This Issue City Ask the City ...... 2 Grease In the Drains ...... 2 Citizen Police Academy ...... 2 Pick Up After Your Dog ...... 3 Summer Reading for Kids ...... 3 Golf Tournament ...... 3 Wildfire Prevention ...... 4

BridgesNews to keep you connected to Albany City government Summer 2003 Willamette River Facts ...... 4 Summer Concert Series Opens July 3 Sidebar lbany Parks & Recreation August. Performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Swanson Son Department will present the Art activities for children begin at 5: A20th annual River Rhythms 30 p.m. behind the adjacent Albany Visits Site of concert series at Monteith Riverpark Senior Center. Food vendors open beginning Thursday, July 3, 2003. their booths at 5:00 p.m. Future Waterpark The lineup should appeal to nearly Beginning Monday, July 7, The son of the man for whom every musical taste: the family entertainment concert Swanson Park is named visited Albany • July 3—Lavay Smith & her Red series, Mondays at Monteith, in April to look at the City’s plans for Hot Skillet Lickers (Swing & opens. This series is also free, Swanson Family Aquatic Center. Jump Blues) and held at Monteith Riverpark. John Swanson Duggan of • July 10—Subdudes (Rock & Concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and Henderson, Nevada, was three years Blues) conclude about 8:30 p.m. Food is old when his father, Thomas Albert • July 17—Rosanne Cash available from vendors on site. “Tommy” Swanson, was killed in action (Country) The lineup: on June 13, 1944, near the small town • July 24—Suzanne Vega (Folk, • July 7: The Linn-Benton of St. Lo in Normandy. Pop) Concert Band, directed by Tommy Swanson had been a • July 31—Oliver Mtu Kudzi & Dr. Richard Sorenson. Rosanne Cash on July 17 popular teacher and football coach at Black Spirits (African) • July 14: Black Swan Classic Jazz • August 4: David Valdez Jazz Albany High School before he went overseas in World War II. He had been • August 7—Robert Earl Keen Band. Latino with Nancy King. an outstanding halfback and punter for (Country) • July 21: Jamie’s Rock ‘n Roll • August 11: Artists of the Lon Stiner’s football squads at Oregon • August 14—Cubanismo Legends. Live band featuring Portland Opera. State College in the 1930s. After his (Cuban) Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis death, the City of Albany named the impersonators. For more information, contact City park and outdoor pool at Seventh The free concerts are held on seven • July 28: 234th Army National Albany Parks & Recreation at Avenue and Railroad Street in his honor. consecutive Thursdays in July and Guard Band. 917-7777. Tommy Swanson’s widow eventually remarried and her new husband adopted her young son. John Duggan took his adopted father’s name. Duggan, his wife Carol, and their Christopher Cross at Art & Air Festival Police Promote sons Brian and Kevin, met with Park Development Coordinator Shaun Oscar-, Grammy-, and Golden Globe-winning singer-songwriter Pedestrian Safety Cooper early in April to view plans Christopher Cross is the headliner for the fourth annual Wah Chang for the water park at the site of the Northwest Art & Air Festival, Friday through Sunday, August 15-17, 2003, The Albany Police Department abandoned outdoor pool. at Timber Linn Park. has begun an aggressive pedestrian “This will be nice,” Duggan said in Cross will perform in the Oregon Amphitheater on Saturday night, safety campaign in response to a an interview with the Albany Democrat- August 16, 2003. The performance is free of charge. high number of complaints from Herald. “It’s going to be a wonderful Cross, who grew up in Texas, is best known for his 1980s hits “Sailing,” pedestrians. This effort includes park. I’ll be back for the dedication, and “Ride Like the Wind.” His first album, driver/pedestrian education and definitely. I wouldn’t miss this.” “Christopher Cross,” won five Grammys. He aggressive enforcement. Swanson Pool, the city’s only also won an Oscar for the title hit for the The purpose of the Pedestrian public outdoor pool, was built in 1938 movie “Arthur.” As of 2001, Cross had four Safety Law Enforcement program is by the Works Progress Administration and was open every summer until it number one singles, nine top 20 hits, and to raise awareness of pedestrian safety closed in 1999. worldwide album sales of $9 million. issues and to reduce the number of The Albany City Council has made Cross’s music is described as intelligent, auto/pedestrian crashes within the replacing the pool a top priority for melodic pop. city limits of Albany. the last two years. The new facility will The Northwest Art & Air Festival Most of the serious auto-pedestrian include a multipurpose swimming area, features hot-air balloons, vintage aircraft accidents occur while the pedestrian a leisure pool with a beach-like entry, on display, a