Empty present boxes can attract thieves

By Dan Jennings

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | midnight

Christmas is less than a week away. Despite the economic downturn, Christmas remains special, and Boulder City is certainly a special place this time of year. It continues to remind me of the town of Bedford Falls in Frank Capra's superb movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."

This year, who knows, maybe we will have snow — real snow — not the painted cornflakes used in the movie.

As you gather around that warm fire or big screen TV with friends and family to celebrate the birth of Christ, please take a moment to reflect on why we enjoy this freedom, which also includes the right to abstain from celebrating. We enjoy these rights in the safety of a warm home because thousands of young men and women have volunteered to serve in all branches of the military.

As we enjoy our First Amendment right to read this newspaper, these young warriors are standing watch in such far away places as the treacherous mountains in Afghanistan, a destroyer in the Aden Gulf and on the bridge of a Coast Guard cutter in the Bering Strait.

Additionally, the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, a historical feat filled with moral and physical courage, begins at sundown on Dec. 21. Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish national survival and religious freedoms.

After you have unwrapped your presents, please refrain from advertising your newly acquired gifts to thieves by placing your empty boxes outside in plain view. Opportunistic thieves will drive through the neighborhood and instantly know who has a new TV, computer or other high value item.

Finally, on behalf of the men and women of the Boulder City Police Department, have a safe and very Merry Christmas.

December 4 — DUI-Alcohol

At 1:20 a.m., an alert citizen approached three youths inside a parked car in a neighbor's driveway. The 21-year-old male driver explained that the vehicle had broken down and they were waiting for help. However, the car drove away after the citizen went inside his home. The citizen called the police, and the driver, who had collided with a tree on the Municipal Golf Course while leaving, was arrested for drunken driving and possession of narcotics. Ladies and gentleman, this is a Neighborhood Watch at its finest!

December 5 — Narcotics Arrest

Traffic Officer Nutzman stops a speeding vehicle on U.S. 95 and subsequently arrests the driver for felony drug charges.

December 6 — Domestic Disturbance

The Graves II squad (Ford, Olson, and Wilkin) respond to a domestic disturbance involving several people at a residence. A male subject suffered a minor injury to the head by the former boyfriend of his new girlfriend. Officer Ford investigates and completes a police report.

December 7 — Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, False Information to a Peace Officer

Traffic Officer Cazett and Officer Henke respond to the southern city limits on U.S. 95 to assist a stranded motorist and his passenger. Both juveniles are arrested after providing false identifying information to a police officer. A phone call to the registered owner reveals that no one was given permission to drive this classic car, a 1968 Plymouth. The juveniles get a trip to Clark County Juvenile Detention for possession of a stolen vehicle.

December 8 — Petit Larceny

Officers respond to the Gingerwood area after a citizen saw a suspicious vehicle park in the parking lot of the Boulder Creek Golf Course. The woman driver and two male passengers fled on foot toward Gingerwood after she removed a paper tag covering the Arizona license plate. One of the male passengers threw a small sculpture into a bush. School Resource Officer Grasso located a male suspect walking on a nearby street. Officer Ham investigates and ascertains the identity of the female driver. He subsequently locates the second subject at a local gas station. Officer Cazett recognizes the sculpture as having been in front of a local business and returns it to the grateful business owner.

December 9 — Domestic Battery

Officers from the Graves I shift (Tomao, Ashby, and Salazar) respond to a fight involving several people in a residential alley. Officer Ashby subsequently locates a subject wanted for an earlier incident and arrests him.

December 10 — Wanted Person

Officer Woolsey stops a motorist for a traffic violation and arrests him after learning that there are warrants for his arrest.

Weekly Statistics

Incident Reports — 42

Traffic Stops — 187

Citations Issued — 77

Adult Arrests — 20

Juvenile Arrests — 2

Animal Control Calls — 67

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