Sportsman Education

Officer Clarke and Detective Coe

At their posts, working a security detail.

To those of you interested in going afield with your firearms, Detective Gary Coe and I will be instructing the New York State Sportsmen Education Classes at the Northside Community Police Center, located at 255 Wolf Street, Syracuse. 

The minimum 10 hour class is a requirement for individuals who wish to obtain a hunting license in New York State. We will be offering this free class in three sessions:

• Monday, October 6,  5pm-9pm
• Friday, October 10, 5pm-9pm
• Saturday, October 11, 8am until conclusion. 
  

You must attend all three sessions.

In addition, you must pass a written and practical test.  If we can obtain a range, you must fire two 22 rounds and 1 round from a 20 gauge shotgun. 

Advanced registration is required.  You may do so by calling (315)471-3257 and speaking to Renee or me. 

These classes fill very quickly so, do not delay.

More women are attending the classes and going afield in pursuit of game. I have enjoyed the years of teaching my daughters proper safe gun handling skills along with times in the field looking for game. 

Moms with a son or daughter taking the class should learn the same gun safety lessons her children are expected to know. We will help you feel more comfortable with the firearms your husband and children have in your home. 

We cover loading and unloading firearms, proper carrying and firing of firearms and, equally important, safe storage of your firearms.  We give out free locks.

Walking through woodlands and fields with my lab searching for upland birds is my best exercise. Likewise, my best psychologist is Mother Nature as I peacefully sit in my tree stand watching wildlife walk by unaware of my presence.  That is, except for the red squirrel who often chatters at me for perching where he likes to eat his apples.

A good hunting day in the woods does not always mean I will have wild game for dinner. Many of my best days afield were when the only thing I carried out of the woods were the memories my five senses captured.  A beautiful sunrise or sunset, flocks of ducks beating their wings as they landed in the marsh just past sunset, a majestic buck staring at me as he busted me right in the middle of rattling my antlers, a chickadee that landed on my gun barrel, are just a few of them.

If you have ever had the desire to attempt the sport but have been hesitant to try, I encourage you join us. Renee, will be assisting us with the class and she has plenty of insight for the women who attend. 

Again, please don't delay that phone call because the class will fill fast.

Free Ballgame Tickets, Smoke Detectors

Fire Prevention Tips Using Smoke Detectors

In recent months, neighbors on the North Side have experienced the tragic consequences of house fires. Some of these fires occurred in structures where smoke detectors were not present, not working or not located where they could make a difference in saving lives.

Almost a year ago, three people died in a multi-story home on Carbon Street. Only one working smoke detector was found by fire investigators, located on the first floor. Two children who died were recovered from a second floor bedroom. A woman was unable to escape a third-floor attic.

Approximately half of all fire deaths that occur in homes could be prevented if working smoke alarms were present, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA).

The primary reason why alarms are not working is that the devices installed are not operational. In fact, 1 out of every 5 homes that has smoke detectors installed lacks a single, working alarm. This is typically due to one or more of these factors:

• The Big Disconnect: People sometimes disconnect their alarms because they present a nuisance. They're either activated by steam or vapors from cooking or bathing, or they chirp constantly because the batteries need replacing.
  
  
• It Doesn't Work: Smoke Detectors need to be tested regularly. Although the batteries may be fresh, the unit may not work. Old units fail or give off false alarms. The older the unit is, the higher the odds are that it will not work.
  

Solutions to these problems are simple:

• Relocate alarms that are too close to cooking and bathing areas.
  


• Replace batteries and units on a regular schedule.
  
• Batteries: Whether they're dead or not, install new batteries twice a year. It's recommended that you do this when Daylight-Saving Time rolls around.
  
• Smoke Detectors: Check the back of the unit for a date clearly marked. Anything more than ten years old, or in bad shape, including units that have been painted, should be replaced. If your unit doesn't have a date on the back, it's old. Get rid of it.
  


• Regularly test your smoke detector on the same schedule.
  
• Press the button and see if it works.
  