juried art show and sale, is trying to cross one of the busy water slide, river channel, therapy pool, children’s hands-on art activities, music, multilane roadways. A high majority concession area, bathhouse, picnic food, and Oregon wines. The event of these accidents occur while the shelter and parking. is coordinated by the Albany Parks pedestrians are in a crosswalk. The City hopes to open the new & Recreation Department and the Albany Visitors In each auto vs. pedestrian center in the summer of 2004. The Albany Paper Mill has donated Association. Wah Chang is the title sponsor. collision, the pedestrian is sure to $250,000 toward the project, and lose. The result of almost every Weyerhaeuser Foundation donated collision is substantial injury or death. $125,000. A private anonymous donor Foundation Enhances According to the Oregon Department has pledged another $250,000. The of Transportation (ODOT), 637 Albany City Council has promised up Downtown Carnegie Library pedestrians were injured or killed in to $1 million toward the $2.4 million Have you visited the Downtown Carnegie Library recently? collisions with vehicles in 2001 in total needed. By mid-April the amount As you enter the historic building, note the elegant lighting fixtures that enhance Oregon. Of that number, 292 were remaining to be raised was about $515,000. the warmth of the building and highlight the natural wood tones of the newly in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at the time of the collision. Over the Tax-deductible contributions refinished historic furniture. Period lighting fixtures will soon be added to the may be sent any time to Swanson basement to complement those upstairs. past several years, pedestrians have accounted for 10%-15% of all traffic- Family Aquatic Center, Albany Parks & These features are provided to the Downtown Carnegie Library through the Recreation Department, P.O. Box 490, generosity of the Albany Public Library Foundation. The Foundation also provides related fatalities, though walking Albany, OR 97321. funding for Novelist, a reader’s advisory database that is available at both branches of comprises only 3%-5% of the trips For more information, contact the Library and the Library Web site (www.library.ci.albany.or.us). The Foundation that Oregonians make. Shaun Cooper at 917-7774. also helps to fund the popular Summer Reading Program hosted by both Libraries. continued on page 4 2 City Bridges City Bridges 3 Sewer Problem Comes from Our Kitchens City of Albany Police Host Second Directory What lurks below our streets • Put baskets or strainers in sink Citizens’ Academy and sidewalks causing costly sewer drains to catch food scraps and other Mayor: maintenance and leading to pollution solids, and empty them into the trash. The Albany Police Department Chuck McLaran 928-3114 of our environment due to sewer • Speak to your family about how to is accepting applications for the spills? The culprit comes right out of keep grease out of the sewers. fall 2003 Citizens’ Academy. The Ward I Councilors: our kitchens — grease from cooking. Also, if your home or business Academy begins in September Dick Olsen 926-7348 With some effort, we can keep the has a garbage disposal unit, use it and runs for 10 weeks each Doug Killin 926-6829 problem under control. wisely. Ground up kitchen waste may Tuesday evening. Specific dates Ward II Councilors: Grease comes from food preparation combine with grease to plug up the and class schedules will follow. involving meat fats, lard, oil, sewer. The Citizens’ Academy is Sharon Konopa 928-3067 shortening, butter, margarine, food Restaurants and other food offered free to Albany citizens Ralph Reid, Jr. 928-7382 scraps, baking goods, sauces, and dairy preparation facilities are faced with 18 years of age or older who pass Ward III Councilors: products. When washed down the their own challenges to keep grease a criminal background check. sink, grease sticks to the insides of out their sewer systems. These The Academy is designed to Bessie Johnson 791-2494 sewer pipes, either on your property or facilities should be equipped with develop citizen awareness and Leonard Smith 791-9540 in the streets. Over time, it can build grease removal devices called grease understanding of the role of the City Manager: up and block the entire pipe. interceptors, which need regular Police Department in the criminal The results can be: cleaning and maintenance to keep justice system and our community. Steve Bryant 917-7505 • Raw sewage overflowing in your them operating properly. The Public Twenty-five citizens will be home or your neighbor’s home; Works Environmental Services office selected to attend 30 hours of City Hall Phone NumbersGeneral • Raw sewage overflowing into has information for restaurants to interactive classroom and hands- Information 917-7500 