Estimado Vecino,

Hasta la fecha de este escrito a mediados de febrero, hemos sido muy afortunados de a ver evadido nevadas excesivas y temperaturas brutalmente frías, pero la primavera trae consigo nuevas posibilidades de clima peligroso en la forma de tormentas, inundaciones y calor conforme nos acercamos al verano. Algunas recomendaciones del Servicio Nacional Climático han sido incluidas para asegurarnos que su familia esté preparada para lo peor.

El Día de la Tierra está también a la vuelta de la esquina, y para agregar a las iniciativas ecológicas de Berwyn, hemos incluido una guía informativa de Waste Management para mejorar los esfuerzos de reciclaje de nuestra ciudad.

En las próximas semanas, el Departamento de Policía de Berwyn anunciara las próximas fechas de reuniones PACT (Policía y Comunidad Juntas) y Neigh-borhood Watch “Prevención mediante Educación”. Por favor asegúrese que está inscrito para recibir avisos de la Ciudad de Berwyn, o siga al Departamento de Policía en Facebook para ser notificado de actualizaciones.

Le deseo una primavera segura y despejada, y espero verle du-rante nuestros próximos eventos.

Respetuosamente,

Mayor Robert J. Lovero

Dear Neighbor,

As of the time of this writing in mid-February, we have been very fortunate in avoiding excessive snowfall and brutally cold temperatures, but the spring brings with it new hazardous weather pos-sibilities in the form of storms, flooding and heat as we get closer to summer. Some tips from the National Weather Service have been included to make sure that your family is prepared for the worst.

Earth Day is also just around the corner, and in the spirit Berwyn’s many green initiatives, we’ve in-cluded a helpful guide from Waste Management to improve our city’s recycling efforts.

In the coming weeks, the Berwyn Police Department will be announcing the upcoming dates for their upcoming PACT (Police and Community Together) and Neighborhood Watch “Prevention through Education” meetings. Please make sure that you are signed up for notifications from the City of Berwyn website, or follow the police department on Facebook to be notified of updates.

I wish you a safe and mild spring, and I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Respectfully,

Mayor Robert J. Lovero

IN THIS ISSUE

Springtime Neighborhood Watch Challenge . . . . . Page 3

Be Prepared For Spring Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4

Focus On Fire Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5

Prom Night Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

Wet Weather Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7

IRS Scam Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

Why You Should Always Put A Coin In The Freezer Single Family Rehab Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10

Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 11-12

People often ask how they can get more involved with Neighborhood Watch. For the past year, the Berwyn Police Department has been encouraging residents to get involved however they can, whenever they can. If you’re looking for a good place to start, here are three challenges (and some extra credit) to get you started.

Challenge #1: Sign up for emergency notifications.The City of Berwyn’s Emergency Notification System is in place to quickly inform residents of in-progress or impending emer-gencies, major criminal activity and important announcements from the city. You can register to be contacted by phone, text message or e-mail, and set up notifications for the areas that matter to you, such as your home, child’s school, workplace, etc.

Simply visit the city’s website at Berwyn-IL.gov and click on “City of Berwyn – Citizen Alerts” to sign up. If you do not have access to the internet, call 708-795-2119 to speak with a representative that will assist you with registration.

Challenge #2: Be aware of criminal activity in your neighborhood.Sign up for crime alerts on CrimeReports.com – Twice every day, crime data is uploaded from the Berwyn Police Department to Crime Reports. By viewing the map regularly and signing up for alerts, you will be better informed about what’s happening in your neighborhood, and what to be more watchful for.

Challenge #3: Take a friend, neighbor or relative on a safety walk.15 minutes is about 1% of one day. That being said, by spending 15 minutes of your day outside on your block, you are being a visual deterrent to crime for 1% of the day, and you are doing your part to keep your block (and about 0.2% of the entire City of Berwyn) safer.

