In this issue:
- Let the Party Begin
- Police Department Hiring New Officers
- Share the Road – It’s an Attitude!
- Police Chief Khatib Looks to Future
Let the Party Begin
Lawrence Police offer information about underage drinking
As prom and graduation season approaches, many residents will host parties with youth attending. Hosting a party for your graduate is a great way to show them how proud you are of their hard work over the course of the past year, but you need to educate yourself about local laws regarding alcohol and social hosting.
What you need to know:
- As an adult, it is unlawful to directly or indirectly sell to, buy for, give, or furnish any alcoholic liquor or beer to anyone under the age of 21.
- You cannot host minors consuming alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverages at your residence, land, building or rented room (example: hotel).
- Your residence…your responsibility.
If you break the law:
- Furnishing/purchasing alcohol is a minimum fine of $200 and a sentence of up to 6 months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, plus court and legal fees.
- Hosting a party is a minimum fine of $1,000 or up to $2,500 with up to a year in county jail, plus court and legal fees.
Things you can do:
- Refuse to supply alcohol to youth either in your home, apartment or simply buying it for them.
- Actively supervise parties youth will be attending.
- Make sure alcohol is not brought into your home or onto your property by underage youth. Yes, that may mean checking purses and backpacks.
- Talk to other adults about not providing alcohol at events youth will be attending.
- Create alcohol-free opportunities and activities in your home so youth will feel welcome.
- Stay informed on the effects of alcohol on developing teenage brains, addiction, and trends so you become a source of information.
Report information regarding parties where alcohol or other substances are being unlawfully consumed.
"We need everyone’s help to keep our young community members safe," said Trent McKinley, Lawrence Police Department Neighborhood Resource Officer and member of the New Tradition Coalition. The Lawrence Police Department recognizes that, as a college town, there are unique challenges. The Lawrence community should report violations to law enforcement by calling dispatch at (785) 832-7509. For additional information, contact the Lawrence Police Department’s Neighborhood Resource Officers at (785) 830-7408 or Public Affairs Sergeant Matt Sarna at (785) 830-7404.
If you have a report of a possible overdose, intoxicated or impaired driver, or other emergency call 911 immediately. For more information on underage drinking, go to newtraditioncoalition.org or lawrenceks.org/police.
Police Department Hiring New Officers
To qualify, applicants must be 21 years-of-age at the time of appointment, have a High School Diploma or equivalent, be a U.S. citizen, have no felony convictions, and possess a valid driver’s license. Applicants should include copies of resume and diplomas earned. Starting pay is $19.75/hour. Applications are due Friday, June 10, 2011. Please submit applications online at lawrenceks.org. Questions can be directed to Officer Hogue at (785) 830-7412 or Officer Guile (785) 830-7413 or via email at training.unit@lkpd.org.
Share the Road – It’s an Attitude!
Educating motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians about sharing the road is a top priority in Lawrence.
Motorist Rules & Tips
- Yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
- Allow at least three feet of passing space between you and the bicycle.
- Don’t blast your horn when approaching a bicyclist – you may startle him/her.
- Never pass and turn across the path of a moving bicyclist. Slow down and turn behind the cyclist.
- Look for bicyclists when opening doors.
- Children on bicycles and foot are often unpredictable.
Pedestrian Rules & Tips
- Be predictable and cross at intersections and crosswalks.
- Where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing traffic.
- Make eye contact with motorists when crossing busy intersections.
Bicyclist Rules and Tips
- Obey all traffic rules, signals and stop signs.
- Use head and tail lights at night.
- Do not ride on downtown sidewalks.
- Never ride more than two abreast.
- Always ride with the flow of traffic.
- Do not pass vehicles on the right. When stopping in traffic, it is safer to hold your place in line with traffic.
- Always use hand signals when turning.
- Do not ride with headphones.
- Bicycles should be parked in bicycle racks or at parking meter ovals.
WEAR YOUR HELMET!
Wearing a helmet can reduce serious head injuries by as much as 85 percent!
Police Chief Khatib Looks to Future
I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as our community’s police chief. Although there have been many changes since I started my law enforcement career in Lawrence almost 19 years ago, one constant is the absolute necessity to ensure that a community’s police officers are the best recruited, best trained, best equipped, and most committed to citizens’ welfare. The recruitment and retention of quality personnel is our highest priority; a philosophy I will continue to embrace.
Serving the community requires an understanding and examination of citizen expectations and development of effective strategies to address those expectations. As the Department moves forward, there are exciting opportunities available for these positive interactions. Recently, the department unveiled a new website, with many new features to give citizens faster, easier and more "user friendly" information. I invite you to take a few minutes and visit www.lawrenceks.org/police.
Keeping Lawrence safe is a primary responsibility. It is also every citizen’s responsibility. Successful crime reduction strategy hinges on partnerships between the community and the police. We can’t do it alone. Individuals need to be aware of crime and what can be done to minimize the chance of being a crime victim. Through education and interaction, the police department will provide tools for crime reduction. However, as citizens, we have a responsibility to adopt behaviors that increase our own safety and security as well as watching out for each other.
The City Commission and police department staff continue to address department staffing levels in an effort to better address crime. The more time officers have to engage in self-initiated activities, the more likely they can address crime trends for the prevention of crime. Additionally, more time dedicated to proactive officer activities equates to greater opportunities for community policing. Although official communications from the department are important, officers working in neighborhoods with residents is just as important.
I am proud of the men and women, both sworn and civilian, of the Lawrence Police Department. Our past accomplishments would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication to professional service. In the future, the same will be expected.
-Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police