parks, yards, and streets; assist them in keeping grease out of on instruction. Topics include Building Inspection 917-7553 • Potential contact with disease- the sewer system. police officer selection, training, causing organisms The City’s Environmental Services and duties; investigation skills; City Council Message 917-7503 • An expensive and unpleasant Program works to protect Albany’s tactical operations; canine City Manager 917-7501 cleanup that often must be paid for by sewer and storm drain systems and procedures; firearms use; narcotics Downtown Carnegie Library 917-7585 you, the home or business owner; and the wastewater treatment plant from investigations; communications; Engineering 917-7676 • Higher costs to operate and hazards and illegal discharges. An crime scene processing; maintain the City’s sewer system, important part of the program is emergency vehicle operations Finance Office 917-7520 which causes higher sewer bills for educating sewer users on pollution and crime prevention. Students Fire Department 917-7700 customers. prevention, which includes preventing will be actively involved in a Human Resources 917-7501 Everyone can take environmentally wastewater discharge problems. If variety of educational, interesting Main Library 917-7580 sound measures to prevent grease you have questions about grease or activities. problems in the sewer system. the Environmental Services Program, To reserve a seat for the fall Mayor’s Message 917-7502 • Never pour grease down sink please contact us at 917-7613 or 917- class or to learn more about Municipal Court 917-7740 drains or into toilets. 7600, extension 4606. the Academy, please call Lynn Parks & Recreation 917-7777 • Scrape grease and food scraps into Hinrichs at 917-7683. Planning and Zoning 917-7550 a can or the trash for disposal. Police Department 917-7680 Public Information Office 917-7507 Senior Citizens Center 917-7760 Have a Question? Ask the City Transit 917-7667 Question: “Why is Main Street Engineering Technician IV Ron Irish to address this problem, the City has Water and Sewer Billing 917-7547 in such terrible condition? Also the provided the answer: contacted most of the property owners Water/Sewer/Streets 917-7600 street running in front of the police/ In Albany, as in most cities, the on Geary Street between Ninth and jail? (Jackson Street SE)” installation and maintenance of Queen Avenues and offered to fund public sidewalks is the responsibility and construct sidewalk improvements Public Works Director Floyd Collins of the adjoining property owners. The in return for dedication of right-of-way provided the answer: requirement to install sidewalks is or sidewalk easements. The recent Emergencies Both of these streets were built usually triggered by development. In installation of sidewalk on the east side (Fire, Police, Ambulance) years ago when roads were basically the case of Geary Street, much of the of Geary Street in front of the Villa two inches of asphalt over six inches property was developed many years Capri Apartments, Albany Wheel and Dial: 911 of crushed rock. In some areas, no ago before installation of sidewalks was Exhaust, and the vacant lot just north drainage was provided. In the Jackson required. of 15th Avenue was accomplished in Street area, industrial properties Geary Street is classified as a minor this manner with the cooperation of developed after the street was built; arterial and is one of the busiest streets the adjoining property owners. and the increase in traffic has caused in Albany. Because of the volume of The 1000 block of the west side of City Bridges Info the street to deteriorate more rapidly. traffic and the number of pedestrians Geary Street, where the questioner City Bridges is published by an editorial We are now designing streets with a that use the street, the City has actively lives, is one of the locations still team from the City of Albany. Questions longer life and the ability to support worked to fill in gaps in the sidewalk missing sidewalk. Additional and input about this newsletter the adjacent land uses. Main Street using funds budgeted by the City right-of-way is needed to construct should be directed to the City is classified as a collector street and Council for sidewalk infill. A major sidewalk improvements there. We Manager’s Office, 333 Broadalbin SW, Jackson is classified as an arterial. We obstacle has been the lack of right-of- will continue to work with the owner P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321-0144. have no money at this time for major way. At most of the locations missing of the property to try and resolve the reconstruction of arterial and collector sidewalk, there is not enough public right-of-way issue. If we can acquire Contributors streets. Both of these streets were right-of-way behind the curb line to the right-of-way, we