CA - Walnut Creek PD forced to suspend safety programs

OFF THE WIRE
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8562516
Walnut Creek PD forced to suspend safety programs
by John Alston
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Severe budget problems in Walnut Creek are forcing the police department to change and even suspend some of its public safety programs. Everything from Neighborhood Watch to traffic patrols are affected.
Tuesday night city officials were hashing out budget issues since Walnut Creek is looking at a budget shortfall of nearly $2.5 million. There's not enough money to fill some police department positions and the overtime budget is nearly shot, so changes are coming.
Residents of Walnut Creek will still get police service, but it will not at the same level they're used to.
"I personally don't think I'll be better off any time they cut back. We pay our taxes here, we always want the best that we can possibly get when it comes to protection," said Walnut Creek resident Dennis Holmes.
For starters, the traffic unit is being eliminated, meaning some motorcycle officers will be assigned regular patrol duties and that could cause some traffic tie-ups. Also, extra traffic enforcement around schools and neighborhoods will be stopped.
"Extra meaning our motorcycle officers will probably not, during the short term of the plan, will not have time to do that, correct," said Walnut Creek Police Chief Joel Bryden.
Also the community policing team will end its focus on schools and now concentrate on the downtown entertainment district where there have been problems with rowdiness.
"The public for the most part will not notice any change. We'll have slightly less traffic enforcement. We'll give slightly less specialized service to the schools, but we'll still be available for any crime issue," said Bryden.
Neighborhood Watch groups will also be affected. No longer will they have a single point person in the department they can go directly to. She's been moved to a different job. Now block captains will have to reach a lieutenant who might be busy on the road.
"There may not be as many meetings anymore. We can't facilitate that as much as we like to. But if there's a specific and dangerous crime trend out there, then we can help out with that," said Walnut Creek Police Sgt. Sean Conley.
"It's a sign of the times at this point. What the problem is, you've got to rob Peter to pay Paul," said Holmes.
The city says the cutbacks will be temporary, at least until July when the new fiscal year starts. The police department had a similar restructuring last year and officials say there was no jump in crime. In fact crime rates declined last year.

http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_20075035
Ask a Cop: Safety tips for the two-wheeled motorist
I was asked the following question at a Public Safety Expo: "What is the minimum age of a passenger to ride on a motorcycle or moped or on a Vespa?"
I can honestly say during my career, I had never been asked that question. I had not heard of any age requirements for motorcycle passengers, but I was not sure if any laws were in place addressing the question.
I found no specific law in regards to the minimum age for passengers on a motorcycle.
However, California Vehicle Code Section 27800 reads: "It is unlawful for a driver of a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle to carry any other person thereon, except on a seat securely fastened to the machine at the rear of the driver and provided with footrests, or in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle and designed for the purpose of carrying a passenger.
"Every passenger on a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle shall keep his feet on the footrests while such vehicle is in motion."
I am happy to say that we rarely see small children riding on the back of a motorcycle holding on to the driver. One of the contributing factors must be the above-mentioned law requiring all motorcycle passengers to keep their feet on the footrests while the motorcycle is in motion.
Another factor could be the fact that parents who own and ride motorcycles may recognize the possible risks of riding a motorcycle.
There is another law that applies to a driver who has an instruction permit to ride a motorcycle. The law partially states, "A person issued an instruction permit shall not operate a two-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter, motorized bicycle, moped, or bicycle with an attached motor during the hours of darkness, shall stay off any freeways that have full control of access and have no crossings at grade, and shall not carry any passenger." In California, we have a safety program geared for motorcyclists called the "California Motorcyclist Safety Program."
As of December 2009, more than 675,700 motorcycle riders had received training at one of the program's 128 training sites since the program was initiated in 1987.
The program offers a basic and experienced rider course, and the basic rider course is mandatory for those under 21 who are seeking to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license.
A website, www.ca-msp.org, serves as the training course referral service. The combination of motorcycle training and education, licensing efforts and driver awareness are all working together to give a promising outlook for motorcycle safety in California.
The CHP strongly encourages all riders to sign up for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program before beginning to ride. The program offers the Basic Rider Course for beginning motorcyclists and the Experienced Rider Courses for riders who are interested in improving their skills.
It also expects to train 65,000 motorcyclists per year. To find a location near you, visit www.ca-msp.org.
Whether traveling by two, three, four or even 18 wheels it's up to all motorists to help create a safer environment by using common sense and courtesy while on the road.
Think! We're all out here together. "Save a Life. Look Twice for Motorcyclists."