• Don't gamble with old devices. Replace them.

As part of their ongoing fire prevention efforts, firefighters from the Syracuse Fire Fighters Association will be distributing FREE SMOKE DETECTORS tomorrow night at Alliance Bank Stadium before the Syracuse Chiefs take on Scranton-Wilkes-Barre at 7:00pm.

Members of the Syracuse Fire Fighters Association have also donated a supply of FREE TICKETS for the game. Please stop in and pick some up. Smoke detectors can be costly for many families. This is a great opportunity to have a night out with the kids, while doing something to keep them safe.

Be sure to arrive early to receive these free items. They'll be available while supplies last.

If you aren't able to pick up a free unit, please take the time to test the units in your home or apartment. Encourage your neighbors to do the same, or give them a hand. Let's do what we can to prevent another tragedy.

For more fire prevention tips, visit the NFPA website or contact Fire Prevention in the Syracuse Fire Department, (315)473-5525.

Eclectic Melders

"Vulcan Mind Meld" originally uploaded by Tai High.

Dick Case melded with us yesterday on the graffiti art discussion by telling the story of artist Juan Cruz and his West-side murals that come together with the help of children, teachers and funders. Cruz's current restoration project was privately commissioned by a local businessman and investor.

This photo journal of a local artist's mural painting project on Syracuse's East-side is also notable. It depicts the abolitionist Reverend Jermain Loguen, and is located a few blocks from the site of the home he lived in. The mural is painted on the side of the building that houses Richmark Carpet and Linoleum, a locally owned business.

The original Loguen home, located where a Rite Aid chain store now stands, has been called one of the most important sites on the Underground Railroad because of Loguen's impact. The artist, London Ladd, involved youth and other adults in completing his project.

These murals are distinguished from works of graffiti art that are not commissioned, and exist on public or privately owned structures without permission of the owners.

Graffiti Art: Street Art or Street Crime?

"Just out of curiousity", originally uploaded by Sator Arepo.

Alphabeta, a graffiti supply store, recently opened in Brooklyn dedicated to street art. It includes a gallery area with exhibits being scheduled.

A news story on NPR briefly discusses whether venues like this actually promote art or criminal mischief.

An additional issue is whether efforts to promote graffiti art have any positive influence on taggers who use spray paint to mark gang territory and vandals who deface their neighborhoods, causing immense problems to others, including property owners.

Some graffiti promotion efforts can actually have the reverse effect, attracting vandals and exacerbating the problem. Alphabeta's concept, as presented in the news story, sounds different from these.

Perhaps business concepts like Alphabeta's would succeed in smaller communities with some vision, leadership and interest in creating an arts program for youth, with an eye toward developing talent and engaging kids at risk of joining gangs.

A segment involving kids at some step in the process of community efforts to remove graffiti that is not art, in areas where it does not belong, would reinforce the legitimacy of such programs to prospective donors and the community at large. It would also teach students in the program to use their talents responsibly, and care about their neighborhoods.

In Syracuse, a similar venue could be located within the developing arts district established on the near West-Side. This area is within walking distance from several schools, and would be easy for children to access.

When Your Vehicle Is Vandalized

Crime Sucks, originally uploaded by hermanau.

A recent news story raised the topic of how vandalized vehicles are handled in the City of Syracuse.

If your vehicle has been vandalized, and you wish to obtain a police report, you have several options available to report this non-emergency matter.

In addition to calling the Tele-Serve line at 442-5613, you can walk into any one of the Community Policing facilities during business hours and obtain a police report, usually the same day. The facilities are located in all areas of the city:

• North - 500 Butternut Street
• Northeast - 713 Hawley Avenue
• South - 4141 S. Salina Street
• Eastwood - 2450 James Street
• West - 625 Otisco Street

Police Storefronts include this one on the Northside - 255 Wolf Street, and another on the Eastside at 471 Westcott Street. More information is available in our directory.