will construct the on the original list of streets being allow for sidewalk installation. In order sidewalk. Matt Baldwin • Shaun Cooper considered for reconstruction when Matt Harrington • Lorri Headrick we submitted a general obligation Lynn Hinrichs • Cheryl Hummon bond measure to voters in 1998. Kerri Goergen-Doll • Herb Hoffer My question is: Sherri Jacobson • Scott Keeney We also had them on the list for Mark Matthews • Marilyn Smith the street bond that was considered in 2001. (The streets that were built with the 1998 bond are Salem Avenue, Elm Street, Santiam Road and 34th Avenue. Voters did not My name is: approve the 2001 bond measure.) The City Council may consider one My address is: or both of them again if any money is left from the 1998 bonds after the North Albany Road project and Fifth  I would like a personal response to my question. (If you want a Avenue reconstruction are complete. personal response, please provide your mailing address, telephone number, or E-mail address below.) Question: “Why can’t we have 333 Broadalbin SW, Albany, OR 97321 sidewalks on Geary Street? People www.ci.albany.or.us have to walk on a busy street.” Return to: City Bridges Editorial Team, City of Albany, P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321. 2 City Bridges City Bridges 3 Responsible Owners and Dogs Welcome in City Parks Children’s Summer If you like to bring your canine companion to a City park, the Reading Program Albany Municipal Code (Section 7.28.120) outlines how to be a Kids of any age up to sixth grade responsible and courteous dog owner: are invited to grow their brains this • Dogs are allowed in the parking areas, park walkways, and summer during the Albany Public areas posted with signs allowing dogs. Dogs must be on a leash at Library’s 2003 Children’s Summer all times. Reading Program. • City staff, including Police and Parks & Recreation The program provides rewards to kids based on the number of hours that employees, may require a pet owner to control or remove their they read during the summer months. dog from the park to ensure that other park users are safe and not Prizes include coupons for food, being bothered by the dog. activities and an end-of-summer swim • You are not allowed to tie a dog to a tree or shrub if doing party. so will result in broken branches, damaged bark, or any other Register by Monday, June 2, 2003 adverse effect to the plant. at either branch of the library; then • Dog owners are required to pick up their dog’s waste and start counting your reading time that day. Hours spent listening to someone dispose of it in a garbage receptacle. read to you count as well. Eight hours Some City parks have dispensers stocked with pet waste of reading or listening qualifies you for disposal bags, and the dispensers are conveniently mounted near a Little Caesar’s Crazy Bread coupon. a trash container. Waste bag stations are located in Monteith After 16 hours, you get a coupon Riverpark, Draper Park, Deerfield Park, Timber Linn Park, for blueberry picking at Blueberry Periwinkle Park, and Grand Prairie Park. Owners should carry Meadows. plastic bags with them in case the dispensers are empty or you are After 24 hours of reading or listening, participants get a coupon for in a park without a waste station. a Dairy Queen Royal Treat and entry to If you and your dog follow the rules, you and others who Otter Beach in Corvallis for a swim party don’t have pets should have a safe and enjoyable experience in August. in Albany’s parks. Being responsible for your pet is especially The Summer Reading Program important during special events like the River Rhythms concert includes special events at both branches series, when thousands of people are together in close proximity. of the Library each week during the Please help keep our parks clean, safe, and pleasant for summer as well. Most are for children everyone. For more information, please contact the Parks & entering kindergarten through sixth grade, and most will last an hour. Some Recreation Department at 917-7777. events may have attendance limits. Parents are advised to not bring pre- schoolers to these programs because they will be overwhelmed by larger children. Save Water, Save Money! Events will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Main Branch, 1390 Waverly Drive SE, and Thursdays Follow these simple water Running water wastes up to and throw them away, rather than at the Downtown Carnegie Library, conservation tips to reduce your five gallons per minute. washing them down the storm drain 302 Ferry Street SW. All programs begin water bill and keep more water in our • Check your toilet for leaks. and into a creek. at 2:00 p.m. sharp. streams for fish and wildlife. Use the Put ten drops of food coloring in the • When you wash your car, use a Here is this year’s schedule: Water Savings