Monthly Archives 2002
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Monthly Archives 2002
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January 2002What Can I Do?Over the past month, several women have called to ask what they could do about their ex-partners following and harassing them. The relationship is over, and in some cases a protection order in place. What alarmed me was the fact that there were numerous incidents involving the past partner before some one was contacted for help. This lag in reporting could mean injury or even death to the victim of the harassment. The first thing I would ask those who are just getting out of a bad relationship, especially if there was been some sort of abuse or controlling behavior, is to contact Crisis Intervention. They have a multitude of services to offer including a safe house, protection order assistance, support groups, prevention programs and most of all emotional support. They have some one there to assist you when you have those feeling of fear and uncertainty and at those times when you know something is wrong but can't put your finger on it, and need some one there for you. Secondly, have your own support network. Talk with your family, friends and neighbors, and enlist their assistance in maintaining your safety. Let them know your schedule, when you will be at home and away. Have them watch for anyone who may be following you, watching your residence or for anything that seems out of the ordinary. Ask that they call Law Enforcement at any time they think your safety or well being is at risk. Thirdly, document every contact and advise Law Enforcement immediately. By contact, I mean any contact whether in person, by written or electronic means, or by a third party. If you think you have been followed, document it. Document date, time, place and the circumstances surrounding the incident. This documentation will be vital if a stalking charge is brought against the offender. Contact Law Enforcement at those times when the hair on your neck stands up..., there's a knot in your stomach and you start to hyperventilate.... Trust your instincts!! Something is wrong!! You know it, you feel it, but you can't see it, but something is there!! Call 911 right away, get us there now!! It is important to know that if a past partner can not let the relationship go, and any of the above behaviors are occurring, it could be a very volatile and dangerous situation for you, especially if a current protection order or stalking order is being violated. The person who is acting out this type of behavior is obsessive and controlling. They are unwilling to let go and will not take responsibility for their actions and are not thinking clearly. They will want to control your life and the lives of those around you. They may even come to the point of believing that if they can't have you, no one will. The longer this type of behavior goes unchecked, the more potentially dangerous it is for you and those around you. To sum it up, create a support network, contact Crisis Intervention for their expertise and Call Law Enforcement early. Let us and those around you help you to have a safe and happy new year. Sergeant Steven Penwell
February 2002Beck Lake Park and the Poop PoliceDid you know that Cody has an ordinance requiring animal
owners to “immediately retrieve and remove all feces deposited by his or her
animal while off the owner’s property”? This ordinance simply means that when you are walking your
dog inside the city limits, you are required to pick up the poop that your dog
leaves behind. You are required to
remove it from homeowner’s lawns, streets, and alleys as well as at Beck Lake
Park. Failure to do so can result
in a fine of $25.00. Beck Lake Park also has a leash law. The reason that it is so strictly enforced here is because of the elderly population that uses the park for exercise. When dogs are off leash and running along without proper control, pedestrians feel threatened. Dogs that are off leash are also hazardous to other dog owners who have their dogs on a leash. Most dog owners are unable to prevent their animal from attacking another animal with voice control. Keeping your dog leashed in the park prevents your dog from attacking or being attacked by another leashed animal. This is a very popular area for the public to go to walk and to walk their pets. Park users have no way of knowing the attitude of your dog and have the right to feel safe using the park. Be responsible and avoid possible fines by the poop and leash police. Rayna Wortham CSO
March 2002Community PrideOne of the most cited reasons people give for relocating to Cody is the area; the mountains, the outdoor activities and its general beauty. Being just outside Yellowstone Park, we have some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation and an abundance of various wildlife. Outdoor enthusiasts come from all over to enjoy our hunting and fishing, our rivers and snow machine trails. Western hospitality and community pride are also very evident as one drives through the town or walks the city's streets. This brings many people back to Cody for repeat visits or to call Cody their home. The people of Cody take great pride in having a community with clean recreational areas and parks which are well kept. Although in my travels I have found other places that I would entertain as a place to call home, I have not found any as clean and hospitable as Cody. But even though Cody is quite clean, like any community there is trash that is found laying in the parks and in the streets. Some properties are not kept up and citizens claimed in a recent survey these are still major concerns they would like addressed. City crews are working every day to pick up the trash that is left and to address the properties that are deemed a nuisance. Law Enforcement has been asked to increase their patrol and enforcement of littering ordinances and to be proactive in seeking out nuisance properties. With increased focus from the city crews and Law Enforcement, and with assistance from the community, many of the concerns can be addressed. Start at home. Look at your property and ask yourself if you would be comfortable having others view it. Do you see anything at home that you find unsightly elsewhere? Get to know and respect your neighbors and work together to improve the neighborhood. If there is a concern discuss it and work on a solution together. If you see a piece of trash pick it up. If everyone picked up just one piece of trash imagine the amount that would be picked up daily. Better yet, don't throw it down in the first place. Please, respect your neighbors and others in the community. Cody is our home, it belongs to all of us. If there is an area that you would like to see addressed, please contact the City of Cody or the Cody Police Department. We will do our best to work with you to find a solution to the problem. Lets all work together to show our Pride of Ownership and Pride of Community and make Cody a better and safer place to live, a place where visitors want to come, and will talk and think about long after they leave. Let's Beautify Cody!!
