Fog - What Do I Do

FHP: Tips for Driving in Fog Fog is a thin layer of cloud resting on the ground. It can reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less, creating hazardous driving conditions. When conditions make fog likely, be prepared to cope at a moment's notice. It can be patchy, going from a light mist to a thick cover in an instant. If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog lifts -- usually by late morning or the afternoon -- follow these tips:

DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.

SLOW DOWN - and watch your speedometer - before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.

WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.

REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.

USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.

USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.

BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.

SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.

DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers(hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.

REMAIN CALM & BE PATIENT!!

New Crime Stats

Hi Everybody, Time for the new stats, hope you had a great Christmas, and a Safe New Year..... Dave

Crime Case Number Address Date
AUTO BURGLARY 110114214 3535 DAMON RD 12/31/2011
AUTO BURGLARY 110114215 3535 DAMON RD 12/31/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110114351 3000 CLARCONA RD 12/31/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110114182 8 N BULOVA DR 12/30/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110113883 2102 ORCHARD DR 12/30/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110113627 443 N WEKIWA SPRINGS RD 12/29/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110113053 2217 HEATHEROAK DR 12/27/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110113206 2469 DRESDEN TL 12/27/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110112673 131 E 15TH ST 12/26/2011
COMMERCIAL ROBBERY 110112247 USTLER RD 12/24/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110112331 105 E 15TH ST 12/24/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110112296 526 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 12/24/2011
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 110113057 606 E 13TH ST 12/22/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110111646 1165 S CENTRAL AV 12/22/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110111595 1810 N HAMMON DR 12/21/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110111594 516 MARDEN MEADOWS DR 12/21/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110110890 216 S ATLAS DR 12/19/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110111572 114 S LINE DR 12/18/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110110754 23 W CELESTE ST 12/18/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110110014 2724 MCQUEEN RD 12/16/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110109862 1515 PAULA DR 12/15/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110109820 1740 CLARCONA RD 12/15/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110109745 229 AVALONE DR 12/15/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110109001 1052 APOPKA BV 12/13/2011
AUTO BURGLARY 110109409 901 E SEMORAN BV 12/11/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110107655 1817 WEKIWA DR 12/09/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110107664 912 HEMLOCK DR 12/09/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110107954 402 W ELLA J GILMORE ST 12/09/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110107168 624 S BRADSHAW RD 12/07/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110106686 149 20TH ST 12/06/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110106739 3000 CLARCONA RD 12/05/2011

New crime list

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. Here is a new crime list for our area..Dave


Crime Case Number Address Date
STOLEN VEHICLE 110105760 252 MAINE AV 12/03/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110105181 72 E 18TH ST 12/01/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110104965 307 S AURORA DR 11/30/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110105107 504 OCEAN AV 11/30/2011
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 110104772 2591 W ORANGE BLOSSOM TL 11/29/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110105150 1134 SHEELER AV 11/28/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110104220 570 WEKIVA LANDING DR 11/28/2011
CARJACKING 110104356 1215 S HAWTHORNE AV 11/28/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110104340 2521 SWEETWATER CTRY CLUB DR 11/28/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110103925 2928 MCQUEEN RD 11/27/2011
STRONG ARM TO PERSON 110103821 S HIGHLAND AV 11/27/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110103380 3000 CLARCONA RD 11/25/2011
AUTO BURGLARY 110104238 1608 LONG LN 11/24/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110103358 3000 CLARCONA RD 11/24/2011
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 110101697 1365 E SEMORAN BV 11/19/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110101354 918 ARMITAGE AV 11/18/2011
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY 110104172 2 W 18TH ST 11/18/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110101244 1621 GAYLE RIDGE DR 11/18/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110100965 820 ROLLING GREEN DR 11/17/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110101048 72 E 18TH ST 11/17/2011
AUTO BURGLARY 110100883 324 E ELLA J GILMORE ST 11/17/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110100508 717 CHEETAH TL 11/16/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110100695 307 ROLFE DR 11/16/2011
STOLEN VEHICLE 110100787 1602 CLARCONA RD 11/16/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110100550 2167 OLD DIXIE HY 11/16/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110100551 2167 OLD DIXIE HY 11/16/2011
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY 110100552 2167 OLD DIXIE HY 11/16/2011

Info from OCSO

*** Informational Bulletin-Cyber Monday & Holiday Cyber Security ***

Black Friday traditionally is the "biggest shopping day of the year.” The Monday following Thanksgiving (11/28/2011) is designated as Cyber Monday by the e-commerce industry. This is a day for merchants and manufacturers to offer online sales and promotions without interfering with the Black Friday traditional retail shopping.
On Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season, consumers are encouraged to beware of bargain advertisements sent via unsolicited e-mails for one day only promotions for recognized brands or websites. Fraudsters often use the hot items of the holiday season to lure bargain shoppers into providing credit card and other personal information. These items are usually the hard to get toys, electronics, televisions and computer products of the season.

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:

Log on directly to the official website for the business identified in the e-mail, instead of a link from an unsolicited e-mail. This includes forwarded messages from someone on your contact list.

If the e-mail appears to be from your bank, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently, your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.

Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and keep up with the security updates to prevent viruses and
malicious programs from infecting your computer.

