Diligence required around the holidays

By Dan Jennings

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 | midnight

I did not set out this week to be the Grinch that stole Christmas. However, before you spend good money on that electric or gas-powered scooter for your child, please take note of the Nevada Revised Statutes, which are accessible via the Internet at www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS. Chapter 484 (Traffic Laws) defines vehicles, motor vehicles, mopeds, highways and sidewalks.

Since I eschew obfuscation, I will summarize the law: A self-propelled scooter or moped, even one that has bicycle pedals and easily transitions to pedal power, is classified as a vehicle. You must have a driver's license to operate a vehicle on any public road or highway.

Furthermore, any vehicle operated upon said road or highway must be equipped with lights and turn signals as prescribed by law. Additionally, state law prohibits the operation of a vehicle on the sidewalk.

If you have already purchased a scooter and cannot return it, you may only ride it on private property with the property owner's permission.

Safe shopping

The holiday season is upon us, and it is natural to let one's guard down. However, we must be careful, because the criminals like to go Christmas shopping as much as we do. They just don't pay as much for their gifts.

All police agencies in the Las Vegas Valley have increased patrols in the parking lots of shopping centers and malls. Still, the predators know that you are most vulnerable while placing newly purchased items inside your vehicle.

Therefore, have your keys ready when you exit the store and stay alert while walking to your car. Quickly secure your packages inside your vehicle and lock your doors as soon as possible. If you have a panic alarm on your key chain, become familiar with it and never hesitate to use it.

Check in the mail

If you received a sizable check in the mail, it may not be not a Christmas bonus from a former employer or a gift from a secret Santa. It may be a new twist on an old scam and could cost you thousands of dollars.

The check comes with instructions to send an e-mail to confirm receipt of the check. You are then instructed to deposit the check and wire a lesser amount to a bank account.

You will be very happy with thousands of extra dollars until the check, which is fraudulent, is returned for payment. The bank you wired your hard-earned money to is usually in Nigeria and someone there now has access to your account number(s).

By now, your personal account has been drained and there is little, if any, chance of recovering your money. If you receive such a check, have your bank verify its authenticity.

Santa Cop on duty

Finally, drive safely this holiday season and remember, Santa Cop is watching and I know who has been nice and who has been not so nice.

Shift highlights

On Nov. 27, K-9 Officer Daly and Officer Nutzman assist the Nevada Highway Patrol with a traffic stop. K-9 Qwest alerts on the vehicle and a user quantity of marijuana is seized.

On Nov. 28, Officer Wilkin of the Graves II squad stops a vehicle after a motorist reported it was being operated erratically. The driver was not impaired, but the Nevada Department of Public Safety had a warrant for his arrest.

Officer Olson of the Graves II squad stops a vehicle for erratic driving on Nevada Way near Wyoming Street at 3 a.m. Nov. 29. After a field investigation, Officer Olson arrests the female driver for DUI alcohol. Officer Wilkin gives the male passenger a courtesy ride home after impounding the vehicle.

On Nov. 29, the Graves II squad (Officers Olson, Wilkin, and Case) respond to a loud music complaint on Avenue D just after midnight. They can hear the music from more than 200 yards away while responding. Officer Case issues the offender a citation.

Officers from the Days I squad (Ham, Richner, and Healing) respond to an active domestic disturbance between a 20-year-old local man and his 20-year-old girlfriend. Both parties left in a vehicle before the officers arrived but were located shortly thereafter. Officer Richner arrested the man for domestic battery.

On Dec. 2, Graves I officers (Isham, Ashby, and Salazar) respond to a disturbance at a residence at 1 a.m. Officer Salazar arrests a 20-year-old man on a Las Vegas felony warrant.

On Dec. 3, Officers Ham and Healing respond to a residence to check on the welfare of the 80-year-old resident. Officer Healing investigates and determines that the gentleman was the victim of a scam. He was advised that he had won the Canadian lottery sweepstakes and complied with a fraudulent request to remit several thousand dollars for taxes and fees.

Weekly Statistics

Incident Reports — 48

Traffic Stops — 237

Citations — 94

Adult Arrests — 14

Juvenile Arrests — 0

Animal Control calls — 60

Boulder City Police Sgt. Dan Jennings can be reached at [email protected].