ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP

Arizona Youth Partnership (AzYP) is working with Young Adult Development Authority of Havasu (YADAH) in the Lake Havasu area. AzYP is interested in gathering information from adults in the Lake Havasu area on their perceptions of the use of alcohol and drugs by youth. Your responses to the survey are anonymous. AzYP has hired an outside evaluator to collect the information from the surveys and summarize the results in a report. To take the survey please visit the Arizona Youth Partnership web site.

A CHILD IS MISSING

Lake Havasu City is proud to be added to the list of agencies throughout the United States that is adding another tool in the form of community assistance through telephonic means. A Child is Missing incorporated is contacted by our agency in the case of a missing child, elderly or vulnerable adult and a message is given to them. They then send out an immediate message to residences and business land lines giving a full description of the missing subject and request the listener to assist with looking in their immediate vicinity for this person. A Child is Missing is then notified when the subject is located by the reporting agency. This a great addition to the tools available to law enforcement when it comes to locating our missing loved ones.

N.O.V.A. PRINCIPLES, A PATH TO EXCELLENCE!

The LHCPD N.O.V.A. Principles Program is an interactive program taught by uniformed Law Enforcement Officers in the classroom. N.O.V.A. Principles was created in 2003, encourages youth to abstain from the use of harmful substances, become active in productive and positive self-esteem building activities and to stay on a successful path of making good decisions.

The Lake Havasu City Police Department N.O.V.A. Program annually serves more than 450 fifth graders in five elementary schools and 450 seventh graders in the middle school and approximately 800 students in the ninth grade at the high school level. It began here in the 2012 school year with the assistance of the Lake Havasu City School District and is taught in all of the school district schools and a couple of the independent schools in Lake Havasu City. The program is staffed by nine officers and a sergeant.

N.O.V.A. PRINCIPLES

The Mission of N.O.V.A. Principles is “Nurturing” youth to seek out positive “Opportunities”, internalize good “Values” and to accept “Accountability” for their choices in life.

This program was designed by law enforcement working closely with leading experts in the field of adolescent psychology and educators, to provide an interactive program that would not only keep the children aware of the lessons being taught but, by being fun, would allow them to recall the curriculum through the activities they were involved in. Then reinforces the initial lessons learned in the core elementary program by enhancing those lessons with Middle School and High School curriculum.

N.O.V.A. Principles encourages parent involvement by providing access through electronic mail to receive a synopsis of the lesson plan taught to their child that week. This information provides an open forum for the parent and child to discuss (the lesson plan) and in some cases, opens the door for communication of topics that may not have been discussed otherwise.

N.O.V.A. PRINCIPLES MOTTO

"Illuminating the Path to Excellance"

N.O.V.A. MASCOT

Polaris, the lone Wolf.

Helping a child understand that they may have to go it alone when it comes to making a good choice, or standing up for what is right and good, is okay. The good, strong Wolf inside of them needs to be nurtured by good choices.

THE 9 PRINCIPLES OF N.O.V.A.
  • Study the Situation
  • Cause and Effect
  • True Colors
  • Lifetime Decisions
  • Paradigm
  • Knowledge is Potential Power
  • Boiling Frog Analogy
  • Which Wolf are You Feeding?
  • Garbage In, Garbage Out
TIPS FOR PARENTS
  • Communication is key to a healthy relationship between you and your child. Find the time to speak with them.
  • Set reasonable boundaries, such as curfew, chores and general responsibilities
  • Habits they develop towards their educational development are repeated in their adult / occupational life, making good choices and emphasizing good attendance and study habits will only help them in their future endeavors.

For information regarding N.O.V.A. Principles, visit their website at the link below. You can also contact the Lake Havasu City Police Department Youth Services Unit. The phone number is below.

SMART CARD PROGRAM

The Lake Havasu Area First Responder Smart Card Program is a new program hosted by the Parent Network and available through the Parent Network and Lake Havasu City Police Department. This program is a multi agency response program providing another level of assistance in responding to locations where there may be a person with a Developmental Disability or Mental Impairment.

In some instances when Police, Fire or Ambulance personnel are responding to a location or vehicle collision, a person involved in the incident may not be able to accurately articulate their problem or emotional state and that due to this inability precious time is used. This tool enables first responders to understand that there is additional information available, at hand in the form of a packet kept in the home or in the vehicle that will state diagnosed disability or medical/medication related needs.

The Smart Card Program is a copyright program from Tri Cities Partnership and is used with their permission. We expect the program to be implemented in the Lake Havasu area by June of 2008.

WALK AWAY PROGRAM

The program was designed and implemented in 1999 as a way for the police officers to better locate persons who have a memory impairment either from a developmental disability such as dementia or alzheimers, impairment from a stroke or a traumatic impact impairment such as memory loss due to head injury.

To register, the primary care-giver contacts the police department and a form is completed, detailing information such as type of impairment, name and physical description and any other pertinent physical or medication related issues. Then a picture is taken and both items are placed into the computer database. A bracelet may be issued to the memory impaired subject when there is history of independence or frequent wandering away from the caregiver. The bracelet is not a permanent item and may be removed for hospital/lab visitation. A person who is entered into the program remains until removed by the caregiver or other information is received.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

You can form a Watch group around any geographical unit: a block, apartment, park, business area, public housing complex, office, or marina. A few concerned residents or a community organization can spearhead the effort to organize a Neighborhood Watch Group. Any community resident can join - young or old, single or married, renter or homeowner.

