person in each group is prepared to be the sober designated driver and/or has a plan to get home. Provide plenty of food to keep your guests from drinking on an empty stomach. Offer non-alcoholic beverages or mocktails for designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol. Be prepared by having the number of a taxi service on hand for those who need a ride. Also, be ready with some clean linens so you can turn your sofa into a bed for guests who need to sleep it off. You can make celebrating the New Year a true celebration by preventing drunk driving and saving lives.

4 ASST. CHIEF DAN DISALVO Observed throughout the month of January, National Blood Donor Month (NBDM) provides an opportunity for people to donate blood or pledge to give blood at a time of the year when it is typically in short supply. Facts about blood needs Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O. The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs. Sickle cell disease affects more than 70,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. Facts about the blood supply The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 15.7 million The number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 9.2 million Although an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10% actually do each year.

5 Blood cannot be manufactured it can only come from generous donors. Type O-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply. Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply. Facts about the blood donation process Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments. Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood. The actual blood donation typically takes less than minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min. A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days. A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year. You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. To donate blood or fund a Blood Drive near you, Call RED CROSS ( ) or go to:

6 MCSO B-ZONE DEPUTY RICH TANTALO Welcome to another edition of Crime Prevention Corner with Deputy Rich Tantalo. This month Deputy Tantalo joined Sheriff O Flynn to speak about holiday safety. The Sheriff said, It s great to be here and we want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. The holidays are a time to enjoy family and celebrate and we d hate to see that marred with an unfortunate situation of someone being injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident due to the carelessness of someone drinking and driving. So if you re going to enjoy yourself and party, make sure you make arrangements to get home safely. Deputy Tantalo said, I want to give a special thanks to Sheriff Patrick O Flynn and the Monroe County Sheriff s Foundation for all their support during the year. We re working today for a safer tomorrow. Watch Deputy Tantalo video:

7 GREECE POLICE OFFICER JAMES LEARY Over the last several weeks we have seen a increase in SCAMS being reported by the media. One that has been receiving a lot of attention is the Snow Plow Contract. Individuals sign and prepay for a season snow plow contract and after the first significant snow fall no shows up to plow. In any type of contract where you are looking for services to be performed by a company or independent contractor there are a few suggestions you should follow to try to protect yourself from being a victim of a SCAM. Ask for references and check with some to see if the contractor performs the work as required by the contract. Check the records of the local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints filed against the contractor., and what the complaints are if any. Check with the local State Attorney Generals Officer to see if they have any complaints filed against the specific contractor. Do not pay for the full contract up front. Pay part to start the work then as the work is completed pay more of the contract Do some online research of the contractor/company. See how long they have been in business, check the business address and make sure it matches what they tell you. Try to avoid businesses with PO Box as a address. Call the phone number listed to see if someone answers your call or does it go directly to voice mail, if it goes to voice mail leave a message and see if you call is returned and how long it takes. In closing, I would like to inform everyone that effective January 3, 2015 my position as Community Services Officer will be eliminated by the Greece Police Department. Over my time as liaison with all the Neighborhood Watch Groups and particularly The Tri-Town group it has been a honor and privilege to interact with a group of caring and dedicated individuals. The group could not have lasted as long as it has nor accomplish as much without the leadership of Marylou. I want to publicly thank her for all her hard work.

8 GLENN GREIBUS PROGRAM COORDINATOR I am pleased to inform the readers of the Tri-Town newsletter the THIRTY-SIXTH (36 th ) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes will be offered by the Homeland Security Management Institute of Monroe Community College through grants to the Monroe County Office of Emergency Management. Classes will take place at the Public Safety Training Facility, 1190 Scottsville road on eight Wednesday evenings from 6:00 9:00 p.m. from March 11 th to April 29 th. We have 25 seats available for residents of Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston and Orleans counties who are at least eighteen years of age. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. As past classes have filled quickly we encourage everyone to register as soon as possible. For additional information or to register please contact me at Tel. (585) or via at ggreibus@monroecc.edu For more information on the National CERT program please visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency s website: For more information on Monroe County s CERT program please contact Frederick Rion Jr., Monroe County Office of Emergency Management, Tel. (585) , via at frion@monroecounty.gov or visit: If you would like more information regarding the Town of Greece CERT program please contact Jamie Cary, Ridge Road Fire District Tel. (585) or via at jcary@rrfd.org If you would like more information regarding the Town of Ogden CERT program please contact Sergeant Christopher Mears, Ogden Police Department Tel. (585) , via at police@ogdenny.com or visit their webpage at y%20response%20team.pdf

9 In the midst of a grey January cold snap, it may be hard to think about healthy living. But January is national Mental Wellness Month. Created to promote the use of wellness principles by all individuals, regardless of their mental status, the observance day comes at a time when most of us need a gentle reminder. The first flush of new year s resolutions has faded, and six or more weeks of winter stretch ahead.january is National Mental Wellness Month. In honor of that consider some strategies to reduce stress: 1. Develop a positive attitude--people with positive attitudes are apt to be happier, more successful, and better able to handle crisis and stress. And in concert with the positive attitude, get an attitude of gratitude for what you have instead of dwelling on what you don't. 2. Avoid negative self-talk--laugh at your mistakes and say I'll remember next time. 3. View a crisis situation as an opportunity--creative problem solving can expand your options. Try to make a list of good things that could result from the problem you're having to solve. 4. Laugh--Humor is a great stress reducer. Studies indicate laughter can make you healthier. 5. Exercise--Regular exercise increases energy and releases brain biochemical to ward off depression and anxiety. Just a 15 minute walk a day will help keep body and soul together. 6. Improve your diet--during times of stress you can skip meals or eat junk food. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fiber will help you maintain the physical and mental stress you need to deal with the situation. 7. Get enough rest- sleep disturbances are common during stress. DON'T: Use alcohol as a sleep aid--as it actually disrupts your sleep within 4 hours. Don't over use caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes or food for emotional support. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. Total wellness involves both practical ways of taking care of your body and more positive ways of thinking about life, yourself, and others. So this cold January day, perhaps you can think of one positive change to make in your own life, in the spirit of mental wellness.

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