Volunteers ready for disaster

By Dan Jennings

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 | 12:16 p.m.

The police and fire departments perform well during everyday emergencies, but what happens during a natural disaster or other calamity when first responders are overwhelmed with calls for assistance?

In Boulder City, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) stands ready to assist. CERT volunteers have undergone special training, on their own time and at their own expense, and serve as a valuable asset to our community.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department initially developed this team concept in 1985. Since then, it has gained a national foothold and dovetails nicely into emergency preparedness in the wake of Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina.

CERT is not a replacement for those volunteer services already in place, such as the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and R.E.A.C.T., but serves as an additional resource during times of need. Currently, CERT volunteers are trained to stabilize a situation within their own household. Afterward, these folks assist in stabilizing their neighbors, one neighborhood at a time.

At a time of reduced revenues and with unknown risks that lie ahead, CERT volunteers positively accentuate the community in community policing.

Feb. 5 — Expired Registration/Wanted Person

Officer Salazar stops a vehicle because the registration is expired. A records check reveals that the driver has a Boulder City bench warrant. The driver is arrested and released after posting bail.

Feb. 6 — Unlicensed Driver

Officer Ford stops a traffic violator on U.S. 93 along the truck route. Neither the driver nor the occupant of the rental car, a 2009 Cadillac sedan, has a valid driver's license or authorization to drive the vehicle. Officer Ford arrests the driver for being unlicensed and takes him to jail. The rental car is towed back to Las Vegas at the manager's request.

Feb. 7 — Narcotics

Officer Woolsey stops a traffic violator on Veterans Memorial Drive at U.S. 93 at 4 a.m. A records check reveals that the driver has a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, but Metro Police is extremely busy this Saturday morning and cannot send anyone to pick him up. Officer Woolsey issues the driver four citations for misdemeanor narcotics and traffic offenses.

Feb. 7 – Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

Officer Case stops a traffic violator on Adams Boulevard at 8:10 p.m. His field investigation determines that the driver may be under the influence of drugs. After a series of field sobriety tests, Officer Case arrests the 21-year-old and takes him to jail. The driver's vehicle is towed from the scene by a local tow company.

Feb. 8 — Driving on Suspended or Revoked License

At 10:20 a.m., Officer Olson stops a vehicle on Colorado Street because the Arizona registration is suspended. A driver's license check reveals that the driving privileges for the 54-year-old driver are also suspended. Additionally, the driver could not provide proof of financial responsibility. Officer Olson arrests the driver and takes him to jail. The vehicle is towed from the scene.

Feb. 9 — Driving under the Influence of a Controlled Substance

Officer Ham responds to a local business at 4:15 p.m. after a cashier reports an impaired driver in the parking lot. Officer Ham contacts the driver, a 45-year-old local man, before he can drive away. Officer Driscoll, a drug recognition expert, arrives to assist Officer Ham. After a field investigation, Officer Ham arrests the driver for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. An inventory search of the vehicle yielded dozens of prescription narcotics. A friend who had let the driver operate her car was upset after discovering that she would have to pay storage and towing fees.

Feb. 10 — Driving on Suspended or Revoked License

Officer Perkins arrests a 41-year-old motorcyclist after stopping him for driving on a suspended registration. The motorcyclist, who had a suspended driver's license, also had a local warrant for his arrest. He was taken to jail after his motorcycle was towed from the scene.

Feb. 11 — Domestic Battery

Officer Perkins arrests a 17-year-old boy for punching his 51-year-old father in the face during an argument. The teenager, an unemployed GED recipient who had returned home long past his curfew, claimed he had been playing video games at a friend's house all day.

Weekly Statistics

Incident Reports — 49

Traffic Stops — 183

Citations — 63

Adult Arrests — 25

Juvenile Arrests — 0

Animal control calls — 86

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