Members learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and the neighborhood, and report activities that raise their suspicions to the police department. Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors.

The Neighborhood Watch Coordinator publishes a quarterly newsletter that shares prevention tips, local crime news, recognizes residents of all ages who have "made a difference," and highlights community events.

GETTING ORGANIZED

When a group decides to form a Neighborhood Watch Group:

  • They will contact the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for assistance, in recruiting and training members, home and block safety suggestions, reporting skills and information on local crime patterns via a patrol officer.
  • Selects a watch Captain and Co-Captain(s) who are responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information to other members.
  • Recruits members, keeps up-to-date on new residents and makes special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents, and young people.
  • Works with local government and law enforcement, select approximate location of Neighborhood Watch signs.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEMBERS LOOK FOR
  • Someone screaming or shouting for help
  • Someone looking into windows and parked cars
  • Unusual noises
  • Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home or a business is closed
  • Cars, vans, or trucks moving slowly without apparent destination, or without lights
  • Anyone being forced into a vehicle
  • A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child
  • Abandoned cars

Report these incidents to the police department and share the dilemma with your neighbors.

HOW TO REPORT
  • Give your name and address.
  • Briefly describe the event: what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
  • Describe the suspect: sex and race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as beard, mustache, scars, tattoos or accent if any.
  • Describe the vehicle if one was involved: color, make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers, dents, or decals.
KEEPING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP ACTIVE

It's an unfortunate fact that when a neighborhood crime crisis goes away, so does enthusiasm for Neighborhood Watch. Work to keep your Watch group a vital force for community well-being.

Organize regular meetings that focus on current issues such as drug abuse, "hate" or bias-motivated violence, crime in schools, child care before and after school, recreational activities for young people, and victim services.

Organize community patrols to walk around streets or apartment complexes and alert police to crime and suspicious activities and identify problems needing attention. People in cars with cellular phones or CB radios can patrol.

Work with local building code officials to require dead bolt locks, smoke alarms, and other safety devices in new and existing homes and commercial buildings.

Work with parent groups and schools to start a McGruff House or a Block Parent program (to help children in emergency situations). A McGruff House/Block Parent is a reliable source of help for children in emergency or frightening situations.

Don't forget social events that allow and encourage neighbors to get to know each other; like a block party, a potluck dinner, volleyball or softball game, or a picnic.

CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY

 
The Citizen Police Academy has been cancelled for this year. The Citizen Police Academy has been cancelled for this year.

For more information, contact the Lake Havasu City Police Department's Academy Coordinator.

The Citizen Police Academy is an eleven week program designed to give Lake Havasu City residents an inside look at law enforcement in their community. Participants will develop a basic understanding of how the Police Department functions as an organization as well as gaining insight into the daily decisions officers must make and the reasons behind those decisions.

Beginning on the first day, academy participants will be greeted by Lake Havasu City Police Chief Dan Doyle and his command staff and receive a comprehensive behind the scenes tour of the Lake Havasu City Police Department, including the dispatch communications center.

In addition, participants have the opportunity to meet and learn about the men and women who are protecting our community. Participants are invited to schedule a patrol ride along outside the class time at a mutually convenient time for staff and participants. Accompanying the patrol officer on service calls creates a true understanding of what an officer’s job is like and contributes to an exciting, interactive learning experience.

The Lake Havasu City Citizen Police Academy has one session per year. The Academy meets Monday nights in the evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Lake Havasu City Police Department.

Classes are presented by veteran members of the organization with demonstrations, interactivity, and PowerPoint presentations. Topics covered by the Academy include:

  • SWAT
  • Patrol and Boat Procedures
  • Use of Physical, Less Lethal, and Deadly Force
  • Criminal, Narcotic, and Crime Scene Investigations
  • Officer Requirements and Selection
  • Traffic and Driving Under the Influence
  • Department Overview
  • The Judicial Process

Upon completion of the Citizen Police Academy, each participant will be invited to attend the Citizen Police Academy Culmination Dinner.

Academy enrollment is limited to 34 students.

REQUIREMENTS

Participation in the Academy includes a commitment to attend all training sessions. In addition, potential candidates must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Live or work in Lake Havasu City
  • Have no felony convictions
  • Have no misdemeanor convictions within one year of application

Final selection of participants will be made by the Chief of Police. The academy is free of charge.

POLICE CADET PROGRAM

The Lake Havasu City Police Department Cadet program is a law enforcement exploration program wherein young adults aged 14-20, who have completed the eighth grade, are mentored by existing Lake Havasu City Police Officers. These officers help the cadets prepare for a career in law enforcement by developing a fundamental understanding of police procedures, duties, and concepts. The program additionally encourages community service and responsibility, as all cadets are volunteers for the city of Lake Havasu and participate in numerous city and department events throughout the year. The program currently meets once per week, after school hours, to provide continued training and to prepare for competitions against other similar programs throughout the year.