Area briefing

residents warned of suspects impersonating police officers

Over the past few weeks, local law enforcement agencies across the valley have responded to several different incidents of suspects believed to be impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Metropolitan Police Department officials provided tips for potential victims of such incidents:

n If you are driving and someone tries to pull you over but you're unsure if he is an officer, call 911 and drive the speed limit.

n Be aware that law enforcement officers will never flash their headlights as the only means to pull over a driver.

n Be specific on your location, such as noting mile markers.

n Request that a marked police vehicle be dispatched.

n Pull over only if the 911 operator tells you it is safe to do so.

For more information, visit lvmpd.com or call 828- 3111.

kids to learn how to resist aggression during Nevada Child Seekers classes

Nevada Child Seekers plans to educate kids on how to resist aggression defensively during radKids classes set through mid-August.

The radKids program aims to provide children with basic safety skills dealing with issues such as fire, their home and the Internet and avoid potential bullying and abduction.

The organization, which tries to prevent children from being exploited or going missing, is offering the free program with assistance from Metropolitan Police Department DARE officers.

The sessions will consist of five classes held daily for two hours. Classes are planned for 9-11 a.m. for 5- to 8-year-olds and 1-3 p.m. for 9- to 12-year-olds.

Scheduled dates and locations are:

n Monday-July 22 and July 25-29 at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane.

n Aug. 1-5 at the Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, 348-5200.

n Aug. 1-5 at Central Christian Church's northeast campus, 1460 Tree Line Drive.

n Aug. 8-12 at the Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, 240-9622.

n Aug. 15-19 at the Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 229-1607.

n Aug. 15-19 at the Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave.

Kids will receive T-shirts and wristbands following completion of the sessions, and parents will receive manuals dealing with issues discussed during the program.

For more information, visit nevadachildseekers.org, radkids.org, email carole@nevadachildseekers.org or call 458-7009.

Henderson police equip patrol vehicles with digital video camera system

The Henderson Police Department's patrol vehicles recently were equipped with digital video cameras to assist with investigations and enhance accountability.

The system is constantly in recording mode, but only 60 seconds of footage are stored at a time unless the system is activated by one of the triggers, police said. The camera records when the police vehicle's emergency lights and/or siren are activated, when the vehicle is traveling 80 mph or faster or when the officer activates it from a wireless microphone or a laptop computer.

One video camera is mounted by the rear-view mirror in the police cars, and a second camera is mounted to record the actions in the back seat.

The video files will be wirelessly and automatically downloaded to city servers, the city said. Video files will be saved for 90 days unless there is a request to keep the file longer. Videos that show an arrest or use of force will be saved for about three years.

The $1.2 million system, which includes audio records, is part of an ongoing effort by Henderson police to integrate technology into fighting crime, city officials said.

The cameras, wireless microphones, installation and software cost about $900,000, and the wireless downloading equipment and servers for storage of the video and audio files cost about $300,000.

The Henderson Police Department received a grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to pay for the system.

Drivers can check for road incidents, closures on state public safety website

Clark County motorists can check for road closures and incidents online when planning their commutes by visiting the Nevada Department of Public Safety's road hazards page at nvdpspub.gov/nhp/roadhazard.aspx.

The Web page lists the location of the incident or closure and the time and date of the status update.

Report Road incidents by calling nevada department of transportation

Motorists who notice incidents along state roads can dial 647 to notify the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Incidents can include drunken drivers, traffic crashes, stranded motorists or suspicious activity.

An average of 300 deaths occur annually on Nevada roads, department officials said.

For additional driving tips and other further information, visit nevadadot.com or call 775-888-7115.