Snow Removal Reminder

It's that time of year again to think about snow & snow removal.  Here is some information on how WVC works to remove snow & how citizens can help make snow removal more effective & effecient.

• Please do not park on the streets during or right after a snowstorm.  The snowplows cannot see your vehicles & cannot plow the streets clean with cars parked at the curb.  It is especially important to keep all vehicles out of cul-de-sacs.  The plows have a hard time getting around the circles & it is impossible to plow if there is anything parked in the circle.
• All residents are responsible for clearing their own property, including sidewalks & the area in front of mailboxes & fire hydrants.  This needs to be done within 24 hours after a storm ceases.
• City Ordinance prohibits placing snow in gutters or streets from snow blowers or shovels. 

City Streets have been divided into 4 priority catagories as follows:
Streets with higher intensity use have a higher priority for snow removal service.  Streets, which require proportionally more time for snow removal, have the lowest priority.

1. Priority One - These are arterial & major collector streets, generally with a right-of-way width of 66 feet or more, & average daily traffic greater than 5,000
2. Priority Two - These are generally subdivision collector streets, typically with a pavement width of at least 30 feet.  Incuded in this category are streets serving emergency response facilities & schools.  Also included are streets with hills & sharp curves where traction problems often cause hazardous driving conditions.
3. Priority Three - All other residential streets (excluding cul-de-sacs).
4. Priority Four - Cul-de-sacs & other dead end streets.  The city incurs proportionally more time & costs clearing snow from cul-de-sacs than on typical "uninterrupted" stretches of streets.  Because of the high cost-to-benefit ratio, cul-de-sacs & dead end streets have the lowest priority & will be the last areas adressed.

*information taken from the West Valley Journal newspaper.

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So, in my opinion, when you factor in the location & distance of our sub-division from the heart of the city, we are usually last in the snow removal.  Don't you think?

Where did my car go?

by Captain Anita Schwemmer, WVCPD Community Services Division

As the colder weather approaches many people may be tempted to leave their vehicle warming up in their driveway in order to warm the interior of their car and to help in removing snow and ice from the windows. Unfortunately, the West Valley City Police Department receives many calls every year from citizens whose vehicles were stolen under just these circumstances. In 2007, seventy-three vehicles were stolen while they were left running in front of a home or in a driveway.

Be aware that some insurance companies will not cover the loss of your stolen car if the car was left running unattended when it was stolen.

When you are tempted to start your vehicle and leave it to warm up while you finish getting ready for work or school, outside gas stations, cash machines and local stores, remember how inconvenient it will be when you step outside and your car is missing. Don’t leave your engine running, even if you’ll only be gone for a matter of seconds - a thief only needs a few seconds to pounce.

The West Valley City Police Department appreciates your help in keeping you and your property safe throughout the year. Report ALL suspicious behavior to the West Valley City Police Department immediately.

Non-Emergency 801-840-4000

Emergency - 911