News from BG: January 27, 2021
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING - A YEAR IN REVIEW
Community Oriented Policing has long been a practice of the Bowling Green Police Division. The impacts of 2020, with its unprecedented challenges that were presented throughout our nation and our state, were felt here locally within the City of Bowling Green. As the nation responded to increased focus on concerns such as mental health, racial discrimination, and police use of force, the Bowling Green Police Division was not exempt from these challenges.  The BGPD took a proactive stance and modified operations to respond to the new and constantly evolving conditions – all while responding to typical calls for service. These separate and unique challenges presented this community and agency tests that no one could see coming.  However, as a certified agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the BGPD is continually reflecting on operations, tactics, techniques, and training on important issues such as de-escalation techniques, racial profiling, implicit bias, and responding to calls involving mental health concerns.

In 2020, the BGPD completed a law enforcement reaccreditation assessment from CALEA. This voluntary assessment is intended to promote transparency and community trust, measure effectiveness, assist in policy decisions, and allow for continuous review of our agency. Along with this, the Division is certified by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen community and police relations. These certifications and assessments require officers to be trained in a multitude of different areas and disciplines including topics such as use of force, recruiting, and vehicle pursuits. With all that said, however, there was work to be done.....MORE
SNOW STREETS & SNOW EMERGENCIES
Snow streets are designated throughout Bowling Green and are marked with blue and white signs. Vehicles parked on a snow street must be removed within 2 hours after a Snow Emergency is declared. If a Snow Emergency is declared overnight, vehicles must be moved by 9AM. Snow Emergencies are typically called for when the City receives 2"+ of snow. Vehicles parked in violation violation of snow regulations are subject to towing at the owner's expense and/or a citation.....MORE

SNOW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

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LOCAL NEWS SOURCES
Fire Division
Space Heater Safety Tips

When the cold weather arrives, so too does the portable heating equipment, pulled out of the garage or closet and fired up to keep us warm. While portable heaters can help ward off the chilly nights, they also pose a serious fire danger.

Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes.  According to the NFPA, fire departments responded to approximately 52,000 fires involving heating equipment each year. Further, these fires resulted in annual losses of 490 civilian deaths and 1,400 civilian injuries. 

So, how can we stay warm without creating a fire hazard?

The NFPA offers these tips for safe space heater use:
  • Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
  • Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
  • Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
  • Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
  • Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
  • Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic.
  • Never block an exit.
  • Keep children away from the space heater.
  • Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord.
  • Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

If your space heater catches fire, call 911 immediately. If possible, close the door to the room where the space heater is located before exiting the building.


Lifetime Cost Savings Through Efficiency Smart

Since 2011, Efficiency Smart has partnered with the City of Bowling Green to provide energy efficiency services to Bowling Green Municipal Utilities customers. During that time, more than 120 Bowling Green businesses and institutions have worked with Efficiency Smart to save nearly 33 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy, more than $2,632,000 in annual electric costs, and an expected savings of more than $37.5 million in electric costs over the lifetime of the energy-saving products that were installed. This has resulted in an annual CO2 savings of more than 64,877,600 pounds, and more than 69,713,500 pounds when combined with residential projects to date.

Multiple types of businesses and organizations have completed projects, including manufacturers, retail and grocery stores, government, restaurants, places of worship, legal offices, financial services, entertainment venues, car dealerships, educational institutions, and automotive repair and supply shops...MORE

Virtual Shoebox
Valentine’s Parade
 
Time to put that creativity to work in this fun virtual event. The BG Parks & Recreation Department invites youth, teens, adults, families, organizations, and businesses to create shoebox floats that show what they love about BG and enter it into our "I Love BG!" Virtual Shoebox Valentine's Day
Parade that will be posted on the BG Parks & Rec Facebook page for viewing on Sunday February 14th.

Deliver your completed float to the BG Community Center, 1245 W. Newton Rd., by Wednesday, February 10th. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Full details and entry guidelines can be found HERE.

Questions? Contact Ivan at ivan@bgohio.org or by calling (419)354-6223.
WEEKLY UPDATE
COVID-19 Vaccines:
  • New groups are becoming eligible each week for COVID-19 vaccination during Phase 1B.
  • For eligibility criteria and the state’s projected timeline for each group, click HERE
  • Vaccine appointments with Wood County Health Department will be posted for scheduling beginning at noon on Fridays.
  • If you will become eligible in the week that follows, you can schedule an appointment for the following Wednesday or later.
  • Each group that becomes eligible will have the opportunity to be served for one full week (Wednesday through the following Tuesday) before the next group becomes eligible.
  • Other local providers are doing their own registration and scheduling. Click HERE to see current vaccine providers and their contact information.
  • If you would like to speak to someone to schedule an appointment, call 419-352-8402 and choose option 1.
  • We are continuing to serve those who became eligible during Phase 1A. Please fill out this FORM so we can contact you; do not schedule an appointment.

COVID-19 Cases:
  • It is great to see a recent decrease in COVID-19 cases, but we all must remain vigilant.
  • You should continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing and other public health guidance, even after being vaccinated.

Beware of Potential Fraud:
  • Watch out for potential fraud related to COVID-19 response activities such as contact tracing and vaccine distribution.
  • WCHD will not ask for bank account or credit card information, or your social security number.
  • If you have concerns, ask for the caller’s name and phone number, hang up, and call the Health Department at 419-352-8402 to verify their identity.