Coupon to get started toilet tank (don’t flush). If you see bucket with soapy water, and turn the • June 17, 18, and June 19 – Steve on outdoor water conservation. color in the bowl after 15 minutes, hose off except for rinsing. Taylor, the Magical Ventriloquist. Comedy you have a leak that is wasting water • Wash your car on the lawn to and magic with audience participation. Special guest Ruddy O’Reilly appears as Indoor and money. water the lawn and also keep the dirty Sacajawea. • Turn off the water when you are • Fix dripping faucets and leaking runoff from going down the storm • June 24, 25, and 26 – Mad not using it (when you brush your pipes, both inside and outside. Even drain and into the creek. Science. Interactive shows. Tuesday: teeth or shave or rinse vegetables). a small leak can waste 20 gallons per • Plant grasses and shrubs that Spin, Pop and Boom; Wednesday: Up, day. A jump in your water bill can use less water. Add a layer of mulch Up and Away; Thursday: Fire and Ice. also be a sign of a leaking pipe or around trees and plants to retain • July 9 and 10 – Simply Songs and Albany Firefighters toilet. moisture and discourage weeds. You Stories with Anne-Louise Sterry. Interactive • Wait until you have a full load can cut your yard watering by 20 to 50 music and storytelling with a variety of Golf Tournament songs, instruments, and stories. Albany firefighters will host to run your dishwasher or washing percent. • July 15, 16, and 17 – Gakfest. their third annual golf tournament machine. • Water your lawn at dusk or dawn. Goobety gak, slippery slime, ooblek on Monday, July 28, 2003, to • Keep drinking water in the fridge If you water your lawn at midday, ooze, and pudding painting. raise money for their Community rather than running the tap and you are wasting up to 30 percent to • July 29, 30, and 31 – Celebrating Assistance Fund (AFFCAF). waiting for it to get cold. evaporation. Summer: Let’s Make it a Party! Crafts, AFFCAF provides help to • Don’t use your toilet as a waste • Slowly soak the lawn once per treats, games, and fun. individuals or families who need basket – every unneeded flush wastes week, rather than sprinkling every • August 5, 6, and 7 – First Annual Albany Idol Talent Show. No auditions. assistance due to an extraordinary between two and seven gallons. day. Most lawns need about one inch All ages up to 18 may perform. Sign up crisis – burns, fire loss, major of water per week — use a tuna can to in June. illness and injury, and others. All Outdoor measure. • August 12, 13, and 14 – TV Stinks proceeds from the golf tournament • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean • Check sprinklers to be sure you are and Game Day. You’re challenged to not will go to the fund. sidewalks, patios, and driveways. This watering your lawn, not the pavement, watch TV for seven days. Bingo, bug and The tournament will be held at way, you will also sweep up pollutants street, or house. worm races, cooperative games. Spring Hill Country Club. Format • August 19, 20, and 21 – Parade of Strings. Series of one-act plays written is a four-person team scramble. WATER SAVINGS COUPON and performed by the teens in the Shotgun start will be at 8:00 a.m. Albany Public Library Teen Marionette The $280 team entry fee includes Clip this coupon* for a FREE outdoor Troupe. 18 holes of golf, a tee prize, KP awards, lunch buffet, free range water saving kit!! The annual All-Kids Sidewalk Sale balls, a raffle, long drive, and will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. awards in two divisions. Cart The first 200 people to respond will receive a free outdoor water Thursday, July 24, at the Downtown rental is an additional $25. The conservation kit, including: Carnegie Library. The All-Kids Parking • Hose nozzle with six settings (allows you to choose the most efficient setting) Lot Sale will be 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. tournament is open to everyone. Saturday, July 26, at the Main Branch. Teams should send members’ • Lawn watering gauge (lets you see when your lawn has had one inch of water) Kids of all ages may buy and sell. No names, addresses, phone numbers • Drip gauge (tells you how much water is wasted from a dripping hose or sales of food or animals. The Saturday and handicaps, plus a team event will include shooting baskets. faucet) The Otter Beach swim party is name, name of captain and fees, • Lawn watering tips for saving water to Albany Fire Department, scheduled for Thursday, August 21, Attention Lt. Mark Matthews, from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. for those Wasted water is wasted money!! who qualify from the Summer Reading P.O. Box 490, Albany, OR 97321. Program. Parents are welcome. Tickets Entries are due by July 1, 2003. For more information, contact Cheryl Hummon, Water Resources Program will be available in August. Checks should be made payable to Coordinator, at 917-7629. For more information, contact the Albany Fire Fighters Community Albany Public Library at 917-7583 or Assistance Fund. * Bring this coupon to the Public Works Department, second floor of City 917-7588. For more information, contact Hall. If you forget to bring the coupon, just mention it. Matthews at 917-7700, ext. 5050. 