NEVER WALK ALONE! There is safety in numbers, so you will become a bigger deterrent to crime with every person that you add to your group. Whether you coordinate a time to walk your dog with a neighbor, or make a regular activity of walking with a spouse, friend or other family member, always have at least one other person with you to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

Look for open garage doors, parking violations, blight, graffiti and other damage to property and give the police department a call at 708-795-5600 to report what you’ve seen. If these newsletters aren’t distributed on your block, pick up a stack from the lobby of the Berwyn Police Department and drop them off for your neighbors. If you should notice any suspicious activity or a crime in progress, DO NOT GET INVOLVED OR PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER! Find a safe location (back at home or with a trusted neighbor) and CALL 9-1-1. Giving a detailed description of the offenders and their vehicle to the dispatcher is the best thing that you can do to protect yourselves and your neighbors.

Extra Credit: Get ready for warm weather and protect your bicycles.Bicycles are an easy target for thieves, but every step that you take to make yours more secure will help to prevent it from being stolen. If you have a few extra dollars this season, use it to protect your investment and invest in a reliable bike lock.

Some things to consider: There are two main types of locks for securing your bicycle – U-locks and chain locks. In an ideal world, you would want to use one of each, but this can become heavy and cumbersome to transport. For everyday portable transportation, we would recommend a strong U-lock with a thickness over 13 millimeters. The thickness of the lock will make it more difficult for a thief to defeat with bolt cut-ters. At work, home or other places that you visit frequently, consider storing a stationary chain. Stationary chains are very heavy and usually over 15 millimeters thick, but they are incredibly durable. Most im-portantly, make sure to keep your bike inside your home or garage whenever you can to keep it out of sight.

SPRINGTIME NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

SPRINGTIME NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

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1. Know Your RiskCheck weather.gov every morning. It is a simple action that will ensure that you’re ready for the day’s weather. Don’t leave home without knowing the forecast.

2. Take Action!Assemble an emergency supplies kit with 72 hours worth of food and water. In an emergency (such as after a tor-nado or some other hazard event), you may be stuck at home without electricity for three days or more. Make sure that you’re prepared. Also, ensure that everyone in your life knows how to stay in touch with an emergency communication plan. This plan lists meeting places and alternate ways of communicating in case of emergency.

3. Be A Force of NatureInspire others by sharing your weather-ready story on so-cial media with the hashtag #SpringSafety. It can be as simple as posting a photo of your emergency supplies kit or letting your friends know how to reach you during an emergency. Together, we can build a Weather-Ready Na-tion, one that is ready for any extreme weather, water, or climate event.

Springtime HazardsYou are not powerless in the face of extreme weather and water events. Learn about the hazards most common to spring - and some that are threats year-round - and what you can do about them.

Severe Weather/TornadoesSpring is a time when severe weather and tornadoes are a threat for much of the Southeast and Great Plains. Since 2005, 49 states have come under a tornado warning; all 50 states have come under severe thunderstorm warn-ings; and lightning strikes occur in every state. While tornadoes can strike almost anywhere, the Great Plains is particularly prone

to tornadoes in the spring. The 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado, which killed 24 people and injured hundreds, struck in May of that year.

What to Do: You may have only minutes to find shelter before a tornado strikes. Practice a family tornado drill at least once a year.

FloodsDue to snowmelt and heavy rain from thunderstorms, flooding is common across much of the U.S. in the spring. In May of last year, widespread flooding in Texas left 17 dead. Flash flooding is the number one killer associated with severe weather. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inch-es of rushing water to carry away a small car, while two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

What to Do: It’s simple: Turn Around Don’t Drown®. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.

LightningIn 2015, there were 26 lightning fatalities - five in Florida alone. 62% of fatalities were men. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year.

What to Do: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area.

HeatExtreme heat comes early to the Southwest. Last year, Phoenix hit 100 degrees on May 1. Heat is one of the leading weather-re-lated killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year.

What to Do: During a heat wave, reschedule strenuous outdoor ac-tivities for the coolest time of the day, drink plenty of water and spend time in locations with air conditioning.

Berwyn - Neighborhood Watch Newsletter

Tornadoes, lightning, floods, rip currents and early season heat - spring is three months of danger that can imperil the un-prepared. It roars in like a lion, rampaging across the United States throughout March, April and May.

Spring hazards include severe weather/tornadoes, floods, lightning and heat

Nobody knows the hazards of this dynamic season more than NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS). Their tips will get your family weather-ready for spring with just a few simple steps:

Be Prepared for Spring Weather

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Tips for Teens

• Plan ahead to make sure you have a safe plan for prom night.