April 2002Canine Distemper OutbreakCheyenne (AP) - An outbreak of canine distemper in raccoons has prompted Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials to urge people to make sure their dogs are vaccinated against this disease. The virus usually causes severely matted eyes and runny noses. It can also cause skin crusting and brain damage. Raccoons that are infected become disoriented and appear during the day. They are often oblivious to humans, but officials warn people not to approach the animals. Although canine distemper is not transmissible to humans, raccoons that are infected are unable to flee because of their impaired vision and poor health and have been known to bite. The disease is usually fatal. This disease can spread rapidly throughout the state and could infect your unvaccinated pet. Check your vaccination records and have them updated if they are expired. Don’t forget to have your pet vaccinated for rabies!
May 2002Identity TheftIn the course of a day you write several checks, possibly charge something, maybe online. You receive several credit card applications in the mail and send out your monthly payments. These are the daily activities for many of us. We don't give any of this a second thought. But for many, whose identities and lives are stolen, and possibly destroyed, it is a different story. Identity thieves get their information from stolen wallets and purses, stolen mail, from rummaging through the trash, from the internet and from your personal residence. We can't completely eliminate identity theft, but there are measures we can take to lessen the chance that we will become a victim:
No one wants their identity stolen and their good name and credit ruined. Give some thought to your daily activities and look for ways you can minimize your chances of becoming a victim. For further information please contact your local law enforcement agency and refer to this list of Resources. Sgt Steven Penwell
June 2002Child SafetyWe have recently had several young children approached by an unknown male in our community. He has approached them in the areas of schools and parks and they have been alone. The children have been mostly female between the ages of 11 and15, with long light brown or blonde hair. The descriptions are sparse but those received show the perpetrator is a middle aged male, 30 to 50 years of age, medium built with shorter dark hair. The vehicle involved has been described as a newer silver four door sedan, with rounded corners and glass. Victims have pointed out a Ford Tempo, Toyota Camary and Kia Sepia as possible like vehicles. We ask that community members watch for any activity that appears suspicious to them, especially involving any vehicle that may match the description above, and call the Police Department immediately. Attempt to obtain as detailed description as possible including a license number and state. Sgt Steven Penwell
July 2002Child SafetyWhat is a Pedophile? Pedophilia, or sexual attraction to children by an adult, is
a sickness that does not discriminate by race, class or age. It knows no bounds and afflicts people in
every segment of society. The overwhelming majority of pedophiles are male. Only a very small percentage of women abuse
children sexually, and are usually aiding a male aggressor. Few pedophiles are able to resist their
powerful urges to initiate sexual contact with children and will find ways of
getting authority over them. With a predator in our community it is important that we all
work together to protect our children.
Along with being more aware of our surroundings and those around us,
there are things we can to on a daily basis to increase the safety of our
children. Parents, know where your children are, who they are with and
how to reach them. Follow up on their
plans to assure they are where they said they would be. Have rules about being out late at night. Have recent photographs and identifying information
available. Have everything gathered in advance, as in a stressful situation you
may forget important information that could be critical to finding your child
if abducted. Children have always been told not to talk with strangers,
but A Caution about Strangers: A stranger who engages a child in friendly
conversation is no longer a stranger to that child. Kids, check in with parents on a regular basis and let them
know where you will be and how to contact you.