4 City Bridges Barbecues, Willamette River Facts and Figures Campfires, The Willamette River flows right past Albany’s front door, but how and ‘smore much do you know about it? Here are some facts and figures about the Summertime means barbecues and Willamette River and its drainage roasting marshmallows over an open fire; basin (watershed): but before lighting the coals, the Albany Fire Department wants to remind you of The Willamette River… a few rules to help protect you and your neighbors. • is the largest river in Oregon (by A barbecue, campfire, or other volume) and the 13th largest river in outdoor recreational burn: the continental U.S. • must be contained in a • is 187 miles long and begins in maximum area of three feet in diameter by Waldo Lake in the Cascade Mountains two feet in height; just north of Willamette Pass. • is 69 percent forest, 22 percent how this compares to historical river • use only firewood or • does not meet water quality agriculture, and 8 percent urban. levels. charcoal — wood debris such as broken standards for temperature, bacteria, • produces about 50 percent of The Willamette River and You… fencing is not allowed; dissolved oxygen, and several other Oregon’s agricultural sales. • Albany provides numerous ways • must not burn within 25 feet parameters. • has lost about 99 percent of original to enjoy the Willamette River and of a combustible structure or material, • has 96 linear miles of artificially bottomland prairie and 72 percent of its nearby forests, trails, and parks. unless the fire is contained in a barbecue hardened banks. original bottomland forest. Activities include picnicking, biking, pit made of concrete or an approved walking, hikes, bird and wildlife non-combustible material; and The Willamette River Basin… Albany and the Willamette watching, team sports, boating, fishing, • have someone present at all • is 11,500 square miles in area, River… summer concerts, Senior Center times to monitor the fire and have a water larger than the state of Maryland. • Albany lies at River Mile 120 activities, a farmers’ market, and much source close by to put out the fire if • has 16,000 miles of streams. upstream from the confluence with the more. necessary. • has 2.5 million people, or 70% of Columbia River in Portland. River • You can help keep the Willamette Oregon’s population, with 100 cities miles are measured as the fish swims, River clean and healthy for people, If a recreational burn causes damage and 10 counties. along all the twists and turns, not “as fish, and wildlife. Stencil storm drains and/or requires a response from the Fire • is 64 percent privately owned the crow flies.” to remind people to keep pollution out Department, the person responsible for the burn can be held responsible for the (including most of the valley floor) • Albany has a hydrograph, which of our rivers and creeks. Volunteer for costs associated with the response and and 36 percent publicly owned. is an automated device to measure a river cleanup each year in the spring any damages. • has 287 native animal species, the Willamette’s river level and flow. and fall. Help with a project to restore with 36 of these threatened, Go to http://or.waterdata.usgs.gov/ native plants near the river. For more Wildfire is a Dangerous Neighbor endangered, or a species of nwis/uv?site_no=14174000 to see information about these opportunities, As Albany’s population grows, conservation concern. how high or low the river is and call 917-7629. more people are building homes in urban/wildland interface areas, such as the wooded hills of North Albany. While these areas are quiet, peaceful places to National Night Out August 5 live, they can also put your home at risk Neighborhoods throughout Albany activities, and anti-crime rallies. If you live within the Albany City of fire. are invited to join with thousands of Members of the Community Resource limits and want more information A record number of wildland fires others nationwide on Tuesday, August Unit, Reserve Officers and Explorers regarding National Night Out, burned in Oregon last year, damaging a 5, 2003, for the 20th annual National will visit neighborhoods that are Neighborhood Watch, or to schedule record amount of land. Many homes were Night Out (NNO)crime and drug holding an event. a visit from the Albany Police threatened and a few were destroyed by prevention event. Albany has approximately 90 Department during your event, call the