School starts, be smart

It’s back-to-school time, so please drive carefully out there. The kids are excited and getting used to the new routine; they can dart out in front of a car in a flash. Please put down the cell phones, take your time, be respectful of the neighborhood and everyone will get where they are going safely.

While we’re talking about back-to-school safety, many families are leaving side garage doors or back doors unlocked for children when they return after school. The bad guys know this and when no one answers the front door, they come in another one that you have left open.

We’ve had several of this type of break-in; even one when the resident was at home. Fortunately their inside door to the garage was locked and the bad guy couldn’t get all the way in, but it was scary. The Clayton Police caught the bad guy and retrieved the resident’s keys and purse that were left in the car in the garage, but it could have been so much worse.

More Safety

Clayton CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) helped organize a great National Night Out in two neighborhoods. Many people were trained on how to perform Hands-only CPR. This is a skill we all need to have. It’s surprisingly easy to do with the correct instruction and it could help you could save a life. CERT has several opportunities for this training. See the article on page 3 of this issue of the Pioneer for details.

Every neighborhood should have a Neighborhood Watch plan as well. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, know who is supposed to be in the neighborhood and who looks out-of-place. We held a meeting in our neighborhood and it was great fun to get to know the folks who have recently moved in, exchange emergency contact information and see how the children have grown. Next up is an end-of-summer barbecue to keep those friendships going.

Derby Day

This Saturday is the great Labor Day Soapbox Derby and car show on Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be great fun for the whole family – come on down.

As always, you can contact me by email at JPierce@ci.clayton.ca.us. Let me know what you think!