Weekly Update for August 27, 2021

Weekly Update

August 27, 2021

Good Snakes

Not all snakes are poisonous and they can even be helpful to have around. They kill vermin, bugs, and rattlesnakes, helping to keep your gardens and landscaping healthy. They also do not pose a physical threat to you, your family, or pets.

Here is a guide to the kind of snake you might want to keep around, rather than have removed.

Ground Snake

The ground snake comes in many morphs sometimes green with a long orange stripe down there back, sometimes gray and black, sometimes completely orange, sometimes striped like the picture. The best way you can tell is that full grown they are very small sometimes they’re mistake for earthworms. They eat insects and are very handy to keep around.

California Kingsnake

California Kingsnakes are known for eating rattlesnakes, so they’re definitely ones you want around!

Gopher Snake

Gopher snakes are killed all too often for being mistaken as rattlesnakes. They are very large sometimes reaching 6’ and they display a defense where they imitate a rattlesnake wagging their tail and flattening their head. They’re completely harmless though this display can seem frightening.

Coachwhip aka Red Racer

Sonoran Coachwhips are 4-5 feet long and they don’t have stripes. They, too, will wag their tails like a rattlesnake and show quite the display to scare predators away. They are harmless. They eat bugs including ants.

You might logically understand that some snakes aren't venomous, but you still fear their surefire ability to cause a panic-induced heart attack upon sight.

Do you know what to do if you come across a snake--venomous or not--that you don't want on your property? Unfortunately, the Town does not provide snake removal services, however, there are many private businesses that do. It might not be a bad idea to do your research now so if and when the day comes that you need it, you know who to call.

America Counts Releases State by State Profiles

The U.S. Census Bureau today released 52 individual data profiles on America Counts highlighting the recent 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File release.

These sharable data-rich state profiles are available for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and feature data visualizations that include population, housing, race, ethnicity, diversity and age data. Each profile provides key demographic characteristics of each state and county on one page.

One of the key data points for Arizona is that the population grew by 11.9% between 2010 and 2020. Find out more about Arizona Census results by clicking on the image to the left which will direct you to the America Counts Arizona page.

Paradise Valley, however, lost population over the last decade from 12,820 on April 1, 2010 to 12,658 from the 2020 census.

Paradise Valley Alarm Monitoring

Did you know the Paradise Valley Police Department can monitor your home alarm system? We are one of the few police agencies nationwide offering this service. With costs varying from $35 to $50 per month (depending on how many zones you have), we remain very competitive compared to other monitoring companies.

Why should you have your alarm monitored by the Town? Our service eliminates the middleman, so your current alarm company is cut out of the process. When there is an alarm activation, the signal comes right into the police department’s dispatch center where the call to the homeowner is made immediately to determine if police or fire response is requested. This process saves time, which in the case of a home alarm, can make the difference in apprehending a burglar, dispatching the fire department for your fire alarm, or saving a life for a medical alarm.

The good news is you may be able to use your current home alarm system. A trusted alarm technician of your choice will redirect the alarm signal to the police department.

Although there is a contract to sign between the homeowner and the Town of Paradise Valley, you may cancel your alarm service at any time. You are not locked into long-term contracts as required by other alarm companies. Billing is done through our finance department. If you already receive a monthly utility bill the monthly fee will be added to your bill.

If you want exceptional alarm monitoring service, please call (480) 348-3617 or visit www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/421/Alarm-Monitoring for further details.

July 2021 Police Statistics Report

The July 2021 Police statistics report is highlighted by zero violent crimes against persons. There were, however, four simple assaults during the month.

Additionally, there were zero injury collisions during July. 60% of Paradise Valley traffic collisions occur on either Lincoln Drive or Tatum Boulevard. 40% of July 2021 noninjury collisions occurred as a result of speed.

ToPV is Hiring!

The Town of Paradise Valley is hiring a Chief Information Officer. You can read more by clicking the image of the posting below. The closing date to apply is October 15, 2021.

The Town of Paradise Valley Municipal Court is seeking a part-time Court Security Officer to performs duties as an armed court security officer ensuring the safety of all persons at the Paradise Valley Municipal Court. The closing date to apply is September 10, 2021.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and complete the Town of Paradise Valley Job Application located at http://paradisevalleyaz.gov/168/Employment-Opportunities.

Construction theft and fraud can increase financial and time commitments to building and remodeling. Hiring the right contractor can reduce a person’s exposure to these poor practices.

Join us via Zoom for Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, September 1st at 7:30 am when an investigator will discuss how to stay safe when hiring a contractor.

Registration: www.alertpv.us/CWC.

Coffee with a Cop is a free program of the PVPD. Join them the first Wednesday of every month for this informative session.