You can make the process go faster by being prepared with whatever information you can gather in advance. Have this information ready:

• Your Driver's License or Photo ID
• A Brief Description of the Problem
• The Date it occurred, approximate time, and location
• Identifying information (e.g., make, model, serial number, photo, etc.).
  

For more information on other non-emergency situations where a police report may be obtained, read our web page on this topic and contact us.

Finally, don't give criminals the opportunity to make you a victim. Never leave valuables in plain view, even in a locked vehicle.

Portable GPS's are hot items. Be aware that criminals look for visible marks on windshields from the suction cups, indicating the device was removed and is probably stashed under a seat or in the glove compartment.

An ounce of prevention is well worth a few minutes of time.

Neighborhood Crime Stats

Crime Stats, originally uploaded by northsidebloggr.

At the recent "Light Up The Night" event, Chief Gary Miguel reminded the audience that crime statistics are available online through the department website.

Statistics are presented by neighborhood segment, according to the TNT partitions. They are collected and presented for the prior six or twelve months of the year. Statistics for the first six months of this year are not available yet.

Stats for the Northside are available here.

Firearm Safety

"fanning and strutting...", originally uploaded by schooksonruss.

We remind all who own firearms to handle them safely and store them securely.

Anyone residing in a household where firearms are kept should be educated on the basics of gun safety. Project ChildSafe offers these tips.

Those interested in hands-on safety instruction may take a safety course. This is required to obtain a pistol permit in New York. In the fall, Hunter Safety Education includes a significant hands-on component on firearm safety. Courses will be available at locations across the area.

For the gun shy, there's always this alternative.

Online Safety

originally uploaded by More Than A Model:: San Francisco.

"TV Turnoff/Screen Time Reduction Week" presents an opportunity for adults to raise their awareness of online safety risks and learn the tactics that keep children safe.

Kids are choosing the Internet over TV in large numbers, making screen reduction the larger issue. In the US, 45% of children use the Internet, representing 30 million under the age of 18.

Some have Internet access through cell phones, which are very prevalent among kids. According to the Wall Street Journal, 72% of teens between ages 13 and 17 have their own cell phones, and almost 30% of those consider Web access to be an essential feature for their next phone.

Awareness has been raised to many of the Internet dangers that exist, including receiving a sexual solicitation online, being sent explicit material, cyberstalking, and other risks.

Further, most adults are aware that other forms of electronic communication, including text messaging, chatting and using Social Networking web sites, present opportunities for kids to be exposed to or engage in risky or inappropriate communication with others.

Adults may not be aware, however, that tweens and teens are at a hgher risk of being solicited and exploited by online predators, not younger children. They're also more apt to become involved in incidents of online bullying (cyberbullying) and harassment. This age group is also more tech savvy, making it a greater challenge for adults who aren't as adept to rise to the safety challenge presented by the Internet and other electronic media.

Here are a few tips:

• Begin with the basics: Know what actions are safe and what are not, and make good online habits a practice.
  

• Be aware of potential privacy exposures: Know what information to share and what not to when using sites or interacting with others. Understand what happens to information you share when using different sites.
  

• Be an example: Teaching others is more effective when you're practicing the essentials yourself, including using safe screen names and passwords. Descriptive names and words found in the dictionary are poor choices, respectively, as they are vulnerable to attack by hackers.
  

• Be skilled: Take advantage of learning tools to bridge the digital divide between yourself and the kids in your life. iSafe offers an Internet Safety curriculum designed to be taken online at your own pace. It is customized to specific audiences who may be teaching kids how to be safe online, including parents, mentors and law enforcement.

Additional resources include:

• NetSmartz 411: This site provides adults with Online Safety information and offers a searchable knowledge base on relevant topics. Learn about everything from MySpace to tracking your child's online activity. You can even ask questions to an expert using an online form or a toll-free number.

• Take 25: Offers downloadable Safety Tips for parents, including ways to keep them safe at home, online and elsewhere.

If you don't have a computer at home, they are available at your local library.

Remember, always report any incidence of computer related crime to the police.