Alarms	Animal Control	Citizens Police Academy
Are You Okay?	Bicycle Rodeos	National Night Out
Chaplain Program	Ride-A-Long Program	Red Ribbon Week
Halloween		Fireworks

Are You OK? (Telephone Reassurance Program) Application Form

The purpose of this service program is to provide a method for checking on the well being of citizens who might face emergencies at their residence and is available to any resident of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley over the age of 60; to residents who are homebound or medically disabled either on a permanent or temporary basis regardless of their age. This free program serves the needs of citizens in Clarkston, Asotin County, Washington and Nez Perce County, Idaho; with the Lewiston Police Department's Community Programs Supervisor serving as the program coordinator. The program utilizes computer technology to contact the participants daily by telephone.

Return to top

Chaplain Program

The Lewiston Police Department Chaplain Program is designed to provide clergymen from the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley an opportunity to serve both our department and the citizens of our community. The chaplain service is nondenominational and is provided by volunteer clergymen without financial compensation. Specific objectives of the program include: providing an effective serve and ministry to the city and to the police department in particular; serve as a resource for department personnel when dealing with the public in such incidents as accidental deaths, suicides, serious accidents, drug and alcohol abuse, etc.; and to provide, when necessary, counseling, spiritual guidance, insight and alertness for department personnel and their families.

Return to top

Ride-A-Long Program

Citizens are welcome to ride-a-long with a patrol officer during his/her duty shift. Contact the Lewiston Police Department for more information regarding this issue.

Return to top

Alarms

When used in the right way, alarms are a useful and needed tool in Law Enforcement. With the assistance of alarms, Law Enforcement is able to solve more crimes and lower the crime rate. On the other hand, false alarms can be costly and dangerous as they divert police officers from proactive crime prevention efforts and can delay police responses to calls that may be true emergencies. By expediting response to an alarm, by running “code”, citizens and officers are in greater risk of collisions. False alarms make your security system less reliable, and you could become reluctant to use your system.

Most alarm calls in Lewiston are unfounded, and are caused by user error, or other malfunctions.

The Lewiston City Ordinance allows two false alarms during an alarm year (January 1 through December 31) before a penalty is assessed. The third and fourth alarms have penalties of $50, and all following alarms for that alarm year have penalties of $100. A canceled alarm, before officer arrival at the alarm site, does not count as a false alarm.

The alarm administrator has the ability to suspend Law Enforcement response to an alarm site after the fifth alarm in the same alarm year. The alarm administrator also has the ability to suspend Law Enforcement response if the alarm user has untimely payments or has not furnished a written certification that the alarm has been inspected by an alarm company following an alarm suspension. Law Enforcement will still respond to an alarm site on any indication of a true alarm or crime in progress.

The penalty, suspension, and/or reinstatement can be appealed to the alarm administrator by written request within ten days after receipt of notice. All penalties, suspensions, and/or reinstatement requests will be suspended until a final decision has been made.

If you have any questions about the alarm ordinance please contact the Alarm Coordinator, Officer Monte Renzelman, at 746-0171.

Return to top

Bicycle Rodeos

Bike Rodeos are a two part joint project between the local Law Enforcement agencies, the local schools, Lewiston Parks and Recreation, and the University of Idaho cooperative extension office. The first part is when the Community Programs Officer goes into each 4^th Grade classroom and does an hour presentation on bike safety, and laws. The second part is when the students then put this knowledge to use with a series of bicycle obstacle courses. Also, during the bike rodeo the student is able to register their bicycle, free of charge, with the Lewiston Police Department, for the schools inside the city limits.

Return to top

Fireworks

Please treat fireworks with respect, read all of the cautions and warning and use common sense. Only "Non-Aerial Common" fireworks may be sold and used in the City of Lewiston from June 28th through July 5th between the hours of 9:00am and 11:00pm. Please help everyone enjoy an accident-free celebration of our country's independence by following these simple safeguards for using legal fireworks:

Legal or "Non-Aerial Common" fireworks carry the name of the manufacturer, the words "Class C Common Fireworks" and a warning label. If these are missing, you should consider them illegal and extremely unsafe.

Lighting fireworks indoors, throwing them from automobiles and lighting multiple devices at the same time can lead to accidents and are not how fireworks are intended to be used. Always obey all local laws pertaining to the use of fireworks. Do not ever use professional fireworks or illegal explosives. Use fireworks only outdoors.

* Only persons over 12 years of age should handle fireworks. Too many young people get burned every year. By keeping fireworks out of young children's reach, we can reduce the injuries.

* Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you are, don't use them. If drought conditions mean a ban on fireworks, follow the law.

* Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.

* Fireworks and alcohol do not mix. Have a designated "shooter".

* Always have a responsible adult present.

* Keep a garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby.

* Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, vehicles, or building. Fireworks can frighten pets, so be aware and keep them out of harms way.

* Light fireworks one at a time.

* Do not carry fireworks in your pocket or on your person.

* Do not throw "hot" fireworks that have just been used in trash cans; first place them in a bucket of water.

* Participate in the local Public Fireworks show instead of using your own.

When all else fails, use common sense. Respect fireworks as the great American tradition they are, but also respect the fact they must be used with caution. Do your part and everyone will be safe.

Return to top

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a cherished tradition but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. There is no real "trick" to making Halloween a real treat for the entire family. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Many communities officially designate a "Beggars' Night" and assign specific hours for trick-or-treat activities.

Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.

ALL DRESSED UP:

Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.

When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Make sure Children know their guardians name, phone number and address so authorities can

CARVING A NICHE:

Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.

Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.

Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:

o Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

o Carry a mobile phone for quick communication.

o Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

o If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

o Never cut across yards or use alleys.

o Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

o Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Return to top