12 21 13stsn p43 44 opinion

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Opinion

www.SanTanSun.com

December 21, 2013 - January 3, 2014

43

Community Commentary

Stay vigilant this December as crime increases BY COUNCILMEMBER KEVIN HARTKE

The holiday season provides special opportunities for expressing values of kindness and generosity. Unfortunately, it is Kevin Hartke. also a time when Submitted photo crime is on the rise. People tend to let their guard down and become vulnerable to crimes of opportunity. The Chandler Police Department is aware of this issue and reminds residents to stay vigilant. Following simple safety measures can ensure that everyone enjoys safe and happy holidays. First and foremost, be aware of your surroundings by limiting distractions such as talking on a cell phone or texting, especially when out shopping. Also, avoid putting yourselves in situations that are enticing to criminals. It is recommended to shop during daylight hours, whenever possible. If shopping at night is unavoidable, do so with a family member or friend. Another tip is to park as close to a destination as possible and be sure to always lock all doors and windows. Packages or valuables should never be left on the seat of a parked vehicle. Also, it is advisable to have car keys in hand before heading to the vehicle. Be particularly aware of holding wallets and purses securely and to not put them down or on top of the car in order to open a door. If something doesn’t feel right, ask the store security for an escort before leaving. And if an emergency situation occurs, don’t hesitate to call 911. Thieves also prey on homes vacated by holiday travelers because they are easy to

stake out and invade. If traveling out of town, make sure to notify newspaper agencies and the post office to hold deliveries. This helps prevent items and newspapers from stacking up in your driveway or by your doorstep, which indicates that you may not be home. You may ask neighbors to pick up any packages that are delivered to your house during your absence. Outgoing mail can be an issue as well. Insure packages for an amount equal to the replacement cost of the item and never send cash or gift cards in the mail. In addition, do not leave door keys in obvious locations outside the home, such as under a doormat or flower pot, instead give a spare key to a trusted neighbor. Installing home security systems and/or motion detector lights around the outside of the house can be effective at deterring criminals. It is recommended to install the lights in the darkest and most secluded areas of the lot. If you will be away from home during the evening, also purchase timers and install them throughout the home. Some timers contain a day cycle that can be used to set different lights or televisions to turn on during different days. The Chandler Police Department maintains additional crime prevention tips and resources on its website at www. chandlerpd.com. Among other things, you can request frequent patrols in your neighborhood, learn how to organize a Block Watch, and apply for an alarm user permit. You may also call the nonemergency phone number with any questions at 480-782-4130. This holiday season, let us remind each other to stay vigilant so we can truly appreciate our blessings and be generous with our loved ones and those in need. I wish you all happy and safe celebrations. Kevin Hartke has lived in Chandler since 1985.

We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to the editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com. All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

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‘Tis the season for recycling Dreaming of a green holiday season BY LARRY WILLIAMS

Let’s face it, the holidays are a time when we create a lot of trash, and most of it destined for a landfill where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. It’s a costly option to our communities and the environment. How much of our holiday trash actually has to be thrown away? Most of the gifts we give and receive during the holiday season come in elaborate packaging that includes cardboard, paper, plastic and other materials. Then (as if all that is not enough) we wrap them—all over again—in tons of pretty wrapping paper, ribbons and bows! In the end it makes for lots of extra trash each year. What can we do to curtail the excess trash that finds its way into our homes over the holidays? No one here would dare suggest you should give up the gift giving traditions of our holidays. We love the holidays, traditions are important to our families, but we can minimize the impact we make on our Mother Earth by following these three guidelines: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Total Circulation 27,250+ Driveways Fifty square mile coverage area from Price/101 to Greenfield and from Frye to Hunt Highway.

Reduce, reuse, recycle gift wrap Have you bought your gift wrap yet this year? If you haven’t already, then it’s going to be easy for you to be ecofriendly this year. When you go out to buy your wrapping paper for all your holiday presents, buy wrapping paper made with recyclable content, look for 100% recyclable if you can. Stay away from foil paper or paper with glitter. It might cost a few cents more; a small fee for keeping our planet clean. It’s also acceptable in curbside recycling programs. Don’t forget to look for the highest post-consumer content you can find whenever buying goods made from recycled materials. This means that the fewest trees had to be directly cut down for the gift wrap to be made and, according to the EPA, recycled paper generates 74% less air pollution and uses

Start the recycling process with your shopping Bring your own bags. For small items, let cashiers know you don’t need a bag. If you do want a bag, don’t be afraid to ask for paper, as paper is 100% recyclable. If you have no other choice than to take a plastic bag make sure you reuse it at home or recycle it at local grocers when you’re through, not in your curbside recycling bin. Placing plastic bags in your curbside recycling bin can cause costly breakdowns in sorting equipment, posing safety issues to workers. Remember plastic bags are

SEE RECYCLE PAGE 44

Letters to the editor

Quick lesson on San Marcos Justice Court BY KEITH FRANKEL

Chandler’s San Marcos Justice Court at 201 E. Chicago St. is one of 26 “People’s Courts” in Maricopa County dedicated to bringing timely and economical justice to their communities. I encourage residents to learn more about the court’s services that can save

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petroleum-based products and are the leading culprit in our waste stream. So do your part and bring your own bag.

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time, money and legal hassles. These lower courts are empowering for residents who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by the complexities of laws. They are the only jurisdictions to hear small claims cases—simplified civil

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