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Realtors Invited to Partner with Police Force to Make Los Gatos Safe, Close-knit Community


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Monday, December 3, 2007

In Los Gatos kids are interacting with police officers in a positive way. If they wear they're helmet when riding their bicycles, police officers will reward them with an ice cream coupon as part of a program to develop a closer and positive relationship between the city's police force and youth.

Los Gatos Police Chief Scott Seaman told Realtors at last week's Los Gatos District Tour Meeting that the police hope to expand the program to include coupons from more retailers because the program promotes a lot of goodwill in the community.

Building community relations and encouraging community problem solving are major goals of the Los Gatos Police Department. "We enjoy an excellent relationship with the community but realize that this is a never-ending process," said Seaman. "We are working to better connect with residents and businesses to build a good relationship."
 
This is where Realtors can help the department, said Seaman. "Our ultimate goal is to know everyone in the community," he said.

Seaman told SILVAR members the department is developing a new resident outreach form which can be filled out by new residents and submitted to the department, so officers will be aware of an individual or family who moves into town from the first moment and start building a good relationship with them.

"I envision the day when someone from our department can welcome new homebuyers to the community and hand them a packet of information about our department and community," said Seaman.

The Los Gatos police chief invited Realtors to share their thoughts about this goal and other programs of the department, because he said ultimately, Realtors' goals and that of the department are intertwined – promoting Los Gatos as a safe, close-knit community.

Although Los Gatos is one of the prime communities in Silicon Valley, Seaman told Realtors not to let their guard down and have a false sense of security. "We have all the types of crime present in other cities like San Jose," he cautioned. "It all happens here, but at a lower level, without the spikes. We are a community without walls, and we need people to be vigilant; but the whole, we have a very safe community."

He said types of crime that are prevalent are thefts in parking lots, vandalism and drug-related incidents.

"We're committed to our residents and businesses and believe we do pro-active work, and many times, we are able to cut off crime before it happens. It's something we do well," said Seaman.

Seaman invited Realtors to learn more about the department's programs and services for youth and families. Especially important to seniors is the senior wellness check program called Operation C.A.R.E. (Caring About Resident Elders), a free daily check-in telephone service that makes sure program participants are all right. If the police dispatcher is unable to reach the senior by telephone or any of the senior's emergency contacts listed with the police department, a police officer will be sent to the senior's home to check on the senior's welfare. Police officers also check on homes of residents when they are away on vacation, and residents can sign up online to receive a town-wide and neighborhood information about police activities.

To learn more about the services and programs provided by the Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department, go to http://www.losgatosca.gov/index.asp?NID=43


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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