Training helps citizens respond to situations

The first “first responder” on almost every scene is the public; we all know that police can’t be everywhere at once. When a criminal strikes, you’re not likely to find a cop within reach. That’s probably what made it a good target in the first place.

In the critical moments during and after any major crime, members of the public may be on their own to defend, chase away, identify, secure, save and rescue. Uniformed personnel will bring superior skills, training and equipment to the fight when they get there, but there will almost always be a delay. As such, cops know and respect the value of a trained and willing citizen in thwarting criminal violence.

The Boulder City Police Department will roll out its Citizen’s Academy in September as just one way to encourage public participation in public safety. Stay tuned for more information.

May 7. Family disturbance: A woman reports that her boyfriend trashed their house and threatened her with a weapon. He will be cooling off at the jail and discussing this with the judge at 8:39 a.m. in the 1300 block of Darlene Way.

Civil: A man would like us to mediate a dispute about him cutting the overhanging branch from his neighbor’s yard rather than refer him to code enforcement at 2:02 p.m. in the 1000 block of Industrial Road.

Battery: Officers receive a report of two subjects in a fight; one flees once police are called at 9:44 p.m. in the 500 block of Avenue B.

Thought for the day: Going from one establishment to another covered in blood will probably be noticed by someone.

May 8. Suspicious: A caller says the subject who is peeping in the window is the brother-in-law and he lives there at 5:16 a.m. in the 500 block of Date Street.

Hit and run: A man reports seeing men urinating on the building. They leave the area after getting into a truck parked nearby and running over his foot at 12:36 p.m. in the 100 block of Ville Drive.

Disturbance: Reports of gunfire and a campfire from campers are simply family members enjoying a bonfire near the law enforcement shooting range at 9:21 p.m. in the area of mile marker 50 on U.S. Highway 95.

Thought for the day: It’s best to stand clear of inebriated partyers when reporting their nefarious activities and make sure you are a safe distance away from any getaway vehicle.

May 9. DUI: Officers receive a report of a driver taking the wheel after a night of “too much” at 1:25 a.m. in the 600 block of Nevada Way.

Abandoned vehicle: A scooter with a punched-out ignition and a flat tire is found abandoned at 1:20 p.m. in the 700 block of Avenue A.

Assist other: Officers check a previous residence for someone who may be the victim of a crime in another jurisdiction at 4:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Utah Street.

Thought for the day: If you spend the night drinking and telling other partyers that you have done away with someone and dumped that person in the lake expect to see our brothers in blue soon.

May 10. Traffic: A man gets the embarrassing duty of explaining to the nice officer why he decided it was better to relieve himself in the middle of this big parking lot rather than drive another block and use the inside facilities at 2:39 a.m. in the 1400 block of Nevada Way.

Civil: Parents seek assistance when the child exchange for Mother’s Day doesn’t go as planned when the father decides to sleep in at 9:17 a.m. in the 800 block of Avenue B.

Threats: Neighbors are concerned when an agitated male is outside screaming about current affairs and referencing weapons at 12:57 p.m. in the 1200 block of Kelpwood St.

Thought for the day: Is this the week for outside “exposure” or what?

May 11. Assist: A small child is brought into the police department after being seen walking in the street with no shoes or responsible person. Big brother doesn’t realize that junior could reach the deadbolt and gets to do some explaining to officers and grandma at 8:02 a.m. in the 1000 block of Arizona Street.

Info: A man comes in to talk to officer after his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend tells him she is going to call the police and he wants a “paper trail” for crimes unknown at 8:27 a.m. in the 500 block of Fir Street.

Unlicensed driver: A young man gets to break the good news to his parents that he has had their car impounded and he has a slew of citations to attend to before summer break even starts at 3:18 p.m. in the area of Fifth Street and California Avenue.

Thought for the day: If you aren’t embarrassed enough being pulled over, just imagine the horn honking incessantly until the battery can be disconnected. Hall of Shame for this kid!

May 12. Trespass: A woman unknowingly returns to collect her trespass notification from her attempt to steal alcohol last week at 8:32 a.m. in the 800 block of Nevada Way.

Family disturbance: Brotherly love doesn’t extend when the inebriated brother threatens to get naked and expose himself. Sister is relieved that he will be spending the night elsewhere to sleep it off at 4:16 p.m. in the 1200 block of Kelpwood Street.

Trespass: A man believes his wife is being held against her will and isn’t being allowed to speak with him at 7:04 p.m. in the 100 block of Ville Drive.

Thought for the day: Separation and divorce are difficult issues but it’s best not to involve the police with false information.

May 13. Burglary: An alert neighbor interrupts a burglary in progress and helps limit the homeowner’s losses at 9:53 a.m. in the 400 block of Intrepid Court.

Welfare check: Officer receive a call reporting several individuals in the median looking for something at 3:10 p.m. in the area of the overpass.

Suspicious: A caller reports three “rough” looking individuals hanging around the area then leaving in a silver vehicle at 7:47 p.m. in the area of Kelpwood and Fleetwood drives.

Thought for the day: Please call us first before going out to look for suspects. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.

Call(s) of the week: A caller reports loud wailing from a subject in a parked vehicle. The dog evidently doesn’t like being left out when his owners go for coffee at 3:14 p.m. in the area of Wyoming Street and Nevada Way.

Have a great week!

Tina Ransom is a dispatcher with Boulder City Police Department. She is coordinator of the Boulder City Citizen’s Academy.