Do not travel alone and vary
your route. If you are approached yell
and run in the opposite direction. Run
to a crowd or to other people, do not try and hide. Tell some one right away if you are approached. If you would like a detailed talk or further information on
the subject of child safety, contact Sergeant Steve Penwell with the Cody
Police Department. Remember, our
children are our future. Sgt Steven Penwell
AugustChild SafetyOur children are getting ready to go back to school, and at a time when there are some high profile cases on the news concerning abducted children; 7 year old Danielle Van Dam, 5 year old Samantha Runnion, 16 year old Tamara Brooks and 17 year old Jacqueline Marris. These incidents re-enforce our need to keep our children safe, at home, at school and in our community. President Bush announced today, a Summit on Child safety to be held on the campus of George Washington University on September 24th to help address the concerns of our children's safety and the need for increased education and awareness. A guide for parents on personal safety for children has also been put out by the Department of Justice in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education and can be found on the web site of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, www.missingkids.com. According to a report from the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway and Thrownaway Children, known as NISMART-2, 203, 900 children were abducted in 1999 by family members. 98% of these children were returned home. None of the children were killed. There were approximately 58,200 abductions committed by non family members in the same year. 99% of these children were returned home. 115 of these abductions involved children that were kept overnight, held for ransom or killed. 60% of these 115 were returned safely. An abductor is as likely to be someone the child or family knows as to be a stranger. Figures taken are as follows:
Even though the incidents the last few years have gone down, the cases mentioned above show there is always a need for awareness and education, for the parents and the children. So as our children are heading back to school, please parents, sit down and talk with them about effective personal safety skills. Get to know your children and encourage open communication. Be apart of your neighborhood, know the children and the families of those who live next to you. Call and report any thing that is out of the ordinary. Look at the information that is out there for your assistance. Our government, your local law enforcement and the organizations that are devoted to our children are all working to assist you in making our children more safe, but it is ultimately up to you, the parent, to assure that your children have the information and skills they need. If you, your neighborhood or your school, would like a presentation on child safety, or other area of concern, please contact us at: Cody Police Department Sgt Steven Penwell
October 2002Winter has arrived!It is the 1st of October and winter weather has arrived. Today's high was 37 degrees. It has been a warm fall so far and many have not thought of getting ready for the Wyoming winters. With the first cold weather and snow fall comes an increased call load to the Police Department in motor vehicle related incidents, especially crashes. Many of these calls could be prevented with proper maintenance and planning. Have your vehicle serviced and tuned. Check the battery to insure it is fully charged and make sure your coolant is clean and rated for suspected temperatures. That could be 30-40 below in Wyoming. Keep a full tank of clean fuel. Consider using additives and fuel conditioners that will aid in ridding your fuel system of moisture and contaminants and change your fuel filter on a regular basis. Faulty tires are a number one cause of problems in the winter. Replace worn and bald tires. Look for a tread that will have some traction and self-clean. Most all season radials will suffice. Performance tires, which may be outstanding on dry pavement, don't work on ice and snow. Watch tire inflation. Over inflated tires run on the center of the tire and don't take advantage of the whole footprint. Under inflated tires run hot and wear the outside of the tire where most traction is built into the tire. They tend to have a mushy response and do not track properly in a turn. Driving in the winter requires you to be a more defensive driver. Slow down when the roads get wet, icy, snow packed or slushy. Give extra room between you and the vehicle in front. Watch the other vehicles and anticipate their actions or problems before they occur. A little fall maintenance on your vehicle now will help keep you from cold weather related problems or even a crash later. Help us to keep Cody's streets safe, and have a fun and enjoyable winter. Sgt Steven Penwell
November 2002Children of Domestic AbuseOur children are our future and the future of our country. As adults, we should be providing them with the best possible advantage to be all they can be. We want them to be ready and confident to take our country forward and to fight the terrorists of the future. But for many children in families suffering from domestic abuse, their future is hindered by the emotional roller coaster they go through every day of their life. Here are some statistics that were published by Crisis Intervention:
Scary isn't it? With domestic abuse seeming to be on the rise, what does this say about our future? Children involved in a family with domestic violence, weather they are subject to any of the physical abuse or not, present the signs and symptoms of abuse, some times for a life time. A life time of feeling guilty about something they have no control over, feeling depressed, helpless, confused and afraid of being abandoned. Their health is often affected, being frequently ill with headaches and stomach problems. They often complain of being tired, some sleeping excessively or not be able to sleep at all. Many children withdraw into their own world and have poor social skills. They are often angry, violent and act out with uncontrollable behavior, unable to set limits or follow direction. Others may show quite opposite behavior, needing over achievement and involvement. Either way, they tend to be distrusting and have problems maintaining friends and relationships. We must all take responsibility to protect these precious children, their future and ultimately the future of our country. This starts with awareness. Awareness of what domestic violence is and how to recognize it. Knowing the signs and symptoms of abuse. Talking with friends and relatives whom you suspect of being in an abusive relationship and assisting them in getting the proper help. Reporting suspected violence to your local law enforcement. If you would like further information on domestic violence, please contact the Cody Police Department or Crisis Intervention Services. We will be more than willing to assist you by answering questions, providing training and assisting those in need. You can also find related links on domestic violence and child abuse on our Programs links page. Let us all work together to stop the cycle of violence!
Sgt Steven Penwell
December 2002FraudThere are as many fraud schemes as there is imagination. We
have listed some on the more common ones that are still popular with con
artists, or that we have received calls about here in Cody. Types
of Frauds:
Prevention of Home Improvement Frauds.
1. A full description of all work to be performed. 2. The total cost of the job. 3. A firm date of completion. 4. The contractor’s license number 5. All warranty information. 6. Address and phone number of the contractor.
For more information, contact the Cody Police Department at 587-8700 or the National Fraud Information Center at: 1-800-876-7060. Chief Daniel F. Kelsey
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