Volume 4 | July 2018
Cedar Rapids Police Department
Monthly News and Information
Welcome to the Official Monthly Newsletter of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and continue to make Cedar Rapids a safe place to live, work, or visit.
Community Engagement
Thank you for the opportunity to connect with you through several activities and events over the past month. Here are highlights of a few of those events.
The Cedar Rapids Kernels have partnered with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Jane Boyd Community House and Kids on Course University for a Kernels youth program called "Catch with a Cop". Cedar Rapids police officers have 5 events this year to connect with children on a more personal level by having a game of catch. In August, officers and children will get to attend a Kernels game together.
The Police Department hosted three summer Youth Academies. The children had the chance to experience what police officers do to get ready for patrolling neighborhoods, investigating crimes, and other types of police work. Activities included demonstrations by the special response team, bicycle patrol, K9 unit, patrol officers, and investigators.
The Flood of 2008 had a major impact on public safety buildings in our community. The City hosted several events, including an open house of the Police Station on June 12, so that citizens could experience the continuing story of our community's resilience. The Police Station, which was built in 1997, was flooded with 7 feet of water. Most repairs and renovations were completed by April 2010.
Ten Things Kids Can Do To Stop Violence
  1. Settle arguments with words, not fists or weapons. Don't stand around and form an audience.
  2. Learn safe routes for walking in the neighborhood, and know good places to seek help. Trust your feelings, and if there's a sense of danger, get away fast.
  3. Report any crimes or suspicious actions to the police, school authorities, and parents. Be willing to testify if needed.
  4. Don't open the door to anyone you and your parents don't know and trust.
  5. Never go anywhere with someone you and your parents don't know and trust.
  6. If someone tries to abuse you, say no, get away, and tell a trusted adult. Remember, it's not the victim's fault.
  7. Don't use alcohol and other drugs, and stay away from places and people associated with them.
  8. Stick with friends who are also against violence and drugs, and stay away from known trouble spots.
  9. Get involved to make school safer and better - having poster contests against violence, holding anti-drug rallies, counseling peers, and settling disputes peacefully. If there's no program, help start one!
  10. Help younger children learn to avoid being crime victims. Set a good example and volunteer to help with community efforts to stop crime.
Upcoming Events
Looking for an excellent way to learn what it's like to be a police officer and learn more about the Cedar Rapids Police Department? Join us for the next Citizen's Police Academy, which begins on September 19th. The Academy meets each Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. for 10 weeks. For more information, please call Sergeant Laura Faircloth at 319-286-5425 or email  l.faircloth@cedar-rapids.org . Additional information is available on our website at www.cedar-rapids.org/police.

So far 15 neighborhoods have let us know that they are participating in National Night Out. There is still time to sign up! National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. For more information on how to hold a neighborhood event, visit our website at www.cedar-rapids.org/police .  To register your event, contact (319) 286-5425 or email . l.faircloth@cedar-rapids.org
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, properly fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent—yet less than half of children age 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet. 

The Police Department and Linn County SAFE KIDS Coalition host several events throughout the year. The next bike helmet giveaway is scheduled for Sunday, August 26th at the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball game. 
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It’s time to mark your calendars for the Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control’s Annual Pet Fair. This year’s event will be held Saturday, August 4th, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. WildThunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary will hold two educational presentations. There will be adoption specials, a cake walk and bake sale, raffles, and other activities. 

Visit www.cedar-rapids.org/animal for more information.
Cedar Rapids Police Department Community Outreach Division | 319-286-5425 | Email | Website