Capt. Edgar Springer: Police Beat

Summer has arrived and with it some basic concerns for safety - safety for the home while on vacation and safety while traveling.

When you plan your vacation, are you planning for your home security? Have you considered stopping your local paper delivery and mail delivery?

These are both easy things to do. Call your delivery service to stop the paper delivery. Stop by the post office and complete a form to have them hold your mail. When there are piled up newspapers or mail in your entry, it is a sign to would-be burglars that people are away.

Have you considered having someone house-sit your home or apartment? If so, how dependable are they? If there are problems, will they be able to deal with them or be able to contact you? If you have an alarm, have you advised your alarm company that you are going away? If you are using a house-sitter be sure you have told the alarm company and be certain that you have instructed the house-sitter in the proper operation of the alarm system.

What if you just have someone stop by on a regular basis to check for mail and other papers, water the plants or mow the lawn? They also need to be familiar with your alarm, know how to properly secure your home and be able to reach you if there is a problem.

If you're going to travel somewhere by car, when was the last safety inspection of your vehicle? What is the condition of your tires, brakes and motor? What type of basic emergency items do you carry in your vehicle? Flares, drinking water, good spare tire?

Have you planned your route and let some family member or loved one know where you are going and when you are expected back? Going on a trip safely is a lot of work.

We had a large turnout at our June community forum. We had great safety tips from our retired vehicle-theft-expert David Roccaforte and Bev Bender gave an enlightening talk on driver safety training for seniors.

I will be on vacation for the next three weeks but will be back in time for the next community forum meeting. Day watch Lt. James Fry will be the acting captain in my absence. He has a great deal of experience and will be able to assist you.

I hope that those of you who will be going away for the summer have a safe and secure trip. For those of you that will be around, please join us for the Richmond Station Community Forum on Tuesday, July 17, at 7 p.m., at the Richmond Station, located at 461 Sixth Ave. We will have a demonstration by our canine unit, a lecture on home safety and security and a guest speaker, Michele Meeker of UCSF/SFGH, Department of Neurosurgery discussing treatments for severe head trauma.

I look forward to seeing you at the forum..