News Briefs

SVPD offers tips to enjoy holidays safely
The Scotts Valley Police Department is offering some sound advice to help ensure your holidays are happy ones. There are increased risks of being the victim of theft, residential burglary, or a drunk driver.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of crime. Please take time to do your part to make the holidays a safe and happy time for everyone.
Shopping tips:
– Even when rushed, stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you, avoid shopping alone as there is safety in numbers.
– Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and be extra careful with purses and wallets during this time. Do not place purses in shopping carts; it only takes a moment of distraction for someone to grab it. Carry your purse under your arm and your wallet in an inside pocket.
– When paying with credit cards, watch your card during transactions. Make sure it is used for your purchase only. Keep your credit card number hidden and secure from others.
– Lock your car and close the windows, even if you are gone for only a few minutes. Lock your packages in the trunk.
– Always have your keys ready by the time you get to your car, especially if you have a lot of packages.
– Be aware of “skimmers.” The scam has moved beyond ATMs. Skimmers now attach card readers to gas pumps across the U.S., capturing both credit and debit card data.
Home security:
– Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house. Do not put large displays of holiday gifts in view of windows.
– If you are gone during the holidays, use automatic timers for your lights, have a neighbor watch your house and pick up newspapers and mail (or discontinue service).
– Keep your Christmas tree watered to avoid it drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Unplug your tree before leaving.
– Make sure not to overload your electrical outlets with too many Christmas decorations.
– Do not leave burning candles or open flames unattended.
– Lock your car when parked at your house and avoid leaving valuables inside.
Party safety:
– Have non-alcoholic beverages available for your party guests.
– Stop serving alcoholic beverages well before the end of the party.
– If a guest appears to be under the influence, offer to call a cab, have another guest drive them home or offer to let them stay the night. Do not let them drive.
– When going out, designate a sober driver or make alternate transportation arrangements.
– Remember — don’t drink and drive!
Project SCOUT seeks volunteers for tax assistance
Project SCOUT recently announced that it is seeking volunteers to help with the organization’s free Volunteer Tax Assistance Program.
Volunteers will help seniors, as well as disabled persons, non-English speakers, and low-income individuals fill out simple tax forms and receive the tax refunds that they are entitled to.
Bi-lingual volunteers are particularly needed, and all volunteers receive a small stipend.
Project SCOUT is a program of the Seniors Council of Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.
For more information or to register, call Program Coordinator Jan Shirchild at 724-2606.