• Discuss your plans with your parents. Keep them updated throughout the night, and contact them if your plans change.

• As always, stay away from drugs and alcohol. You already know that they’re illegal, you’re aware of the damage they can cause to your health, and you know how terribly they can impair your judgment. Don’t risk an arrest, injury or worse!

• Be a good example for your friends, and don’t let them drink and drive. Discuss your plans with them, and encourage each other to make the right choices.

• Do not accept any drinks from people you don’t know – pour them yourself if possible. If you become separated from your drink, discard it and get a new one.

• Don’t leave your possessions unattended.

• Have a responsible person available for transportation for a safe ride home or in case of an emergency.

• Remember to charge your cell phone and keep it with you at all times.

• Trust your instincts – if you feel endangered or uncomfortable, leave immediately!

Tips for Parents

• Make sure that your child has a safe plan for the night. Talk with them about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and impaired driving.

• Know who your child is attending the prom with and obtain their cell phone numbers. Get to know their parents and discuss the pre/post prom activities.

• Set rules and a curfew, and discuss the conse-quences of violating those rules

• If your child is traveling by limousine, make sure that it is a reputable company that will not allow a person to bring, serve or introduce alcohol in the vehicle.

• If your child is traveling in someone else’s vehicle, know who is driving and how many passengers will be in the car. Limit the number of passengers to increase safety and reduce distractions.

• Know the location of any post-prom parties that your child may be attending and who is sponsoring them.

• If your child’s plans change, confirm the change with the parents of other children in his or her group.

• Remind your children that you are there for them!

Prom is a night of celebration, dancing and fun, and is a night that you will remember for the rest of your life. How do you want to remember yours?

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Wet Weather Driving TipsWet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes each year. Here are some tips from AAA that you’ll want to follow the next time you’re caught driving in the rain.

Safety starts before you drive, and your goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive.

Proper tire tread depth and inflation are imperative to maintaining good traction on wet roadways. Check tread depth with a quarter inserted upside down into the tire groove. If you can see above Washington’s head, start shopping for new tires. Check each tire’s pressure, in-cluding the spare, at least once a month… and be sure to check the pressure when the tires are cold.

Avoid Cruise Control

Most modern cars feature cruise control. This feature works great in dry conditions, but when used in wet con-ditions, the chance of losing control of the vehicle can in-crease. To prevent loss of traction, the driver may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator, which cannot be accomplished when cruise control is engaged.

When driving in wet-weather conditions, it is important to concentrate fully on every aspect of driving. Avoiding cruise control will allow the driver more options to choose from when responding to a potential loss-of-traction situa-tion, thus maximizing your safety.

Slow Down and Leave Room

Slowing down during wet weather driving can be critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning, when the tires rise up on a film of water. With as little as 1/12 inch of water on the road, tires have to displace a gallon of water per second to keep the rubber meeting the road. Drivers should reduce their speed to correspond to the amount of water on the roadway. At speeds as low as 35 mph, new tires can still lose some contact with the roadway.To reduce chances of hydroplaning, drivers should slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you. Also, it’s important for motorists to allow ample stopping distance between cars by increasing the following distance of the vehicle in front of them and beginning to slow down to stop for intersections, turns and other traffic early.

Responding to a SkidEven careful drivers can experience skids. If a driver feels their car begin to skid, it’s important to not panic and fol-low these basic steps:Continue to look and steer in the direction in which the driver wants the car to go.Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.If you feel the car begin to skid, continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Don’t panic, and avoid slamming on the brakes to maintain control.Overall you want to be extra cautious in wet weather. Slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply and al-low ample stopping distance between you and the cars in front of you. Also, do these things one-at-a-time. Brake, then turn, then accelerate.

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Berwyn - Neighborhood Watch Newsletter8

Have you ever come home from vacation, business trip or maybe a weekend away with the family - and noticed your digital clocks flashing the wrong time? You quickly realize that

you had a power outage while you were away, but it’s basically impossible to tell when it occurred or how long it lasted. It’s therefore also impossible to tell just how long the food in your freezer may have thawed, gotten destroyed and then frozen again. Or is it? But the trick is certainly also good to know in case of any prolonged depar-ture from your home - and will ease your mind about whether or not the food in your freezer is good to eat - or best be thrown out right away. The trick lies in the magical combination of three simple but effective tools everyone already has at home: a mug,

a coin and some tap water. It’s called the one cup tip. • You put a cup of water in your freezer.

