2010 National Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch Accorded Plano Police Department

2010 National Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch Accorded Plano Police Department
Posted: July 13, 2010

The City of Plano Police Department has received the 2010 National Award for Excellence in Neighborhood Watch from the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Program, U. S. Department of Justice, in recognition of their exemplary Neighborhood Watch Program.

The award was presented on June 29, 2010 at the organization’s annual conference in Anaheim, California and will be on permanent display in the Crime Prevention Unit at the Plano Police Department’s main headquarters. Only two agencies in the nation, one police department and one sheriff’s department, are recognized annually for demonstrating unwavering commitment to Neighborhood Watch.

Plano’s Neighborhood Watch Program encompasses over 247 neighborhoods, relying on volunteers to recognize and report crimes and identify suspicious activities and behaviors. It provides citizens the opportunity to make their neighborhoods safer by reducing crimes such as theft and violence.

If you don’t have an organized Watch Program you can contact the Police Crime Prevention Unit at 972-941-2439 to discover how easy it is to get started. You can increase your awareness by knowing the three neighbors across the street from your home, on each side and the three neighbors behind your residence and be willing to report suspicious activity to the police. You can be assured when you report suspicious activity your name will be held in strictest confidence.

The Neighborhood Watch Awards of Excellence Program was established by the National Sheriffs’ Association in 2004 to recognize and honor those law enforcement agencies, Neighborhood Watches, states, organizations and programs doing extraordinary things to promote Neighborhood Watches in
their communities.

Courtesy of: City of Plano Public Information Department

Plano Animal Services Reports Rabies Positive Bat

For Immediate Release Contact:
Sept. 10, 2009 Sherry Smith
Animal Services Supervisor
Phone: (972) 769-4373

Plano Animal Services Reports Rabies Positive Bat

The City of Plano Animal Services Division has received notification that a bat in the 1900 block of Antwerp tested positive for Rabies from the state laboratory in Austin. It is believed that no people or pets were directly exposed to the bat before Animal Services removed it.

Bats in particular are at a high risk of spreading Rabies. With this in mind, Animal Services would like to offer these helpful tips to prevent Rabies.

1) Do not touch injured, sick or dead bats. Contact Plano Animal Services at (972) 769-4360 for help.
2) If you or your pets have had contact with a bat, contact Animal Services immediately at (972) 769-4360. Bat bites are not always visible so do not assume that no bite occurred if you can’t see a wound.
3) Teach children to avoid contact with bats.
4) Keep the Rabies vaccinations of all family pets current.

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Clark High School Student Collapses During Workout

For Immediate Release April 3, 2009

Contact:
Captain Peggy Harrell Plano Fire Department Phone: (972) 816-8187

Clark High School Student Collapses During Workout

On April 2, 2009, at 6:05 p.m. Plano Fire Department crews were dispatched to Plano
East Senior High School where a 16-year-old male had collapsed while working out
during football practice. The student was a sophomore attending Clark High School in Plano.

Upon the fire department’s arrival a Plano Independent School District coach and trainer were performing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on the student. The school’s AED (automated external defibrillator) had been used on the student as well.

Plano Fire Department crews took over care of the patient and transported him to Medical Center of Plano where he later died. His body has been transferred to the Collin County Medical Examiner.

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Nickel Neutering for Cats is Back

For Immediate Release
Feb. 4, 2009

Contact:
Debbie New
Animal Services
Phone: (972) 769-4360

Nickel Neutering for Cats is Back

The City of Plano Animal Services Department will neuter male cats for 5 cents each
on Tuesday, Feb. 24 as part of Spay Day USA 2009. Appointments must be made in
advance for this one-day event held at the Plano Animal Shelter, 4028 Plano Parkway.

To qualify cats must have written proof of current rabies vaccinations and must be in
a pet carrier, labeled with the owner’s name. If the cat is not current on his rabies vaccination, a vaccination can be given for $10.

Plano residents are required by law to register cats with Animal Services for $7.50 each and it can be done at the same time. Microchipping will also be available for an additional $15 fee per cat. This year the FVRCP vaccination will also be administered for $5 each.

Space is limited, so make an appointment today by calling (972) 769-4374.

Spay Day USA originated through the Doris Day Animal Foundation and is now an annual campaign by The Humane Society of the United States.

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Energy Rebate and Tips to Save Money

For Immediate Release
October 10, 2008

Contact:
Melinda Haggerty
Sustainability Communications Coordinator
Sustainability & Environmental Services
Phone: (972) 769-4391 Cell: (214) 649-1895

Energy Rebate and Tips to Save Money

Residents will receive up to 20 percent back on qualified purchases to update their homes for energy efficiency. Funds are available on a first come basis and each household is limited to a maximum rebate of $2,000.

“Energy Efficiency: Be Green to Save Some Green!”, is a free class available from 9
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Plano Municipal Center located at 1520 K Ave., Plano 75074. In addition to offering more details about the Plano Energy-Efficiency Rebate and Incentive Program, the presentation will include a range of home improvement projects from simple “do-it-yourself” tips to major energy saving upgrades yielding a higher return on investment.

Qualified purchases eligible for the rebate program include residential upgrades and replacements which are considered energy efficient, such as Energy Star appliances, air conditioning units rated 14 SEER and above, attic insulation, solar screens and solar film, radiant barrier, duct replacement, duct wrap and low emissivity windows.

“The purpose of the rebate program is simple,” said Rohini Drake, Environmental Education Coordinator. “It will demonstrate the impact of energy efficient home upgrades directly to energy savings by tracking energy usage and monthly payments. With more individual home owners saving energy, the total energy savings in the City of Plano will be increased as well.”

Eligible applicants for the Plano Energy-Efficiency Rebate and Incentive Program must be a Plano resident and qualified purchases must be used in residential applications only. Items must be purchased and installed between May 15, 2008 and May 15, 2009. Residents will be required to track and report energy usage for the current year and for at least three months after installing energy-efficient upgrade.

“With energy and water costs increasing, the City of Plano wants to educate residents on how to save money and make sustainable choices,” said Melissa Baird, Environmental Education Coordinator. “This class will provide in-depth information about making energy-efficient changes to your home.”

More details about saving energy year-round through home improvements and participating in the rebate program are available at the “Energy Efficiency: Be Green to Save Some Green!” class. For more information, visit www.livegreeninplano.com.

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ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HONORED

For Immediate Release: October 3, 2008

For More Information, Please Contact:
Diane C. Wetherbee, City Attorney
972-941-7126

ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY HONORED AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT FELLOW BY INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Plano Assistant City Attorney Paige Mims has been honored as a Local
Government Fellow by the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).
This prestigious designation recognizes those persons who have shown excellence
in the field of municipal law and is a reliable benchmark for determining
experienced and knowledgeable practitioners in government. Only 60 people
across the United States and Canada hold this recognition.

Ms. Mims has worked for the City of Plano since April 2004, previously serving
as the city attorney for Corsicana. She represents a number of city departments,
the Planning and Zoning and Heritage Commissions, and is counted on to provide
defense representation for municipal lawsuits as well as collection matters for the
City.

She is a graduate of the City’s MP3 (management succession) program, and in
addition to her work for Plano, she is serving her second term as President of the
Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center.

“I am especially proud of her achievements to be recognized as a Fellow,” said
City Attorney Diane Wetherbee, herself an IMLA Fellow. “It is a gold standard
of competence in this area of law. Plano should be very proud of her
accomplishments and the fact the Plano Legal Department now has two attorneys
who have achieved this designation.”

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