If you suspect your computer has a virus, have it serviced immediately from a trusted source.

Make purchases using websites with secure connections. Look for websites that use Secure Socket Layer
(SSL) security which protects your personal information. Check the browser’s status bar for an unbroken
“padlock” icon that indicates the sites is using SSL.

Use your credit card instead of debit card when making a purchase. Credit cards offer added protection from fraudulent transactions.

Avoid using websites asking for an “electronic check”. This will require you provide your bank routing number and your entire checking account number.

Never use your Social Security Number to make online purchases. A legitimate retailer or website will never
ask for your Social Security Number.

Use passwords difficult to decipher. A strong password should include at least five letters
and one number. Your login name and password should never be the same.

For more information on how to safely shop online this holiday season, please go to the Internet Crime
Complaint Center website at www.ic3.gov/media/2011/111121.aspx You may also visit the FBI.gov E-scams
and Warnings webpage at http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm

Time Change and Safety Tips

Time to back up your clocks this weekend, and here are some tips I got from the OCSO.... Dave

INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN
Residential Daylight Savings Time Safety

This year Daylight Saving ends on Sunday November 6th 2011 at 2:00:00 AM clocks are turned backward 1 hour to Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 1:00:00 AM local standard time. This also means it will be darker earlier in the evening. PLAN NOW for this change.

Here are some simple tips to keep your families safe during the fall back time transition.

Personal Safety:
1. While the time will change your normal routine such as going to work, school or other activities may not.
2. Please remember there will be an adjustment period when you leave for the day during your regular time in the morning. The surrounding area will look different.
3. Activities such as students, pedestrians. bicyclist and runners will still be present. Please remain alert while driving and pay extra attention to school zones.
4. Extra attention should be focused on areas where children and young adults travel to school. Remember to be alert for crossing guards.
5. Small children should be walked to school by an adult or taken by vehicle.
6. Speed limit postings should be strictly observed in all areas. Stay alert while driving by parked vehicles as children and pedestrians may not immediately be visible. Remember: Your reaction time may be greater during darker hours. Also remain alert for pets and wildlife.
7. Students, pedestrians, walkers, runners and bicyclist should wear clothing that allows them to be visible. This may include: reflective strips, clothing, vest, etc. A small flashlight for visibility should be carried.
8. Those operating Bicycles, Electric Personal Assisstive Mobility Devices (Segways), etc should be visible and comply with all applicable laws.

Halloween Tips

Yup... it's that time of the year again. In a very short time your neighborhood will soon be crawling with young ghosts, goblins, a gaggle of transformers, and just about every other costumed character you can imagine. And they'll all be on the prowl for bubble gum, candy, and all of the sweet treats that will keep our local dentist's waiting rooms packed for months to come!

Sheriff Demings wants everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween and to help make that happen, he offers you some basic Halloween and Trick-or-Treating safety tips.

1. Never allow your young children to trick-or-treat alone. There's safety in numbers and they'll be a lot spookier if they travel in a pack with several of their friends. They should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

2. Plan a safe route in an area that is known to you. Out at night? Carry a light or one of those nifty chemical glow sticks. Never, ever, carry anything illuminated by an open flame or allow your children to walk near an fire or device illuminated by an open flame.

3. Make sure your kids can see and that they can be seen. Lighter colored costumes area easier for motorists to see at night. Extra points if you add some reflective tape to that costume. Make sure your child can easily see out of his or her mask so they won't trip over curbs or objects that can't be easily seen in the dark.

4. Is your child's costume flame resistant? It should be.

5. Use safe pedestrian practices. Stay on main walkways and, when at all possible, on well lit sidewalks. Cross Streets at intersections and walk out into the street between parked cars.

6. NEVER, EVER allow your child to enter a stranger's home or vehicle. It is always best and safest to do your trick-or-treating in your neighborhood. Avoid approaching homes that are dark or that appear to be unoccupied.

7. Will your child's costume incorporate simulated knives, swords, or similar accessories? Be sure they are not sharp and that they are made of flexible materials.

8. Inspect ALL treats before allowing your child to eat them! Any item that is not factory wrapped or appears to have been rewrapped should be discarded. Home made treats should not be eaten unless the source of those items is well known to you. If something seems suspicious to you, throw it out. If you find an item that has been tampered with or was intended to harm someone notify law enforcement.

9. Make sure your home is safe to receive trick-or-treaters. Roll up those garden hoses and put your sprinklers away. Turn on that porch light and be sure to remove any clutter or items that might be hazardous to youngsters who come to your door.

10. Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

11. Consider an organized neighborhood party or Halloween event for the youngsters in your community. They can be a lot more fun than a long door-to-door trek and much safer too.

12. And a reminder for our adults... if a Halloween party is in your plans please be responsible. If the consumption of alcohol will be part of your evening please plan ahead a assign a designated driver for your group. Halloween falls on a weekend this year which means there will be a lot of young trick-or-treaters out and about so please drive carefully and responsibly. If you get caught for drinking and driving, you will go to jail. And we can guarantee that jail is the scariest place you can be!

Plants Stolen

We have had some Crotons stolen from the entrance on Votaw, this is so sad, why can't people leave OUR stuff alone...... Dave