FYI - 2010 Census Cautions

2010 Census Cautions
August 2009

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way, as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you do not know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit http://www.bbb.org/

Texting

"Studies from the University of Utah show that if you are driving & texting at the same time, you're about as dangerous as someone driving with a blood alcohol content that's twice the legal limit."

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Please take a moment & watch THIS presentation about Texting & Driving!

Please, slow down!

Just another reminder to please, please slow down in the neighborhood!!

I was coming home from Walmart & came upon a horrible car accident on 6200 South between Laurel Canyon & the LDS Church meetinghouse. It was a single car who apparently (by my observation of the skid marks) drove up the side of that hill where the street narrows, then rolled several times, breaking a part of the cement wall & also taking out a street light. They took the man by life flight & I'm hoping that all is well. There was a dog ejected & a dog that was trapped, but we saw animal control & the policemen rescue the dog that was trapped. Of course, tons of people were present & venting their frustration to me about how the road narrows & how dangerous it was. Most wanted to know (including me) if there is something that can be done, maybe level some of that dirt, so it's not so dangerous...I will follow up with Erik Brondum, with WVC Public Works on Monday.

21 Things a burglar won't tell you.

I got this as an email & I thought it was rather clever...a new spin on how to help us remember to be safe. Enjoy!

21 Things a Burglar Won't Tell You

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom—and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door—understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.

14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.

17. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Speed Hump & Crosswalk Update

I received this email from Erik Brondum with WVC Public Works:

The speed hump installation is moving along. It was the intent of the City to have this project completed before school starts on Monday. That is not going to happen, but the contractor has committed to put more resources on the project to get it done as quickly as they can. In the meantime your patience is appreciated. Five of these speed humps are also raised school crosswalks. Two of them have been installed as of today. The other three will be painted until the humps are installed. All of the signs will be installed this week as well.

Please pass this information on to your neighbors and contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,
Erik

Erik W. Brondum, P.E.
Transportation Engineer
West Valley City
3600 S Constitution Blvd.
West Valley City, UT 84119

801-963-3406 phone
801-963-3499 fax

Meet the Candidates Night

Primary Election Cadidates

September 2, 2009

Utah Cultural Celebration Center

(1355 West 3100 South)

7 -9 PM

Doors open at 6pm for residents to mingle with candidates. Submit questions for candidates online at http://www.votelocalutah.com/ .

Election Dates

Primary Election - September 15, 2009

Early Voting: September 1-11, 2009

General Election - November 3, 2009

Early Voting: October 20-30, 2009

*A new Utah state law requires voters to

provide identification before voting.

Vile of Life

I have received some emails regarding the Vile of Life program. The Vial of Life is an emergency preparedness program to help make West Valley City more disaster resistant and resilient through citizen volunteer involvement. The purpose of the Vial of Life program is to encourage residents, particularly those who are home bound, living alone,or with special medical needs, to compile personal information and place it where it can be easily located by 911 responders in the event of an emergency. The vial comes with a personal information sheet, a vial to keep the information sheet(s) in, and a refrigerator magnet to place on the refrigerator door to alert emergency personal of the homes participation in the program. More information is available online at: www.wvc-ut.gov/vial

Speeding

When KSL contacted me about doing a story about my use of "technology" for our neighborhood watch, I had no idea that so many people would visit this blog. I started this blog back in 2007 to help pass the word along to those in our NW's boundaries. I feel it has been an effective tool in communicating with residents! I am thankful for the kind emails people have sent me. For me, Neighborhood Watch is something I feel strongly about. For about 6-7 years, I have been working with city officials about the speed on our street. I am totally going to take advantage of the attention that the blog is receiving to pass on this information that I was given by a West Valley City policeman all those years ago, who is now LT. Merritt. I have handed this flier out to so many people. Please, print it off & hand out to others. I hope it will help to give us all a reminder that we need to slow down in our neighborhoods! :)

NNO 2009

I just wanted to take a moment & thank everyone for a very successful NNO Neighborhood Block party! We had a great time & it was fun to meet new people in our neighborhood! I will be posting pictures of the event shortly. I'd also like to thank the NW's block captains for a great job in helping out! Thanks!