• Freeze it solid, then put a quarter on top of it and leave it in your freezer. • That way, when you come back after you’ve been evacuated, you can tell if your food went com-

pletely bad and just refroze, or if it stayed frozen while you were gone. • If the quarter has fallen to the bottom of the cup, that means all the food defrosted and you should throw it out. • But if the quarter is either on the top or in the middle of the cup, your food may still be ok. It would be a great idea to leave this in your freezer all the time. Then, if you lose power for any reason, you will have this tip to fall back on. If you don’t feel good about your food, just throw it out. The main thing is for all to be safe. Simple, effective - and definitely a money saver, because you don’t have to toss loads of food unnecessarily. Please share this nifty trick with all your friends!

Why you should always put a coin in the freezer before you leave home for an extended period

SPRING 2017 9

DR. SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY BASH!Age: All Ages FREE!A Birthday Party there will be, a very special day at NBPD! Please join us for a very SEUSSTASTICAL Birthday Bash! We could have lots of good fun that is funny! Saturday, March 411:00 am - 1:00 pmCommunity Center - 1619 Wesley Avenue, Berwyn

Age: All AgesThe Berwyn Park District and South Berwyn School District 100 Wellness Committee present

the 10th Annual Wellness Fair. Walk through the Fair and gain information for children and family members with a variety of resources on health, wellness and safety topics. The event will entail exhibitor booths, free screenings and a variety of demonstrations throughout the evening.Thursday, March 23Heritage Middle School and Emerson Gym - 6850 W. 31st Street

Age: 55+Spring is in the air! Quarter BINGO – Winner keeps the pot! Lunch menu to be determined.

Wednesday, April 12 • 11:30 am-2:00 pmBerwyn Recreation Department – 6501 W. 31st StreetBerwyn Residents – FREE! • Non-residents - $6.00

10th Annual South Berwyn School District

W E L L N E S S F A I R

Upcoming Senior EventsSt. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Age: 55+Lunch includes: Corned Beef Sandwich, pickles, chips, coleslaw, Irish Soda Bread & dessert, fresh hot coffee, tea, & lemonade will be served.Friday, March 17 • 11:30 am-2:00 pmBerwyn Recreation Department – 6501 W. 31st StreetBerwyn Residents – FREE! • Non-residents - $6.00

Berwyn - Neighborhood Watch Newsletter

Age: All Ages Come out for North Berwyn Park District’s Annual Easter Parade. Join the parade or just watch! To enter a float or a group, call (708) 749-4900. Saturday, April 15 • 10:30 amParade Route: Down 16th St. from Jefferson Field to Prairie Oak School, 1427 Oak Park Ave

Upcoming Family Events

EASTER EGG HUNTSEASTER EGG HUNTS

ANNUAL NORTH BERWYN PARK DISTRICTAge: All Ages FREE!Missed the first Egg Hunt? Come on out to North Berwyn’s Easter Egg Hunt! There will be plentiful Goodie Filled Eggs for all the children and even some prize winning eggs! After the hunt make sure you stick around for the Easter Bunny’s Arrival! Saturday, April 15 • 10:00 am SHARP!Jefferson Field, 16th & Wenonah

ANNUAL CITY Age: 1-10 FREE!In collaboration with the North Berwyn Park District and the Berwyn Park District, the City of Berwyn will host the annual Easter Egg Hunt!Friday, April 14 • 10:00 am SHARP!Morton West High School Football Field - 2400 S. Home Ave. / Rain Location: Field House

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZAAge: All Ages FREE!Gather the family and enjoy a colorful array of activities that are sure to delight. Photos with the Easter Bunny and Spring Crafts!Saturday, April 15 •11:00 am-1:00 pmPrairie Oak School Gym - 1427 Oak Park Ave.

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Berwyn - Neighborhood Watch Newsletter12