fires. A number of Albany firefighters National Night Out is sponsored active Neighborhood Watch groups. Community Policing Specialist Sherri were called upon to help protect those by the National Association of Eighteen neighborhoods participated Jacobson at 917-3208. homes. Seeing the situation firsthand and Town Watch (NATW) and co- in National Night Out last year. National Night Out is designed to: knowing the potential in Albany for such sponsored locally by the Albany The Albany Police Department an event compels us to remind residents Police Department. Over 33 million is challenging neighborhoods to • Heighten crime and drug of what they can do to protect their homes. people are expected to participate in increase participation to at least 30 prevention awareness; • Trim tree limbs to a minimum of ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime.’ neighborhood events this year. • Generate support for and 15 feet away from the roof and chimney; From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., If you would like to organize a participation in local anti-crime • Trim trees so that the crowns residents are asked to lock their doors, Neighborhood Watch group to efforts; are 15 feet apart and lower limbs are 15 turn on outside lights and spend participate in National Night Out, this • Strengthen neighborhood spirit feet above the ground; the evening outside with neighbors is an excellent opportunity. Organize and police-community partnerships; • Maintain small shrubs and plants and police. Many neighborhoods in your neighborhood before there is an and by thinning and pruning them away from Albany will host special events such issue or incident to cause concern. • Send a message to criminals burnable structures; as block parties, cookouts, parades, Get to know your neighbors, plan letting them know neighborhoods are • Frequently mow, rake, and water flashlight walks, contests, youth something fun, and have a good time. organized and fighting back. grass and never allow it to grow taller than 15 inches; • Keep roof and gutters clear of “PEDESTRIAN ENFORCEMENT Pedestrian Safety Enforcement debris; Pedestrian Safety ZONE.” operation, contact Officer Matt • Keep firewood at least 30 feet continued from page 1 A police officer in brightly-colored Baldwin at (541) 917-7680. away and uphill from home; street clothes acted as a pedestrian • Keep a shovel, rake, axe, saw, In each of the last six years in trying to cross the street in a marked Oregon Pedestrian bucket, and working garden hose ready Albany, an average of one auto vs. crosswalk. Other officers used a video Safety Facts (ODOT) for use in case of a fire. pedestrian collision has resulted in the camera near the enforcement location • 60% of auto vs. pedestrian crashes death of the pedestrian. to record any violations and assist were in full daylight. Don’t forget to check your smoke detector batteries every week and practice Studies have shown that an in future successful prosecution of • In 68% of auto vs. pedestrian an emergency home escape plan with the aggressive pedestrian safety campaign violators. Drivers who failed to yield crashes, failure to yield the pedestrian whole family. such as that used by Albany Police to the pedestrian were stopped farther was a contributing factor. greatly increases motorists’ awareness down the street by uniformed officers, • 49% of pedestrians are hit at an What to do about Tall Grass of pedestrians after a few months of provided with written materials about intersection or crosswalk. Tall grass or vegetation that blocks a enforcement and education. pedestrian laws and safety, and warned • A pedestrian hit at 20 MPH will driver’s vision to enter traffic or that is in Albany police first tried out the or given citations. suffer serious injuries and have a 15% a public right-of-way should be reported program, designed by ODOT, at a Police received numerous calls chance of dying. to the Public Works Operations Division downtown Albany intersection during from downtown employees, business • A pedestrian hit at 40 MPH, the at 917-7600. spring break in late March 2003. owners, and others to thank them pedestrian’s chance of dying increases Tall, dry grass or vegetation that is The public was notified in for the special effort. They also got to 85%. more than 15 inches tall and within 50 advance through newspaper stories, many requests from Albany residents feet of a burnable structure or a right-of- information on local radio stations, to do a similar effort in other parts of References: way where it could pose a fire hazard can and on the City Web site. Police then town. http://www.odot.state.or.us/ be reported to the Fire Department at posted a warning sign at the approach For more information regarding transafety/images 917-7727. to the enforcement area reading the Albany Police Department’s