Responsible choices help prevent tragedies

On a weekly basis I make a frail attempt for levity regarding the treachery of our profession. This week has been trumped by tragedies in our community. Several residents and employees in Boulder City have to deal with the finality of a family member’s being.

Did you tell a loved one how much you love them? Did you walk away angry or did you make peace? As people walk in the journey of life, our profession provides direct access to the realism of bereavement. No matter what the situation, we see these difficult trials and experience the sorrow of a family’s grief.

In our vocation we often say “Stay Safe, Be Safe.” These words are the endless hope we offer each other.

To the public we serve and protect, we continuously wish for everyone to make responsible choices. Life is extremely precious; let us not be excessive in any of our behaviors. Please wear your seat belt, use the appropriate protective gear, secure weapons, and treat each other with dignity and respect. If you know someone in need, extend the olive branch.

The last thing we need is to meet under a grievous situation. It is our obligation to keep the public safe, but we can’t do it alone. We need your assistance in driving safely and conducting yourself in a lawful manner. Let us not be impatient so as to quickly arrive at an ending we did not want.

“Control, 269 I’ll be 10-8”

Aug. 31. A person reports seeing a young adult male walking in the area of Georgia Avenue and Sandra Drive. This person is going up to houses and then leaving. Officers get dispatched and attempt to locate the young man. About 30 minutes later the reporting person calls again to report the same male got into a silver truck and headed toward the high school, with additional people in the truck. Officers check the entire area of the high school, the surrounding area, even toward Veterans Memorial Drive. We were unable to locate the vehicle. Great job on the alert resident! Please call if you observe suspicious activity.

Sept. 1. A car is passing McDonald’s at 54 mph. Hello, it’s 35 mph. Lights, camera, action. The driver provided his Nevada driver’s license. Come to find out, it’s suspended. Plus he has no insurance or registration. He does get a couple thousand dollars in tickets, in addition to getting his car towed. He did get a break; he avoids the closed cell view.

Sept. 2. The traffic stops at 1600 Nevada Highway appear routine; wait, there is no such thing as routine. After a check of the driver’s status we learn an interesting fact. She has not one, not two, but three warrants of arrest. Remember to take care of your legal issues before they get to that point. She’s off to overnight accommodations.

Sept. 3. A local admitted and known narcotics consumer is contacted in the area of 1400 Nevada Highway. This time the drugs weren’t located in a discreet area; he had the dope in his pocket. I believe he said this makes 28 arrests.

Sept. 4. The love diminished to disdain after the abuse began. The belongings were more or less divided in half. When the breakup occurred, it should have been more amicable. Officers are out with a subject who had a verified complaint filed against him for coercion, which occurred during that split. Off to jail he goes, only to be bailed out by …? Emotions are difficult to understand, but jail isn’t.

Sept. 5. Officers see a subject sitting on the stairs at a local motel. The subject makes eye contact and quickly walks away. Officers make contact and learn the subject was waiting for a friend. Officers knock on the alleged friend’s motel door and discover the room’s occupant/friend is wanted for drug offenses. Officers clear the room and discover more than a dozen hypodermic syringes scattered across the room’s floor. None of the two subjects were diabetic. Can anyone tell me what happens next?

Sept. 6. Officers see a car driving down Adams Boulevard. The driver’s hand gesture appears to be a call for help. Officers conduct a traffic stop and learn the vehicle’s driver and passenger were lost, attempting to locate a rental home. Unfortunately, we learn the driver has a suspended Nevada license. After receiving the citation, the passenger who had a valid driver’s license took control. Interestingly, they made a U-turn and left town.

The bell rang. It’s quitting time. Hope everyone had a safe time. See you on the flip side and keep it real, Boulder City.

Officer Jeffrey Grasso is an 11-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as a police officer in South Florida for four years.